Things to do in July - days out and country events

Head to the countryside this July to discover a host of events, from livestock displays and beautiful gardens to food festivals and dusk cinema shows

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Published: June 28, 2018 at 12:34 pm

Here is our pick of events taking place this July:

Wales National Airshow – 30 June-1 July

Wales's biggest airshow will return to Swansea Bay, featuring some of the best global military and civilian aviation display teams. Performances will include the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tigers Parachute Display Team and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Ground attractions will provide a military village, children's entertainment, a funfair and trade stands. For more information visit the website

Cotswold Show and Food Festival – 7-8 July

Held in the grounds of Cirencester Park, the Cotsworld Show has become one of the most popular country events in the UK. The show includes the Bathurst arena, live music, shopping, a food festival, country pursuits, rural skills, an impressive falconry experience and a series of events for dogs. Dogs are invited to participated in the family dog show. For more information visit the website

Exeter Craft Festival – 5-7 July


Exeter Craft Festival, held in Exeter’s Cathedral Green, celebrates the best artists and creators in the South West. The festival has been running annually for over 40 years. With over 100 stalls to offer, there is a vast array of exhibits on display. The event includes vocalists, a strolling jazz band, dancers, face painting and refreshments. For more information visit the website

Film on a Farm – throughout July

Film on a Farm is a unique experience, bringing the cinema to some of the most attractive landscapes in Britain. The Italian Job will be shown at Kenton Hall Estate in Suffolk, La La Land at Manor Farm in Hampshire and Top Gun at Norbury Park in Surrey. The events will feature a bar and local food and drink suppliers who will provide snacks throughout the evening. For more information visit the website

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival – 14-15 July


The Tewkesbury Medieval Festival includes a re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury on part of the site where the original battle happened in 1471. The show will feature around 2,000 actors including warriors, knights, gunners, archers, and swordsmen. The festival markets include tradesmen showing off a range of skills, such as sword-making, ginger bread preparing, and hand stitching beautiful gowns. For more information visit the website

Brighton Kite Festival, Brighton - 8-9 July

Fly a kite

Let's go fly a kite - at Brighton’s colourful celebration in Stanmer Park. Expect world-class flyers, team displays and plenty of weird and wonderful homemade creations in the sky - kids can also have a go at making their own. More information

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, London 3-8 July

Formal path leading to sheltered seating, 'Much Ado About Nothing' garden, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2010, designed by Sue Thomas

All the glories of the English garden in one mesmerisingly fragrant event. 34 acres of Hampton Court Palace become a gardener's mecca, showcasing work by some of the country’s leading designers and nurseries. Tickets from £19. More information

Pommery Dorset Sea Food Festival, Weymouth - 14-15 July

UK, England, Dorset, Jurassic Coast, Weymouth, View of Custom House Quay

Pommery's seaside festival promises lashings of champagne and seafood on Weymouth's harbour- sounds like a winning combination to us. Catch demonstrations from pro chefs and try locally caught delicacies. Money raised helps the Fisherman's Mission, too. Free. More information

Kent County show, Detling - 6-8 July

Kent County Show/Credit: Getty

All the fun of a classic country fair. The Kent Show is Countryfile favourite, full of animals, tasty food, demonstrations and over 400 exhibitors. The hilarious Shetland Pony Grand National is a must-see. From £20.70. More information

Tain Highland Gathering, Glenmorangie - 14 July

ST URSEN, SWITZERLAND - AUGUST 28: A participant competes in the caber toss event during the 9th Swiss Highland Games on August 28, 2011 in St Ursen, Switzerland. The 9th edition of the Swiss Highland Games, which celebrates the Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, will run this year from August 26 - 28.  (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

Highland dancing, piping, track & field events and, of course, the caber toss - it's all getting pretty physical at the Tain Highland Games, which offers a fascinating glimpse into Highland traditions. There are lots of games and races for little ones on, too. £6. More information

Velothon Wales – 8 July

A great opportunity to test your endurance on completely closed roads. Whether you’re a professional or a beginner, the event provides a beautiful route departing Cardiff and continuing through Newport, climbing up the remarkable Caerphilly mountain and finishing in Cardiff city centre. The challenging 140km course includes two famous climbs – Caerphilly Mountain and The Tumble. A great opportunity to have a weekend to remember, and raise some money for charity in the meantime! For more information visit the website

The Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate – 10-12 July


Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK. 15th July, pig being judged at the Great Yorkshire Show 15th July, 2015 at Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England

Held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from 10-12 July, the show explores the best of British agriculture. It's non-stop action with Main Ring displays including Yorkshire-based Atkinson Action horses and top-class livestock. Then there's garden shows, fabulous food, gin and prosecco bars and guest appearances. For more information visit the website

Foodies Festival – throughout summer

Foodie Festival is the UK's biggest celebration of food and drink. The festival includes Michelin-starred chefs cooking food live, as well as street food stalls, champagne and cocktail classes, eating competitions, live music and pop-up bars. The festival is held throughout the summer in various locations. For more information visit the website

Cardiff international food and drink festival - 6-8 July

Wales - Cardiff Bay

For one weekend in July, Cardiff harbour will be thriving with sights, smells, sounds and tastes from all over the globe. Alongside enjoying some delicious local food, there will be live music and cooking demonstrations given by top chefs.

For more information, click here

Gardens of Holkham Hall - 16 July

Couple on bikes taking in the view across sweeping lawns towards the grand 18th Century manor house on the Holkham Hall Estate, Holkham Hall Estate, Norfolk, England.

This weekend join a member of Holkham’s landscape team to enjoy a wonderful afternoon at Holkham Hall Gardens, which are normally closed to the public. Experience the fascinating arboretum with its wide variety of rare specimen trees and take in the idyllic atmosphere of the shell garden.

Tickets, Adult: £9 Child £4.50. Pre booking is advisable.

For more information, click here

Farmers Market, Loch Lomond Shores, 1st and 3rd Sunday through summer

View over Loch Lomond Scotland ©Getty

Loch Lomond farmer’s market guarantees a weekend jam-packed with local fresh cheese, home baked breads, cakes, seasonal vegetables, chutneys, fresh meats and fabulous smoked fish. All of this combined with live music, surrounded by the beautiful location of Loch Lomond Shores sounds like a perfect day to us.

For more information, click here

Rose Festival, Devon – 16 June - 22 July


This festival celebrates Britain’s most loved flower, and is held among two of Rosemoors largest rose gardens in the UK. The gardens are frequently voted as one of the best places to enjoy roses in Britain. The Garden Kitchen will present a series of rose-inspired and rose-infused treats. For more information visit the website

Mid Devon Show – 28 July 2017


Wild Exmoor Pony/Credit: Getty

Celebrate Mid Devon's farm life with a range of local produce, livestock, competitions, music and horticulture. This award-winning show offers displays from owls to ferrets in the countryside arena, vibrant shopping stands, food halls and lots of activities for children, including archery and fairground rides. For more information, visit the website

Holkham Country Fair – 22-23 July


Set in the pleasurable grounds of Holkham estate, the fair celebrates all things countryside. Taking place over two days, the fair boasts grand ring entertainment, showground events and trade stands. The Red Arrows will be wowing the crowds with their grand display. The showground will also hold a range of fun events, including clay pigeon shooting, chair making, beekeeping, lurcher show and racing, dog agility and much more. For more information visit the website

Royal Welsh Show – 22-26 July

Royal Welsh Show/Credit: Getty

Taking place in a showground in Llanelwedd, the Royal Welsh Show will host four-days of livestock competitions, a range of activities and 12-hour programmes including entertainment, attractions and displays for each day. Activities include forestry, crafts, and countryside sports. The show is known for showcasing special Welsh breeds. For more information visit the website

Port Eliot Festival – 26-29 July

Initially starting out as a literary event, Port Eliot Festival has grown into an event that includes fashion, flowers, food, wildlife, comedy and music. The region’s chefs serve food ranging from local seafood to fresh crepes. Activities and workshops during the four days include yoga, wellbeing massages, science talks, life drawing, dance classes and a food and flora stage. For more information visit the website

The Game Fair, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire: 27-29 July

The Game Fair is an annual event dedicated to people that are passionate about the countryside. Celebrating its 60th year, the event is being held at Ragley Hall. The fair will boast a range of countryside pursuits, forestry and gardens, fun activities and an impressive dining experience. For more information visit the website

Images: gettyimages

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