Family days out at Emmetts Garden

Current and upcoming events

Summer of Play

Saturday 18 July–Sunday 6 September 2026, 10am–5pm (last entry at 4pm).

Get ready for a summer jam-packed with fun. With action and adventure, nature inspiration, a chance to get creative and perform as well as build and discover, there's plenty for everyone to enjoy. Take part in the games and activities as you explore the garden. Free with normal admission.

Wild Wonder: Summer family workshops

Sessions available 23 and 30 July, 6 and 13 August, 10.15–11.15am and 11.30am–12.30pm, £8/child ticket.

Reconnect with nature in an outdoor workshop led by wellness expert Tansy Dowman. Blending mindfulness, creativity and movement, the session will include a variety of playful and interactive nature-based activities. Suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults and younger siblings under 4 can accompany a child with a ticket for free as observers. Pre-booking essential.

Each week features a different nature-themed activity, so there's always something new to discover.

Nature's Patterns: Discover the colours, shapes and patterns hidden throughout the natural world.

Nature Explorers: Explore the woodland and discover nature through fresh eyes.

Nature Creatures: Create charming woodland creatures and build mini homes using natural materials.

Nature's Art Gallery: Become a nature artist and help transform the woodland into your very own outdoor gallery.

Find out more and pre-book tickets Wild Wonder: Summer family workshops.

Outdoor Theatre at Emmetts Garden

Our summer season of open-air performances return to the meadow at Emmetts Garden. Please bring chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy whilst watching. Performances will continue in wet weather so please come prepared! Please note, dogs are not permitted at outdoor theatre events. Check individual listing links for tickets and more information including age recommendations.

Outdoor Theatre: Romeo and Juliet by Immersion Theatre

Thursday 30 July 2026

Moving, funny, and tragic in equal measure, this beautiful production will see Immersion Theatre continue to build on their reputation for producing Shakespeare for all, be it the seasoned theatre-goer or budding literary enthusiast. This is Shakespeare as it’s meant to be: interactive, fun, and highly accessible! Suitable for ages 10+.

Doors open at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start. Performance lasts approximately 110 minutes including interval.

Find out more and check availability for tickets.

Outdoor Theatre: Othello by The Lord Chamberlain's Men

Sunday 9 August 2026

Othello–a stunning story of deception, jealousy and a man that loved not wisely but too well.

“O beware, my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock. The meat it feeds on.”

With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men present this play as he first encountered it–in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

Doors open at 5.00pm, for the performance to start at 6.00pm. Performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes, including a 15 minute interval.

Find out more and check availability for tickets.

Outdoor Theatre: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by This Is My Theatre

Sunday 16 August 2026

Step through the looking glass and into a world where nothing is quite as it seems. Perfect for dreamers of all ages, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland invites you to lose yourself in the magic of one of literature’s most beloved journeys!

Doors open at 3.30pm, for the performance to start at 4pm. This performance will last approximately eighty-five minutes, with a 20min interval.

Please note, if you wish to explore the garden before the performance, you will have to purchase a general admissions ticket or scan your National Trust membership card.

Find out more and check availabilty for tickets.

Outdoor Theatre: The Jungle Book by Immersion Theatre

Thursday 20 August 2026

Filled with original music, audience interaction, and a host of larger-than-life characters, you are invited to join Mowgli and his friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, on a madcap jungle adventure as they meet and attempt to outwit a slithering snake, some cheeky monkeys, and the fierce tiger, Shere Khan! Recommended age: 4+.

Doors open at 2:30pm for a 3:00pm start. Performances last approximately 90 minutes including interval.

Please note, if you wish to explore the garden before the performance, you will have to purchase a general admissions ticket or scan your National Trust membership card.

Find out more and check availability for tickets.

Outdoor Cinema at Emmetts Garden

Back to the Future

Saturday 15 August 2026, 7–11pm

Gates open: 7pm

Film starts: 8:40pm (shortly after sunset)

BBFC Classification: PG

Emmetts Garden is the perfect setting for an unforgettable open-air cinema experience. Your ticket allows you to explore the gardens before the film.

Food and drink stalls will be on site for you to purchase your favourite drinks and fantastic food. Enjoy listening to a live music artist while the sun sets as you settle in to watch this classic film under the stars.

The story: In this iconic 1980s sci-fi classic, small-town California teen Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Planning your visit: No outside food can be brought onsite with you to this screening. Also please note that this site is a cashless site, so only card payments will be accepted onsite.

Please also note that no dogs are allowed to be brought to this screening.

Cinestock have a range of ticket deals available.

Find out more and check availablity for tickets Outdoor Cinema: Back to the Future

The Greatest Showman: Outdoor Cinema with a Garden Groove

Sunday 30 August 2026

Gates open:5pm for the Garden Groove, 7pm for cinema only ticketholders

Film starts: 8:40 PM (shortly after sunset)

BBFC Classification: PG

The Garden Groove Experience: The pre-show Garden Groove Experience is a silent disco walk through the beautiful grounds of Emmetts Garden, led by DJ Charlie Oh La La. Garden Groove gives guests the chance to explore the gardens in a completely unique way, dancing, singing and laughing your way through a specially curated soundtrack before returning to the cinema arena in plenty of time to enjoy the pre-film entertainment, food, drinks and the screening itself.

The story: Inspired by the incredible story of visionary showman P.T. Barnum, this uplifting film follows one man’s journey from nothing to creating the greatest spectacle the world has ever seen. Filled with unforgettable characters and show-stopping songs including 'This Is Me', 'Rewrite the Stars' and 'The Greatest Show', this is pure feel-good movie magic from start to finish.

Planning your visit: No outside food can be brought onsite with you to this screening. Also please note that this site is a cashless site, so only card payments will be accepted onsite.

Please also note that no dogs are allowed to be brought to this screening.

Cinestock have a range of ticket deals available.

Find out more and check availablity for tickets The Greatest Showman: Outdoor Cinema with a Garden Groove.

Autumn Festival at Emmetts Garden

Celebrate the changing seasons and the cornucopia of colour at Emmetts Garden during our Autumn Festival, 9 October to November 2026. This year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever. Families can enjoy Music on the Meadow during the Autumn Fair Makers Market weekend, fairground rides during half term, Halloween weekend craft workshops and the Fun-Gus family activity trail throughout the festival season.

Music on the Meadow

Saturday 10–Sunday 11 October

Medway Concert Brass will perform on Saturday 10 October at 12 noon and 2pm. Biggin Hill Concert Band will perform on Sunday 11 October at 12 noon and 2pm.

Autumn Talks at Emmetts Garden: We are all made of stardust with Mark Hiller

Sunday 18 October 2026, 13.00–14.00

Explore meteorites and their role in shaping our world with Mark Hiller from Edenbridge and District Astronomers. This interactive session includes a unique opportunity to see and handle real meteorites. Suitable for adults and children aged 12+ (children must be accompanied by an adult).

The standard rate for this talk will be £10 for adult tickets and £5 for children's tickets from 1 September.

More information about We are all made of stardust with Mark Hiller

Family activity trail: Fun-Gus Saves the Forest

Friday 9 October– Sunday 1 November 

Running throughout the Autumn Festival including half term. Purchase a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for £3. Explore the garden and take part in fun family activities as you help Fun-Gus and Myrra save the day. Return to the Visitor Centre to collect your prize. Normal admission applies; under 5s visit for free.

More information about the Autumn Festival: Family Garden Trail

Half term children’s fairground

Friday 23 October–Sunday 1 November, 10am–4pm (last ride starts at 3.30pm)

Join us this half term for the return of the popular children’s fairground at Emmetts Garden. This season’s rides include a carousel, swing boats and the teacups. 

Fairground access is £10 per wristband per day. This allows a child to go on the rides throughout the day. Rides are suitable for children aged: 2-8. You can also take advantage of a combined ticket for £12 which includes a fairground wristband and a Fun-Gus Family Activity Trail booklet (normally £3).

Normal admission prices or National Trust membership also applies.

More information about the Children’s Fairground.

Halloween craft workshops

Thursday 29 October–Sunday 1 November

Halloween Spooky Woodcraft workshop

Thursday 29 October–Sunday 1 November 2026

Ticketed sessions available at 10:30–11:15, 11:30–12:15, 13:00–13:45 and 14:00–14:45

£8, normal admission also applies.

Join Natalia, an accredited Forest School teacher from Wild Side Learning for a creative woodcraft workshop with a seasonal twist. Learn how to safely use carving tools to whittle a wooden mushroom keyring. Suitable for ages 8+, limited places; pre-booking strongly recommended.

More information and tickets for the Halloween Spooky Woodcraft workshop.

Halloween Spiderweb Weaving Workshop

Thursday 29 October–Sunday 1 November 2026

Drop-in sessions available 10:30–12:15 and 13.00–15:00

Create your own spooky spider-web and pinecone spider in this free (with admission), drop-in activity during the Halloween half term. Led by accredited forest school teacher, Natalia with National Trust volunteers on hand to help, this activity is suitable for children aged 2+.

More information about the Halloween Spiderweb Weaving Workshop.

What else is on during the Autumn Festival?

Find out more about the Autumn Festival at Emmetts Garden including the Autumn Fair Makers Market, the Autumn Talks weekend, photography workshops for adults and food and drinks stalls on selected dates.

Family facilities

There are baby-changing facilities at the entrance to the site, next to the Visitor Centre, as well as at the Old Stables Tearoom. Please note that bikes and scooters are not suitable for the pathways at Emmetts Garden.