The What, Where, When: 24 May
WHAT: Hunting of the Earl of Rone Residents dress as symbolic characters and hunt for the 'Earl of Rone.' The four-day event sees the 'Earl of Rone' found on the Monday night (May 27), where he is mounted on a donkey, paraded through the village and thrown into sea. Festival was banned in 1837 and revived in 1974.
WHERE: Hunting of the Earl of Rone, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 0JD
WHEN: 24 - 27 May www.earl-of-rone.org.uk
WHAT: Maryport Harbour Festival A new summer family festival, celebrating Maryport's maritime history. Line-up includes Mostly Autumn, Blondied, The Bullfrogs and Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. Event features stalls, exhibitions, live music and family fun-fair rides.
WHERE: various locations, Maryport, Cumbria
WHEN: 24 - 26 May www.maryportharbourfestival.com
WHAT: Keats House Summer Festival Features creative writing workshops, theatre, crafts and music. A festival celebrating the poet John Keats
WHERE: Keats House, Hampstead, London
WHEN: 24 May - 3 June www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/attractions-around-london/keats-house/Pages/default.aspx
WHAT: Scottish Series Keel boat regatta is the largest event of its kind in Scotland.
WHERE: Tarbert, Agyll & Bute, Scotland
WHEN: 24 - 27 May www.scottishseries.com
WHAT: Guildford Antiques & Art Fair Collectibles event features over 50 high-quality trade stands.
WHERE: G-Live, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA, Surrey
WHEN: 24 - 26 May www.penman-fairs.co.uk
WHAT: Royal Escape Largest offshore race on the South Coast outside of the Solent. Celebrates the escape across the channel of Charles II. Features a mixed fleet of monohull yachts sailing a distance of 67 nautical miles
WHERE: Brighton Pier to Greenwich Light Vessel, Sussex
WHEN: 24 May www.royalescaperace.co.uk
WHAT: Welsh Perry & Cider Festival Festival of international cider and perries. Features the annual Welsh Perry & Cider Championships. 2013 sees the event incorporate International Cider Bars, with producers attending from five other countries.
WHERE: Caldicot Castle, Church Road, Caldicot, NP26 4HU, United Kingdom
WHEN: 24 - 27 May www.welshcider.co.uk
WHAT: Twickenham Regatta Rowing event open to crews of all ages, features single sculls up to eight-man boats.
WHERE: River Thames, London
WHEN: 25 May www.twickenham-regatta.org
WHAT: Yorkshire Antique and Art Fair Features around 350 stands displaying antiques, art, and vintage.
WHERE: Halls 1 and 2, Yorkshire Event Centre, The great Yorkshire showground, Harrogate HG2 8QZ
WHEN: 25 - 26 May www.antiquesfairs.com
WHAT: Kent Garden Show
DON'T MISS: Award-winning formal gardens and floral displays, including Chelsea Flower Show medal winners.
WHERE: Kent Showground, Maidstone, ME14 3JF, Kent
WHEN: 25 - 27 May www.kentgardenshow.com
WHAT: Really Wild Festival Food and countryside festival. Gold medal award winner for Best Pembrokeshire Experience/Day Out
WHERE: St David's Cathedral, SA62 6RH, Pembrokeshire
WHEN: 25 - 26 May www.reallywildfestival.co.uk
WHAT: Hertfordshire County Show Traditional agricultural county show featuring horses, livestock and attractions including jesters, jazz bands and other entertainment.
WHERE: Herts Show Ground, Redbourn, AL3 7PT, Hertfordshire
WHEN: 25 - 26 May www.hertsshow.com
WHAT: Moet UK Sommelier of the Year Competition - Final Honours the most talented figures in the wine trade. Held at the International Wine Fair
WHERE: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA, Greater London
WHEN: 28 May www.sommelieroftheyear.co.uk
WHAT: Burghley Game, Country & Angling Fair Features a falconry display, dog zones, equestrian events and field sports including clay shooting.
WHERE: Burghley House, Stamford, PE9 3JY, Lincolnshire
WHEN: 26 - 27 May www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk/show/the-may-bank-holiday-burghley-game-country-fair/44.php
WHAT: Highclere Country Fair Events involving working dogs, such as sheepdog trials and gundog scurries
WHERE: Highclere Castle, Newbury, RG20 9RN, West Berkshire
WHEN: 26 - 27 May www.countrymanfairs.co.uk/highclere-game-and-country-fair
WHAT: Grand Shaftesbury Run Half marathon and 10k event raises funds for a range of charities. Organised by Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. Charities include Wings for Life, The Philip Green Memorial School Horticultural Project and the Victoria Education Centre and Sports College Sparkle Appeal.
WHERE: St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, Wimborne, BH21 5NA, Dorset
WHEN: 26 May www.shaftesburyestates.com/shaftesbury-run
WHAT: 2nd Annual English wine tasting to celebrate English Wine Week
Host Julia Trustram Eve, of the English Wine Producers, will talk guests through a tasting of a selection of English sparkling wines, whites and reds. Guests will be taken through a fun and informal examination of the English wine, including an exploration of its history and future, award-winning wines, and new wines that have launched in the last twelve months.
WHERE: Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), International Wine & Spirit Centre, 39-45 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF
WHEN: 30 May www.wsetglobal.com www.englishwineproducers.co.uk
WHAT: The Shropshire County Agricultural Show
Agricultural show formerly known as the West Mid Show. Features around 500 exhibitors
WHERE: Shrewsbury Showground, Shrewsbury, SY1 2PF, Shropshire
WHEN: 25 May www.shropshirecountyshow.com/events/agricultural-show/index.shtml
WHAT: Seven Dials Shopping Night A Shopping Event with over 120 participating stores, offering up to 20% off. Stores include Banana Republic, Jaeger London, Miller Harris and Twenty8Twelve. Shoppers will also be treated to a DJ set from Lee Hume, live performances from vintage singers ‘Verity and Violet,’ as well as mixology classes and a taste of alcoholic ice cream.
WHERE: Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9HU
WHEN: 30 May, www.sevendials.co.uk/standard
WHERE: Hunting of the Earl of Rone, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 0JD
WHEN: 24 - 27 May www.earl-of-rone.org.uk
WHAT: Maryport Harbour Festival A new summer family festival, celebrating Maryport's maritime history. Line-up includes Mostly Autumn, Blondied, The Bullfrogs and Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. Event features stalls, exhibitions, live music and family fun-fair rides.
WHERE: various locations, Maryport, Cumbria
WHEN: 24 - 26 May www.maryportharbourfestival.com
WHAT: Keats House Summer Festival Features creative writing workshops, theatre, crafts and music. A festival celebrating the poet John Keats
WHERE: Keats House, Hampstead, London
WHEN: 24 May - 3 June www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/attractions-around-london/keats-house/Pages/default.aspx
WHAT: Scottish Series Keel boat regatta is the largest event of its kind in Scotland.
WHERE: Tarbert, Agyll & Bute, Scotland
WHEN: 24 - 27 May www.scottishseries.com
WHAT: Guildford Antiques & Art Fair Collectibles event features over 50 high-quality trade stands.
WHERE: G-Live, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA, Surrey
WHEN: 24 - 26 May www.penman-fairs.co.uk
WHAT: Royal Escape Largest offshore race on the South Coast outside of the Solent. Celebrates the escape across the channel of Charles II. Features a mixed fleet of monohull yachts sailing a distance of 67 nautical miles
WHERE: Brighton Pier to Greenwich Light Vessel, Sussex
WHEN: 24 May www.royalescaperace.co.uk
WHAT: Welsh Perry & Cider Festival Festival of international cider and perries. Features the annual Welsh Perry & Cider Championships. 2013 sees the event incorporate International Cider Bars, with producers attending from five other countries.
WHERE: Caldicot Castle, Church Road, Caldicot, NP26 4HU, United Kingdom
WHEN: 24 - 27 May www.welshcider.co.uk
WHAT: Twickenham Regatta Rowing event open to crews of all ages, features single sculls up to eight-man boats.
WHERE: River Thames, London
WHEN: 25 May www.twickenham-regatta.org
WHAT: Yorkshire Antique and Art Fair Features around 350 stands displaying antiques, art, and vintage.
WHERE: Halls 1 and 2, Yorkshire Event Centre, The great Yorkshire showground, Harrogate HG2 8QZ
WHEN: 25 - 26 May www.antiquesfairs.com
WHAT: Kent Garden Show
DON'T MISS: Award-winning formal gardens and floral displays, including Chelsea Flower Show medal winners.
WHERE: Kent Showground, Maidstone, ME14 3JF, Kent
WHEN: 25 - 27 May www.kentgardenshow.com
WHAT: Really Wild Festival Food and countryside festival. Gold medal award winner for Best Pembrokeshire Experience/Day Out
WHERE: St David's Cathedral, SA62 6RH, Pembrokeshire
WHEN: 25 - 26 May www.reallywildfestival.co.uk
WHAT: Hertfordshire County Show Traditional agricultural county show featuring horses, livestock and attractions including jesters, jazz bands and other entertainment.
WHERE: Herts Show Ground, Redbourn, AL3 7PT, Hertfordshire
WHEN: 25 - 26 May www.hertsshow.com
WHAT: Moet UK Sommelier of the Year Competition - Final Honours the most talented figures in the wine trade. Held at the International Wine Fair
WHERE: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA, Greater London
WHEN: 28 May www.sommelieroftheyear.co.uk
WHAT: Burghley Game, Country & Angling Fair Features a falconry display, dog zones, equestrian events and field sports including clay shooting.
WHERE: Burghley House, Stamford, PE9 3JY, Lincolnshire
WHEN: 26 - 27 May www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk/show/the-may-bank-holiday-burghley-game-country-fair/44.php
WHAT: Highclere Country Fair Events involving working dogs, such as sheepdog trials and gundog scurries
WHERE: Highclere Castle, Newbury, RG20 9RN, West Berkshire
WHEN: 26 - 27 May www.countrymanfairs.co.uk/highclere-game-and-country-fair
WHAT: Grand Shaftesbury Run Half marathon and 10k event raises funds for a range of charities. Organised by Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. Charities include Wings for Life, The Philip Green Memorial School Horticultural Project and the Victoria Education Centre and Sports College Sparkle Appeal.
WHERE: St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, Wimborne, BH21 5NA, Dorset
WHEN: 26 May www.shaftesburyestates.com/shaftesbury-run
WHAT: 2nd Annual English wine tasting to celebrate English Wine Week
Host Julia Trustram Eve, of the English Wine Producers, will talk guests through a tasting of a selection of English sparkling wines, whites and reds. Guests will be taken through a fun and informal examination of the English wine, including an exploration of its history and future, award-winning wines, and new wines that have launched in the last twelve months.
WHERE: Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), International Wine & Spirit Centre, 39-45 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF
WHEN: 30 May www.wsetglobal.com www.englishwineproducers.co.uk
WHAT: The Shropshire County Agricultural Show
Agricultural show formerly known as the West Mid Show. Features around 500 exhibitors
WHERE: Shrewsbury Showground, Shrewsbury, SY1 2PF, Shropshire
WHEN: 25 May www.shropshirecountyshow.com/events/agricultural-show/index.shtml
WHAT: Seven Dials Shopping Night A Shopping Event with over 120 participating stores, offering up to 20% off. Stores include Banana Republic, Jaeger London, Miller Harris and Twenty8Twelve. Shoppers will also be treated to a DJ set from Lee Hume, live performances from vintage singers ‘Verity and Violet,’ as well as mixology classes and a taste of alcoholic ice cream.
WHERE: Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9HU
WHEN: 30 May, www.sevendials.co.uk/standard