Live like an outlaw at the Robin Hood Festival 2018 in Nottingham
Image courtesy of Visit Nottinghamshire
Kicking off on August Bank Holiday Monday on 27th August and running until 2nd September, the Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, is a must-visit if you’re in the area. Watch the legendary outlaw skirmish with the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham at the Major Oak, listen in to storytelling and medieval music, or follow a nature train through the beautiful forest during your visit. The festival is a great day out for children, with all sorts of attractions for them to take part in to round off the summer holidays in style. Make sure you take plenty of change with you, though, as some of the attractions the kids will be pestering you to try come with a small charge attached.
Watch the World Bog Snorkelling Championships at Llanwrtyd Wells
If you fancy spending your August bank holiday weekend on something you’ve never seen before, and will likely never see again, then this could be the free activity for you. Every year, Llanwrtyd Wells in rural south Wales hosts the World Bog Snorkelling Championships. This unusual event has been named as one of Lonely Planet’s top 50 “must do” things from around the world. The Championships attract participants from around the world, with many taking part in all kinds of fancy dress. There’s plenty for spectators to enjoy at this free to watch event, too. There’s food and drink, craft stalls, a bouncy castle and live entertainment to enjoy – if you can tear yourself away from the snorkelling!
Join the celebrations at Notting Hill Carnival, London
Image courtesy of Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival has been going since 1966, making it an August Bank Holiday institution in London. Held over the Sunday and Monday of the bank holiday weekend, the carnival spreads all over W10. Head on down to join in the celebrations of London’s Caribbean communities and take in live music, and of course watch the parade! Sunday is “family day” at the carnival and tends to be a little quieter than Monday. So, if you’re thinking of making a family trip with young ones, this may be the better day to visit for you.
Turn treasure hunter at Blackburn Giant Car Boot Sale
Fancy yourself the next person to buy something at a car boot sale that turns out to be worth hundreds of pounds? Well, you could be if you head over to the BlackBurn Giant Car Boot Sale on August Bank Holiday Sunday (26th August). It’s free to attend, and who knows what you might find!
If you’re planning a clear out over the August bank holiday weekend, why not use the sale to flog your unwanted items? Traders pay £10 per person in advance, so as long as you make more than that, you’re profitable!
Throw yourself into sci-fi with a twist at the Asylum Steampunk Festival in Lincoln
Image courtesy of Visit Lincoln
Every August Bank Holiday weekend, the historic streets of Lincoln in the Midlands become home to the world’s largest and longest running Steampunk festival. Not sure what Steampunk is? Think sci-fi, but with steam-powered technology and historical influences rather than futuristic. Steampunk has gone beyond a genre of literature and become an entire community. It’s well worth immersing yourself is this weird and wonderful world for a day or two.
While many events are ticketed or for wristband holders only, there’s still plenty to do for free around the city to take in the neo-Victorian atmosphere. Pop by the Assembly Rooms for all sorts of Steampunk themed workshops and talks. Or, wander the Steampunk markets around the city centre, catch live music from The Ministry of Ukes throughout the weekend. Definitely don’t miss the costume parade on August Bank Holiday Monday!
Get your fill at the West Witton Feast in the Yorkshire Dales
If you head to the Yorkshire Dales this August Bank Holiday, you may well stumble upon the West Witton Feast. There are a number of events over the weekend, including the Cottage Show on Saturday and the Quoits Knockout on the Monday. However, none of the highlight quite rival the peculiar West Witton tradition of Burning the Bartle. This year, the burning will take place at 9pm on Saturday 25th August.
During the Bartle Burning a stuffed figure, similar to the Guys made for Bonfire Night, is paraded through the village. Motorists caught out by the ceremony will be greeted by the Bartle peering through their windows. Each time the Bartle and his attendants stop, they proclaim his story to anyone who will listen. However, the tradition is so old and obscure that nobody knows who the original Bartle was! At the end of the parade, the Bartle is burned next to a wall behind houses at the edge of the village.
Take to the seas (sort of) at the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff
Image courtesy of Extreme Sailing Series
The August Bank Holiday weekend is your chance to get up close and personal with the Extreme Sailing Series action right here in the UK. This series tours the world, with events as far away as San Diego, but for the Bank Holiday weekend it’ll be mooring up in Cardiff. The free to enter race village will be your base for the day. You’ll find plenty of spots to grab a bite, places to relax, and of course, the best spots to watch the racing! As well as the action on the water, there’s plenty to see on land, too. BMX shows will take place daily in the race village, there’ll be children’s activities in Britannia Park and all sorts of family activities at the Seneed Steps.
