Rise and shine
Watch hot air balloons fill Bristol’s skies; eat drink and dance in the Cotswolds and enjoy a movie under the stars in Nottingham this August, says MELISSA BROBBY
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Head over to Europe’s largest free ballooning event where the skies will be awash with hundreds of colourful hot air balloons from August 11 to 14.
Hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes will take off from Ashton Court Estate every day at dawn and at dusk watch them glow against the night sky when the balloon burners are lit up for the famous night glow.
The entertainment doesn’t end there; spectators can also enjoy thrilling air displays from the Royal Air Force Red Arrows among others throughout the day, helicopter and balloon rides, live music and a fairground. The Big Feastival in Oxfordshire Pay a visit to Blur bassist Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds for a weekend of top-class music and tasty local cuisine at The Big Feastival, taking place from August 26-28. Created by Alex James and Jamie Oliver, food and music lovers can enjoy watching headline acts including Tinie Tempah, Kaiser Chiefs and The Proclaimers while tucking into a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes, from a Deep South barbeque to massive fish finger sandwiches.
Cheese connoisseurs should make sure to pop into “Alex’s Cheese Hub”, where you can taste some of the musician’s latest artisan creations. One thing’s for sure, you won’t leave this festival hungry.
Summer Nights Film Festival in Nottingham
Watch a blockbuster under the stars with a picnic hamper and a bottle of bubbly by your side at Wollaton Park in Nottingham from August 26-29.
The scenic and peaceful surroundings makes it the perfect place to enjoy old classics and recent blockbusters as the sun goes down.
This year the festival will be screening the classic Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, recent blockbuster hit Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, which was filmed at Wollaton Hall as the setting for Wayne Manor.