We all search around last minute to make the most of bank holiday and that extra day off, especially in the warmer August weather, so we’ve put together a list of events to give you a head start…
August Bank holiday events in Bedfordshire
Afternoon Tea Cruise on the Ouse, 26 August
Meet at The Bedford Swan
For a perfect summer afternoon event hop aboard the afternoon tea cruise along the River Ouse. Take in the sights of Bedford from the water with a two hour boat trip complete with traditional afternoon tea. Price: £120 per table (max 4 persons).
For further details visit http://www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk/summer-afternoon-tea-cruises-on-the-ouse
Tinwood Festival 2017, 25,26,27 August
Bedford, MK41 6AB
From swing to electro-pop Tinwood Festival brings together some of the best amateur bands at this vintage spectacular. Set on a historic woodland site, Twinwood is a magical trip back in time through decades of retro music, dancing and fashion. Get your vintage get up on and see why people are calling this event the “Quirkiest, Friendliest and Vintagest festival ever!” Book your tickets at www.twinwoodevents.com
Howbury Hall Garden, 27 August
Bedford, Bedfordshire MK41 0JB
Enjoy the beauty of a late Victorian garden designed with mature trees, sweeping lawns, wonderful colour themed herbaceous borders. Explore the woodlands, where as you walk towards the large pond, the outside of a disused ice house can be seen. Within the garden you’ll discover a large walled garden for vegetables and cut flowers and a comprehensive collection of apple varieties of Bedfordshire. There are activities for adults and children alike at this horticultural day out. https://www.ngs.org.uk/.
Bank Holiday in Cambridgeshire
The Cambridge Cocktail Weekend, 25-27 August
Cambridge Corn Exchange
Let your hair down this bank holiday weekend and celebrate Cambridge’s cocktail scene with a three day extravaganza of drink and live music. Retuning for a second year, the event will present a festival of cocktails, global spirits and live entertainment. Throughout the weekend there will be free activities, cocktail master classes, demonstrations and a selection of tasty street food. Buy your ticket for a tipple at www.cambridgecocktailweekend.co.uk
Things to do on August Bank Holiday in Essex
Craft in Focus, 25-28 August
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET
Craft in Focus will be staging its contemporary craft and design fair during the August bank holiday weekend within the RHS Garden at Hyde Hall. This craft event will showcase 140 of the very best contemporary craft makers and artists in the UK and will give the public the opportunity to view and purchase direct from talented designer makers who have a real passion for the work that they create. Also on offer is numerous sweet treats and food stalls, selling lots of tempting goodies.
Bank Holiday events in Hertfordshire
27th Annual Knebworth Classic Motor Show, 27-28 August
Calling all motoring enthusiasts! This bank holiday welcomes the return of the Knebworth Classic Motor Show. Set in the grounds of Knebworth House, the event will feature up to 1,000 classic and collectable vehicles, static displays and arena parades including the famous ‘Decibel Duel’, where owners compete to find the loudest car of the show! Don’t miss the award ceremony which is scheduled to take place at the arena at 4pm. Admission Fees include Car Show, and entry to Knebworth Park, Gardens and Dinosaur Trail: Adult: £9.50. Children under 3: FreeFamily Ticket (4 persons): £34. Buy tickets at www.knebworthhouse.com
Bank Holiday in Norfolk
Village at War, Glitz and the Blitz at Gressenhall, 27 & 28 August
Explore the fascinating new displays and discover the voices from the Workhouse. Hear real stories of those who lived and worked within its walls and find out about the impact of this intriguing institution. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is a truly special museum. Visit its 50-acre site and discover the historic workhouse building featuring exhibition galleries exploring ‘Voices from the Workhouse’, tour the museum of life on the land and the traditional farm with rare breed livestock and if that’s not enough kids have a giant adventure playground to explore. http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
North Norfolk Music Festival, 15-26 August
St Mary’s Church, South Creake
Catch the end of the North Norfolk Music Festival over the bank holiday weekend. A classical spectacular which offers lovers of music a cacophony of musical delights end with a crescendo of scores over the bank holiday weekend. https://northnorfolkmusicfestival.com.
Suffolk August Bank Holiday events
Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival, 27-28 August
Bury St Edmunds town centre
Two of the country’s favourite celebrity chefs will headline this summer’s Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Once again some of the most popular restaurants and food establishments in the town will be showcasing their skills at the free town centre event, which has been running for five years.
Jack Stein, middle son of Rick Stein, makes his first appearance in the Stoves Cookery Theatre on the Sunday. On Bank Holiday Monday Paul Rankin, best known as one of the longest standing and most successful chefs on ‘Ready Steady Cook’ will take to the stage. Each chef will host three cooking demonstrations, scheduled for 11am, 1pm and 3pm. In between their shows chefs from local establishments including Casa Del Mar, Ben’s, Wagamama and The Eaterie at The Angel Hotel will demonstrate their culinary skills. Further details at www.ourburystedmunds.com/foodanddrinkfestival
Fenland Country Fair, 27-28 August
Stow-cum Quy Park
Enjoy a fun two days of traditional rural entertainment at Stow-cum Quy Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend. There’s a range of old and new displays such as the Vintage Parade and Heavy Horse Show. The two will celebrate rural pastimes. Dog lovers should check out the dog show and gun dog demonstrations, and it’s great news for families as children under 11 go free! www.fenlandfairs.com
