THE school holidays may be nearly over, but there are still plenty of fun things to do with the entire family this weekend! From festivals to exhibitions, there is something for everyone...

1) The Didmarton Bluegrass Festival promises no less than three days of live music spanning folk, rockabilly, jazz and Americana in a friendly atmosphere – with everyone including die hard bluegrass fans flocking from across the UK and beyond to take part in the annual festivities. The event takes place at Kemble Airfield, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2014. Visit www.didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk for tickets and more details.

2) Get swashbuckling during Pirate week at Gloucester Waterways Museum, which continues until Sunday, August 31. Visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/gloucester for more details.

 

Gazette Series: Actors dressed up as Hollywood pirate characters Jack Sparrow and Will Turner on the HM Bark Endeavour at Stockton. Jason Watkin Photography

3) Follow your nose all the way to Westonbirt Arboretum, where a new trail allows you to see how animals such as foxes and dogs would see – or smell – the world. There will also be separate trails for Silk Wood and the Old Arboretum. Until Friday, August 29. Admission charges apply. Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt for details.

4) Get in the mood for the start of Strictly Come Dancing with ‘An Audience with Len Goodman’, when the Strictly judge will be regaling an audience with tales of his life as a dancer. Friday, August 29. Visit www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk for details.

Gazette Series: Len Goodman would like to see Lord Sugar on Strictly

5) This year’s Stroud Fringe Festival is once again set to bring an eclectic mix of folk, jazz, rock, punk, indie and pop to various locations across town, in what promises to be a fun-filled weekend for music lovers. The Festival takes place from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August 2014, offering a jam-packed weekend of diverse genres, festival markets and ‘mostly free’ entertainment for music enthusiasts to delight in. Visit www.stroudfringe.co.uk for more details.

6) Get ‘on yer bike’ for the Allsorts Family Festival and Bike Ride at Stratford Park, Stroud this Saturday, August 30. Enjoy a family-fun day out against the picturesque backdrop of Stratford Park, with children’s activities, live music and a plethora of stalls among more – not forgetting plenty of refreshments to energise early morning cyclists. The bike ride runs from 8.30am, while the festival runs from 11am to 3pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for under 16s to participate in the bike ride, while the festival is free of charge. Visit www.allsortsglos.org.uk for details.

7) Take a walk on the wild side of Slimbridge WWT on Saturday, August 30, when the reserve manager of Slimbridge Wetland Centre will be guiding visitors on what promises to be a magical, behind-the-scenes walk, marvelling at the wondrous wildflowers and orchids. The Wildflower and Orchid Walk takes place from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Admission charges apply. Visit www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge for details.Gazette Series:

8) Enjoy a free family festival in the heart of the Cotswolds, when Cirencester plays host to Phoenix Festival, featuring a host of local traders, artists, performers, music, charities and more. The festival takes place at Abbey Grounds on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August. Visit www.phoenix-festival.co.uk for details.

9) Nature in Art, which is housed at Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth are hosting a Birds of Prey Family Fun Day on Saturday, August 30. The day will feature Walk with Hawks, who will be with us throughout the day and will be bringing with them a selection of birds of prey for visitors to see up close, including an eagle, harris hawk, kestral, falcon and two owls. Visitors will be able to learn more about them by attending the short talk at 2pm. Other bird-themed activities are also available on the day. Admission charges apply. Visit www.nature-in-art.org.uk for details.Gazette Series: Nesting kestral costs taxpayer £11,000

10) Take a wander around Gloucester Cathedral Cathedral, which is currently hosting Crucible2 – a FREE exhibition of outstanding modern and contemporary sculpture curated by Gallery Pangolin. Visit www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk  for details.

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