Best time to go to the UK & Ireland
The months from April to October are the traditional time to visit the British Isles. As well as being the warmest time of the year, it is also when summer time extends daylight long into the evenings. It is during this period that visitor attractions are fully operational, and when many social and sporting occasions take place.
During the months from April to June, the countryside bursts into bloom. Wild daffodils and bluebells herald the start of the season when gardens are at their most colourful.
July and August are the hottest months in the year, both in terms of temperature and events! The abundance of thrilling competitions, breathtaking festivals and plenty of other colourful events, some of which are detailed below, cater for all tastes. However, if you fancy a family vacation or a relaxing retreat from the everyday life in one of the stunning resorts, there's a great variety to choose from.
During the winter months, days are short and the temperatures are often cold. Many attractions in the countryside close for the season. However the city museums and sights remain open, and their restaurants and theatres will be in full swing.
Visitors who travel over Christmas or New Year may enjoy these celebrations in the cities. But this is also a time when the country house hotels offer festive programs which make an excellent addition to a city break.
Events in UK
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Jul 2010 (annual)
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace holds one of the world's biggest flower shows, every beginning of July. Numerous garden clubs and horticultural societies exhibit their produce and know-how. In addition to the flower show, there are a garden equipment sale and a Charity Gala Preview, where you can enjoy live music and stunning fireworks.
British Open Golf Championship
15 - 18 Jul 2010 (annual)
St Andrews Old Course
St Andrews attracts the world's best golfers for the world’s oldest and most celebrated golf tournament, the Open Championship. Over 100,000 viewers at the site and millions watching on TV are set for a real treat.
Farnborough International Air Show
Jul 2010 (biennial)
Farnborough Airfield
The Farnborough International Air Show is the world's foremost international aerospace trade show, first held in 1948. Taking place at Farnborough Airfield, the show includes a trade convention during the week and a public gala on Saturday and Sunday.
Cowes Week - International Yacht Racing Around the Isle of Wight
31 July - 7 August 2010 (annual)
The Solent
The Cowes Week yachts races have taken place for almost 200 years and nowadays the daily Cowes week races attract the international sailing fraternity, both professional and amateur.
This week, Cowes celebrates. Hence, spectators who take pleasure in the buzzing sailing resort and who enjoy the exciting back-to-back races will not find themselves bored even for a second. Also, other ways of entertainment range from shopping and dining to live music and fireworks.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival
9-30 August 2010 (annual)
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival can proudly claim to be the largest arts festival in the world. Performances vary from stand-up comedy, revivals of classic plays, through one-person performances to wildly far-out, unusual productions. The festival has something to offer to people of all ages, even the youngsters.
Edinburgh International Festival
August 2010 (annual)
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh International Festival is one of the most stunning Scottish festivals of performing arts. The fans of classical music, theatre, opera and dance will be left breathless by the wonderful shows of top performers. The festival also holds a variety of visual art exhibitions, talks and workshops.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
August 2010 (annual)
Edinburgh
The magnificent Edinburgh Castle is the perfect setting for the unique annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo festival. Enjoy an exclusive mix of music, ceremony, entertainment and theatre.
England's Medieval Festival
28 - 30 August 2010 (annual)
Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, East Sussex
The Medieval Festival takes place in the restored 15-century Herstmonceux Castle and includes medieval battles, jousting, hunting and falconry as well as living history areas, displays of ancient crafts, comedians, and dancers. The highlights of the festival are the 2 daily castle sieges including as many as 1000 knights, bowmen and men-at-arms.
The Cowal Highland Gathering
August 2010 (annual)
Dunoon, Argyll, Scotland
The Cowal Highland Gathering claims to be the biggest and most amazing Highland Gathering, taking place for over 110 years. You will experience Highland dancing, heavy sports, solo piping and pipe bands. The competitions involve more than 3,500 competitors and about 15,000 spectators.
The Windsor Festival
16-30 September 2010 (annual)
Windsor
The Windsor Festival, is a mixed festival of high-toned events like various types of music, including styles from jazz, through opera, to chamber. Also, you can enjoy literary talks and readings by leading authors, and walks and sightseeing stressing on everything from churches and ghosts to Eton College and Windsor Great Park.
BBC Good Food Show Scotland
30 Oct – 1 Nov 2010 (annual)
Glasgow
Presenting the best in Scottish produce from fish and seafood to game and whisky, the event draws attention to the large selection and quality of consumables offered in Scotland.
Star chefs provide cooking master classes and the great marketplace offers mouth-watering produce and luxurious kitchen equipment.
Events in Ireland
Galway Races
Galway City
26 Jul - 1 Aug 2010
Galway Races Summer Festival Meeting has an audience of more or less 200,000 people over the course of the week-long festival. With a mixture of flat and national hunt racing, Galway Races draws the attention of clients from all walks of life from the eager race-goer to the ordinary punter to experience this exceptional sporting event.
Rose of Tralee
20 -24 August (annual)
Tralee
The yearly Rose of Tralee festival revolves around choosing a young woman to be crowned the Rose. The title Rose is won by the lady that matches best the attributes relayed in the song: "lovely and fair". Unlike the typical beauty pageants, the girls are not judged only upon their appearance, but mainly on their personalities and suitability to serve as ambassadors for the festival. The festival claims to be a commemoration of the "aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage" of modern young women.
Clarenbridge Oyster Festival
1-30 September 2010 (annual)
Clarenbridge
The 56-year-old festival has become an essential part of life in the picturesque village of Clarenbridge. Some say the oysters produced there are the best in the world, which is supported by the fact that over 100,000 oysters are eaten during the weekend celebration. The unforgettable event includes a market day, golf tournaments, yacht races, art and photographic exhibitions, a fine wine and gourmet evening, talks and lectures and the best-dressed-lady competition.
Clifden Arts Festival
16-26 September 2010 (annual)
Clifden
The Clifden Arts Festival is one of Ireland's longest-running festivals, bringing the arts to more remote parts of the country through music, dance, drama, poetry and literature. There are lots of literary readings and music, as well as a theatre, dance and visual arts programme.
Art Ireland
5 - 7 Nov 2010 (annual)
Dublin
The Royal Dublin Society holds the Art Ireland exhibition. The purpose of the display is to popularize modern art among all circles of the society exhibitions from around 175 galleries and independent artists, featuring thousands of paintings, sculptures and prints.
 |