Going places
In a flash, it feels like summer is over. But there’s still a chance to make the most of outdoor events around the UK, last-minute pop-ups and special seasonal festivals.
Lose yourself in art
Step into a haze of sunflowers or embrace a starry night in an immersive art exhibition dedicated to Vincent van Gogh. Set up inside the old stable yard of the Old Truman Brewery in London’s East End, the exhibition features 300 of the painter’s sketches, drawings and paintings, all displayed using 360-degree digital projections.
Soak up the fun
There’s plenty of opportunity to make a splash at Aqua Park’s inflatable obstacle course in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. There are more than 20 challenges to tackle, including slippery climbing walls, giant free-fall slides and big bouncy balls.
The bear necessities
Toy historian William Simpson was an avid teddy bear collector. Up until his death eight years ago, the Dorset resident amassed 269 bears, each dressed in handmade clothes and given a different name and personality. They are part of a new exhibition at Hampshire’s Milestones Museum – accompanied by cards handwritten by Simpson to explain their individual backgrounds.
A knight to remember
Warwick Castle makes history thoroughly entertaining with festivals and special events. It has launched a new outdoor cinema, a revamped Horrible Histories Maze brought to life by authentic 19th Century vile smells, and an interactive trail starring Zog the friendly dragon who can help children learn how to fly, breathe fire and sword-fight at Dragon School.
Picnic like a prince
It’s been a topsy-turvy year for the royals, but that hasn’t stopped the Queen from letting everyone into her backyard. For the first time, the 39-acre gardens of Buckingham Palace are open to the public for self-guided tours and picnics. Features to look out for include a lake filled with three million gallons of water, attracting a riot of birdlife, the royal bees who produce honey for the Palace’s gift shop, and a Rose Garden with 25 beds of roses. Open until September 19.