England Events

The Cheltenham National Hunt Festival is regarded by many as the foremost jump meeting in the world. It is an action-filled four-day festival with a Championship race on every day, climaxing with the Gold Cup on the Friday. Hundreds of horses compete, and there are millions of pounds in prize money. The betting is substantial as well. There is a real buzz around Cheltenham during the festival. Outside of the race track there are trade stands, parades, music and entertainment.

Held at one of the world's most famous opera houses, the prestigious summer-long Glyndebourne Festival aspires to be one of the biggest and best in the world with a fantastic programme of performances by world-class singers. The event is always a lavish affair that attracts well-heeled crowds where black tie and evening dress are expected. Weather permitting, it is customary for festival goers to enjoy a fine picnic spread including champagne and strawberries in the beautiful Glyndebourne Gardens before the performances. The first Glyndebourne Festival took place in 1934 and was the inspiration of John Christie who inherited the Glyndebourne estate in 1920. He wanted to present the best opera event there could be and today's Glyndebourne Festival continues in that tradition and is now established as one of the world's finest opera festivals.

In the year 1612, one Robert Dover initiated a day of rustic games for the amusement of the people of Chipping Campden. The games thrive to this day, with much of the action taking place on the heights of Dover's Hill, just outside the town. The time-honoured sport of shin kicking finds itself back on the roster, along with tug-of-war, standing jump, wrestling, races over various distances, equine and other events. Aside from the serious business of sport, there is much fun and merriment with canon fire, marching bands and full evening's programme of activities. Events are brought to a close with fireworks, and a procession by torchlight down into Campden, where there is dancing in the square to live music. On the following afternoon (Saturday), the Scuttlebrook Wake begins with the crowning of the Scuttlebrook Queen, followed by fancy dress street parades, dancing around the maypole and a street fair.

A weekend of 15th century combat tournament, falconry and archery demonstrations and crafts will be held at an encampment on the lawns of Arundel Castle in West Sussex.

The Wall is Hadrian’s Wall. A Wall perhaps heard of but not visited. Imagined but not studied. It’s been there a long time. For almost 2,000 years this vast Roman construction has stretched across the wild beauty of Northern England, and is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Of course, it is no longer the ancient Frontier of the Roman Empire, though the history of that period is incredibly well presented at many locations, with sections of real wall and real forts, milecastles and Roman temples to accompany you along the way. It is bound evocatively together by the stunning countryside of Cumbria and Northumberland, rising from the lowlands of the west into the rugged hill country of Northumberland National Park before descending gently to the banks of the River Tyne. The concept is simple - participants run (or walk) from Carlisle Castle to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. 111km (69 miles) from start to finish. 69 miles in 2 days, or for those that want to rule with endurance - in one continuous journey. This event celebrates endurance running in Europe and will mix the qualities of great cities and stunning countryside all into the one occassion. And if you want to celebrate your achievement in style, you can’t beat a night out in Newcastle.

First held back in 1970, the Glastonbury Festival is arguably Britain's biggest and best-loved music festival. Held almost every year (the festival organisers have taken a year off about every five years or so since 1987), the festival has attracted some of the biggest names in the music business over the years with the likes of Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Van Morrison and Curtis Mayfield having played in the early years and REM, Coldplay, Radiohead and Oasis having taken to the stage in more recent times. But it's not all about the music; one of the things that has earned the festival such a loyal fan base is its eclectic atmosphere that offers visitors a little bit of everything with attractions ranging from comedy and circus acts to spiritual healings and yoga workshops. Needless to say, the event is hugely popular and tickets sell out fast. Come the weekend of the festival, there is a huge buzz around the area as thousands of revellers and music lovers flock to the site creating a sea of tents stretching as far as the eye can see. Come rain or shine, this is one of the biggest and best-loved parties of the British summer.

First held in 1839 and held every year since except during the two World Wars, the Henley Regatta is something of a British institution that each year draws thousands of spectators. Prince Albert became the first Royal Patron of the event in 1851 and each succeeding Monarch has taken up the post earning it its regal name. To this day, it is often frequented by members of the British Royal Family. The main focus of the regatta is the rowing competitions which take place along the River Thames. The event is now so popular that competing teams must first win qualifying races in the week leading up to the regatta in order to earn their place in the final stages of the competition. On regatta days, up to 100 races take place with just two boats racing in each heat in a knock-out draw. This prestigious regatta has all the pomp and ceremony you would expect of a Royal event with visitors clad in all their fineries; picnic hampers laden with fine food and wine are the order of the day.

One of the biggest events of its kind in Britain, the Ledbury Summer Poetry Festival attracts visitors from all over the country. Lasting for 10 full days, the event features a great range of contemporary poets, actors and media personalities. The festival includes readings, performances, exhibitions, music, guided walks and talks, workshops and a great friendly atmosphere. Nestled in the Malvern Hills, Ledbury is a charming mediaeval market town and a great venue for an event such as this. The festival was established in 1997 and has grown from strength to strength each year.

With live comedy, exhibitions, displays and musical performances ranging from classical to hip hop, the Godiva Festival is one of the most popular events on the region's calendar. The festival begins with the Godiva Procession during which brightly-costumed characters and floats parade through the streets of Coventry en route to the festival arena at Memorial Park. The arena itself is abuzz with activities and entertainment for young and old ranging from the environmentally-friendly GreenSpace area to the fun and frolics of the comedy acts. The ever-popular Kids' Tent is a hive of activity with events such as a circus workshop where youngsters can learn the tricks of the trade from professional circus performers. And, like all good festivals, a fireworks display illuminates the night sky bringing an end to this popular weekend festival.

The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the world's largest horticultural show. Featuring stunning landscaped show and water gardens bursting with inspirational ideas for garden solutions, as well as a spectacular range of flowers, plants and gardening accessories to browse and buy, this is a show for all flower and gardening enthusiasts. The event includes more than 700 exhibitors every year and illustrates the best in British horticulture during high summer. Around 50 gardens showcase established garden designers and new talent, and visitors can buy plants - new varieties and old favourites - from more than 100 of the UK's top nurseries and growers.

The Cheltenham Music Festival has been bringing the finest classical music to Cheltenham since 1945. This annual celebration sees the biggest names in classical music perform at Cheltenham's Town Hall and the Pittville Pump Room as well as a host of other venues in and around the area. Whether it's a symphony concert in the majestic grandeur of the Town Hall, delicate chamber music in a Cotswold church, or free entertainment in Imperial Gardens, the Music Festival has it all.

The five-day Henley Festival hosts a series of musical concerts, exhibitions and art and craft displays on the beautiful leafy festival site that overlooks the River Thames. Each year the event attracts some of the biggest names from a wide variety of musical genres with past performers ranging from Vanessa Mae to The Jiving Lindy Hoppers and Trinity College Swing Band who performed on the innovative Floating Stage. Other quirky aspects of the event include a mechanised karaoke miniboat that plies its way up and down the river entertaining the crowds. Each night draws to a close with a stunning pyrotechnics display over the river. Attracting a well-dressed crowd, it is customary for festival goers to enjoy a fine picnic spread which usually involves a bottle or two of wine and the odd glass of bubbly.

Taking place on a 100-hectare (250-acre) site on the edge of the spa town of Harrogate, the Great Yorkshire Show is a three-day event that combines fun and entertainment with the opportunity to learn more about country life and farming. Most of the displays take place in the Main Ring and include everything from cattle parades and show jumping competitions to marching bands and motorcycle display teams. Visitors will be amazed by the sheer range of animals on display around the showground, including exotic poultry and impressive Shire Horses. Young and old alike are able to learn more about farming techniques and country life with exhibitions ranging from sheep shearing to fly fishing. And showing that country life is not all about mud and wellies, there is also a fashion show to add a little glamour to proceedings.

Comprising a week of evening concerts and daytime recitals, the Carlisle International Summer Festival puts on a programme of musical events which are all held in the beautiful 12th-century Carlisle Cathedral. Including church, classical and jazz performances, the festival promotes a wide variety of musical styles and also provides a platform for young, up and coming musicians to perform. Visitors can also watch the popular Composition Competition Final. Held each July, the event is organised by the Music in the Cathedral Society which was set up in 1964 to bring high quality music to Carlisle.

Vintage Festival captures British pride - celebrating the Best of British music, food, fashion, film, art and design between the 1920s-1980s. It will have Britain's largest hair and beauty parlour, a massive vintage fashion market and dancing all night.

Whitstable has been associated with oysters for hundreds of years. Indeed, the roots of this festival go back to Norman times, when the town was an established fishing port, and it was the custom for fishers and dredgers to celebrate with an annual ceremony of thanksgiving. Today's oyster festival evolved with the revival of the local industry, and is now an event to promote both the oyster industry and the town itself. Held over nine days, starting in the weekend nearest to St James' Day, the festival kicks off with the opening parade, which follows the progress of the oysters in a horse-drawn dray through the town, stopping to deliver the catch to various restaurants, cafes and public houses. There are marching bands, people in period costumes, and various entertaining troupes. The parade is followed by a week of entertainment for both adults and children, with local art on display around the town, and plenty of places to sample local fish dishes.

The largest Medieval event at Arundel Castle in West Sussex, this week-long tournament will feature knights from around the world competing in mounted combats. Entertainment and crafts will also be part of the programme.

One of the premier agricultural shows in the UK, the annual Nantwich and South Cheshire Show attracts approximately 30,000 visitors each year. The show features over 12 hours of continuous ring displays including show jumping, heavy horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, falconry and gun dog displays. There is also live music including a jazz performance and the ever-popular marching military band. Over 400 trade stands exhibit at the show covering everything from home gardening to floral art. But one of the most popular aspects of the event is the famous Nantwich International Cheese Show, at which visitors can revel in the many different varieties on sale.

WOMAD stands for World of Music, Art and Dance and each year the popular WOMAD Festival welcomes an eclectic range of artists and performers from all over the world. Peter Gabriel's enthusiasm for world music led to the staging of the first WOMAD festival in 1982. The festival has grown in size and stature each year and is now one of the largest events of its kind in the UK. It boasts a great atmosphere and has an attractive range of acts, stalls and entertainment aimed at visitors with families. And in addition to the many musical performances, festivalgoers can enjoy a range of other attractions ranging from dance, music and art workshops to taking part in political and ethical debates. The aim is to open the door on the unlimited possibilities of world music and to create an awareness of the worth and potential of a multicultural society. Past performers have included Jimmy Cliff, Youssou N'Dour and Robert Plant. WOMAD also organises a number of other music festivals around the world .

The Chilli Fiesta at West Dean gardens in West Sussex is an event for those who like it hot. There are more than 250 varieties of chillies on display, more than 80 stallholders, fiery food tastings, Latin rhythms and dancing. This is a red hot celebration of chilli in all sizes and shapes, and it takes place in the magnificently restored Victorian glasshouses in the West Dean gardens. There are guided tours of the walled gardens as well as chilli growing demonstrations throughout the day. An excellent range of plants, seeds, gifts, sauces and other chilli paraphernalia are available from stallholders.

The Big Chill is a multimedia festival that offers a highly evolved, all-round experience that is completely unique, with a wide variety of music and performance, art, dance, comedy and film. It is about technology and its relationship with nature. It is about artists and about nurturing their creativity. And it is about synergy, energy, community and fun. In addition to big name acts, the Big Chill Festival also has a reputation for nuturing talent and gave artists like Zero 7, Gotan Project, Royksopp, Lemon Jelly, Amy Winehouse and Goldfrapp a chance to prove themselves before they made it big.

This popular weekend festival hosts a great range of music and entertainment with past performers including Rolf Harris, The Proclaimers, Kosheen and the Saw Doctors. There is plenty on offer for younger visitors too at the Kids' Marquee with activities ranging from 'Make 'n Take' craft workshops to fun face-painting sessions. And it is not just young children that are catered for; teenagers can explore their musical talents at the 'Shooting Roots' workshop, join the 'Funky World Band' or take part in performances at the 'World of Street Theatre'. After hours, the partying continues at the indoor Late Night Festival Club where weekend festival pass holders get to rub shoulders with some of the artists and performers who attend the party. In addition to all the live music and events, there is also a Crafts Fayre, International Food Fayre and Real Ale Bar.

Wilderness festival is a unique festival experience. A celebration of the arts and outdoors, the festival offers a whole host of fantastic activities, from an amazing lakeside spa onsite complete with champagne bar, saunas and wooden hot-tubs. In addition, the line up is headlined by Mexican duo Rodrigo & Gabriela, with performances from Spiritualized, Lianne La Havas and the London Folk Guild. Intellectual stimulation comes in the form of talks and debates run by the likes of Intelligence Squared and the School of Life, whilst Fergus Henderson and Yottam Ottolenghi will be responsible for food. A must for the summer calendar.

With around 1,000 boats taking part, Cowes Week is the longest-running and largest annual sailing regatta in the world. The regatta first took place in 1826 and has been held each summer every year since then (the only exception being during World War I and II). Over the years, the event has been visited by royalty and many a celebrity. About 8,000 sailors race over eight days in the Central, Eastern and Western Solent and 35 different classes of boats are represented. Thousands of spectators come to Cowes to enjoy the week-long event. It is estimated that there are 200,000 sailing and non-sailing visitors during the week.

The Southport International Jazz Festival just keeps going from strength to strength. It provides a fantastic opportunity to sample some of the finest jazz, blues and soul (most available free) in the North West. Artists from around the world flock to the town during the long weekend to offer a huge array of styles and sounds that can be heard drifting out of venues all around the resort.

Internationally renowned, this is the largest independent flower show in the country and attracts over 100,000 visitors each year. This outstanding horticultural occasion takes place in 34 acres of Victoria Park, and offers something for everyone, including amateur and professional gardeners. The Southport Flower Show combines a seaside atmosphere with a celebration of all that is best from the gardening world.

The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival takes place in August every year at the showground in the tiny village of Newchurch on the Isle of Wight. The first festival was organised in 1983, and the event has since grown to become one of the largest events on the island each year, second only to Cowes Week. No fewer than 25,000 people attend each year. The festival is a tasty and fun event offering a combination of late 1960s pop festival ambience, country fair and great garlic cuisine.

Set on the Lower Lawns of Arundel Castle, experience 1,800 years of history from the Roman Empire to the Georgian Napoleonic era with crafts, costume and combat displays.

The Creamfields Festival has firmly established itself as one of the best dance music festivals in the UK. Each year this is a sell-out event that attracts about 40,000 music fans who come to dance through the night until sunrise the next morning. It is regarded as the finale to the summer, and it has a diverse line-up that showcases established artists as well as new breaktrough talent.

Described as the 'Connoisseur's Jazz Festival', this popular event returns with another stellar line up of bands and performers from around the world. Covering everything from traditional jazz through to the weird and wonderful sounds of modern jazz, the festival crosses many genres offering something for music lovers of all ages. All bar just a handful of performances take place in the luxurious setting of the Menzies Silverlink Park Hotel.

This 10-day festival is dedicated to the joy of books and literature and attracts a number of leading writers who participate in scheduled talks and discussions. Set in the wonderful surroundings of Darlington Hall in rural Devon, past speakers have included Greg Dyke, Michael Buerk and TV-chef, John Burton-Race. The first festival was held in 1991 as a one-off event. But it was clear from the turnout that this should be a regular event and thus the annual Ways With Words festival was born. It has been so successful that there are now other events at Southwold and Cumbria as well as a series or writing workshops in the beautiful Tuscan hills of Italy.

The newest addition to the Notorious running race series comes from the centre of the World as we know it – Yorkshire. Doff thy flat cap and bathe yourself in glory at the Yorkshire Terrier – our muckiest romp yet and a stunning new entry on our Rat Race Notorious night running calendar. Participants pit themselves against the North York Moors - you can see famous Sutton Bank’s white horse from the organisers' base in the gently rolling Howardian Hills. As ever, fancy dress is positively encouraged and jubilantly embraced. Pack a flat cap or two and don’t forget to reminisce of Yesteryear’s halcyon Yorkshire glory days – think mucky miners, flamboyant farmers, ruddy brewers and industrial sights n’ sounds. As with all the Notorious events, the party is as notorious as the course. Enjoy our fantastic real ales and local fare from some of Yorkshire’s finest caterers. And participants can rest weary legs at the nearby camp-site in the grounds of beautiful and historic Newburgh Priory.

In the year of the Olympics, the Thames Valley seems the perfect place to host the finale of the Notorious Night Run series. Whether you sign up to run the daylight 5km (3 miles) or the torchlit 10km (6 miles), you’ll enjoy a right royal romp through a beautiful private estate: followed by the Notorious after-party, with legendary live music and local hospitality, and a comfortable conclusion as you drift soundly away in the onsite camping area. Fancy dress is part of the fun, with riding regalia top of the what-to-wear list. When the gun goes off, a stampede of flat caps and horsey headscarves will gallop across the show field and over the first of many genuine horsejumps, for the benefit of supporters. Then it’s through the woods, over rolling hills and green paddocks to overcome natural and manmade obstacles such as Derby Bank, Sleepy Hollow (where the Hollywood blockbuster of the same name was filmed), and the Final Furlong.

A whole range of eco-friendly organisations come together for an exhibition of environmental technologies including solar panels, wood chip boilers, LED lights, ground-source heat pumps and wind turbines. Advice about how to green up your home or business is dispensed and Deepdale's own eco-friendly facilities provide ideas and inspiration. There's also a barbecue with tasty local food and drink.

Held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate's Spring Flower Show is regarded as one of the best of its kind in the country. The spring show heralds the start of the UK's gardening show season. It sees the Flower Halls crammed with incredible exhibitions as nurseries from up and down the country compete for the coveted Premier Award and the NEHS Trophy for Best-In-Show. There is also a Floristry and Flower Arranging marquee where visitors can see the exquisite bouquets and pick up tips from the experts at demonstrations and workshops. As well as the breathtaking displays, there are plenty of opportunities for shopping at the art and craft fair, the delicious-looking speciality food halls and the garden centre, where budding gardeners can purchase everything from hand trowels to ornate garden statues. There is also another spectacular show in the autumn.

Every year the beautiful Cotswold town of Cheltenham hosts the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Since its launch in 1996, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival has championed contemporary British and international jazz. For the past five years, it has become widely known for its Jerwood Jazz Generation series which provides a platform for the best young British musicians. Alongside this support for the new, the Festival also features a wide range of established names and additional strands, such as club jazz, concerts by school bands and free fringe events to ensure the Festival explores jazz in all its moods every year.

Just as much a social event as a sporting highlight, 'Glorious Goodwood' was famously described by King Edward VII as 'a garden party with racing tacked on'. Top class racing is on offer, but also style, fashion and fun. Widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful racecourses, Goodwood is set high on the South Downs and with far reaching views across the Solent. It really is a great place to enjoy socialising -and some top quality horse racing- at its very best.

Working in and beyond the gallery walls, HOUSE 2012 presents a carefully curated exhibition of international artist David Batchelor’s work, alongside five new commissioning opportunities developed by HOUSE. Collectively, these projects will make interventions on the streets of Brighton over the month of May, exploring themes of domesticity, the urban and everyday, bringing attention to the overlooked and ordinary. Artwork will be positioned in Phoenix Gallery, domestic spaces, artist studios and unexpected locations across Brighton & Hove.

Once banned during the Victorian era for its 'drunken revelry', Helston's Flora Day and Furry Dance is a blend of Pagan ritual and Christian celebration. Now firmly reinstated on the town's calendar, the modern day festival sees the streets come alive with singing, dancing and parties as the town celebrates the start of spring and welcomes in the fertility of the land after the long and barren winter months. Celebrations begin early in the morning with a large breakfast after which the celebrations take to the streets where the dancing and music begins. The first dance is quite a dignified affair with many of the residents dressed in their finest suits and dresses in reverence to God and the power of nature. This is followed by the boisterous Hal-an-Tow which is part song, part performance. The day progresses with much singing and dancing including the children's parade which sees the town's youngsters march through the streets dressed in their finest clothes and adorned with flowers. Celebrations continue towards Coronation Park where there is a large fairground and stalls selling everything from food and drink to souvenirs and handicrafts. The partying and merrymaking usually continues late into the evening.

The showground and Wadebridge bursts into life for three days each year during the annual Royal Cornwall Show. There are a number of dog, falconry and equine competitions at this popular agricultural event where visitors are free to explore the many trade stands and exhibitions at the showground. One stand that always does well is the traditional Cornish pasty stall in the ever-popular food and farming marquee. During the weekend, over 100,000 people attend the show which includes a fun programme of live music and entertainment ranging from performances by local bands to a spectacular aerial display by the Royal Artillery Parachute Team.

With a strong emphasis on Celtic music, the festival brings together a host of traditional musicians and dancers for this week-long event. Held in the shadow of the imposing 12th-century Minister Church of St Cuthburga, this annual folk festival is a popular event that attracts over 30,000 visitors from across the UK. The first festival was held in 1980 and has established itself as one of the best-loved events in Wimborne that includes ceilidhs, concerts and children's entertainment.

The Summer BBC Good Food Festival is a huge celebration of seasonal food at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The programme is wide-ranging and varied and offers visitors plenty to eat as well as plenty of food for thought with expert advice given by professional chefs at a series of masterclasses and live demonstrations. Celebrity chefs are on hand to create mouth-watering summer recipes to be enjoyed indoors or out, and visitors are able to sample a selection of fresh seasonal drinks and delicious summer dishes. There are also plenty of opportunities to go shopping with seasonal produce, speciality foods, kitchen appliances, gadgets and cookbooks on offer at many of the exhibition stands. Introduced in 2007, the festival now also includes evening musical performances in beautiful open-air locations.

The Farnborough International Airshow is one of the biggest international showcases of aerospace equipment and technology in the world. There is a trade event (closed to the general public) which takes place during the week, and a family event over the weekend. The show attracts over 150,000 visitors on the two public days in what is one of the world's largest temporary exhibition areas. Expect to see aircrafts galore on the ground, including all the latest models, and fantastic aerial displays in the skies