Christmas in Kent

[Julia9054]

So the boy has managed to land five weeks in panto. Downside is that it is in Sevenoaks. He has a show on Christmas Eve and one on Boxing Day and won't be able to come back to Yorkshire for Christmas. As a parent, I am not quite ready to leave my baby in a Travelodge by himself so am thinking of booking an Airbnb for a couple of nights and taking Christmas to him. It's an area of the country I do not know at all (driving through to get to the ferry is the limit of my experience!) Where would people recommend? About 45 minutes drive from Sevenoaks.

 

[Beebo]

Why not stay in Sevenoaks. It is a nice town and will be lovely around Christmas.
If you want to stay out of Sevenoaks but looking for a large town try Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells. They are both nice.
Otherwise I would recommend a Kent village. There are loads of lovely villages to the south and east of Sevenoaks. It is a lovely part of the country if a bit middle class well to do commuter belt.

There should be plenty of rental cottages about, but prices may be high over Christmas.

 

[Sharky]

+1
Sevenoaks is really nice and you have Knole Park to explore (National Trust) with lots of bambi's running round and I think there is even a bike shop in Sevenoaks
And if you still have any presents to buy, there is Bluewater shopping centre 15 ish miles north of Sevenoaks and the sales usually start on Christmas Eve!

 

[Julia9054]

Thanks. I wasn't sure what Sevenoaks was actually like (I'm a Northern country bumpkin!) Kind of prepared for high prices but what can you do!

 

[Tim Hall]

For extra spendyness, why not stay in a converted oast house?

 

[steveindenmark]

Why dont you leave him to enjoy christmas with the rest of the cast?

 

[Julia9054]

Why dont you leave him to enjoy christmas with the rest of the cast?

This is his job. Who wants to spend Christmas at work.

 

[smutchin]

So the boy has managed to land five weeks in panto. Downside is that it is in Sevenoaks.

Could be worse - could have been Maidstone.

 

[NorthernDave]

So the boy has managed to land five weeks in panto.

Oh no he hasn't!

 

[irw]

This is his job. Who wants to spend Christmas at work.

To be frank, if he’s chosen to work in this industry, then working over christmas is something that is going to happen, especially if he is at the beginning of his career.

I don’t know if your son is on the tech or performing side, but either way the people that you ‘work’ (I use the term ‘work’ loosely as I do what I do because I enjoy it, as do many in this industry) with in theatre often become some of your closest friends, due to the amount of time you spend with them, and I certainly know some people that I can call my family, who I look forward to being with, and who I will go out of my way to visit.

By all means go down, but maybe suggest that if he has any colleagues that he gets on well with who are in the same boat, that they come round for dinner as well? I had a couple of friends staying with me (actually at home) for a show over christmas a few years ago, and IIRC we all went round to my mum’s for a christmas dinner!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Thanks. I wasn't sure what Sevenoaks was actually like (I'm a Northern country bumpkin!) Kind of prepared for high prices but what can you do!

I used to live in T.Wells and it is a lovely town albeit a bit busier these days than when I lived there. Sevenoaks is nice too.

Some nice cycling to be had in the area although I guess you won't have time for that.

 

[Julia9054]

I used to live in T.Wells and it is a lovely town albeit a bit busier these days than when I lived there. Sevenoaks is nice too.

Some nice cycling to be had in the area although I guess you won't have time for that.

We are planning on going down Christmas eve and coming back Boxing day so no time for cycling.
@irw - he is a trumpet player. He worked for the same company last year but in York so was able to stay at home. I have, obviously, run the idea past him first!

 

[Tin Pot]

So the boy has managed to land five weeks in panto. Downside is that it is in Sevenoaks. He has a show on Christmas Eve and one on Boxing Day and won't be able to come back to Yorkshire for Christmas. As a parent, I am not quite ready to leave my baby in a Travelodge by himself so am thinking of booking an Airbnb for a couple of nights and taking Christmas to him. It's an area of the country I do not know at all (driving through to get to the ferry is the limit of my experience!) Where would people recommend? About 45 minutes drive from Sevenoaks.

My daughter is doing panto again in Dartford this Christmas - it does make holiday planning erm difficult but she’s only ten, I’m thinking your boy is older?

It is work, but the cast see it as fun, which is why the pay ain’t great.

I don’t know Sevenoaks well, but there’s great cycling to be had nearby - Ide Hill for example. Royal Tunbridge Wells is probably the nicest big town in the area, but there are plenty of small villages to base in if that’s your preference.

 

[Julia9054]

I’m thinking your boy is older?

It is work, but the cast see it as fun, which is why the pay ain’t great.

He's 22. Pay is Musicians Union rates (almost enough to pay his rent for the following year!)

 

[jefmcg]

I'm a Northern country bumpkin!

Ah, that puts paid to my suggestion. If it was me I'd look for a cottage or farmhouse somewhere a bit remote with an Aga and go the full Joanna Trollope.

Though I also like the suggestion of inviting his work mates. To do that, find accommodation closer to the theatre.

We used to have a lot of friends a long way from their families, so had an open house on Christmas evening. It was great fun after the stresses of a family lunch.