Follow in the footsteps of England’s most beloved author by visiting Broadstairs for the long running Dickens Festival.
Expect top hats, bonnets and billowing dresses as the community gathers for events including the grand parade, Dickensian picnic and beach party.
Other activities includes a traditional Victorian country fair and theatre production of Dombey and Son – the author’s novel follows the fortunes of a shipping firm, whose owner is frustrated at not having a son to follow him in the job, and initially rejects his daughter’s love, eventually becoming reconciled with her before his death.
Running since 1937 the festival was launched by the then resident of Dickens House, Gladys Waterer to commemorate the centenary of the author’s first visit to Broadstairs.
Dickens penned Bleak House in the town and described it as “the freshest, freest place” and “Our English Watering Place.”
Miss Haversham’s famous wedding dress, genteel society ladies and dapper gents have all proved inspiration for fancy dress costumes with Oliver Twist and Fagin representing the darker side of impoverished Victorian society.
Pre-festival
Thursday 20 – Sunday June, 23 – Dombey and Son at Memorial Theatre
Thursday June 20 Dickens on Film at the Palace Cinema
Friday, June 21
10am-5pm Victorian Country Fair at Victoria Gardens
10.30am Take Coffee with the Dickensians at Verreys
11am Barry Wootton Exhibition at Holy Trinity Church
11am-4pm Antiques Valuation Day at Victoria Gardens
12.30pm Dickensian Mini Golf at Lillyputt Mini Golf
2.30pm Dickensian Beach Party and Picnic at Viking Bay
Saturday, June 22
10am-5pm Victorian Country Fair at Victoria Gardens
10.30am Take Coffee with the Dickensians at The Bay Tree Hotel
11am Barry Wootton Exhibition at Holy Trinity Church
12pm Festival Grand Parade from Pierremont Hall to Victoria Gardens
3.30pm Dickensian Beach Party and Picnic at Viking Bay
Sunday, June 23
10am Take Coffee with the Dickensians at Morellis
10am-5pm Victorian Country Fair at Victoria Gardens
11am Barry Wootton Exhibition at Holy Trinity Church
11.30am Open Air Church Service at Victoria Gardens
2pm Victorian Village Church Match at Victoria Gardens
6.30pm Songs of Praise at Holy Trinity Church
Tickets
Many of the events are free. Tickets for the Festival play can be obtained from Sarah Thorne Theatre, on 01843 863701 or www.sarahthornetheatre.co.uk.
For other ticketed events these can be obtained from Expressions of Broadstairs, 65 – 67 High Street, (cash only).
Full guide at http://www.broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk/
Compiled by Jodie Nesling