Lift-off for a world of summer fun...
THE long days of summer are almost upon us, so our thoughts naturally turn to spending time by the sea. Here, we round up some of the best coastal attractions across England for all the family…
THE SEVEN SEAS FESTIVAL, DORSET
POOLE celebrates food, music and culture from May 19 to 21. Held in conjunction with the Poole Maritime Festival, the Seven Seas Festival will offer a culinary and cultural trip around the world’s oceans.
There will be an Aussie barbecue and bar; a surfing simulator from the South Pacific; Man vs Food competitions; ice skating, igloos and seafood from the Arctic; yoga, acupuncture and pan-Asian cuisine from the Indian Ocean; rum and jerk chicken from the Caribbean; and close-to-home treats from the Atlantic.
INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL, EASTBOURNE
IN HIGH summer, things will definitely be looking up as 25 hot-air balloons will be based at Eastbourne’s Hampden Park. Weather permitting, the balloons will take flight at dawn and dusk on Saturday, July 29, and at dawn the following day.
There will be demonstrations, markets, competitions, a classic car show and live entertainment. Don’t miss the NightGlow show, where the balloon burners will be set to music, followed by a fantastic fireworks finale. Best of all, it’s free.
CORNISH PASTY HERITAGE CENTRE, ST AUSTELL
AFTER earning protected status, the Cornish pasty now has its own heritage centre on the outskirts of St Austell. Cornucopia Cornwall is a new food and drink-themed attraction opening this summer at St Austell Bay Retail and Leisure Park, and visitors to the pasty heritage centre will be given the chance to make their own savoury treat.
The on-site demo kitchen will host events, and there will be food exhibits and local producers on hand selling everything from artisan ice cream to coffee.
THE STEAMPUNK SEASIDE SPECTACULAR WEEKEND, SCARBOROUGH
IF YOU love steam-powered machinery, head to the Scarborough Fair Collection museum, which will host its first Steampunk Seaside Spectacular from May 19 to 21.
The Scarborough Fair Collection has one of the largest working collections of steam engines, vintage fairground rides and mechanical organs in Europe.
Don’t miss the Mighty Wurlitzer organ or the steampunk tea racing. The Steampunk Spectacular takes place in the grounds of the Flower of May Holiday Park, on the coast road between Scarborough and Filey.
MARCO PIERRE WHITE’S STEAKHOUSE BAR & GRILL, PLYMOUTH
FANCY a steak? Tuck in at celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s recently opened restaurant in Plymouth.
Set atop the city’s Holiday Inn hotel, the steakhouse offers panoramic views over Hoe Park and Plymouth Sound.
The menu features 28-day aged cuts of beef, classics such as Welsh rarebit and baked camembert with sourdough toast, plus a selection of delicious cocktails.