What's on: events
Join us this year as our events programme time travels back to 15th century and celebrate when Henry V became King in 1413. And our Maize Maze also returns! With a mini maze.
Combining medieval celebrations with traditional gaming, we have transformed past merrymaking into 21st century entertainment, bringing Penshurst Place to life with the joy of games through a series of events, activities and workshops.
To find out what is happening on a certain day, scroll down to the bottom of the page and you can use our What's on calendar. Just hover over the date and if the text is white, an event should appear.
If you would like to be notified about our events please join our mailing list - see right for sign up - and tick the Visitor Events your interests' box.
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Most events are free to garden ticket holders - except where a house or separate ticket is mentioned and needs to be purchased, for example for the Craft Show and the Head Gardener's Tour.
Though we endeavour to run all the events as we have planned, this may be affected by unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather conditions. Please do contact us before visiting to avoid disappointment - call 01892 870307 or email contactus@penshurstplace.com (office open 7 days a week during the season; 9am - 4pm at weekends and bank holidays).
February Half Term Fun
Sat 16 - Sun 24 Feb 2013
Search for ye treasures at Penshurst Place - a Treasure Hunt trail for children. Help to find the six hidden treasure throughout the kingdom of Penshurst.
Grounds, Restaurant, Playground and Toy Museum open daily for half term - come and see the gardens as they are springing back to life. House open weekends only. You can look for signs of spring - bring the Woodland Trust spotter sheet.
Armour cleaning demonstrations
18th, 24th Oct & 1 Nov
We are delighted that we have NADFAS visiting us to clean the armour in the state rooms, on alternate Wednesdays and Thursdays this autumn.
They will be doing their work on display to visitors in the Crypt from 12 noon - 3pm with a break for lunch. Please note the Crypt is accessed via the Baron's Hall and down a few small steps. House ticket required.
Gift Shop open daily
All year
Free to visit and open daily all year.
From 10.30am - 4.30pm when house and grounds closed. Open until 6pm (or dusk if earlier) when house & grounds open.
Mothering Sunday
Sunday 10 March 2013
12 noon - 4pm Visit our Education Room to learn about the origins of Mother’s Day and treat your mum to a handmade card, or better still present her with a special handmade award!
And you can have lunch or a special Penshurst High Tea in the Garden Restaurant - we recommend you book a table on arrival.
Armada!
Sat 23 - Sun 24 Mar 2013
12 noon - 4pm Come and experience life at Penshurst Place as the militia prepare to ward off the invasion of the Spanish Armada.
Costumed characters invite visitors to join them as they prepare the Penshurst Place household for the invasion. House ticket required for entry to some activities. Garden season ticket holders free entry. See also FREE HOUSE TOUR and for Kent residents the Big Weekend out.
Also available for school groups; visit our Armada page.
Kent's Big Weekend Out
Sat 23 & Sun 24 March 2013
An event for residents of the county of Kent who won tickets last month to visit. Free house tour each day - see below for separate event entry.
Ticket winners please bring a print out of your tickets to gain admittance. If you have lost your ticket, please bring some photo ID with proof of your name and address and we can check your details on arrival.
Due to the weather Saturday tickets valid for Sunday. But please note this may make the restaurant and other areas busier than normal.
Free House tour
Sat 23 & Sun 24 March 2013
Join our free house tour on Saturday and Sunday. Starting at 11am. To book come to the visitor entrance on the day - open from 10.30am. Maximum 26 places. Normal House & Garden admission prices apply.
Tours open to Kent's Big Weekend Out ticket holders.
Easter Holiday Fun
29 March - 14 April 2013
Hunt for the dragon's eggs that are hidden around the gardens and become Easter eggsperts with our Easter craft activities.
Make your very own boys and girls Medieval Easter bonnets and transform into knights and noblewomen. A chocolate bunny for each child visiting whilst stocks last.
Easter Trail daily from 10.30am when grounds open.
Craft workshop daily 12 noon – 4pm (requires guardian supervision and participation)
Easter Bank Holiday Tales
Sun 31 Mar & Mon 1 April
3 showings at 2pm, 2.45pm and 3.30pm.
The Story of Lambert Simnel; how his life was spared, how he served the King and how he invented the Simnel cake one Eastertime. Storytelling from Aardvark Productions. Suitable for young children.
Weald of Kent Craft & Design Show
Bank Holiday 4 - 6 May 2013
9.30am – 5.30pm on Penshurst estate parkland. Organised by ICHF Events. Joint tickets to Penshurst Place & the Craft Show available to purchase in advance for just £10.
The Weald of Kent Craft & Design Show offers a stunning array of unique crafts from over 250 craftspeople from across the UK. With Workshops, Demonstrations, awe-inspiring features and live music, it's a perfect day out for all the family!
To book special offer tickets of just £10 to Penshurst Place and the Craft Show, book in advance by 5pm on 29 April - click here to order. Tickets to Penshurst Place also available on the day. Book 10 tickets get 1 free.
Craft Show only tickets for adult on the day £7, senior £6 . Child under 16 free if accompanied by parent - otherwise £3. Entry to Penshurst Place is additional.
Brand new for 2013, Andrew Sinclair from The Sculpture School will be at the show ready to inspire, intrigue and fascinate audiences with his Sculpture Demonstrations
See instructions to the separate Show entrance in our How to find us section.
