Seize the day! May Bank Holiday and Half Term Fun

Spring has sprung and summer is almost here. The late May bank holiday (25-27 May) and May half term (27 May-2 June) offer the perfect opportunity to escape the office and explore England. Whether you're looking to enjoy a fun festival, take part in a crafting workshop or head out on a long hike in England's great outdoors, there's so much to enjoy. See below for more information on events around the country:

Fun Festivals and Fairs

Be part of the Pride at Birmingham Pride
25-26  May
Birmingham Pride is Britain's largest two-day LGBTQ+ festival and is expected to welcome more than 70,000 people to the city. For 2019, the location of the festival is shifting to a new site just outside the city's Gay Village, providing more space for music, cabaret and a host of LGBTQ+ friendly events. An array of big name artists, up-and-coming stars and local talent will perform across the weekend. Free
https://www.birminghampride.com/  

Join in the Feria de Londres, London South Bank
24–26 May
Inspired by Southern Spain's traditional spring fairs, Feria de Londres is a resplendent celebration of Spanish cuisine and entertainment. Such fairs date back to the Middle Ages and over time have evolved into huge regional events. From Sevillana dance lessons to flamenco rhythm workshops, Feria de Londres will also offer plenty of family-friendly activities. Free
https://www.feriadelondres.com/

Go wild for Nature Festival, Gilbert White's House and Gardens Hampshire
26 May
Gilbert White's House and Gardens in Hampshire Nature Festival has been created in collaboration with organisations which celebrate, explore and protect the natural world. There will be stalls, talks and activities and a 24 hour bioblitz, with local wildlife experts and organisations, who will be keen to share what they do. Gilbert White was a pioneering 18th century English naturalist and ornithologist. Prices for adults £10, child £15.
https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

Make magic at the Fairyland Fair, Bradmoor Woods in Norfolk
26-27 May
Escape the everyday with this amazing fairytale related fair in the beautiful Bradmoor Woods in Norfolk. Join in a magic workshop, visit a fairyqueen and take part in a (plastic-free) dressing up competition. There's music, food, drink and entertainment including bands, story tellers, craft stalls and walkabout performers, as well as games, Maypole dancing, competitions and woodland trails. Open 10 am to 5 pm. Book tickets online in advance.
Early bird tickets £7.50 each, thereafter they are £9 per person (Family Tickets £28/£34) under 3's free
http://www.fairylandtrust.org/

Experience coastal delights at the new Mudeford Seafood Festival
25-27 May
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Mudeford Quay, this new festival is a family-focused celebration of seafood. Over three days you can experience cooking demonstrations, local libations, entertainment, artisans, local celebrities, musicians and more - all in the picturesque scenery of this historic fishing village. Free
http://www.mudefordseafoodfestival.co.uk/  

For the Culture Vulture

Get arty at Salisbury International Arts Festival
24 May to 9 June
Exploding out of the Playhouse and Arts Centre, into the streets and spaces of the city, this two-week Festival of Celebration will mark the culmination of Wiltshire Creative's first year, with more than 120 events across 16 days. On the May bank holiday, some free events include: City Encounters on 26 & 27, where theatre, music, dance and circus pour out into the streets of Salisbury. Meanwhile you can enjoy performance, live music and hands-on crafts at Family Fiesta At Bemerton Heath on 25 May. Further on, through half term and the festival there will be a vast number of free and ticketed cinema and arts events and workshops. Find out more at their website.
https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on/festival/siaf2019/

Be inspired by Soapbox Science, London Southbank
25 May
Women in science will be celebrated across the globe this summer - at Soapbox Science, where female scientists take the stand to preach their passion, display their discoveries, and hype-up their hypotheses in cities all over the world. Co-founded by ZSL (Zoological Society of London) scientist Dr Nathalie Pettorelli and Dr Seirian Sumner from UCL, the global series of free events sees expert scientists leave the lab and take to the streets to share their work at a series of open-air lectures, inspired by Hyde Park's famous Speaker's Corner. Kicking off its ninth year in London on Saturday 25 May, the city's Southbank will be transformed into an arena for learning and debate, engaging people from all walks of life with some of the UK's most ground-breaking scientific research.
www.soapboxscience.org

See a free performance at Bristol Open Stage, Bristol Old Vic 
27 May
With over 30 acts taking to the historic stage, Bristol Open Stage will showcase everything from stand-up gigs, spoken word performances and acrobatics to street dance, vaudeville, clowning, original music and theatre! Free for all the family, the performances, part of their annual showcase, are a great way to visit the newly-refurbished Bristol Old Vic. This year's extravaganza will be hosted by local TV legend Joe Sims (Broadchurch). More than 200 Bristolians will perform on the week of the Bristol Old Vic's 253rd birthday.
https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/open-stage-2019

Half Term Fun

Take to the air with New Sky High, hot air balloon festival on the Isle of Wight
27 – 30 May
The sky's the limit this May at Robin Hill's brand-new soaring event, Sky High. Marvel at the sight of over 40 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes, taking flight from and tethered in the Lower Valley. You'll have the opportunity to meet the pilots, walk inside the balloons and possibly even win the chance to take flight. In addition, there's kite making and flying workshops for the kids. To make the event even more spectacular, Night Glow will take place on 27th & 29th so you have the opportunity to see the balloons at twilight, lit up in all their glory, together with incredible sound and light production. There'll be a bar and food available throughout the evening with live music too. Prices from £23.00 (on-line advance ticket), or £24 on the day.
https://robin-hill.com/events/sky-high/

Get hands-on with the National Trust, across the country
Throughout half-term
If you're looking for outdoor adventures or hand-on crafts, then the National Trust have it wrapped up. Learn what is takes to be a ranger for the day on Brownsea Island and get involved in activities like tree climbing, searching for coastal creatures and family-friendly nature walks. Or why not delight in constructing a home for creepy crawlies at Lyford Gorge in Devon, where you can learn some basic woodcraft skills and make your very own wooden mallet, all under the guidance of the National Trust ranger team. Meanwhile at Barrington Court, in Somerset you can drop-in to a woodcarvers' workshop and get crafty whilst painting a hand-cut, solid wood decoration. There's also the chance to meet experts from local wildlife charities who will give you a crash course in all things nature - including wildlife friendly crafts and hands-on activities. Find out more about events around the country here: 
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

Go back in time at a Knights' Tournament, across the country
25 – 30 May
Experience a contest to remember as rival knights demonstrate their archery prowess and swordsmanship at five English Heritage sites across the country. Brandishing blades and bows they'll face each other in a test of strength and skill before the winner is crowned in the Grand Melee finale. Immerse yourself in medieval life in the encampment, where you can meet people from the Middle Ages, try on knight's armour, and see the cooking and the weapon repairs which were part of life at camp. Budding warriors can join in with drills out on the field and even get a taste of medieval combat in the kids' battle. The location of the bouts include: Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire; Beeston Castle and Woodland Park, Cheshire; and Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire. Prices vary per property. To find out about other events at English Heritage, visit their website below:
www.english-heritage.org.uk

For more information on what's new in 2018 and 2019 visit: www.media.visitengland.com

Ends

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Louise Ferrall / Eve Commander / Evelina Andrews
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Notes to Editors:
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