Bank holiday breaks
England is bustling with holiday ideas to make the most out of your long weekends, from romantic getaways exploring picturesque landscapes to cheap weekend breaks that won't skimp on the fun. Looking for ways to entertain the kids? There’s plenty of family fun to be had this bank holiday, whether it’s swinging through the trees in the forest, playing arcade games on the coast or attending one of England’s many free bank holiday festivals and events.
Unmissable August bank holiday events
Featured
Look ahead to the August bank holiday with our round-up of end-of-summer events and festivals.
Build sandcastles at Bamburgh Beach
Do you know your cockles from your winkles? St. Aidan and Grace Darling certainly did. And what better place to learn than on Bamburgh Beach.
Location: Bamburgh, Northumberland
Make a splash at Sandhaven Beach
Sandcastles, surf and smiles await in the fantastic seaside town of South Shields!
Location: South Shields, South Tyneside
Discover the majestic Warwick Castle
Explore the spooky towers and frightening dungeons at Warwick Castle, and uncover its gruesome past spanning over 1100 years.
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire
Retreat to Ruthern Valley
Get some peace and quiet in a wooded valley inhabited with squirrels and wild rabbits.
Location: Bodmin, Cornwall
Take your senses on a trip back in time at Beamish
Touch, taste, hear, see and smell history on an unforgettable journey into the past at England’s largest open-air museum.
Location: Vale of Durham
Rainy Day Activities: Get interactive on a family trip to Eureka!
Eureka! in Halifax is an indoor attraction that inspires children to learn all about the world around them by playing, imagining, experimenting and having fun.
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Trot over to meet Redwings Horse Sanctuary's rescued residents
Come nose to nose with some of Redwings Horse Sanctuary's most delightful residents at Redwings Ada Cole Rescue Centre in Essex.
Location: Nazeing, Essex
Be beside the seaside in Gorleston-on-Sea
Take the buckets and spades gorgeous Gorleston Beach before exploring the ancient Roman ruins and the Angles Way.
Location: Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk
Let Plymouth bring out your adventurous streak
Plymouth provides the perfect place for adventurers, with water sports, scuba diving, climbing walls, cycle paths, walks and boat trips.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Join the Clouds with Bristol Hot Air Ballooning
Take to the skies in a hot air balloon across the West Country, giving you amazing views and an unforgettable experience.
Location: Bristol
August Events: Take in the big screen at Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema
Grab your popcorn and enjoy a weekend of open air cinema under the stars with the beautiful Hertford Castle providing a suitably dramatic backdrop.
Location: Hertford, Hertfordhsire
