Group Visits
Kent Life offers a wide range of tailor made packages to suit all group organisations. Whether you are looking to lunch in our traditional tearooms or have a guided tour around our beautiful historical 28 acre grounds, you will not be disappointed. Kent Life is also one of the only heritage venues which is reachable by boat.
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Group Benefits:
- Discounted admission rates for pre-booked groups of 15 or more
- Free admission for the coach driver
- Free admission for the group organiser
- Dedicated free hard-standing parking area for up to 8 coaches
- Dedicated free hard-standing parking for groups with disabilities and free-standing parking for 200 cars.
- Free transportation around Kent Life for people with disabilities
- Free familiarisation trips for the group organiser
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We all like learning something new, discovering a fact we did not know before, acquiring a new skill or taking part in an activity we have not tried yet. Like children, we all learn in different ways. If you would like to delve a little deeper into an area of interest at Kent Life, why not book a Guided Tour or a demonstration in addition to your visit? Kent Life offers a wide and varied menu of opportunities for adult learning and if you can't find anything to suit you, please contact the Group Bookings Team to discuss a tailor-made event just for you. Please note pre-booking is required and subject to availability for all of the below.
Group admission prices only apply to pre-booked groups of 15 or more people. An additional £1 will be added to the main season admission price on event days.
Tours
The very knowledgeable Friends of Kent Life provide informative and interesting tours of Kent Life. These can be tailored to your group's specific interests, for example, Kentish Hop Industry or the History of Kent Life's Buildings.
Tours last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and costs £30 for a group of up to 30 people. |
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Garden Tours
Meet Kent Life's gardeners and take a tour around the different gardens: the Kitchen Garden, the Fruit Garden, the Orchards and the Herb Garden. Did you know Kent Life hosts 62 varieties of apple trees and approximately 149 different types of herbs?
Tours last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and costs £30 for a group of up to 15 people. |
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Workshops & Demonstrations
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Blacksmith
Our resident blacksmith will demonstrate traditional blacksmithing in the Forge at Kent Life. Historically, the blacksmith would be making and mending agricultural tools, providing ironwork for carts and wagons and making horseshoes for horses.
Demonstrations last approximately 45 minutes and cost £2 per person for a group of up to 15 people. |
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Beekeeping Demonstrations
Our Beekeeper will talk about the ancient art of beekeeping and demonstrate the process from bees in the hive to the honey pot on your breakfast tables.
Demonstrations last approximately 45 minutes and cost £2 per person for up to 30 people a session. |
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Victorian Workshops
A variety of workshops are held for this theme including:
Victorian Schoolroom
You will be armed with slates and chalk and given a lesson in true Victorian style. You will find out about the old methods of teaching and discipline.
Demonstrations last approximately 45 minutes and cost £110 for a group of up to 30 people.
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Victorian Dairymaid
Meet the Dairy maid who will take you through the process of butter making from milking of the cow to patting the butter into shape. You will have the opportunity to try out butter patting and churning. Demonstrations last approximately 45 minutes and cost £110 for a group of up to 30 people.
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Victorian Scullery
You will be taken through the process of washing, rinsing, drying and pressing clothes Victorian style. Using historic artifacts you will also have the opportunity to try some washing yourselves.
Demonstrations last approximately 45 minutes and cost £110 for a group of up to 30 people.
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How we kept ourselves clean in Victorian Times
You will be taken through the process of soap making, learn about hygiene in Victorian times as well as make your own wash balls to take home.
Demonstrations last approximately 45 minutes and cost £110 for a maximum group of up to 30 people.
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Lectures
Oasthouses in Kent
Do you know your roundel from your cowl? Robin Walton, an expert on Kentish Oasthouses, will share his extensive knowledge while you enjoy a delicious Cobtree cream tea.
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Composting
Want to do your bit for the environment and let Mother Nature do the actual work? Why not build a compost heap in your garden. Kent Life gardener Debs Reason will teach you where to start and how to prevent any problems, and before long, your flowers will benefit from your own 'black gold'. Debs will also be available to answer any questions while you enjoy a Cobtree cream tea.
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Other Amenities
Tearooms
Our on-site tearooms can offer your group a variety of food and refreshments. If you pre-book your food order with your advanced entrance booking, your group will receive a further discount in the tearooms. The options available are:
- Fresh Cream Tea
- Hop Pickers Cold Lunch
For more information and prices please download the Group Booking Form
Boat Trips
Sit back, relax on the Kentish Lady and listen to the running commentary about the fascinating history and beauty of the River Medway. Journeys to and from Maidstone can be booked via Kent Life, they run between Maidstone Town Centre and Allington Lock (docking 50 yards from Kent Life entrance). A round trip takes approximately 1 hour whilst one way is 30 minutes. "One of the few heritage attractions where visitors can arrive by boat"
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