Halfterm: The magical world of the Enchanted Dockyard

Wands, slimes, origami butterflies and pumpkin carving. There is something for everyone at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham this half term.

Craft activities are first on the list, then visitors get a chance to step into the Enchanted Garden. This is a great opportunity to take pictures while being surrounded by the fairies and mystical creatures.

At the end of the walk, visitors listen to a story written by the organiser, David Johnson. The story is about a ship lost at sea and magical firefighters coming to its rescue.

“I knew that I would be able to take people on a journey with an innocent magical land. It’s our own little mini theatre where we can bring children in and tell them an original story that gets them quite excited,” David said.

At the end of the story, the children have to guide the ship home using their magic wands.

This is the first year that the event has been moved inside, so that the rain can’t stop the fun. Alex, a member of staff at the Dockyard said the event was very successful.

“We haven’t necessarily gone for the horror that the average primary school kid doesn’t really want. So that’s why this has been our busiest week of the last two years and it’s really-really busy again this October half term,” he said.

Colin took his grandson Jacob twice, who “loved it”. “The kids are finding it great and that’s the most important thing, isn’t it,” he said.

Hayley appreciated that the event is a great fit for everyone, not only boys or girls.

“I loved it, I thought it was really-really lovely. I liked what they’ve done for the children this time. I think it helped incorporate it for boys as well. It didn’t matter whether boys, girls or us adults, we could all do it.”

The Enchanted Garden is open for visitors until Sunday, the 27th of October.