Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year. Think of them as giant garden parties featuring enthusiasts, displays, and excellent food and drink stalls. Classic car fairs bring together vintage and performance motors, with demonstrations from world-class and often famous professionals. The biggest also include motorbikes and beautiful vintage aeroplanes. During the summer choose from an abundance of cultural events and literary festivals. Books come to life as novelists and poets read from their latest works. Head to a vintage festival or antique fair to revel in the music, fashion, film, art and design that shaped the 20th century.
It’s a rare opportunity to be invited into an artist’s creative space, but in the Isle of Wight, they’re happy to fling open their doors every July for you to come and take a look.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
Come and enjoy the atmosphere and immerse yourself in heritage, entertainment, re-enactment and have-a-go fun.
Location: Lytham Green, Lancashire
Don’t miss this exciting literature event, a festival of words and ideas, set by the lake surrounded by the Lake District fells.
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Over 400 artists combine art, music, comedy, theatre and literature for the UK's largest open art exhibition.
Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
Get swept up in Beatlemania as fans from all over the world descend on the city where it all started.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Get involved in a unique celebration of local and international films at the Cornwall Film Festival.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
There’s no shortage of wordy stimulation and novel debate for book worms at the Chester Literature Festival.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
A literary festival on the Cornish coast with a distinctly local flavour and a relaxed atmosphere that’s ideal for book lovers.
Location: Penzance, Cornwall
Discover Agatha Christie's Riviera and follow in her footsteps by attending her namesake festival, and walking the Agatha Christie Mile in the bustling harbour town of Torquay.
Location: Torquay, Devon
Rub shoulders with best-selling authors as York gets all bookish.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Book lovers simply can’t miss this prestigious literature event in the Yorkshire Dales, that's taking place between 1 and 17 October.
Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire
See the skies over Lancaster light up this autumn at the North’s biggest firework display.
Location: Lancaster, Lancashire
Rich in history and fascinating by day, Lynn Lumiere lights up some of King's Lynn's stunning building with an amazing animated light display every evening from dusk.
Location: King's Lynn, Norfolk
Admire historical artworks in a grand setting at Chatsworth.
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Explore artistic treasures in Auckland Castle, home of the Prince Bishops of Durham for 900 years, and set to host a spectacular new show from 2016.
Location: Vale of Durham, Durham
Brighton marks the shortest day of the year with the Burning the Clocks winter solstice parade.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
See Nottingham become filled with after dark illuminations and neon displays as it blinds the winter chill from the air with live music and street theatre.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
A unique celebration of silent film and slapstick comedy, the festival offers a unique chance to watch silent films with a live orchestra along with a VIP list of guests and celebrities sharing their passion for this genre.
Location: Bristol
Take part in the Salisbury International Arts Festival, and immerse yourself in music, art, dance, and theatre of the highest caliber.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Housed within a working factory, the Stoke Literary Festival is a surprisingly scenic spot for a literary celebration.
Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
The Summer Nights Film Festival brings classic and contemporary films to heritage locations around Derbyshire.
Location: Derbyshire
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