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The best weekend events this summer
March 10, 2008
It might seem to hard to believe, but the great British summertime really is on its way. Long evenings, pub gardens, jugs of Pimms, cricket on the radio, crap on the telly - we’re practically chomping at the bit for the clocks to change...
Of course, summer also means that balmy weekends away become a bit of a no-brainer, but throw in an amazing music festival, a mouth-watering food fair or The World Nettle Eating Championships (no, really) and you’re in for a break with a difference. Here’s The Weekenders Guide to the best events this summer, and where to stay nearby. GET BOOKING!!!
Tetbury Woolsack Races
Monday 26th May (Bank Holiday Monday)
www.tetburywoolsack.co.uk
Apparently derived from past generations of Tetbury men trying to impress the ladies with their prowess at carrying heavy weights (far more important than a good sense of humour and healthy bank balance, obviously), the annual Woolsack Races sees competitors carrying a 60lb sack of wool up and down Gumstool Hill in the middle of town. With a fair and loads of great food and drink to enjoy, this is all much more fun than it sounds!
Where to stay:
The Priory Inn
Calcot Manor
The Guardian Hay Festival
22nd May - 1st June
www.hayfestival.com
The world’s most famous, and best, literary get-together that has really put the pretty town of Hay-on-Wye on the map. Authors, politicians, film stars and anyone else of note descend on Hay for a week each summer to listen, read and discuss… well, books. Sounds odd, but it’s actually one of the most exciting events in the UK festival calendar.
Where to stay:
The Bell at Skenfrith
Trecilla Farm
Also...
Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill
Monday 26th May (Bank Holiday Monday)
www.cheese-rolling.co.uk
Where to stay:
Thirty Two
Beaumont House
Three Choirs Vineyard
Round-the-Island Race, Cowes
Saturday, 28th June
www.roundtheisland.org.uk
One of the world’s most famous sailing races, hundreds of yachts from the UK, Europe and the US compete in this 50-mile race around the Isle-of-Wight. It’s an exhilarating sight whether you’re a yachtie or not, plus, of course, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy yourself shore-side.
Where to stay:
Gotten Manor
The Seaview Hotel
Britannia House
Stanwell House
Summer Solstice, Stonehenge
Saturday, 21st June
www.english-heritage.org.uk
This year’s solstice falls conveniently on a Saturday, so Weekenders can join the druids and the new-agers at Stonehenge to watch the sun come up on the longest day of the year. The full, all-night experience takes a bit of commitment, but you can turn up just before dawn (expected at around 4.45am!) for some spiritual awakening and lots of bongo music.
Where to stay:
Cathedral View
Also...
Annual Nettle Eating Contest, Dorset
14th June
www.thebottleinn.co.uk
Where to stay:
Hedgehog Corner
Stoneleigh Barn
Royal Ascot
17th-21st June
www.ascot.co.uk
Where to stay:
The Manor Hotel
Goodwood Festival of Speed
11th-13th July
www.goodwood.co.uk
A fantastic celebration of all things automotive in the beautiful grounds at Goodwood. Vintage classics, modern-day speed monsters, races, parades, picnics, Pimms - it’s all brilliant.
Where to stay:
Charters
Burpham Country House
The Town House
Cheltenham Music Festival
4th-20th July
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
Founded in 1945, this is one of the best classical music events in the country. Musicians, orchestras and singers come from all corners of the world to perform in venues across town, including the Town Hall and Pump Room, plus churches, bars, theatres and in the open air.
Where to stay:
Thirty Two
Beaumont House
Whitstable Oyster Fair
21st-29th July
www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk
Parades, morris dancers, concerts on the beach and, of course, lots and lots of oysters make this ancient festival a fantastic time to visit Whitstable.
Where to stay:
Captain’s House
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Thurnham Keep
Trapham Farmhouse
Also...
International Bognor Bird Man
5th-6th July
www.birdman.org.uk
Where to stay:
Burpham Country House
The Town House
Ledbury Poetry Festival
4-13 July
www.poetry-festival.com
Where to stay:
Burghill Grange
Old Country House
Three Choirs Vineyard
Battle Proms at Althorp House
23rd August
www.althorp.com
The ultimate summer picnic proms - stirring live classical music, including Beethoven’s Battle Symphony, complete with 193 canons! Amazing fireworks, a spitfire display and, of course, the obligatory Land of Hope and Glory-ing and manic flag-waving.
Where to stay:
Rushton Hall
Ashworth House
Lammas Festival, Eastbourne
2nd-3rd August
www.lammasfest.org
Celebrating the ancient pagan festival of Lammas, this growing festival is full of colourful rituals, jangling morris men, drumming and a huge parade of the famous ‘Eastbourne Giants’. Live bands, fancy dress and lots of great food and drink make this a great, if different, way to spend the weekend.
Where to stay:
The Grand
Also...
Leeds Festival
22nd-24th August
www.leedsfestival.com
Where to stay:
Bewleys
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
16th-17th August
www.garlic-festival.co.uk
Where to stay:
Gotten Manor
The Seaview Hotel
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