Northampton Royal & Derngate

Northampton's adjacent Victorian Royal and 1983-built Derngate Theatres have operated under one umbrella since 1999, with success that has seen shows transfer to London's National Theatre. It's not just passive participation either, as 20,000 locals get actively involved each year.

Available : Daily

Twenty20 Cup: Northamptonshire Steelbacks

The Friends Life T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Northamptonshire Steelbacks play their home games at the County Ground in Northampton.

Available : Jun - Aug 2012 (annual)

Battle Proms

Set in the beautiful Althorp Estate, the Battle Proms concert in August comprises traditional fairground stalls, impressive Napoleonic Cavalry and infantry displays, but most importantly, a quality classical musical programme. The magical evening culminates in a fireworks display.

Available : Aug 2012 (annual)

FIA European Drag Racing Championship

Enjoy one of the fastest sports on the planet at Northampton's Santa Pod Raceway. Originating from illegal street racing in America in the 1950s, drag racing still has that underground allure and the smell of danger.

Available : May 2012 (annual)

Bug Jam Festival

Santa Pod Raceway celebrates the VW Beetle by dedicating a festival to the iconic car. The Bug Jam Festival hosts Drag Racing, the Run What Ya Brung event plus loads of live music, comedy and a funfair.

Available : Jul 2012 (annual)

Silverstone Circuit

Once a wartime airfield, Silverstone Circuit is now one of the world's top motor-racing venues. Host of the British Grand Prix and other major championships, Silverstone also attracts racing fanatics who want to drive on the famous track themselves.

Available : Daily

Formula One: British Grand Prix

The Santander British Grand Prix at Silverstone is the highlight of the British motor racing calendar and one of the country's great sporting events. Sunday's race is the culmination of a three-day festival of motor racing.

Available : Jul 2012 (annual)

Welsh National Opera Spring Tour

Plots and convoluted intrigue typify Welsh National Opera's two spring productions at Milton Keynes Theatre. Comedy first, in John Copley's new production of Johann Strauss' effervescent Die Fledermaus, while darker forces are at work in Verdi's Il Trovatore.

Available : Apr 2013 (annual)

Xscape

Theme park, shopping centre, or both? Xscape fuses shopping with a whole lifestyle experience, including climbing walls, bowling lanes, a multi-screen cinema, an interactive games arena, great cafés and restaurants, excellent shopping and even snow!

Available : Daily

Glenn Miller Museum

The control tower where Glenn Miller was last seen alive has recently been made into a museum dedicated to the musician. There is also an RAF room dedicated to the personnel that were stationed here at the time and an art gallery.

Available : Weekends only

Rhythm Festival

The intimate and friendly Rhythm Festival offers excellent live music and entertainment at Clapham's Twinwood Arena. Although headline acts may not be as famous as at other festivals, the event's family-friendly atmosphere and affordability have won it legions of fans.

Available : Aug 2012 (annual)

Twinwood Festival

The Twinwood Festival at the Twinwood Arena offers three days packed with top 1940s attractions. These include jiving and jitterbug displays, demonstrations and lessons, fashion shows, art exhibitions, live bands and many military and civilian vehicles.

Available : Aug 2012 (annual)

Coombe Country Park

Coombe Country Park is 500 acres of historic parkland. Founded by Cistercian monks in 1150 it has taken ten centuries of cultivation to reach its present splendour. It now features beautiful gardens, woodlands and lakeside walks.

Available : Daily