insideKENT Magazine Issue 61 - April 2017 | Page 68

VISITKENT
Dreamland
SPRINGTIME IN THANET
THE ISLE OF THANET IS A BEAUTIFUL, BUSTLING, BRILLIANT AREA OF KENT AT ANY
TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT WHEN SPRING ARRIVES IT IS TRULY STUNNING. THERE IS
SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO HERE, AND SO MUCH GOING ON TO KEEP EVERYONE
FROM ONE TO 101 ENTERTAINED, IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO MISS OUT. SO HERE
IS A LITTLE ROUND-UP OF SOME OF THE MAIN UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR
DIARY – WE KNOW YOU’LL HAVE A BLAST THIS APRIL AND MAY.
Dreamland
Possibly the biggest event in Thanet’s spring
calendar is the re-opening of Margate’s iconic
Dreamland for the 2017 season. With £15
million of additional investment, Sands
Heritage Ltd, the operators behind Dreamland,
have said that this year will be the biggest and
best yet – and considering how much fun
Dreamland has been in the past, that’s quite
a claim!
The park re-opens on 26th May and it comes
with some brand new rides and a more visitor-
friendly layout. Teddy and Betty Land is a
completely new area of the park, and will be
home to Dreamland’s two teddy bear mascots.
For tiny tots, this exciting adventure park is
perfect. And since there are rides and activities
for all ages, including the Scenic Railway –
Dreamland’s famous Grade II* listed
rollercoaster – big wheel and carousel, it’s a
true family day out.
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There is also going to be a 15,000 capacity
stage area which will offer the chance for
visitors to see some fabulous bands over the
coming months.
April sees two big events taking place at
Dreamland:
• Big Fish Little Fish Camp Bestival
Family Rave // 8 Apr
• Hipsville – Seaside A Go Go // 28-30 Apr
Visit www.dreamland.co.uk/events for more
information.
April in Margate, Broadstairs & Ramsgate
As well as Dreamland’s big 2017 re-opening,
which promises to be huge fun and present
plenty of opportunity for family days out, there
are many more events taking place all over
Thanet during April.
On the 14th and 15th, you’ll find the excellent
Easter Beer Festival. This CAMRA-organised
festival is always popular, and you will be able
to take the opportunity to taste a wide range
of real ales, ciders and perries too. In fact, there
are going to be more than 200 represented at
the festival, and as well as tastings you’ll be
able to chat to the makers themselves who
will be more than happy to tell you about the
history of their beverages. You may even come
away with a few trade secrets – anything can
happen at the Easter Beer Festival! As well as
drinks there will be food and live entertainment
to enjoy, and it all takes place at the Winter
Gardens, Margate
(www.margatewintergardens.co.uk).
15th to 17th April will see the wonderful
Broadstairs Spring Fair. This fresh and joyous
fair has over 50 different stalls in attendance
(including Nip From The Hip, Winterdale
Cheesemakers, Victory Pies and many more),
each one promoting a piece of Kent’s fantastic