August Jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace

Jousting Tournament

Expect a spectacular battle beneath the backdrop of Blenheim Palace as knights charge full tilt in traditional kilt on the South Lawn.  Featuring the noble ‘Knights of Arkley, known for their fearless and bold characters, the knights will charge full force in a momentous jousting knockout. Each jousting tournament will be staged twice daily over the weekend starting at 12-noon and 3pm. Families can pick their colours and cheer on their chosen knights all hoping for victory.

As well as the gallant knights and their mighty steeds battling for glory in the jousting tournament, the weekend will be packed with historic action and family friendly entertainment.

Watch a thrilling falconry display and see the birds of prey in action. As well as falcons, families will also have a chance to meet a Harris Hawk, Eagle Owl and American Kestrel. Enjoy falconry displays and the entire family can test their aim and try their hand at archery too.

For smaller children, there will be the magical puppet theatre, ‘The Dragons of Wye-ten’. The shows are full of jousting knights, princesses to be rescued, castles to be stormed and fire breathing, sword fighting yet very friendly dragons. There will also be an Interactive Show where children get to be the puppeteers, putting on their very own joust with 35 puppets and Yumi the 12ft long dragon.

After working up quite the appetite watching the battles and displays families can enjoy food, refreshments and tournament treats on the South Lawn along with a medieval stand with lots of historically themed goodies.

The Pleasure Gardens Deli BBQ will also be grilling some nutritious goodies and children will also love taking the miniature train to get there. Blenheim Palace’s Pleasure Gardens are a dedicated family friendly area with permanent features like the Marlborough Maze, Adventure Play Area, Giant Games and Butterfly House.

www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events

WHAT:            Jousting on horseback
WHEN:           1st - 3rd August
WHY VISIT:    Knights on horseback, battles, falconry displays, archery and much more!
ADMISSION:  Park & Gardens ticket required: Adult £13.50 / Child £6.60 (Age 5-16) /

Concession £10.20 / Family £36.00 (2 Adults & 2 Children)
WEBSITE:       www.blenheimpalace.com for more information
INFO LINE:     0800 849 6500           

Romance under the stars in a classic country setting - Burghley Film Festival

Burghley Film Festival

Tom Cruise and Patrick Swayze have proved superstar soaraways in Stamford – with movie tickets for Top Gun and Dirty Dancing a sell-out at this summer’s Burghley Film Festival.

But while the Saturday night double bill might now be sold-out, there is still a chance to have a date under the stars with Audrey Hepburn or Ryan Gosling… with England’s greatest Elizabethan house providing the romantic backdrop.

One of the country’s most beautiful cinema locations is back this summer as the picturesque South Gardens at Lincolnshire’s Burghley House is transformed into a magical open-air venue.

Five nights and four days of fabulous films (30 July to 3 August 2014) offer the chance to watch everything from the acclaimed ‘War Horse’ to Monty Python comedy ‘The Holy Grail’.

But on the opening Great Romantics night (Wednesday, 30th July) where better to have ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, starring screen legend Audrey Hepburn and Hollywood leading man George Peppard, than in the classic setting of an English summer garden?

If that’s not enough, the second screening is ‘The Notebook’ with Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. One of the ‘weepiest films in Hollywood’, it offers a chance to relive that sizzling onscreen romance – and banish recent behind the scenes talk of off-screen rows!

Even better, early bird tickets are still available, saving £2 on the gate price. Until 29 July, tickets are £10, while on the gate tickets cost £12. Child tickets are £4, in advance or on the day.

To go along with the fabulous films, Burghley will also be offering fabulous food.

During all screenings, the Great British Barbecue will have summer outdoor favourites, with all the meat sourced from local producers, while summer nights would not be complete without jugs of Pimms. Also on sale will be cold beer, wine and cocktails.

For full details of all the movies, and to book online tickets, visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.

Summertime at Blenheim Palace - What's On

Family Fun at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace has a packed summer holiday events calendar, with everything you need to entertain all the family throughout the summer. From 26th July – 31st August daily events and activities will be taking place throughout the grounds.

Experience a different side of Blenheim Palace with the ‘Below Stairs’ tour, daily from 11am - 4pm the fascinating tours are 30 minutes long. Offering families the chance to see the Palace through the eyes of the servants, the tours start in the east Courtyard and take visitors on an unforgettable journey.

Explore the magic of Blenheim Palace and get involved in a host of interactive events and workshops on selected dates throughout the summer. Particularly perfect for families are Blenheim Palace’s Pleasure Gardens where a range of arts and crafts are being hosted in the Pottering About Craft Studio. There will be Circus Skills Workshops, Recycled Sculpture Workshops and Animal Encounter Shows. Younger children can enjoy face painting, a petting zoo and traditional Punch and Judy Shows on selected dates.

Meet all kinds of exciting creatures at the Animal Encounter Show, hosted by Charles, Fellow of the Zoological Society, who will take families on an adventure through the animal kingdom with a variety of wildlife. The Petting Zoo at Blenheim Palace houses some more familiar but no less entertaining animals including pygmy goats, lambs, pigs, rabbits, chickens, an alpaca and a miniature pony.

Children will learn lots of exciting skills, and all the family can drop-in and have a go at the Circus Skills Workshop. Practise your juggling, try plate spinning or some tricks with the diablos. Test your balance on the pedal go and your coordination with the flower sticks. For those more arty, the Recycled Sculpture Workshops are a collaborative and inclusive creative day out with families able to get involved with creating a two metre high or wide sculpture.

Ride the miniature train from Blenheim Palace to the Pleasure Gardens where fun outdoor activities will make the most of the glorious summer sunshine. The permanent attractions including the giant Marlborough Maze, Adventure Play Area and newly renovated Butterfly House are wonderful to explore and rediscover.

Fill hungry tummies with delicious snacks in the Pleasure Gardens Deli including fresh oven baked pizzas, 'shaker' salads, and tasty yoo moo frozen yogurts. Dine alfresco and book a deluxe picnic hamper or enjoy something hot from the Pleasure Gardens BBQ, with a sizzling selection of locally sourced menu options to choose from.

Summer Event Highlights

Jousting at Blenheim Palace with the Knights of Arkley
When: 1st – 3rd August
Why visit: Knights on horseback battle, falconry displays, archery.

Sportive and Family Cycling Day
When: 17th August
Why visit: An exclusive opportunity to cycle around the parkland. There is a competitive element too for serious cyclists.

Festival of Transport
When: 24th and 25th August
Why visit: A complete collection for the car enthusiast with vehicle judging and professional motor commenting throughout.

www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events

ADMISSION:    Park & Gardens ticket required: Adult £13.50 / Child £6.60 (Age 5-16) /
Concession £10.20 / Family £36.00 (2 Adults & 2 Children)
WEBSITE:    www.blenheimpalace.com for more information
INFO LINE:    0800 849 6500   

Classic Car Convocation at Blenheim Palace

Classic Cars

Calling all classic car fans! Blenheim Palace is hosting the Pre-50 American Auto Club ‘Rally of Giants’ on 27th July. This superlative gathering offers a rare opportunity for collectors and admirers to see the finest and most valuable examples found anywhere in Europe.

                     

There will be more than 400 classic American vehicles attending, including some of the best examples of motoring history and the most valuable. Dating from the early 1920’s through to the 1970’s the Rally of Giants is a must visit for those with a passion for American motorcars. For those with only a passing interest in motoring avocation expect your interest to be piqued with this remarkable collection of American motorcars, trucks, military vehicles and bikes.

Collectors from the UK and continental Europe will congregate to celebrate this amazing display in Blenheim Palace’s iconic landscape. The laid-back and friendly atmosphere is perfect for admiring, dreaming of buying, purchasing and selling. The rally offers a fabulous backdrop to a really good time at Blenheim Palace.

Enjoy a full day out in Blenheim Palace’s house and gardens with delicious food and refreshments available in the wonderful eateries.

To find out more information about the Pre50AAC and the ‘Rally of Giants’ visit the Pre '50 American Auto Club website: pre50aac.com

www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events

WHAT:            The Pre 50 American Auto Club ‘Rally of Giants’

WHEN:            27^th July

WHY VISIT:    A must visit for classic car enthusiasts and collectors.

ADMISSION:  Park & Gardens ticket required: Adult £13.50/ Child £6.60 (5-16 yrs)/ Concession £10.20/ Family £36 (2 adults, 2 children)

WEBSITE:       www.blenheimpalace.com for more information

INFO LINE:     0800 849 6500           

Simply Japanese - National Motor Museum

Simply Japanese

Simply Japanese

Beaulieu’s Simply Japanese rally, now in its third year, will be taking place on Sunday 3rd August in the picturesque parkland of the National Motor Museum.

Owners of all Japanese marque cars are welcome to drive their vehicles into the Beaulieu attraction to join the event and put their vehicles on display for other enthusiasts to admire. Both individual and club entries will be accepted - clubs already confirmed to attend include mx5driver.com, Nissan Sportz, Dorset Japanese Car Club, Juke Owners’ Club and Subaru Legacy Owners’ Club.

Throughout the day, Beaulieu’s visitors will be asked to vote for their favourite Japanese vehicle on display at the event, in the People’s Choice Awards. The owner of the vehicle that attracts the most votes will receive a Beaulieu Trophy in an afternoon presentation ceremony and lead a cavalcade of Japanese vehicles through the grounds.

Event admission includes entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction, featuring the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens.

For entrants arriving in a Japanese vehicle and joining the event on the Beaulieu parkland, entry prices are adult £10 and child £5. Buy tickets on the day or in advance online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk or on telephone number 01590 612888. For all trade stand enquiries, telephone 01590 614614. All other visitors should enter Beaulieu via the main Reception at normal Beaulieu attraction admission prices.

Entry into the parkland with your Japanese vehicle is from 9.30am – the event and attraction opens to the public at 10am.

For more information, visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or tweet @Beaulieu_Hants using #simplyjapanese.

Simply Vauxhall - Sunday 27th July - Beaulieu

Simply Vauxhall

Simply Vauxhall

On Sunday 27th July, the Beaulieu visitor attraction will be holding its second annual Simply Vauxhall rally in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. Open to all Vauxhalls, no matter what age or model, owners can drive their vehicles to Beaulieu and join the display of Vauxhalls in the attraction’s picturesque parkland, all for a great price of £10 per adult and £5 per child.

The event is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded enthusiasts and enjoy a great day out at the Beaulieu attraction, which features the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens.

Several car clubs have already confirmed their attendance at the rally, including the VXR Owners’ Club, Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 Owners’ Club and Vauxhall Drivers’ Club.

Visitors to Beaulieu on the day of the event will be invited to vote for their favourite vehicle in the People’s Choice Awards. The owner of the winning car will receive a Beaulieu Trophy in an afternoon presentation ceremony and will lead a cavalcade of Vauxhalls through the attraction grounds.

For entrants arriving in a Vauxhall and joining the event on the Beaulieu parkland, entry prices are adult £10 and child £5. Buy on the day or book in advance at www.beaulieushop.co.uk or on ticket hotline 01590 612888. Event tickets include entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction. Entry into the Beaulieu parkland with your Vauxhall is from 9.30am. For all trade stand enquiries, telephone 01590 614614.

The event opens to the public at 10am. All those visiting Beaulieu on the 27 July, but not participating in the event with a Vauxhall should enter Beaulieu via the Main Entrance Hall, paying standard Beaulieu attraction admission rates.

Simply Vauxhall is part of Beaulieu’s popular Simply Rallies series, which covers a wide range of makes and models.

For further information visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or join the conversation with @Beaulieu_Hants on Twitter using #simplyvauxhall.

Creative Fun at the National Motor Museum

Summer Workshop

Summer Workshop

This August, visitors to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, can take part in a range of fun and creative summer activities inspired by the museum’s First World War commemorative project, Caravans & Charabancs – Leisure Motoring after the First World War.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and sponsored by the Shell Art Collection, The Caravan Club and Meccano, the sessions will take place in the museum on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 28 August, 12.00 – 4.00pm.

Young visitors will discover the impact of this devastating conflict and how it changed the face of leisure motoring in the next decade. Activities include building model charabancs - an early form of motor coach - and caravans from recycled materials and Meccano. Participants will follow in the footsteps of post-war manufacturers who built vehicles and trailers from unwanted parts left over from the battlefield. Families can also explore the Shell Art Collection’s ‘Visit Britain’ series of artworks, designing their own poster collages featuring popular day trip destinations of post First World War Britain.

The activities are included in the price of an entrance ticket to Beaulieu, adult £21, senior £19.50, child (5-12) £10.50 and youth (13-17) £12.50 or £55 for a family ticket (2 adults + 3 children/youths or 1 adult + 4 children/youths).

No booking is required, just drop in and join in the exciting sessions. Visit www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/Summer_Activities for more details.

Simply Land Rover - Sunday 10th August 2014

Display of Land Rovers

On Sunday 10 August, the second annual Simply Land Rover will be taking place in the grounds of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. This rally is open to all Land Rover vehicles, of all ages and models. Participants can display their vehicles in the attraction’s picturesque parkland, take part in the event activities and enjoy all the features of the attraction.

Forest Drive

Beaulieu has partnered with Land Rover Experience West Country, to give visitors the opportunity to try Beaulieu’s very own off-road Forest Drive for the day. Visitors can book a space to take their own Land Rover on the 45 minute course or book either a driver or passenger slot in a Land Rover Experience vehicle. The Forest Drive is a separately charged activity; for information including Forest Drive prices, times and T&Cs, please visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk. There may be some slots available on the day, but to avoid disappointment it is advisable to book in advance online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk.

Throughout the day Beaulieu’s visitors will be given the opportunity to vote for their favourite vehicle on display in the People’s Choice Awards and the winning vehicle owner will receive a Beaulieu Trophy in an afternoon presentation ceremony.

For entrants arriving on the day in their Land Rover and participating in the event, individual ticket prices are £10 per adult and £5 per child. Tickets can be bought when you arrive on the day or in advance online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk or by telephone on 01590 612888. For all enquiries regarding trade stands and club entry, call 01590 614614.

Entry into the Beaulieu parkland with your Land Rover is from 9.30am with refreshments available in the Brabazon Restaurant.

All other visitors who wish to see the event, but not participate in a Land Rover, should enter Beaulieu via the Main Reception from 10am at normal attraction admission prices.

Event tickets include entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction; the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey, and Palace House and gardens. Event tickets do not include admission to the Forest Drive, which is a separately charged activity.

For more information, please visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or join the conversation with @Beaulieu_Hants on Twitter using #simplylandrover.

The History of Britain as you've never seen it before - 4th July - Woburn Abbey

This summer The Pantaloons Theatre Company are touring the country with their own inimitable take on the History of Britain - and this hilarious show is coming to Woburn Abbey on 4th July.

With mud, blood and stiff upper-lips, The Pantaloons' History of Britain presents our country's past as you've never seen it before.

Join a breathless race through the centuries in this delightfully inventive open-air show that tells the story of Britain in under two hours.

Harold II and William the Conqueror don’t see eye to eye. Henry VIII decides five marriages just isn’t enough. Queen Victoria is most certainly not amused...

This historically hysterical show is packed with songs, sketches and silliness and is suitable for all ages.

The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons began life ten years ago as an open-air theatre company, busking plays for donations in parks and on the streets, where they developed an attention-grabbing, interactive and playful performance style.

"We characterise our work as post-modern folk theatre," says Mark Hayward, a founding member of the company and co-writer of the play. "We take well-loved tales - in this case stories from history - and give them a contemporary twist, making them accessible for new audiences and showing seasoned fans something that they perhaps had not seen in them before."

The Pantaloons have picked up plenty of loyal followers and a lot of critical acclaim and have quickly become one of the country's most prolific touring companies - and even they're not entirely sure how and when that happened.

In true Pantaloons tradition the show will include plenty of original live music, puppetry, audience participation and improvisation.

"The show will feature some more serious moments," says Hayward. "There's some quite moving stuff in there that we really wanted to treat with respect. Of course, there is also a rich vein of comedy to mine in the history of Britain and we'll be squeezing out every last drop!"

So pack a picnic, jump in your time machine, bring the whole family and be prepared for the theatrical event of the millennia!

To see full tour dates visit www.thepantaloons.co.uk

Be a movie star at England’s greatest Elizabethan house - Burghley

Burghley Film Festival

Unleash your inner Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Garner or Tom Cruise and dress for the part to win a private tour of England’s greatest Elizabethan house – and watch smash-hit movie blockbusters in a spectacular outdoor setting.

One of the country’s most beautiful cinema locations is back this summer as the picturesque South Gardens at Lincolnshire’s Burghley House is transformed into a magical open-air venue.

Five nights and four days of fabulous films (30 July to 3 August 2014) offer the chance to watch everything from the acclaimed ‘War Horse’ to Monty Python comedy ‘The Holy Grail’.

Burghley Film Festival might launch with The Great Romantics (Wednesday, 30th July) - a chance to share a night under the stars with Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ or Ryan Gosling in ‘The Notebook’ - but for a chance at your own starring role, Retro Revival Night (Saturday 2nd August) must surely have top billing.

Come in costume for ‘Dirty Dancing’ or ‘Top Gun’ and you could win your very own private tour of Burghley plus a special afternoon tea for two in the Orangery Restaurant.

So, if you ever fancied being ‘Maverick’ or ‘Iceman’ from ‘Top Gun’ or keen to have the ‘The Time of My Life’ as ‘Baby’ from ‘Dirty Dancing’, then Retro Revival Night is the one for you!

Even better, early bird tickets are still available, saving £2 on the gate price. Until 29 July, tickets are £10, while on the gate tickets from 30th July cost £12. Child tickets are £4, in advance or on the day.

Double bill presentations will offer family-focussed shows during the day, including ‘Despicable Me 2’, while evening screenings also feature ‘Bourne Identity’ and ‘Argo’.

To go along with the fabulous films, Burghley will also be offering fabulous food. During all screenings, the Great British Barbecue will have all the summer outdoor favourites, with all the meat sourced from local producers.

Summer nights would not be complete without jugs of Pimms, and also on sale will be cold beer, wine and cocktails, while to keep the children happy, snacks, popcorn, ice-cream and new home-made fruit juice slushies are sure to prove popular.

Make a weekend of it and stay over to enjoy the Film Festival as well make the most of everything else the House and Gardens has to offer. The William Cecil (www.thewilliamcecil.co.uk), situated at the original entrance gates to Burghley, is only a 30-minute stroll through the parkland from the House and the Festival. The Bull and Swan (www.thebullandswan.co.uk), just down the road in Stamford, offers a more relaxed atmosphere and great pub food too.

Gates open for the daytime sessions at 10.30am and remain open until 4.30pm with daytime film tickets giving access to both screenings during the day. Gates for the evening session open at 5.30pm and tickets for the evening session give access to both evening screenings. Limited numbers of tickets are available for each session. The House and Gardens will also be open every day during the Festival and can be visited on a normal admission ticket.

For full details of all the movies, and to book online tickets, visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.

The full Film Festival line-up: 
Wednesday, 30th July – The Great Romantics: 6.00pm Breakfast at Tiffany’s (PG); The Notebook (12A). Thursday, 31st July – 11.30am Monsters University (U); 2.15pm Despicable Me 2 (U). Python Night: 6.30pm Monty Python and The Holy Grail (12); 8.15pm Monty Python’s Life of Brian (15).  Friday 1st August – Action and Espionage: 11.30am Incredibles (U); 2.15pm Johnny English (PG); 6.30pm Bourne Identity (12); 8.40pm Argo (15). Saturday 2nd August – 11.30am Epic (U); 2.15pm Stardust (PG); Retro Revival Night: 6.30pm Dirty Dancing (12); 8.40pm Top Gun (PG). Sunday 3rd August – ‘Great’ Britain: 11.30am The Little Mermaid (U); 2.15pm Bedknobs and Broomsticks (U); 7.00pm War Horse (PG).

Burghley House is open until Sunday 2 November 2014, daily (except Fridays) from 11am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm). Admission: House and The Gardens of Surprise - adults £13; children (3–15 years) £6.50; seniors/students £11.80; family (2 adults & 3 children) £35.