Things to do this weekend: Rainbow parades and final hoorahs

by Melissa Brobby

From vintage glamour at the Yorkshire seaside, to a secret party in the East Anglia, here are our top things to do this weekend, suggests Danielle Jones. 

1) Say goodbye to The Secret Garden Party in Cambridgeshire

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With a heartfelt message on their website, the Head Gardener of the Secret Garden Party has announced that this year will be their last. For 15 years, this party (not a festival!) has brought great music and great vibes together.

Join them for a last shindig with their VIP-LOL theme, acts like Metronomy, Kate Nash (who’s currently appearing in Netflix series Glow), Sub Focus and more, then keep on dancing till the sun comes up. 

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Top tip: Discover a bit more about England’s rich history with a visit to the Cromwell museum in Huntingdon.  See items owned by the puritanical figurehead and find out how his actions affected England, and Britain, as it is today. 

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Date: 20 - 23 July 
Cost: £190 for a weekend ticket + £10 litter bond
Get there: Closest station is Huntingdon – 1hr from London Kings Cross, 2hr33mins from Ashford International, 4hr2 from Liverpool Lime Street.

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2) Ooze vintage style in Whitby

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Step off the train into a sunny seaside postcard from yesteryear, as this weekend Whitby Pavilion is filled this with some of the best retro clothing in the North of England.

Expect top quality vintage clothing and wares from the glittering 20s, right up to the big hair of the 80s, with nothing post 1989, no reproductions or modern equivalents. 

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Top tip: Head to Whitby’s Humble Pie n Mash for top-quality, “stick to your ribs” pie and mash. Choose your sides (Mushy peas of course!), a pint and cast your eye round an Aladdin’s Cave of knick-knacks whilst you eat. 

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Dates: 22 - 23 July
Cost: £2 entry
Get there: Closest station is Whitby. 4h36 from London Kings Cross and 2h44 from York 

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3) Show your colours at Pride Hull

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With events, up and down the country to celebrate Pride, Hull is a great place to take it all in. As well as having an established parade, it’ also the UK’S 2017 City of Culture.

This means that not only is there a vast array of events on for this weekend, but you are spoilt for choice with a huge amount exhibitions, displays, plays and much more currently running in the city. 

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Top tip: Stop by Butler Whites, for top-notch roasts, artisan characuterie and cheeses boards and cool cocktails in a swish but far from pretentious setting on trendy Humber Street. 

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Dates: 22 July
Cost: Free 
Get there: Closest station is Hull. 2hr35 from London Kings Cross or 1h52 from Manchester Piccadilly

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4) Scoff the lot in Hertfordshire

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If you’re looking for fun things to do this weekend, a quick trip to the epic Knebworth House will tick the boxes for impressive buildings, but also gourmet eats as well.

The Great British Food Festival has stalls servicing all types of cuisine satisfying all your dietary (and taste) requirements.

You can also spot cooking demonstrations from the likes of Jane Beedle (Great British Bake Off) and Man Vs Food style challenges for every appetite. 

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Top tip: Jump on a 20-minute train ride from Knebworth station into Welwyn Garden City. Here you can visit the showroom of The Recover Team. This social enterprise and charity helps vulnerable people learn valuable practical skills whilst making amazing upcycled furniture. 

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Dates: 22 – 23 July 
Cost: Day tickets from £9.50
Get there: Closest station is Knebworth. 34 minutes from London Kings Cross, 2h54 from Southampton

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5) Smoked and uncut in the New Forest

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This travelling festival has dates and venues dotted over the summer, this weekend however it heads to the idyllic setting of the Lime Wood hotel in the New Forest.

Part festival, part family BBQ, acts appearing this weekend are The Kooks and Hampshire locals, Ward Thomas.

There’s also food and drink of the highest quality, so you can enjoy the festival atmosphere, minus the usual warm pint. 

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Top tip: Go exploring in the New Forest. The hotel is right in the middle of the national park so expect to see wild ponies on the side of the road, gorgeous English villages and a huge array of wild flowers and animals.

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Date: 22 - 23 July at Lime Wood (dates available in August and September at PIG hotels)
Cost: From £37.50 for a day ticket
Get there: Closest station is Beaulieu Road- 1hr39 from London Waterloo or 2hr22 from Bristol. 

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