OUT & ABOUT

LEICESTERSHIRE

Radio 2 In The Park, Leicester, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Sept 

Everyone’s excited about Radio 2’s flagship live music weekend this month. It’s the biggest thing to come to Leicester since The Kasabians performed here back in 2016. You’ve probably already heard about the massive line-up including Kylie, Tears for Fears, Beverley Knight, James Blunt and Busted to name just a few. As well as this the DJ line-up includes everyone from Dermot O’Leary to Trevor Nelson, Jo Whiley to Romesh Ranganathan. It’s going to be EPIC!

National Racecourse Week, multiple locations, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Sept

Riding crops, jodhpurs and your, ahem, well-worn copy of Jilly Cooper’s Riders at the ready – National Racecourse Week is on until this Sunday, giving you the chance to snoop around the five star stables of more than 100 yards across the country and pat a future racing champ. It’s a rare chance for the public to experience the love and care that goes into looking after the most elite horses across the UK – and cheaper than a pony for Christmas. Find your local participating stables here.

WILTSHIRE

Verve Festival, Tisbury Sat 16 & Sun 17 Sept

If you’re in need of an Autumn reset, Verve Festival is your bag. There’s an incredible array of wellness activities and workshops, including Pilates, yoga, breathwork, meditation, life coaching, hypnosis, ice baths, journaling and gratitude. There are treatments too, in the Woodland Spa, plus epic food stalls and a night of dancing under the stars to the resident DJ. Day tickets start at £69, see more here. 

ARTS & CULTURE

BRISTOL

Bridget Christie: Who am I? Bristol Old Vic, Sun 17 Sept

Enjoyed the Channel 4 sitcom The Change? Then you’ll love her brand new show: the menopause laugh-a-minute mines the same rich seam.

BERKSHIRE

UK Proms In The Park, Windsor, Sat 16 Sept

Cue the music – UK Proms In The Park will be arriving at the Windsor Racecourse on Saturday. Expect all the usuals as well as favourite scores from the movies by Hans Zimmer, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and more. Better start dusting those Coronation union jack flags off!

Windsor Festival, Sat 16 Sept

It’s all happening at the Windsor Festival starting this Saturday. Opening with a spectacular performance by the Berkshire Maestros at St George’s Chapel – it’s sure to blow your socks off – expect more musical magic with child-friendly opera performances, choir exhibitions, and a drop in or two from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. A number of authors and notable names including Sebastian Faulks, Simon Heffer, and Julia Bradbury will be popping up at various venues for spellbinding talks on their latest works too.

DEVON

International Agatha Christie Festival, various venues, until Sun 17 Sept

More creative, crime-themed events than you can shake a candle-stick at. You can walk in the novelist’s footsteps, copy her sea swims and be thoroughly embroiled in any number of fabulous Agatha-themed afternoons and evenings.

The Mousetrap, Torquay, until Sat 16 Sept

You’ll be sensing a theme as the International Agatha Christie Festival takes over Devon for the month, this is an opportunity to see the famous whodunnit, running in London for over 70 years. It’s one of theatre’s best kept secrets – so go and see for yourself.

HERTFORDSHIRE

The Weekend , St Albans, Sat 16 Sept

The lead character in Michael Palin’s first play for the stage is a Victor Meldrew-esque grandfather (first performed in 1994 by Richard Wilson himself) who manages to upset his entire family over the course of The Weekend – also the title of the play. The dark comedy is on at Abbey Theatre from 15 – 16 September. 

WEST MIDLANDS

The Lion King, Birmingham, until Sat 16 Sept

If you haven’t seen The Lion King musical live yet, frankly, what are you playing at? I’ll forgive you because there’s chance to bag tickets when its on at Birmingham Hippodrome until this Saturday. Perfect for a night out with the family (and yes, you’re still going to need tissues for that Mufasa moment).

SOMERSET

Somerset Open Studios, around Somerset, Sat 16 Sept

Your chance to nose around the studios and workshops of some of the county’s best artists and makers, see works in progress, chat them up and maybe buy some of their work. Use their online guide, map and app to plan arty jaunts about the place and maybe a spot of lunch. 

SCOFF & QUAFF

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Milton Keynes Festival of Food, Sat 16 Sept

For some foodie fun, head to Campbell Park in MK this Saturday with an empty stomach to take full advantage of the Milton Keynes Festival of Food. Tickets start at a bargainous £1.75 per person and you’ll be able to scoff and quaff from producers within a 20-mile radius before burning off all that energy in the family zone or dancing to live music.

HERTFORDSHIRE

Bordeaux Wine Tasting and lunch, Hatfield, Sat 16 Sept

Join Cellar Door Wines at Hatfield House for a Bordeaux Wine Tasting and lunch on Saturday. You’ll try and learn about 8 wines from the region, over a lunch of bread, French cheese, charcuterie and salad from Wild Alban, £38 per person. 

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Festival of Food and Drink ,Thoresby Park, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Sept

Another excuse to eat yourself silly, the Festival of Food and Drink kicks off on Saturday and Sunday at Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire, and there’s a lot to look forward to. With celebrity chef demonstrations, workshops, live music and local produce, the family-friendly festival also offers a wide-range of have-a-go activities for visitors to take part in, from cocktail masterclasses to kids’ cookery workshops. Psst! Check out The Dirty Vegan’s (pictured) cooking tips here.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

The Cambridge Autumn Food Home and Craft Fair, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Sept

Still peckish? Over in Cambs, on Parker’s Piece, The Cambridge Autumn Food Home and Craft Fair will feature all the best local exhibitors covering everything from arts & crafts, fashion and beauty and food and drink to gifts and household accessories and garden goodies.