October 2025 Newsletter

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the What’s On In Kent newsletter!

This month has been another busy one, with lots of great events happening across the county. Our Chapel Down ‘Networking With A Difference’ was a big success - thank you to everyone who joined us! You can catch a video of the day in this newsletter.

In this month’s newsletter you will find: * Halloween Events * Networking With A Difference - Chapel Down * Next Stop - Hempstead House Afternoon Tea with a Difference * Partner Corporate Day at Chilston Park Hotel * DFDS 10% OFF + Speedy Boarding (Exclusive deal for What’s on in Kent) * Have you booked your Christmas event? Check our variety of partners to plan yours with! * Video Creation Services

Halloween & October Half Term Highlights Across Kent

We’ve loved seeing so many wonderful events taking place across Kent throughout the October Half Term and Halloween period, with something for every family to enjoy.

A big thank you to all our fantastic partners who shared their events with us, including Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway for their exciting Halloween Trains and Ghost Hunt, Village Hotel Maidstone for hosting a lively Halloween Disco, and Millbrook Garden Centre in Gravesend and Staplehurst for their brilliant range of children’s craft activities.

We also had Owl Encounters with Sky Birds of Prey, a Harry Potter themed Afternoon Tea at Hempstead House Hotel & Spa, a Halloween Floral Pumpkin Workshop at The Cave Hotel & Golf Resort, a Halloween Trail at Betteshanger Park, and many more creative and family-friendly experiences across the county.

The good news is, the fun isn’t over yet. There are still plenty of fantastic events coming up across Kent, head over to our What’s on in Kent app or website to find what’s going on across the county.

If you’re already a What’s On In Kent partner, make sure you’re adding your upcoming events to your profile so they can be featured and seen by thousands of visitors.

If you’re not yet a partner, we’d love to have you onboard - please get in touch with us at sales@whatsoninkent.com ()

** A Sparkling Success at Chapel Down – Networking With a Difference

Earlier in October, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming our guests to the award-winning Chapel Down Group winery near Tenterden for another one of our Networking With a Difference events.

We were joined by a fantastic mix of attendees – including many of our existing What’s On In Kent partners and local business professionals – for a morning filled with great company, conversation, and of course, exceptional wine.

We began with teas, coffees, and a relaxed networking session before heading off on an insightful guided tour of the Chapel Down facilities. Guests were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating process of crafting and storing their award-winning English wines.

After the tour, we gathered in the beautifully designed Wine Sanctuary Tasting Room, where we learned the art of wine tasting and how to pair different wines with complementary foods. Delicious charcuterie boards perfectly accompanied the tastings, making it an experience to remember.

A huge thank you to our wonderful hosts Meg, Helen, Pippa, Gav, and the entire Chapel Down team for looking after us so well and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to:

John-Paul Rafferty for his incredible speed and skill in producing our event video, Steve Cameron from Simply Print Partners for creating our Networking With a Difference roller banner in record time, and Jack McGowan for capturing and creating our very own video of the day - you can see this below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mjee2Hphbo

** Next Stops for ‘Networking With A Difference’:

Our next Networking With a Difference event will take place at the delightful Hempstead House Hotel & Spa, where we’ll be indulging in a traditional Kentish Afternoon Tea - with a difference! Guests will have the chance to make their own scones with expert guidance from the hotel’s pastry chef. While the scones are baking, we’ll head outdoors for a taster foraging session with Claire Bates, before returning to enjoy our freshly baked creations.

Our events are free for What’s On In Kent partners, and we always welcome new faces!

If you’d like to join us as a guest at our next event, simply click the link below to register.

To stay updated on all upcoming Networking With A Difference events, head over to our new Networking With A Difference website which is now live: https://www.networkingwithadifference.com/

Afternoon Tea with a Difference - Now Sold Out!

Join us at the beautiful Hempstead House Hotel & Spa for a delightful afternoon filled with unique treats and surprises. What’s on in Kent are pleased to bring you another Networking With A Difference event in Sittingbourne Kent.

Hempstead House Hotel Wednesday 12th November 2025, 2:00PM

Chilston Park

We’re rounding off the year in style with our final Networking With a Difference event of 2025 and what better setting than the stunning Chilston Park Hotel in Lenham.

Chilston Park Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 10:30AM

Book Chilston Park Tickets (https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/maidstone/chilston-park-hotel/networking-with-a-difference-at-chilston-park-hotel/2025-12-02/10:30/t-jxkxkpr)

Partner Corporate Day at Chilston Park Hotel

Thanks so much to Tara Capon of Chilston Park Country House Hotel for inviting us to their Corporate Event Day. As a partner of Chilston Park, part of Hand Picked Hotels, we were lucky enough to have a table where we could invite our guests to enjoy and experience the Chilston magic.

Paul Pierce and his team looked after us perfectly from start to finish, and luckily the rain held off long enough to enjoy the amazing tipi from MY TIPI Events. Emma Broom from Opulence – Bespoke Wine Experiences was on hand with her expert wine knowledge, while Gillian Dyer-Lynch and her team from West Kent Shooting School ran the clay pigeon shooting. There were other fun activities too, like fire making with Richard Wise – Wise Up, and guests could even test drive cars courtesy of Barretts Kent.

The food was incredible, and the day was full of entertainment, with music, close-up magic and even a hot air balloon demonstration. It was also great to see fellow McLaren owners and Drivers Union Club members joining in the fun. The whole day really showed just how well Chilston Park can host and deliver a corporate event.

It was brilliant to see so many people enjoying themselves, from familiar faces to new connections, and a huge thank you to everyone who made it happen. You could really see the effort that went on behind the scenes to make it such a special day.

Exclusive Discount for What’s On In Kent - DFDS

We’re excited to share an exclusive offer for our readers and partners with DFDS! Enjoy 10% off ferry bookings from Dover to Calais, Dunkirk, or back, plus free speedy (priority) boarding.

As a customer of one of DFDS’s partners, you can take advantage of this special deal on both Dover – France and France – Dover crossings. Simply select the free Priority Boarding option when making your booking (please note this can only be added during the initial booking and not afterwards).

You can book online or by calling 0871 522 9977 and quoting “What’s On In Kent.” Calls are charged at 13p per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge.

Find out more and book your crossing here: DFDS Exclusive Offers – What’s On In Kent (https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/exclusive-offers/whats-on-in-kent)

Have you booked your Christmas event?

The festive season will be here before we know it! If you haven’t booked your Christmas event yet, now’s the perfect time to start planning. Check out our variety of partners and find the perfect venue or experience to make your celebration extra special.

https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3440-a-christmas-carol-festive-tea

A Christmas Carol Festive Tea - Hempstead House Hotel & Spa

30th November 2025 View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3440-a-christmas-carol-festive-tea)

https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3620-a-glimpse-of-christmas-past

A Glimpse of Christmas Past - Fort Amherst

** from 29th November 2025

View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3620-a-glimpse-of-christmas-past)

https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3321-cave-christmas-party

Cave Christmas Party - Cave Hotel and Golf Resort

** from 1st November

View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3321-cave-christmas-party)

https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3580-christmas-carols-at-the-white-horse

Christmas Carols at the White Horse - Kent Association for the Blind

**

13th December 2025

View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3580-christmas-carols-at-the-white-horse)

https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3616-christmas-casino-party-night-at-the-castle

Christmas Casino Party Night at the Castle - Lympne Castle

**

15th December 2025

View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3616-christmas-casino-party-night-at-the-castle)

https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3630-christmas-concert

Christmas Concert - Heart of Kent Hospice

**

7th December 2025

View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3630-christmas-concert)

https://whatsoninkent.com/partner_profiles/245-village-hotel-maidstone

Christmas Party Nights - Village Hotel Maidstone

** Dates throughtout November and December

View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/partner_profiles/245-village-hotel-maidstone)

https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3509-shared-christmas-party-nights-2025

Christmas Party Nights 2025 - Frasers

**

Dates throughtout November and December

View event (https://whatsoninkent.com/events/3509-shared-christmas-party-nights-2025)

Welcome our New Partners

We’re excited to welcome our new partners to What’s On In Kent! You may have met some them at recent events, or if not, make sure to say hello at upcoming ones. It’s fantastic to have them on board - take a look at what they have to offer and discover some great new experiences, products, and services across the county.

https://whatsoninkent.com/partnerprofiles/402 https://whatsoninkent.com/partnerprofiles/402

Mercure Brands Hatch Place Hotel

Discover Authentic Comfort in the Heart of Kent

For travellers seeking genuine local experiences and a peaceful countryside retreat, the 4-star Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa offers the perfect blend of relaxation, comfort, and adventure. Nestled amidst the rolling Kent countryside, the hotel provides an ideal base for those who wish to unwind while exploring the natural beauty and rich culture of the surrounding area. View Mercure Brands Hatch Place Hotel Profile (https://whatsoninkent.com/partner_profiles/402)

Wise Up Events

At WiseUp, they go beyond traditional team building, creating purpose-driven experiences that develop teams and strengthen organisations. Profile coming soon ()

White Tiger Digital Ltd

White Tiger is a digital marketing agency that doesn’t believe in blending in. Based in the UK, they work with brands that want to stand out, shake up their market, and grow with intent. Profile coming soon ()

Clare Petherick - Virtual Assistant

Clare is a freelance Virtual Assistant, providing flexible and reliable business support across a wide range of industries. She offers a variety of services to help businesses stay organised, efficient, and focused on growth, including administrative support, scheduling, email management, and other tailored virtual assistance solutions. Profile coming soon ()

Video Creation Services https://www.youtube.com/@whatsoninkentapp

Here at What’s On In Kent, we offer professional video creation services to help showcase your business. Check out our YouTube Channel to see how we can highlight your brand and bring your story to life.

If you’d like to find out more, get in touch by emailing us at sales@whatsoninkent.com ()

View YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@whatsoninkentapp)

Feature on the What’s on in Kent Website

Promote Your Business on the What’s On in Kent Website – Still Available!

We’re continuing to offer businesses the opportunity to boost their visibility with a high-impact banner ad on the What’s On in Kent homepage.

For just £150 per week, your banner will link directly to your profile and be featured in a prime position on one of Kent’s most popular websites—visited by thousands of people actively searching for things to do in the area.

Whether you're promoting an event, showcasing a special offer, or simply increasing brand awareness, this is a powerful and cost-effective way to reach a wider audience across the county.

Spaces are still available, so don’t miss out!

To get your banner up and running, email: sales@whatsoninkent.com ()

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** Fast, Flexible & Reliable Couriers!

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For Same Day, Next Day, International, Temperature Controlled or Specialised Delivery Services. JDL Deliveries can collect and deliver anywhere in the UK mainland and Ireland. Visit www.JDLDelivieres.com (https://www.jdldeliveries.com/) https://facebook.com/ https://instagram.com/ https://twitter.com/

https://www.whatsoninkent.com