insideKENT Magazine Issue 41 - August 2015 | Page 121

DAYSOUT

Historical Kent
Kent is steeped in history, with an array of English Heritage and National Trust properties to
explore, independent historical gems to discover, and countless Kentish tales to tell. But are
you into military history, medieval mayhem, rural heritage, or 19th-century geniuses? And
what if the word ‘history’ sends your family into a deep sleep?
Visit Kent has the inside scoop on some fascinating and surprising heritage days out that are
sure to please every taste this August. PHOTOS BY VISIT KENT
War Games at The Historic Dockyard

Visit Canterbury’s
Ancestors
For a unique perspective on
medieval art, get an
unprecedented close-up view
of Canterbury Cathedral’s
oldest and most important
stained glass windows and
learn the story of the ancestors
captured in the glass. The
Ancestors exhibition (on display
in the cathedral’s Chapter
House until 23rd August)
features the beautiful medieval
stained glass panes that have
been temporarily removed from
the cathedral’s Great South
Window, while conservation
work is carried out. The
windows show a series of lifesize figures representing the
ancestors of Christ, dating back
to the 12th and early 13th
centuries, and are the most
complete known collection of
such figures in medieval art.
www.canterbury-cathedral.org

A lesson in military history with toys? Little and big kids rejoice as The V&A
Museum of Childhood’s highly acclaimed touring exhibition, War Games,
comes to The Historic Dockyard Chatham this summer. The exhibition
explores warfare though play from 1800 to the present day, featuring a
large collection of classic and retro toys and games. See tin ships, toy
soldiers, action figures, ‘anti-war’ toys, strategy board games and computer
games, as well as science fiction and space adventures. A unique exhibition
at No. 1 Smithery: The Gallery until 20th September. www.thedockyard.co.uk

A Darwinian
Adventure at Down
House

Firepower at Dover Castle
Get your family fired up
as Dover Castle plays
host to an amazing
festival of firepower on
15th and 16th August.
Gather round the
campfires of the
Napoleonic Redcoats,
be amazed by the
bravado of the Roman
Soldiers, and marvel at
the might of the
medieval sappers.
From Roman torsion
machines to trebuchets
and the first gun using
black powder, witness
the ingenious methods
used by warring armies throughout the centuries to impose their might on
the enemy. Kids can get stuck in with have-a-go archery and mini battles,
while all the family will enjoy the black humour of the newly commissioned
Cold War play.
www.english-heritage.org.uk

Are you a budding Darwin
or an up-and-coming
Brunel? Then get your
thinking caps on and your
brains buzzing at Down
House. The f ormer North
Kent home of Charles
Darwin is hosting events
throughout the summer for
intrepid explorers and
inventors, such as ugly bug
safaris and Victorian game
extravaganzas. One highlight
will be the daily Discoveries
and Inventions workshops
for youngsters from 11th to
15th August. The 40-minute
workshops will take little
ones on a trip through
history's most exciting inventions, from the totally practical to the downright
wacky, with storytelling and hands-on Darwinian activities. Budding inventors
might even create something to add to the record books!
www.english-heritage.org.uk

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