Posted 8th February
LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR FREE MY KENT BIG WEEKEND TICKETS
There are just a few days left to apply for free My Kent Big Weekend tickets to 123 of the county’s top visitor attractions and experience.
The website, www.mykentbigweekend.co.uk, will close for applications on midnight, Monday, February 13.
From historic castles, steam trains and wildlife parks to football matches and art courses, there are more than 15,000 free tickets, two per Kent household, available to suit all tastes.
The 2012 My Kent Big Weekend, which is being held on March 17 and 18, marks the climax of the first English Tourism Week in the county.
And, for the first time, Kent is celebrating its cross Channel connections, a major draw for visitors to the county, with coach trips from France to attractions in Kent for the My Kent Big Weekend and from Kent to Nord Pas De Calais for their similar celebrations the following weekend – thanks to Eurolines and Eurotunnel.
Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent which organises the annual celebration of the county’s tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses, said: “This is our sixth major event for Kent people showcasing our industry and I am delighted that the variety of attractions opening their doors for free has increased every year.
“It is this variety – from our iconic heritage sites and gardens to our watersports, theatres, creative experiences and community initiatives – that makes our county such a popular destination for 56 million visitors every year.
“Because My Kent Big Weekend free tickets are allocated on a ballot system after the website closes, there is absolutely no advantage in being the first or the last to apply for any destination or event.
“It means everyone has plenty of time to browse through all the attractions at their leisure and really focus on where they would like to explore or experience and talk it through with their friends and family.
Posted 31st January
RECORD START TO MY KENT BIG WEEKEND FREE TICKET BALLOT
Visit Kent is celebrating a record 40,500 entries to the My Kent Big Weekend free ticket ballot in the first seven days of the event website going fully live.
The website, www.mykentbigweekend.co.uk, will be open for free ticket applications to more than 120 of the county’s top attractions until midnight on Monday, February 13.
“The My Kent Big Weekend has become a highlight of the county calendar and is growing in popularity year on year,” said Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive at Visit Kent, the event organisers.
“In the first week alone visits to the website have been up 22 per cent on the same period last year so I think we will be breaking all our previous records.
My Kent Big Weekend 2012 is being held on March 17 and 18 marking the end of the first English Tourism Week.
So far, Wingham Wildlife Park, Hever Castle, Leeds Castle, Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, and Dickens World have attracted the most applications.
“Our ballot system means that every application has an equal chance. However, applications for less familiar destinations with fewer entries are much more likely to be successful,” said Mrs Matthews-Marsh.
“One key aim of the My Kent Big Weekend is to encourage local people to explore new attractions and try out new experiences.
“I’d certainly recommend browsing through all the destinations on the website and seeking out something different for 2012 such as spending an evening with Tim Bentinck from BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, taking a fascinating tour of Chilham – one of our most delightful villages – or enjoying one of our special featured walks in partnership with the countryside experts at Explore Kent.
“One of the real joys of the My Kent Big Weekend is that it is our chance to discover the wide variety and wealth of activities that entertain our 56.6 million visitors every year.”
Posted 18th January
Visit Kent works in Partnership with Kent's Children University for My Kent Big Weekend
Kent's Children Univeristy provides informal learning opportunities primarily via a range of top tourist attractions around the county. Each activity is designed to boost attainment, self confidence and social skills as well as to encourage children to develop a love of learning.
The scheme is open to children of all abilities aged between 7 and 14 years old and many of the attractions taking part in the My Kent Big Weekend are also part of the Kent's Children Univeristy adding extra value to your visit. These include
- Crampton Tower
- Bedgebury Pinetum
- Canterbury Cathedral
- Canterbury Museum
- Dover Castle
- Groombridge Place
- Kent Life
- Knole Park
- Manston Spitfire Museum
- Penshurst Place
- Royal Engineers Museum
- The Hop Farm
- Leeds Castle
Posted 16th January
MY KENT BIG WEEKEND IS JUST GETTING BIGGER
Scores of visitor attractions and destinations across Kent and Medway are getting ready to give away thousands of free tickets to local residents for the My Kent Big Weekend 2012.
The popular annual event organised by Visit Kent celebrating the county’s tourism, leisure and hospitality industry will be held on 17 and 18 March.
Free tickets to castles, historic houses, animal attractions, museums and a wide range of visitor experiences will be featured on the special event’s website at www.mykentbigweekend.co.uk from today.
Kent and Medway residents will be able to apply for free tickets, two per household, which will be allocated on a ballot system after the website closes for applications on 13th February.
For 2012, cross-Channel service providers Eurolines and Eurotunnel have also
joined forces with Visit Kent and their tourism partners in the Nord Pas De Calais to enable a number of Kent people to visit attractions in France and vice versa.
The weekend of Kent entertainment will also mark the end of the first England Tourism Week highlighting the importance of the industry to the national economy.
