Festival of History, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, July 19-20

Get your kids fired up by Roman gladiators, Second World War fighter planes or Victorian Punch and Judy shows at Britain's largest historical extravaganza. There are more than 50 different shows each day. Children can learn gladiator drills or join in a re-creation of the Battle of Hastings. Mothers might prefer the lectures, especially the thrillingly titled Undressing Mr Darcy.

Adults £17.50, children £9.50, family ticket £43.50. Details: 0870 3331183, www.festivalofhistory.org.uk

New Forest and Hampshire County Show, July 29-31

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Celebrate farming and rural life in the New Forest and catch Christian Moullec in his microlight and his displays of synchronised flying. There are blacksmith competitions, gundog demonstrations, vintage tractors, steam engines, as well as a children's fun zone - and the David Beckham Academy for a few footie tips.

Adults, £15, children £7, family ticket £37. Details: 01590 622400, www.thenewforest.co.uk

Sand Sculpture Festival, Weston-Super-Mare, July 12 to August 31

Watch 12 sand artists from across the globe chiselling away at their creations, which can be up to 13ft high. They'll be finished by July 12 and will take pride of place until September.

Adults £3, children £1. Details: www.westonsandsculpture.co.uk

Knight and Princess School, Scarborough Castle, July 28-31

Get the children kitted out in chain mail for some medieval mayhem at Scarborough Castle in North Yorkshire. There's activities such as squire training, etiquette, storytelling - and dressing-up sessions with the Hands on History Crew.

Adults £4, children £2, family £10.

Details: 01723 372451, www.english-heritage.org.uk

Big Tent Festival, Falkland, Fife, July 26 and 27

The Big Tent, a festival of music, art and “creativity” championing the work of the environmental movement, includes activities in its Children's Zone such as circus performances, the voices and drums of Grassroots Zimbabwe and dancing, as well as crèche facilities and food demonstrations in the organic food village.

Adults £8, over-12s £6, under-12s free. Details: www.bigtentfestival.co.uk

York Maze, July 19 to September 7; Glendurgan Garden maze, Cornwall, to November 1

York Maze is created from 1.5 million maize plants and, covering an area larger than 15 Wembley football pitches, claims to be the largest maize maze in the world. It has moved to a new location this year - and cut in a Statue of Liberty pattern, to celebrate the “New” York Maze.

Adults £7.95 adults, children £6.95, family £28. Details: 01904 415364, www.yorkmaze.com

Glendurgan Garden maze is sloping, which adds to the fun. There's also Giant's Stride - a pole with ropes to swing from, and the gardens are just yards from a pebbly beach.

Adults £6 adults, children £3, family £15 or £9. Details: 01326 250906, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland

England's largest forest is officially the country's most tranquil spot, according to the Campaign to Protect Rural England. But it's still great for a rumbustious family day out. There's mountain biking, sailing and kite surfing - or try the art and architecture trail around the forest.

Details: www.nwl.co.uk

Thames Traditional Boat Rally, Henley-on-Thames, July 19-20

This huge display of traditionally built craft ranges from punts to some of the famous Dunkirk Little Ships. There are parades throughout the weekend and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will fly over the rally on the Saturday.

Adults £11, under-14s free.

Details: 01932 872575, www.tradboatrally.com

Techniquest, Cardiff

Join the science experts in the planetarium at Cardiff's wonderfully child-friendly hands-on science centre as they take a closer look at Mars. This summer Mars will be at its closest to Earth for 6,000 years.

Adults £6.90, children £4.80, family £20. Details: 02920 475475, www.techniquest.org

Alice in Wonderland weekend, Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire, July 26-27

Search for the Cheshire Cat at an Alice-themed weekend at Blists Hill Victorian Town, one of the Ironbridge Gorge museums. Visitors will meet costumed characters as they act out various scenes around the town - and they can join the Hatter at the Mad Tea Party and play croquet with the Queen of Hearts. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character from the book and all children arriving in costume will receive a small prize.

Adults £10.50, children £7.50.

Details: 01952 884391, www.ironbridge.org.uk

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