The What, Where, When: 2 November
See: A literary festival featuring history, biography, politics and fiction, followed by fireworks: fun for all the family.
WHERE: Lennoxlove House, Lennoxlove Estate, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4NZ. www.lennoxlovebookfestival.com WHEN: 2 – 4 November
WHAT: Crafts for Christmas
See: Offered products include leather goods, ceramics, clothes, candles, aromatherapy and dried flowers.
Eat and Drink: Cheese, wine and preserves.
WHERE: The Kent Pavilions, Kent Showground, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3JF. www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk
WHEN: 2 – 4 November
WHAT: Tea and Coffee Festival
Eat and Drink: Products from the best tea and coffee companies in the UK, who all come together for this unique event aiming to promote each company.
WHERE: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. www.teacoffeefestival.com/ www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
WHEN: 2 – 4 November
WHAT: Harrods Christmas Parade
Don’t miss: The arrival of Father Christmas, and the Harrods Christmas Grotto opening; suitable for all family members. WHERE: Harrods, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL. www.harrods.com/
WHEN: 3 November
WHAT: Battersea Park Fireworks Display
Don’t miss: one of the biggest firework displays in London, featuring a bonfire and fireworks choreographed to music and attended by around 50,000 people of all ages.
WHERE: Battersea Park Events Arena, Battersea Park, London, SW11.www.wandsworth.gov.uk/fireworks
WHEN: 3 November
WHAT: Canary Wharf Ice Rink
Don’t miss: Ice skating fun for all the family in the return of London’s longest running ice rink at its iconic venue. Also see Santa’s arrival weekend, and the annual festive shopping event including fashion shows, entertainment and goodie bag giveaways.
WHERE: Canary Wharf, London, E14. www.skatecanarywharf.com/website
WHEN: 3 November – 13 January 2013
WHAT: The Brentwood Festive Craft and Gift Show
See: festive products ranging from food and drink, to gadgets and home ware.
WHERE: Brentwood Centre, Doddington Road, Brentwood, CM15 9NN, Essex. www.aztecevents.co.uk/
WHEN: 3 – 4 November
WHAT: Malvern Antiques and Collectors Fair
See: Glassware, ceramics, paintings, decorative items and furniture, all part of a nationwide series, attended by over a thousand people.
WHERE: The Three Counties Showground, Great Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW. www.b2bevents.info/
WHEN: 4 November.
WHAT: National Scrabble Championship
Don’t miss: finalists squaring off the most famous word challenge, provided with expert commentary for the audience. WHERE: Cavendish Conference Centre, 22 Duchess Mews, London, W1G 9DT. www.centrestar.co.uk/uknsc/2012 WHEN: 4 November
WHAT: Oxford Streets Christmas Lights Switch On
See: Robbie Williams officially turn on the festive lights at one of the most attended Christmas light events.
Don’t miss: Performances by Lawson and Leona Lewis, hosted by Heart Radio presenters Jamie Theakston and Emma Bunton.
WHERE: House of Fraser, 318 Oxford Street, London, W1C 1HF. www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/
WHEN: 5 November
WHAT: Swinderby Antiques and Collectors Fair
See: the largest event of its kind in the region, featuring over 600 specialist stalls as part of a nationwide series and attended by around a thousand people annually.
WHERE: RAF Swinderby Airfield, Swinderby, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 9QG. www.iacf.co.uk/
WHEN: 5 November
WHAT: Trustee’s Week
See: the great work charity trustees do, and the opportunities for people from all walks of life to get involved and make a real difference.
WHERE: England and Wales.www.trusteesweek.org.uk/
WHEN: 5 – 11 November
WHAT: The Gift of Sight Fair
Don’t miss: a day of arts and crafts, all in aid of St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital and St John Ambulance, suitable for all the family.
WHERE: Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE. www.stjohneyehospital.org/ www.sja.org.uk/
WHEN: 6 November
WHAT: Cannaziro House Halloween Tea
Eat and Drink: traditional homemade afternoon tea with a ghoulish twist, including minted white chocolate mousse with coconut jelly, pecan and caramel shortbread tart and Halloween ‘Scary Biscuit’ face cookies.
Perfect for: all the family, including a kid’s size tea for children.
WHERE: Cannaziro House Hotel, Wimbledon. www.mantiscollection.com/cannizaro-house/
WHEN: 25 October – 4 November.