Elmfield Farm Cottages

The Folkestone triennial starts today.  There are many sculptures, installation and activities for more information click here

Today the the Marine Conservation Society has published its latest guide to the state of the UK’s beaches.  They assess quality of the water and how sewage discharge is treated, recommending beaches in its Good Beach Guide only if it exceeds the guideline European water quality standard.

Although the news isnt good for all beaches, Kents beaches have faired comparatively well.

Our favourite beaches are all on the Conservation Society Recommended List.  They are:

Hythe - Pebbled beach with sandpit - 10 minutes from Elmfield

Joss, Stone and Botany Bays - picturesque sandy bays, some rock-pools and fossils with  varying levels of facilities - 50 minutes from Elmfield

Dymchurch, St Marys Bay- Sandy Beach (until high tide) 20 minutes from Elmfield

For a full list of beaches click here

Six new projects by Christian Boltanski, Tacita Dean, Sejla Kameric, Langlands & Bell, Pae White and Mark Wallinger have been announced for the inaugural Folkestone Triennial which will run from 14 June – 14 September 2008. One of the most ambitious public art projects to be presented in the UK, the Triennial is a three-yearly exhibition of works which will be specially created for public spaces throughout Folkestone.

Click here for more information about this exciting project.

Folkestone is just 20 minutes from Elmfield Farm Cottages.

The bluebells are in full bloom in the woods at the moment. Not only do they look lovely, the smell is wonderful too.

The bluebells also spread into Top Corner field where this Autumn we will be planting more trees to extend the woodland. The England Woodland Grant Scheme from the Forestry Commission is helping to fund these trees. We will be planting the same varieties as are in the existing woods. Hornbeam, Oak, Ash, birch and Field Maple.

The Kent County Cricket Club has announced the fixture dates for the forthcoming season.  The Canterbury Cricket ground is only 15 minutes from Elmfield Farm, and is playing host to some amazing matches.

There are a couple of pre-season friendlys in April, and then on the 28th April Kent play New Zealand.  The matches continue all season, until 24th September when the first XI play against Durham.

A full list of matches can be found at Kent County Cricket Club

Dover Castle is recommended by many of our guests as a great day out.  With history covering 800 years there is much to see and do.  From April 7 - 11 there are additional activities planned.  Children will have the opportunity to dressing up and perform in plays, join in with circus skills workshops and try the cross-bow, stage combat and duelling.  With breath-taking sideshows. jesters and music it is definitely worth a visit.

Dover Castle is an English Heritage Site and members will have free entry.  For more information, prices and other events please follow the Dover Castle link.

Dover Castle is 20 minutes from Elmfield Farm Cottages

A star studded cast has been filming in amazing locations around Kent to produce the film The Other Boleyn Girl.  Originally written by Phillipa Gregory - it is an engrossing tale of intrigue, romance, and betrayal against the backdrop of a defining moment in history. Two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious father and uncle to advance the family’s power and status by courting the affections of the King of England (Eric Bana).

The Boleyn family had extensive connections with Kent - the family lived in Hever Castle, near Edenbridge,  while Henry VIII adored Knole House in Sevenoaks.  Filming also took place in Penshurst Place near Tonbridge.   Dover Castle was a vital strategic centre in the Tudor era and provides the ideal setting for the final and climatic scenes in The Other Boleyn Girl.

Directed by Justin Chadwick the film is on general release in the UK from the 7th March.

Useful Links:

• Dover Castle - 20 minutes from Elmfield
• Hever Castle - 1 hr 30 mins from Elmfield
• Penshurst Place - 1 hr 15mins  from Elmfield
• Knowle Park - 1 hr 10 mins from Sevenoaks

Port Lympne and Howletts Animal parks have been announcing their programme of events for the comming season.

• This February half term a child can visit either of these fantastic Animal Parks for just £1 for every full paying adult.
• Port Lympne also has special dinners available for Valentines Day with a wonderful menu and live music.
• For the 2nd March there is a special Mothers Day Safari and lunch - this includes lunch and safari ride through the huge african experience enclosure.
• The ever popular CBBC programme ‘Roar’ will be returning soon to both CBBC and BBC1 in the afternoon.

For more information about this and other events please follow the link Port Lympne

Port Lympne and Howletts are 10 and 20 minutes from Elmfield Farm.

Actor Orlando Bloom has been named as an honorary Patron of the New Marlowe Theatre Campaign.  This campaign aims to raise money for the development of a new theatre and centre for performing arts in Canterbury.  Orlando Bloom was born, educated and made his first acting performance in Canterbury.

The existing Marlow Theatre puts on a wide range of fantastic productions from ballet, comedy, plays and Pantomime.  More information can be found at:  Marlowe Theatre

Canterbury and the Marlow theatre can be found just 15 minutes from Elmfield Farm Cottages.

Following refurbishment the Gulbenkian Cinema reopened on Monday 17 September with an exciting new season of films including the adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement and Michael Winterbottom’s A Mighty Heart starring Angelina Jolie.

Meanwhile the Gulbenkian theare continues to offer a wide range of entertainment. This includes the ever popular ‘Gruffalo’ which is being performed from the 10 - 22nd December. The Gulbenkian cafe Bar will be offering childrens meals as well as their usual menu.

The Gulbenkian can be found on the University of Kent at Canterbury Campus, which is 15 minutes from Elmfiled farm.

More information on screenings and performances can be found at: Gulbenkian Cinema and Theatre