Children’s Story Time And Book Festival
The Baker Street Bistro, (Upstairs at The Petticoat Lane Emporium) 47, Dumpton Park Drive, Ramsgate
From 10am to 4pm on October 24,25 and 26.
Storytime (11am and 2pm every day), workshops with the authors, competitions, raffle and book signing.
(Entrance is free,10% Food Discount Voucher available for every attendee)
Authors Julie E A Leonard, Chris J Horn, Kat McDermott and Peter Erlam
East Kent Coaching
Parents whose children enjoy running are invited to enrol them for East Kent Coaching’s morning training in Thanet during half-term.
The hour-long sessions are led by an England Athletics endurance coach, assisted by local sixth-formers who compete at national level.
Training takes place each weekday morning from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October in safe, traffic-free park locations – King George VI Memorial Park in Ramsgate (Monday and Thursday); St Peter’s Recreation Ground in Broadstairs (Tuesday and Friday); and Hartsdown Park in Margate (Wednesday).
The 09:00 slot each day is reserved for primary school children in years 4 to 6. “This is a great opportunity for children who ran at the Quex Park Cross Country and want to take their running to the next level,” says East Kent Coaching’s Steve King.
Those in secondary school years 7 to 9 will have their own session at 10:15 each morning. “This would suit anyone hoping to run at the Kent Schools’ Cross Country Championship next January,” says King, “but everyone is welcome, even if they haven’t run since primary school.”
Each session costs £5 and advance booking is essential. To reserve your child’s place on any of the half-term sessions, please visit www.eastkentcoaching.com/autumn2023.html or email [email protected].
TROLLS BAND TOGETHER (U)
Palace cinema Broadstairs
The Trolls gang are back for an action-packed, all-star, rainbow-colored reunion like no other as Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return for more animated family musical mayhem. Brilliant eye-popping, toe-tapping fun for all the family.
Friday 20 October to Sunday 29 October. Details here
Nocturnal at Quex
Weekends, 21st-22nd & 28th-29th October, 11am to 3pm
Watch incredible owl displays from Wide-Eyes Falconry at 12 pm – 12:30 pm and 2 pm – 2:30 pm
Challenge your grown-up to a dance-off in the silent disco
Get creative and add your art to our night sky table
Have some fun playing with Nocturnal-themed card games
Follow the Big Hoot trail throughout the museum. Find all the owls and become a star
Fancy dress is absolutely encouraged!
11 am – 12 am – SEND friendly hour. The silent disco lights will be turned on but not flashing or moving. If you have any questions regarding SEND suitability of the overall event, get in touch via email [email protected].
Please note that lighting will be at normal levels in all galleries apart from Gallery 6 where the light will be low for the disco.
12 pm – 3 pm – General opening.
A Mystery on the Cattle Hill Express (PG)
Carlton cinema Westgate
What if there was a seed that could grow without rain and sun, even without soil? The genius inventor Albert Einswein has with his super seed the solution for Cattle hill, which is struggling with supplies.
October 20-26. Details here
Sandra Art4All
Following a hugely successful exhibition at The Margate School in August, The Sandra Art4All Studio has taken up residency in the Harbour & Tide shop at 38 Fort Hill, Margate.
The Sandra Art For All Studio was founded by artist Sandra Hampton who is proficient in British Sign Language, providing a working studio to support deaf, neurodivergent and autistic artists. As well as creating stunning, vibrant artworks using wide-range of techniques, Sandra has also been successful in submitting the artists’ paintings into open submissions at galleries such as the Royal Academy in London and @turnercontemporary.
The Art4All artists’ paintings are currently on show at Harbour and Tide until 30st October and are all for sale, with proceeds going directly to the artists and the running of the studio.
The exhibition is open everyday 11am-4pm, and will now be sharing the space with Cabbages & Queens Glassware, and Flowerhead Creations during half term.
Park Life
Thanet council’s Community Safety Partnership is holding its first Park Life event, focused on supporting young people across the district.
Park Life brings together a wide range of local support services, where young people aged 11 to 25 can get free, confidential advice, all in one place.
There will be agencies offering young people advice and support on personal safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual and mental health, in addition to careers advice, counselling and more. Local sports groups will be offering free taster sessions including American football, pickleball, football and skateboarding.
The free event is taking place in Ellington Park in Ramsgate on Wednesday 25 October, between 11am and 3pm.
Monkton Nature Reserve
Monkton Nature Reserve has a programme of events taking place between October 24-27.
Spooky Scavenger Hunt – Free, daily during opening hours, no need to book, ask at reception for a scavenger sheet
What can you find, see, and hear on the reserve at this time of year? A leaf the colour of a pumpkin? A silky, spider’s web? Rustling leaves? Collect a scavenger sheet at reception and join in the fun. All participants will receive a woodland mask prize at the end of the hunt.
Snake VS Slow Worm – Tuesday 24th Oct 11am
Is it a snake? Is it a slow worm? Both can be found on the reserve. Together we will find out how to tell these reptiles apart. Decorate a wobbly, wooden toy as a grass snake or a slow worm, then take them home. Play giant, outdoor ‘Snakes and Ladders’
Creepy Crafts (Plastic Free) – Tuesday 24th Oct 1pm
A relaxed session where you can choose between a range of seasonal crafts – nature wands, ghost leaves and garlands, pine cone spiders, broomsticks and even garlic bulb planting to ward off the vampires!
Blackberry Paint and Bird Box Buffets – Thursday 26th Oct 11am
Discover the role of brambles on the reserve. What is a ‘drupelet’? Crush up and make blackberry paint. Use it to paint pictures. Build an egg box bird feeder and fill it with tasty treats for the birds.
Wild Classroom – Thursday 26th Oct 11:30am
Wild Classroom is back preparing your lunch cooked over fire. A hands on, outdoor session, cooking from scratch.
Magic at Monkton – Thursday 26th Oct 1:30pm
Come and discover the world of the Monkton fairies and their magical plats that inhabit this realm. Discover the secrets of the trees and plants around the reserve. Which tree bleeds red when cut? Where do the fairies like to build their homes? A walk with the Warden that takes place around the lower reserve. Suitable for all ages. Free but please reserve your space: [email protected]
Pumpkin Spiced Playdough – Friday 27th Oct 11am
Make and keep your own spiced, coloured playdough, then free play with seasonal cutters, pine cones, leaves, sticks and seeds from the reserve
Bat-ivity – Friday 27th Oct 1pm
Collect sticks and leaves to make a hanging bat mobile. Examine a bat skeleton. Collect a bat fact pack. Have you spotted the bat cave on the reserve?
Prices vary Book now
Shell Grotto
Grotto Hill, Margate. Open daily 10am to 5pm, and from 21 – 29 October and offering free entry to children under 16.
There will also be two fun family craft workshops with Dawn Cole Studio on October 25 and 26.
£4.50 ADULT, £4 CONCESSION, £2 CHILD and £10 FAMILY
https://www.shellgrotto.co.uk/
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory
Thursday 27th October at 7:30pm – John Buckingham will be hosting the Thursday lecture with “Birds of Morocco”.
John will be covering a very large range of southern Moroccan bird species from the snow line in the High Atlas to the Sahara close to the Algerian border plus verdant river valleys and palmeries and the coast around Agadir.
John will illustrate witnessing the masses of European breeding species on the move he via his wildlife photography.
Field Centre, Guilford Road, Sandwich. Online at https://sbbot.org.uk/activities/
Sidney Fox ‘murder case’ tour
On October 23, there will also be a guided tour of the parts of Margate related to case of Sidney Fox, his mother and her death in the fire at Room 66 of The Metropole Hotel in 1929.
The tour starts from Droit House on the Stone Pier at noon and runs for an hour. There will also be a book signing with author Glenn Chandler who has published a new book on the case. Cost is £5.
To book call 07747 034091 or email [email protected]
Migratory Madness: Pegwell Bay
October 23,10am – 1pm
Join Bird Wise East Kent and Kent Wildlife Trust for some wild activities in conjunction with The Great Coastal Birdwatch.
Introductory bird walks throughout the week aimed at families and beginner bird watchers, as we witness awe inspiring bird migration in action.
Join a short walk, with spotter sheets and binoculars* and watch the birds as they arrive on our coastline after completing thousand mile migrations from the arctic.
TheRangers will be able to assist with identification as well as offer some insight into just how these birds are able to complete such lengthy migrations, sometimes over open ocean!
Suitable for children of all ages, adults of all abilities, and well behaved dogs on the lead. We will be running walks throughout the week in various locations, so check our other events for one near you. See you soon!
*Subject to availability.
Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather. Bring a bottle of water and snacks. Walks will last for approximately 1 hour, with the chance to extend if requested. Rangers are first aid trained. Please check locally for parking restrictions.
Free – book in advance Book now
Autumn Scavenger Hunt
October 24, Meet: On the beach at Walpole Bay, Cliftonville, at 2pm
Join the Scavenger Hunt looking for clues from our marine life along the shore on this activity that includes a sand/beach challenge art at the end.
Try taking the shoreline challenge to find clues about our marine and bird life and coastal environment and end with a creative BeachART challenge. Aimed at young children (4-9s) working in family teams, but please dress up warm for the outdoors and the beach! (1.5hrs)
Suggested £2 donation to help the Thanet Coast Project. Please donate here.
Tickets Book now
Illustrating the Lives of Bright Stars with Angela Vives
October 24, 2.30pm-3.30pm, Turner Contemporary
To celebrate the publication of ‘Bright Stars of Black British History’, join the illustrator Angela Vives for a fun and creative workshop for children to connect creatively and celebrate diversity through portraiture.
Children will learn fun ways of drawing faces and how to capture each person’s unique features. We will guide you through painting one of our Bright Stars using pigments as we explore exciting art materials and classic painting techniques. Participants will also have a first-hand look into the illustration process of Bright Stars of Black British History.
Suggested age range: 8 – 12 years
Tickets from £5.00 Book now
Migratory Madness: Botany Bay
October 24, 10am to noon
Join Bird Wise East Kent and Kent Wildlife Trust for some wild activities in conjunction with The Great Coastal Birdwatch.
Introductory bird walks throughout the week aimed at families and beginner bird watchers, as we witness awe inspiring bird migration in action.
Join a short walk, with spotter sheets and binoculars* and watch the birds as they arrive on our coastline after completing thousand mile migrations from the arctic.
Rangers will be able to assist with identification as well as offer some insight into just how these birds are able to complete such lengthy migrations, sometimes over open ocean!
Suitable for children of all ages, adults of all abilities, and well behaved dogs on the lead. We will be running walks throughout the week in various locations, so check our other events for one near you. See you soon!
*Subject to availability.
Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather. Bring a bottle of water and snacks. Walks will last for approximately 1 hour, with the chance to extend if requested. Rangers are first aid trained. Please check locally for parking restrictions.
Tickets Free – book in advance Book now
Autumn Scavenger Hunts Broadstairs
October 25, Meet: On the beach at Botany Bay, at 2pm
Scavenger Hunt looking for clues from our marine life along the shore on this activity that includes a sand/beach challenge art at the end.
Try taking the shoreline challenge to find clues about our marine and bird life and coastal environment and end with a creative BeachART challenge. Aimed at young children (4-9s) working in family teams, but please dress up warm for the outdoors and the beach! (1.5hrs)
Suggested £2 donation to help the Thanet Coast Project. Please donate here. Book now
‘Incredible Me’ and ‘Champion Changemakers’ Workshops
October 25, 1pm-4pm, Turner Contemporary
Join Naomi and Natalie in the Clore Learning Studio for these two free drop-in workshops.
Get creative and use art to explore their unique identities. Create a zine all about you or make a crown which celebrates the wonder in each of us.
Free – drop in
Migratory Madness: Viking Bay
October 25, 10am to noon
Bird Wise East Kent and Kent Wildlife Trust with The Great Coastal Birdwatch.
Introductory bird walks throughout the week aimed at families and beginner bird watchers, as we witness awe inspiring bird migration in action.
Tickets Free – book in advance Book now
Revolution skate park and climbing
Offering 3 huge warehouses, crammed full of all types of ramps for beginners and expert riders alike. Users can Skateboard, Scooter, Inline Skate and BMX, all in the safety of the state-of-the-art, immaculately maintained, indoor environment.
Alongside the Skatepark is a further warehouse, which houses the Climbing Centre, and is packed with a diverse range of colourful walls, suitable for all levels of climber.
Housed in between these facilities is a Skate & Surf & Climbing shop with everything you could ever need, along with a snack bar for refuelling between activities.
All staff are fully trained, friendly, passionate and happy to help every visitor have a great time.
Lost Island
Golf and interactive darts at Flamingo Arcade, Margate seafront
From aiming your darts at the board to make a virtual ‘wall’ tumble down or to bag a collection of gold coins to testing your Robin Hood arrow skills – interactive boards at Lost Island Golf in Margate are putting a whole new slant on the game.
Three digital augmented reality dartboards have been installed upstairs at the Flamingo Arcade in Marine Terrace, alongside the venue’s second jungle-themed crazy golf course and a drinks cafe for players.
In augmented reality darts, players throw physical darts at a physical dartboard, but also experience interactive visuals, game statistics, virtual targets, animations, and scoring indicators superimposed onto the dartboard through projected high resolution graphics.
The new crazy golf challenge is another 18 hole course, with a lucky 19th hole. You can either book online or turn up and play. Golf opening times are 10am daily, with last entry 7:30pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30pm Friday to Sunday.
The boards are available to be booked for 1 hour slots from noon daily, closing 8pm Monday to Thursday, and 9pm Friday to Sunday. Boards can be booked for a flat hourly fee for up to 6 players.
Off peak board fees per hour are £25 all day Monday to Thursday, and up till 5pm Fridays. Peak time £35 per hour Friday from 6pm and weekends.
For bookings, head to www.lostislandgolf.co.uk and follow the link to book darts.
Ramsgate Micro Museum
Discover the earliest ways people counted and calculated and then found a way to indicate the important “0”.
Learn the stories of the thinkers and inventors whose ideas helped develop computing through the ages. Find the stories of the heroes of computing including Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace in Victorian times, Tommy Flowers the inventor of Colossus in the Second World War and on through the 20th to the start of the 21st centuries.
Other topics include the contribution made to British computing by Sir Clive Sinclair and the historic firsts in games, sounds, graphics, robotics, computer languages and much more.
1pm-4pm, Church Hill, Ramsgate
Adult or Child £5
Group/Family of 4 £15
Price Includes all retro games play
Under 3s Free
Cash only
Margate Caves
1 Northdown Road
The Caves were originally dug as a chalk quarry in the 17th and 18th centuries and are 94.2m long and 12.2m tall at the highest point. Originally opened to the public in 1863, the Margate Caves re-opened for the next generation of explorers on Thursday 22nd August 2019.
After visiting the Caves, browse the gift shop and stop off at the community café, popular locally for selling a range of delicious dishes.
The Cafe is open 10am to 4.30pm on the same days as the Caves.
Summer (March-October) Open seven days per week, 10am-5pm, last entry 4.30pm
Adult £4.50
Child £2
Concession £4
Under 4’s FREE
Family (2 adults/2 children) £10 https://www.margatecaves.co.uk/
Lillyputt Mini Golf, Broadstairs
Minigolf fun for all the family, with 12 championship holes and a lucky 13th hole… a must-do activity if you’re visiting the East Kent Coast.
If mini golf isn’t your cup of tea (have a pot of tea all to yourself instead!).
Wheelchair access into Cafe and Tea Garden area.
Adults: £6 Children under 10: £5
Lillyputt Mini Golf
Victoria Parade
Daily from 10am – 5pm daily (weather permitting) Open later weekends/summer holidays/fine weather
The Spitfire and Hurricane Museum at Manston
Museum site, displaying the two iconic war planes, and also holding a host of objects and artefacts telling the story of life in and around Ramsgate during WWII. Central to the display are the iconic Spitfire Mk XVI and Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc.
As well as the collection, the Museum has a small shop and the café (open 7 days a week from May 18th) serves teas, coffees and quality hot food, with an outside seating area.
Visitors are welcome to sit on the benches in the Allied Crew Memorial Garden to relax and reflect, in an evocative atmosphere.
Visitors are able to book a flight in the Spitfire Simulator. The Spitfire Flight Experience costs £30 for 30 minutes. Book your flight from their website here.
Free entry Donations welcome
Crampton Tower Museum
Friday – Sunday plus Bank Holiday Mondays 2pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
Crampton Tower Museum is a family-friendly museum celebrating the life and work of a Victorian engineer, transport and local history.
Crampton Tower Museum, on The Broadway, is a fascinating small museum, partly housed in a flint tower adjacent to the Broadstairs Railway Station. The tower formed part of Broadstairs’ first public water supply.
Adults £3, Child (4-16yrs) £1.50, Family Ticket £7.50 (2 Adults & 2 Children).
See website for details of events throughout the year.
Ramsgate Tunnels
Ramsgate’s Tunnels take you deep underground to unlock the story of a hidden city, which evolved from the largest and only known Civilian Deep Shelter Air Raid Precaution scheme authorised by Central Government.
The military story is told elsewhere, but very little remains of the civilian story of a front line town under some of the heaviest aerial bombing in Britain.
Adult £9
Senior/Disabled £7
Child £6
Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £22
A 50p booking fee applies to Adult & Senior tickets to cover online charges
RAF Manston History Museum
Aircraft, displays, photos, models and cafe
10am to 4pm Mon-Fri
Last entry 3:15pm
10am to 4pm Sat-Sun
Last Entry 3:15pm
Adult: £5.50
Child: £2.50 Under 5’s Free
Concessions: £4.50
Carers: £2.50
Family (2 adults and up to 4 children): £16
Rascal Bay Adventure Golf
Manston Road, Ramsgate
Designed in Sweden, the adventure encounters pirates, cannons, an octopus, snakes, skulls, a cannibal’s cooking pot, a crashed jeep, rocks, a volcano, dinosaurs, waterfalls, dinosaur eggs, a treasure chest, crocodiles and two rafts that the whole family will love!
Also available for parties, corporate events and private hire.
Adults: £8.75 Children: £6.50 Groups: £32 (4 adults) Family: £25 (2 adults + 2 children) Under 3s £3
Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Sat & Sun 9am-5pm
Little Seaside Town
High Street, Ramsgate
A centre for children and families, unlike traditional soft play centres, it promotes imaginative role play in a stimulating play “town” environment.
Each themed set is full of play props, costumes and toys to encourage children to explore and make believe. Everything at Little Seaside Town has been carefully designed to be as realistic as possible, so they can experience and act out real life scenarios.
2 hour session charged at £7 per child. Babies £1.50. All adults will be charged £1.50 Website
Open 7 days per week 9.30am – 5.30pm
Dinky Town Thanet
Pysons Road, Ramsgate
Check Facebook for latest opening times/prices.
Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm (Last entry is 2pm) £3 per child
No booking system – operating on a walk in basis only
Dinky Town is a children’s indoor play centre created to enhance the fun and educational experience imaginative role play brings to a child’s early years.
Dinky Town is suitable for those from walking up to around age 7. Website
Kids Bright House
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm; Wednesday & Friday 10am-5:30pm *
Kids Bright House is a family-run, indoor play area for kids from 0 – 11 years.
This is a place for kids to have fun, and mums to relax, have a cup of coffee or tea, and socialise. We also offer fresh, delicious food at our cafe.
There is a baby area for babies under 2, and a host of other indoor fun for children over 2.
No need to book
Toddler group and Tortoise visit every Monday 10am-12pm & Thursday 12:30pm-2:30pm
For more information See Here.
Free Adult with:
Babes-in-arms £2
Child £6
Extra Adults £1.50 each
Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve
Sandwich Road, Cliffsend
Of international importance for its bird population.
The site includes Pegwell Bay Country Park, a little gem with stunning sea views, a play area and picnic spot with mobile refreshments nearby – perfect for family fun in the fresh air
