School holiday special: Week 4 » 15 - 21 August

Gladiator challenge » Terrier show » Hidden fairies » Sand sculpture » Plunging birdmen

Monday 15 August - 19 August
Children's fun week, Herefordshire

Giant inflatable assault course, gladiator challenge, zip wire, giant swing in the trees and a bouncy castle. Drama workshops and mini-beast safaris are also on offer.

Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire (01531 633160).

15 August
Sandcastle Competition, Isle of Wight

Competition aimed at all ages. Build a replica of Hampton Court - or merely a pile of sand.

Compton Bay, Isle of Wight (01983 741020).

16-20 August
Ponies Association (UK) Summer Championship Show, Nottinghamshire

The largest horse show in Europe, featuring more than 700 classes for all equestrian disciplines. Floodlit evening performances take place on Tuesday and Saturday starting at 7pm and culminating in the cavalcade on Saturday after the Supreme Championships.

Newark and Notts Showground, Winthorpe, Newark (01487 830278).

17 August
Gosforth Agricultural Show

Classes for cattle, sheep, horses and ponies, horticulture, handicrafts, produce and vintage machinery.

The Showfield, Gosforth, Seascale, Cumbria (01946 724652).

Threlkeld Sheepdog Trials, Cumbria

Sheepdog trials, foxhound and terrier show, hound trails and children's sports.

Recreation Field, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria (01768 779032).

Fairy and elf afternoon, Surrey

Explore gardens, looking for the hidden fairies. Make wings and a wand or come dressed as a fairy.

Polesden Lacey, Surrey (01372 452048).

18-21 August
Northampton Balloon Festival

Huge number of balloons, roadshows, and evening concerts.

Northampton Racecourse, Northamptonshire (01604 838222).

British Jumping Derby, West Sussex

The world's best horses and riders tackle Hickstead's famous Derby Bank. Also features an extensive shopping village and craft fair, plus children's fair and more.

All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (01273 834315).

18 August
Casta-wey, Surrey

Rope-making sessions, survival shelter workshops, and message-in-a-bottle adventure trail - all on the theme of being a castaway.

Dapdune Wharf, River Wey and Godalming Navigations, Surrey (01483 561389).

19 August
A Ransome Ramble, Suffolk

A riverside walk, accompanied by a guide, touring some of the areas featured in Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons books.

Pin Mill, Suffolk (0870-609 5388).

Sandcastle competition, Gwynedd

Competition aimed at four age groups in both sandcastle and sand-sculpture categories.

Llanbedrog, Llyn (07973 152822).

20 August
Illuminated Carnival Procession and Fireworks Spectacular, Essex

Grand illuminated carnival procession leaving Chalkwell Shelter at around 5.45pm. Switching on of the Southend illuminations around 8.45pm, followed by fireworks from Southend Pier.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex (01702 618747).

Rusland Horticultural Show, Cumbria

Hound trails, sports, children's entertainment, local produce and craft competitions.

Whitestock, Rusland, Ulverston, Cumbria (01539 531928).

Variety Club Race Meeting, Surrey

See the stars of television and film, the races and children's entertainment.

Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, Surrey (01372 470047).

Bude Carnival, Cornwall

Features a variety of events including carnival fête, children's fancy dress and evening parade.

Bude, Cornwall (01288 355100).

20-21 August
Detling Steam Rally, Kent

More than 1,000 exhibits including steam engines, buses, stationary engines, old commercial vehicles, vintage cars and motorcycles.

Kent County Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent (01622 630975).

International Bognor Birdman, West Sussex

Watch those magnificent men and women in their flying machines as they leap from the pier to win a jackpot.

The Esplanade and Pier, Bognor Regis, West Sussex (01903 737500).

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

Children's fun zone, arena events, live music all day, locally grown garlic, roving acts, funfair, 250 stalls and more.

Fighting Cocks Crossroads, Bathingbourne Lane, Newchurch, Sandown, Isle of Wight (01983 863566).

Lincolnshire Steam and Vintage Rally

Steam engines, organs, vintage tractors, cars, motorcycles, models, stationary and oil engines.

Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln (01507 605937).

Motor Racing: International Truck Challenge, Hampshire

For all things truck-shaped: international trucks, British Truck Racing Association Championship, Formula Renault UK Championship, Pickup Truck Racing Championship.

Thruxton Motor Racing Circuit, Andover, Hampshire (01264 882200).

Oxford City Royal Regatta

Course starts just below Folly Bridge and finishes 1,000m downstream at Long Bridges.

River Isis, Oxford (01865 726871).

Hobbies Event, Hampshire

Collections from a wide variety of hobbies and activities, with demonstrations, workshops and opportunities to have a go.

Royal Victoria Country Park, Southampton (023-8045 5157).

De Havilland Tiger Moth Club, Bedfordshire

Tiger Moth Club annual fly-in. Aerobatic displays, parachuting and wing-walker.

Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire (01929 481294).

21 August
Kids 'n' Bears, Yorkshire

A whole day dedicated to teddy bear-themed activities. Bring your own bear and go on the teddy trail, make your own bear, or enter the colouring competition. Prizes will be given for the best-dressed bears.

Marsden Moor, Yorkshire (01636 817250).

Don't tell the Master, Nottinghamshire

Find out whether life as portrayed in Oliver Twist was really true. Experience life as a pauper in the Victorian workhouse, exploring the buildings as you try to avoid the Master.

The Workhouse, Nottinghamshire (01636 817250).

Crieff Highland Gathering, Perthshire

A traditional Highland gathering with heavyweight events including tossing the caber, throwing the hammer, running, cycling etc.

Market Park, Crieff, Perthshire (01738 627782).

Lakeland Country Fair, Cumbria

This north-country fair will feature a sheep-shearing competition, terrier and lurcher show. Fell-racing, ferret racing, dog show, foxhound show, children's sports, displays of falconry, fell ponies and more.

Torver, Coniston, Cumbria (01229 837680).