The August bank holiday weekend is a joyous excuse to explore the array of activities that England has to offer. VisitEngland has selected top ways of make the most of this treat – from bat watching in Northumberland to a re-enactment of the longest siege in medieval history.
Festivals
Celebrate Europe’s biggest street festival, Notting Hill Carnival, London
28 – 29 August
Fresh talent, brilliant music and a beautifully decorated parade of floats, Notting Hill Carnival is a real explosion of creativity that fills the streets with intricate costumes, steel and marching bands, Calypso music and a variety of mouth-watering food. This annual event has taken place since 1966 on the streets of Notting Hill and continues to captivate visitors with its unique charm, attracting millions of people each year. Sunday August 28 is referred to as ‘Children’s Day’, then it continues into Monday August 29. The free event has a Caribbean festival theme, bringing a welcome splash of colour to West London. www.visitlondon.com/discover-london/london-areas/west/notting-hill
Live from the Lawn at Tyntesfield, North Somerset
27 – 29 August
The verdant Victorian grounds of Tyntesfield house provide a stunning setting for a live music extravaganza this August bank holiday. Birmingham ska band The Beat are performing on Saturday, whilst acoustic duo Show of Hands – Steve Knightley and Phil Beer – are taking to the stage on Sunday. Live from the Lawn will be showcasing a wide range of music from over 20 upcoming artists, with everything from Samba and Ukulele to Indie Rock and Brass. Tickets are £21. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/whats-on
Dance, eat and revitalise at the Jazz and Ale Festival at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth
28 August
The annual Jazz and Ale Festival returns to Boringdon Hall Lawn for a summer’s afternoon and evening of food, drink and festivities with live jazz music and entertainment for both adults and children. With Ales from St Austell Brewery, a PIMMS and Cider tent, hog roast and range of food stalls, it’s the perfect way to end the summer holidays. The festivities kick off from 2pm and finish at 10pm. Entry is free. www.boringdonhall.co.uk/events/jazz-and-ale-festival
Lose yourself at the Asylum Steampunk Festival, Lincoln
26 – 29 August
The biggest Steampunk festival in Europe will arrive in Lincoln this bank holiday weekend, with a fringe style programme of art, literature, music, fashion, comedy and simple good fun. Watch the cobbled streets of historic Lincoln become transformed – from top hats and flying goggles, to corsets and flamboyant feathers – join in with Lincoln’s Victorian fantasy. The annual event celebrates a steam powered world in the late 19th century and attracts visitors from all over the world. Some events free, others ticketed. www.visitlincoln.com/whats-on/steampunk-festival-2016
Wildlife
Spend the evening bat watching at Cherryburn, Northumberland
29 August
What better way to mark National Bat Day than by joining a National Trust Ranger to search for bats with a glorious backdrop of the Tyne Valley. Explore the 19th-century farmhouse and cottage of one of Northumberland’s greatest artists, Thomas Bewick, whilst seeking out the tiny creatures while they are at their most active. Suitable for children aged 7 and over, tickets are £5. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cherryburn
Camp out with The Big Wild Sleepout on Havergate Island, Suffolk
28 – 29 August
Escape to Suffolk’s only island for a relaxed end of the summer holidays and spend a day and night surrounded by amazing wildlife on this peaceful RSPB nature reserve in the River Ore. See flocks of birds, grasshoppers or crickets and with some luck spot the wild Havergate hares in their natural home. You will get exclusive admission to the remote nature reserve, a 20 minute boat trip down the river and the opportunity to participate in a programme of exciting activities. Prices are £124 for adults; £78 for 3 to 16 year olds. www.wasuffolk.co.uk/big-wild-sleep-out-on-havergate
Culture
Live cinema takes witchery back to Lancaster Castle with Harry Potter films, Lancaster
25 – 29 August
Sneaky Experience are bringing a touch of history back to life in a magical experience at Lancaster Castle, a place known for its famous trials of the Pendle witches in the 1600s. These outdoor screenings promise to entertain fans of the Harry Potter films of all ages, with the majestic backdrop of Lancaster Castle providing a fantastic setting for a magical experience. Tickets are priced from £14.50 which includes a 90-minute wizarding experience with classes, plus a film screening. For more information and to book tickets visit: www.sneakyexperience.co.uk
Watch The Hound of the Baskervilles under the stars, Hampshire
28 August
Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents magical theatre in wonderful surroundings, and this year they are coming to Selborne to perform The Hound of the Baskervilles. Set on the lonely wasteland of the desolate Devon moors, this Sherlock Holmes play combines legend, superstition and the most heinous of crimes. Bring a picnic and your best detective skills for an unforgettable evening of mystery, suspense and theatre under the stars. Adult tickets are £15.40. www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/event/outdoor-theatre/
Capability Brown Birthday Weekend at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
27– 28 August
Help celebrate the 300th birthday of landscape design genius Lancelot “Capability” Brown’s with a range of fun-packed activities all weekend, 18th Century rules cricket and Georgian dancing on Sunday only. See characters from the world of ‘Capability’ Brown brought to life by theatre company The Pantaloons; enjoy a cup of tea 18th Century style in the Capabili-Tea Tent and celebrate Brown’s birthday with a slice of landscaped cake. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate/whats-on
History
Join in at The Siege of Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
28 – 29 August
To mark the 750th anniversary of the great Kenilworth Siege – the longest siege in Medieval history – the Castle is hosting a two day re-enactment at the mighty Norman keep. Experience the trials and excitements of life in a castle under siege and discover the skills needed to survive. With flaming siege machines, re-enactment groups from around the country, and a packed programme of entertainments, this will be the biggest battle the castle has seen since 1266! Prices are: Family £31.70; adult £12.20; child £7.30; concession £11.00. www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth
Enjoy the King Arthur Weekend, Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset
28 – 29 August
Explore King Arthur’s history and various aspects of the Arthurian tradition through enlightening and entertaining days of re-enactment, children’s activities and more. At its heart will be a late 5th and early 6th Century military encampment including period tentage and military displays, the use of weapons and tactics of the period. Talks will be given on ‘Arthurian’ life and what we know of Arthur and life in Britain of the period, using archaeological sources, records and historical documents. Prices with donation are: adults £7.60; children £4.75. www.glastonburyabbey.com/events
Weird and wonderful
The cream pie fight record-breaking attempt, various Away Resorts locations
28 August
Away Resorts is looking to break a record for having the world’s biggest cream pie fight. Holidaymakers at Away Resorts’s five parks across the UK will have cream all over their faces as the operator invites its guests to throw a pie or two at family, friends and fellow guests as it attempts to break the record for the world’s largest shaving cream pie fight. There’s also each location to explore, from the lakeside retreat of Tattershall Lakes to the coastal resorts of Whitecliff Bay, Mill Rythe (Hayling Island), Mersea Island and Barmouth Bay. Three nights’ camping on a standard pitch at Tattershall Lakes cost from £175 from 26-29 August for two adults and two children; and three nights in a Comfort Caravan that sleeps six start at £395. www.awayresorts.co.uk
Witness the annual World Gravy Wrestling Championships, Rossendale, Lancashire
29 August
Placed in the top ten of the weirdest ‘sports’ and pastimes in 2010, the World Gravy Wrestling Championships is one of the world’s quirkiest competitions. Now in its 6th year, fearless contestants will line up to battle it out to become this year’s champion – cheer them on as they battle it out in a pool full of Lancashire gravy. If the aroma is irresistible, head to a nearby pub for some gravy served up the traditional way. Spectator entry is around £2 per adult and £1 per child. www.visitlancashire.com/whats-on/world-gravy-wrestling-championships-2016-p799220
Scarecrow Festival, Thornton le Dale, North Yorkshire
29 – 31 August
Thornton le Dale’s Scarecrow Festival one of the biggest around, with at least sixty scarecrows being entered into the trail in this picteresque village of Thornton–le–Dale, named ‘Yorkshire’s little gem.’ Grab some hay, get creative and join in the fun. The objective of the Scarecrow group is to give any surplus of funds to local good causes and this year, they plan to donate to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. To enter a scarecrow in the trail is free, but the scarecrow trail map is £2. www.visitthorntonledale.co.uk/visitors/scarecrow-festival
Sport
Prepare to be amazed at the Deep Water Solo Climbing Competition, Exeter
26 – 29 August
An exciting sporting event for spectators, the competition taps into one of the fastest growing areas of climbing: deep water soloing. Climbers attempt to ascend routes on sea cliffs without using ropes, using the sea below as their drop off point when they can no longer climb. Staged by the Quay Climbing Centre, the event last year attracted over 40 of the UK and Europe’s top climbers together with over 160 ‘amateurs’ from across the country to compete in the two day event. The event is free for spectators to view but you may wish to bring a soft cushion to sit on as no additional quayside seating is supplied. www.heartofdevon.com/whats-on
Tall Ships Regatta, Blyth, Northumberland
26 – 29 August
Blyth is to host the prestigious North Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016, an event involving some of the largest and most spectacular Tall Ships in the world. Sailing into the port at Blyth over the weekend of 26-29 August 2016, the event will give residents and tourists a chance to see some of the finest Tall Ships in the world. The weekend will be a festival of celebration with all kinds of events being organised including concerts, a sea battle, sporting competitions and a crew parade. Entry into the Regatta is free but there will be costs for some of the activities and attractions, although there will also be plenty of free entertainment. www.visitnorthumberland.com/blythtallships2016
Dartmoor Walking Festival, Devon
27 August – 4 September
Bringing together many people with an interest in the great outdoors, this festival is open to everybody of all ages and abilities and will cover areas across Dartmoor. The Dartmoor National Park are supporting with Ranger-led walks and archaeological visits and events. The end of the week will culminate in a celebration event with the British Heart Foundation at a local Princetown venue with food and entertainment being planned. Local speakers will also be putting on a variety of illustrated talks of a Dartmoor theme. Many of the walks of free, others start at £3. www.visitdartmoor.co.uk/things-to-do
For more ideas visit www.visitengland.com
