FAMILY FUN

OXFORDSHIRE: Cornbury House Horse Trials, nr Charlbury, Wed 11-Sun 15 Sep

The Cornbury House Horse Trials is galloping along this weekend on one of the Cotswolds’ loveliest estates. Head to this family friendly event to see equestrian stars compete in five days of dressage, cross-country and showjumping. You’ll be well fed and watered too: it’s hosting an Endless Lunch in the marquee overlooking the main showjumping arena with rosé-maker Mirabeau. A seasonal lunch menu served with a glass or three of rosé? We’re jumping at this one.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: The Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show, Duxford, Sat 14-Sun 15 Sep

Eyes to the sky! You won’t want to miss The Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show at IWM Duxford. This incredible weekend of aviation history sees Duxford take a step back in time to the 1940s with living history groups in full costume, vintage aircraft taking to the skies and the chance to discover the incredible stories of the real men and women who served at Duxford during the war. Get your tickets now, they’re selling faster than a Spitfire going full throttle.

OXFORDSHIRE: Illuminated Boat Parade, Henley-on-Thames, Sat 14 Sep

Over in Henley-On-Thames, the Illuminated Boat Parade will be lighting up the waters this Saturday. Last year nearly 50 boats and 40 paddleboards took part, all vying to take home the coveted ‘best in parade’ award with their crazy, creative decorations. A dazzling night out for the whole family.

HAMPSHIRE: Southampton International Boat Show, Fri 13 – Sun 22 Sep

It’s back, baby! Britain’s biggest and best festival of boating drops anchor this weekend. From the latest SUPs to superyachts and sailing boats, the epic Southampton International Boat Show has loads for yachties and families alike. Included in the ticket, make the most of try-a-boat sessions to get out on the water. There’s plenty of places to get food and drink, stunt demos from extreme sports pros and live music from the likes of Chris Moyles and Symphonic Ibiza. Fan of Below Deck? Visit on Fri 13 Sep to watch Captain Glenn on the Foredeck Stage.

OXFORDSHIRE: Henley Show, Sat 14 Sep

One of the best end-of-summer events in Oxfordshire is the Henley Show on Saturday, chock to the gunnels with country pursuits and stalls for the green welly brigade – and a menagerie of livestock roaming around. Head to Hambleden to hang with giant tortoises, mini ponies, ferrets and birds of prey.

SURREY: Emergency Services Day with PAW Patrol, Weybridge, Sun 15 Sept

One of the biggest days of the year at Brooklands Museum. See emergency services displays, plus Skye, Chase and Marshall from kids favourite, PAW Patrol. Enjoy go-karts, food stalls and family entertainment. Picnics are welcome. There’s a quiet hour from 9am.

OUT & ABOUT

OXFORDSHIRE: Oxford Open Doors, Sat 14 – Sun 15 Sep

We all know Oxford’s dreaming spires are steeped in history – but for most of the year many of its loveliest spots are hidden away behind ‘no entry’ signs. Not this weekend, when the annual Oxford Open Doors unlocks places and spaces usually closed to the general public – like the beautifully preserved Elizabethan wall paintings off Cornmarket Street or the top tower of Magdalen College. See our guide to making the most of the access-all-areas weekend here.

KENT: Autumn Craft Fair, Hever Castle, Thu 12 – Sun 15 Sep

The Autumn Craft Fair held in the stunning grounds of Hever Castle is back on this September. Organised by Craft in Focus, over four days browse and purchase direct from around 180 of the UK’s finest designers, makers and contemporary artists. The designers have been chosen specifically for their individuality and innovation in contemporary design so you’ll be in for a treat! Open 9:30am – 5:30pm. Entrance to the Craft Fair is included in both Gardens Only and Castle & Gardens admission tickets.

WELLNESS

BERKSHIRE: Mindset Unlimited Festival, Wokingham, Sat 14 Sep

If Woodstock was all about wellness, it would look a little bit like this. No sore heads the next day here though. Mindset Unlimited Festival is taking place on Saturday at Elms Field in Wokingham – an entire day dedicated solely to your wellbeing with five stages of amazing events and activities for adults and children. We’re talking yoga, soundbaths, meditation, ecstatic dance, and lots, lots more. Read our interview with founders Alex and Matt before grabbing your tickets here.

BEDFORDSHIRE: Colour Dash, Leighton Buzzard, Sat 14 Sep

Join the Colour Dash at Mead Open Farm on Saturday – the aim is to run a course and get covered in as much coloured paint powder (100% non-toxic, of course!) as possible. It’s all in aid of the charity, KidsOut, too. Some heart-racing cardio all for a good cause? It’s a double wellness win!

BEDFORDSHIRE: Bedfordshire’s Festival of Autumn Walks, until Sun 15 Sep

Prefer something a little less sweaty (or messy)? Grab your walking boots for Bedfordshire’s Festival of Autumn Walks, which takes place from Sat 7 – Sun 15 Sep with a programme of group walking routes of different lengths, themes (historical to bird watching), and some with pub pit stops. Cheers.

FOOD FESTIVALS

DEVON: Taste East Devon Festival, Sat 14 – Sun 22 Sept

Take a tour of Pebblebed, a picturesque vineyard & award-winning winery

Not hiding their foodie cred under a bushel, the hospitality business of East Devon curate an annual nine-day food festival across East Devon which goes from strength to strength. This year’s event features 30+ events, including exclusive dining experiences, tours and tastings. Learn about local wine, don an apron for a cooking or baking course, pick apples in a local orchard or even harvest seaweed on the beach. The region’s finest foodies put their shoulder to this wheel, including Lympstone Manor’s Michael Caines MBE, River Cottage’s Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the very Muddy-approved hotel, The PIG-at Combe, so local quality is more than guaranteed.

ARTS & CULTURE

NORFOLK: Autumn Festival of Norfolk, Norwich, Sat 14 Sep – Fri 29 Nov

The Autumn Festival of Norfolk is always a must on the culture calendar and this year is no exception. Kicking off this Saturday, the festival of arts will take over a number of Norwich venues (including the stunning Hostry in the cathedral) and will see the likes of prima ballerina, Carlos Acosta (above), John Wilson, Professor Simon Schama, Nicholas Witchell, Susie Fowler-Watt and Don Warrington in conversation. There will also be some inspiring performances, productions, music and spoken word so check out the full line-up of events and starts plotting your fun.

HERTFORDSHIRE: Herts Open Studios, until Sun 29 Sep

The annual Herts Open Studios gives members of the public the chance to peek behind the doors of 162 artists at 77 studios and workshops, galleries, shops and pop-ups all over the county, to watch their creative processes in action in a huge variety of media. Download a brochure to see what’s on near you from exhibitions and demos to cool crafty workshops.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: The Taming of the Shrew, Lamport Hall, Fri 13 Sep

Oxford University Dramatic Society presents The Taming of the Shrew at Lamport Hall near Northampton on Friday 13 Sept, celebrating of the early acting career of Lamport’s Sir Gyles Isham, who was President of the Society during his time at Oxford and played Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew with the Stratford Festival Company. Part of the OUDS National Tour, this production will be performing in Oxford, London and at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, so catch it while you can.

HERTFORDSHIRE: Upfest Art House, Berkhamstead, until Sun 15 Sep

It’s your last chance to catch Upfest Art House at Ashridge House, near Berkhamsted – a major outdoor sculpture exhibition which runs until Sunday in the beautiful, groomed gardens. It comes from the creators of Europe’s largest street art festival, and will see 20 pieces by world-renowned urban artists, dotted around the grounds.

DEVON: Devon Open Studios, until Sat 22 Sep

Credit Caught in the Imagination by Phillippa Mills and Eleanor Tallowin/Chagford

Find your muse – and maybe a cool piece of art for a bare wall – at Devon Open Studios. The annual art event showcases the extraordinary range of 400+ fabulous artists across all media, from textiles and jewellery, to linocut and watercolours, with oodles of opportunities to visit behind the scenes and meet the creatives. Don’t forget your wallet.

BERKSHIRE: Art in the Garden, Savile Garden, until Thu 31 Oct

Ogle your way around the gorgeous grounds of Savill Garden in Windsor and marvel at the eye-catching sculptures made in a variety of mediums, materials, and styles. This year’s theme at Art in the Garden is inspired by the natural world. And if you want to take one home? Well, you’re in luck because they’re all for sale.

Off out? 18 cool events worth leaving London for this weekend

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