insideKENT Magazine Issue 49 - April 2016 | Page 83

VISITKENT

visit maidstone
and put a spring in your step
Spring in Maidstone is one of the very best times of year as orchards fill with blossom and newborn
lambs skip about in the fields; the woodlands carpet themselves with bluebells and the days start
to draw out. So take advantage of the milder weather, get the family together and explore the
beautiful countryside and family-friendly attractions.
A visit to Kent Life offers over 28 acres of fun and
family activities and, at this time of year, you can
meet the newborn lambs and goat kids, as well
as calves, piglets and poultry. While you’re there,
have a go at bottle-feeding the lambs and kids,
and learn how to identify fertilised eggs in the
hatchery.

No visit to Maidstone would be complete without
a trip to Leeds Castle – ‘the loveliest castle in the
world’. Set within 500 acres of parkland and
formal gardens, the 900 year old castle rises
majestically from the moat. Daily events and yearround attractions make this a fantastic day out
at any time of year.

Kent Life
Leeds Castle

Celebrate St George’s Day in Maidstone when
there will be lots of activities around the town,
including live music, children’s workshops, face
painting, street performers and much more. Then
there will be more live music over the May Day
bank holiday weekend with the return of the
Maidstone Fringe Festival. See a wide mix of
music from rock, indie and pop-punk through to
acoustic and blues, folk and dance.

Maidstone has so much to offer throughout the
year, and many people come specifically for its
event programme. International events run locally
at Mote Park, Leeds Castle and Kent Showground
with each season bringing a different flavour and
atmosphere to the events being held.
Go to www.visitmaidstone.com to find out more
about all our great events and attractions and
start planning your visit.

maidstone museum
Head to Maidstone Museum this spring and discover A Woman of Genius. This stunning exhibition
uses works from the 16th century onwards from the Museum’s collections, alongside original
artwork by Vicki Cooke, to demonstrate how female artists have quietly disproved the quote “a
woman of genius does not exist; if she does, she must be a man!”
Artworks of a different kind will be on display in
the Café Gallery during April (1st to 24th) with an
exhibition of ‘Secrets’ contemporary art by David
Hover. David’s tactile and colourful wooden
collages have various codes, hidden messages
and time capsules built within them that will both
intrigue and mesmerise.

Maidstone Museum

Hot on the heels of this exhibition will be another
by Kathy Keefe, winner of the People’s Choice
from the 2015 Bentlif Art Prize exhibition. Kathy’s
love of vintage style and textiles oozes from her
exciting range of innovative pastel and collage
artworks, millinery, headdresses, upcycled shoes
and book art. There will also be an opportunity
to chat to Kathy about her work at a Meet the
Artist event on 30th April.
The artistic theme continues with an opportunity
to work alongside a professional artist on a halfday workshop. Vicki Cooke will be hosting two
sessions that are all about you! Learn how to
draw ‘selfies’; experiment with different
drawing techniques and create a ‘Me Mosaic’ to
take home.

There will be plenty of fun for children over the
Easter holidays too, with an Easter egg hunt every
day, alongside trails and colouring activities in
the galleries. Complete the egg hunt to receive
a sweetie prize.
The Museum’s main summer exhibition this year
is Treasures from Trash. Featuring upcycling and

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recycling from around the world, it will show
personal objects such as toys, ornaments, games
etc. made from many different salvaged materials.
Full details of all events, including opening times
can be found at www.maidstonemuseum.org.