The island is noted for its vast colonies of sea birds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins. During the breeding season you can take a ferry to the island and see the birds in their natural environment. The trip includes a journey around the other islands, such as Longstone and Inner Farne, and will also take in the local grey seal colonies. It costs &'163;12 (&'163;8 for children) plus an additional ‘landing fee’, payable to the National Trust, of &'163;5.60 for adults (&'163;2.80 for children).
Tel 07861 675567
Web www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Birdwatch Northumbria was set up by local enthusiasts who wanted to enjoy Northumbria’s bird life in company. The group sets up tours on Northumberland’s coast, moors and hills, and are now organising a bird-spotting tour in the Cheviot Hills, home to moorland and woodland birds. May is probably the best month to visit because the whinchat, redstart and cuckoo will have arrived, to breed. Resident birds such as the peregrine falcon and red grouse will also be well established in their breeding activities. A full day tour costs &'163;50 and includes a day’s guided birdwatching, afternoon tea and an illustrated presentation at a local hotel.
Tel 01670 783 451
Web www.birdwatchnorthumbria.co.uk

This year's walking festival has a choice of over 66 guided walks, covering all of Exmoor and North Devon. There will be a range of levels on offer, from short gentle strolls through to full-day energetic rambles. There will also be two special celebration days over the bank holiday weekend: at Rosemoor RHS garden, and at Holnicote House.
Web www.walkingnorthdevon.co.uk
Tel 01271 883131
 •  Stay at Watermouth Valley Camping Park, Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe EX34 9SJ. Web www.bigmeadow.co.uk

Hundreds of budding fossil hunters visit this annual event and its two days of activities, exhibitions and walks to discover more about the secrets of the 'Jurassic Coast'. Expert palaeontologists from the Natural History Museum will be on hand to offer advice on your fossil finds and explain more about the hidden secrets of the Dorset coastline.
Tel 01297 445021
Web www.nhm.ac.uk

Now in its fifth decade, the Brighton Festival has become one of the major milestones in the cultural calendar, bringing an international mix of exclusive events, world and UK premieres, special one-off commissions and endless hours of entertainment to this city by the sea. Each year, Brighton unveils a programme of theatre, dance, music, books and debate, all of which create a fantastic outdoor spectacle. The Festival caters for all ages and there is a substantial strand of child- and family-friendly performance, too.
Tel 01273 260804
Web www.brightonfestival.org.

The first South and Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival takes place this May, giving you the chance to explore this pretty county. The festival has over 40 graded walks, to suit all abilities, varying in length from one mile for a guided amble through Stowmarket, up to 12 miles for a circular route around Stradbroke. Other walks include the former towpath of the River Gipping, between Needham Market and Ipswich, and a ramble through the historic medieval wool towns of Lavenham and Long Melford.
Web www.southandheartofsuffolk.org.uk, or phone the Mid-Suffolk Tourist Information Centre on 01449 676800
 •  Where can I stay? For a list of campsites, go to www.visit-suffolk.org.uk .uk, or order a brochure by phoning 0844 9808518.

This day course will be a must for anyone who loves orchids. Kent Wildlife Trust warden and ecological surveyor Fred Booth will be running the course, which is also suitable for beginners. Attendees will gain a broad experience of the diversity of wild orchids, their habitat requirements and their conservation. The course will be based at the Tyland Barn visitor centre, Sandling, and cost &'163;25.
Tel 01622 662012
Web www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

Every year, around 80,000 visitors flock to Hay-on-Wye (pictured) for the annual literary festival, described by US ex-president Bill Clinton, during his visit in 2001, as "the Woodstock of the mind". The annual event has expanded in recent years and now includes musical performances and film previews. To ensure that youngsters are not left out, there is also a children's festival, called Hay Fever, which runs alongside the main event. Pitches at campsites throughout the area fill up very quickly so if you are planning a visit, we would advise you to book well in advance.
Tel 0870 990 1299
Web www.hayfestival.com

Freedom North East 2000 Caravan Club will be holding a duck race at Stanhope Showground, to raise money for the charity, Meningitis UK. Ducks cost &'163;1 to adopt for the race day, and there are various prizes to win. If you can't make it on the day, you can adopt a racing duck through the website at www.freedomduckrace.co.uk.
 •  Stay at Belle Vue Farm, Hall Road, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 2EZ. Web www.tranquil-life.biz

If good food is one of your loves, visit Birmingham’s NEC between 11 and 15 June. Celebrity chefs will demonstrate their talents, and exhibitors will show products to help you be a whiz in the kitchen.
Web www.bbcgoodfoodshowsummer.com
Tel 020 8267 8300

 • Stay at Somers Wood Caravan Park, Meriden CV7 7PL.
Web www.somerswood.co.uk.
Tel 01676 522978.

Pyrotechnicians take part in this spectacular competition, held annually in the Château de Chantilly Park, in Picardie, France. The château, only 2 1/2 hours from Calais, will provide the backdrop to an incredible display, set to classical music.
Web www.picardietourisme.com
Stay at One of the many parks in the Picardie region: go to www.picardietourisme.com or www.caravansitefinder.com

Fish Week is a celebration of all things from the ocean and there are over 50 special events throughout the week: from fresh crab lunches and seafood extravaganzas, to fish cookery demos by celebrity chefs. If you'd like to try your hand at angling there'll also be learn-to-fish days, while those with a little more experience can take part in the many coarse- or sea-fishing competitions.
Web www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk or phone 01437 776168.
 •  Where can I stay? The Caravan Club's Freshwater East site www.caravanclub.co.uk. Tel 01646 672341.

The classic Wimbledon fortnight takes place in south-west London, and is top of the list on any tennis fan’s calendar.
Web www.wimbledon.org
Tel 020 8944 1066
 • Stay at Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club site, KT16 8JX.
Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.
Tel 01932 562405.

Sandringham Palace is open to the public from Easter to October for visitors to enjoy the beautiful Edwardian house and gardens.
A variety of events are held throughout the year and over the weekend of 11 April some of the country's finest artists and craftsmen will be displaying their skills. There will also be puppet shows and other children's amusements, plus on-site catering facilities.
Tel 01553 612908
Web www.livingheritagecraftshows.co.uk

Lots of scrumptious events across South Somerset to tempt your taste buds with delicious local food and drink. For your FREE guide please The Motorhome & US RV Show - Shepton Mallet.
It's fast approaching that time of year again when we'll all be heading to the Shepton Mallet Motorhome & US RV Show, held for the 23rd year at the Royal Bath & West showground, just south of Shepton Mallet in Somerset on the A371. If the idea of owning one of these fascinating vehicles appeals, there cannot be a better place to view and compare so many different models than at everyone's favourite show.
You can book in on the gate or obtain booking forms direct from The Organiser, Motorhome & US RV Show, Andrew House, Granville Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 4BN 020 8302 6069 or 6150 or FAX 020 8300 2315 or download a booking form from www.stoneleisure.com
 • Full details and a special ticket offer: click here .

Lots of scrumptious events across South Somerset to tempt your taste buds with delicious local food and drink. For your FREE guide please telephone Yeovil Tourist Information Centre on 01935 845 946 or email tourism@southsomerset.gov.uk Visit our website: www.southsomersetfoodfestival.com Lots of local campsites across South Somerset.

If you are the organiser of an event you would like us to mention on this page and in the magazine, please e-mail the details (date, event, venue, description, website address). Email Here.