Unmissable events
Exhibition July 15–23 ‘Six Hour Place’ (right), Creake Abbey, North Creake, Norfolk. Large colour photographs of north Norfolk’s coastal landscape by Harry Cory Wright, interspersed with his drawings in ink and watercolour (020–8408 1961; http:// elevenfineart.com)
Wildlife July 20 Rockpool Ramble at Dolphinwatch, Torry Battery, Aberdeen. Explore the rocky shoreline and spot bottlenose dolphins, seals and even whales in the harbour. Sturdy footwear essential, suitable for children aged four and above. 4pm–6pm, suggested donation £3 (01224 624824; www.rspb.org.uk)
Fair July 16 Camel and Mongolian Day, Buscot Park, Faringdon, Oxfordshire. Enjoy camel dressage, Mongolian wrestling, archery and music, camel-milk ice cream, a hawk display and, best of all, camel rides. Gates open 12pm, £15 per car (www.wildcamels.com)
Food July 15 Taste of Richmond Borough, Richmond Yacht Club, Twickenham, Greater London. A showcase of fresh, seasonal and local produce from chef Mikala Mccormick, with a raffle, an auction and a skiffle band plus wonderful views over the Thames. 7.30pm –11.30pm, tickets £45 (020–8891 5455; www.environmenttrust.co.uk)
Dance July 19 Ballet United Gala, Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace, London SW1. Showcase of the best in ballet, with dancers from The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet and Vienna State Ballet performing both classical and contemporary pieces. 7.30pm, tickets from £15 (020–7730 4500; www. cadoganhall.com)
Festival July 15–16 Wealden Literary Festival, Boldshaves Garden, Woodchurch, Kent. With a focus on the natural world, the programme of speakers includes Nicholas Crane, President of the Royal Geographical Society, and COUNTRY LIFE contributor and author Jay Griffiths. See website for programme and pricing (01580 292169; www.wealdenliteraryfestival.co.uk)
July 19 The Peterborough Festival of Hunting, East of England Showground, Alwalton, Cambridgeshire. The greatest gathering of hounds in the country, with both canine and equine showing classes and fell-hound and coursing displays, plus the inter-hunt relay. Adult ticket £15 (01733 363513; http://festivalofhunting.com) Book now August 2 Seasonal Table Arrangements: Cotswolds (below), The Daylesford Garden shop, Kingham, Gloucestershire. Learn to create the perfect centrepiece using seasonal flowers and foliage as part of Daylesford’s new calendar of garden workshops. 9.30am–1pm, £125pp including materials and refreshments (01608 731712; http://daylesford.com)
Dipley Mill, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire RG27 8JP July 16, 2pm–5.30pm. Admission £6, children free Quantities of flowing water, a history stretching back to the Domesday Book and a treasure trove of planting and ornament make this riverside garden a place of discovery. It’s contemporary—as in the Rust Garden—or exotic—as in the Indian Pool Garden—and bursting with good planting.