Summer festival fever hits the country once again as the dual-site V Festival comes to Chelmsford's Hylands Park and Weston Park in Staffordshire. Ensuring nobody need miss out, again this year many of the acts play both locations on alternate days.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Hylands House is a magnificent Grade II listed property set in an expanse of Essex parkland. Once a red brick Queen Anne style mansion, the house dates back to 1730 and has undergone stages of vast transformation over the years.
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Mon and Sun only
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. Essex Eagles play their home games at the Ford County Ground in Chelmsford.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Offset Festival presents a weekend of live music in the rustic setting of Hainault Forest Country Park, just outside London. The festival's name may make it sound ecologically directed but we're assured that things get really messy here.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Part of Southend's Central Museum, the Southend Discovery Centre promotes a hands-on approach to delving into all aspects of the area's local history. This makes it as fascinating for adults as it is for school children.
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Daily; not Mon or Sun
The Focal Point Gallery in Southend-on-Sea specialises in media arts and photography, hosting a programme of cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions. The gallery is located on the second floor of the town's Central Library.
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Daily; not Sun
The Southend Festival of the Air is one of Europe's largest free air shows. Aerial demonstrations and wing walkers fly high over Southend's seafront. On the ground there are exhibitions by the RAF, Royal Navy and Army, giant inflatables and more.
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May 2013 (annual)
Tucked away in Hertfordshire's undulating countryside, Perry Green was English sculptor Henry Moore's home from 1940 until 1977. The gardens, barns and sheep fields contain numerous sculptures, drawings and lithographs, tapestries, working models and carvings made by the artist.
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Mar - Aug 2013; not Mon (annual)
The carnival is a highlight of Southend-on-Sea's summer festivities. A week of fun is capped by an illuminated procession on the last day, when the seafront lights are switched on and a spectacular fireworks display takes place.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
There are at least some benefits to the nights getting darker earlier in winter. On Saturdays from October to November Southend's Seafront is illuminated by a free and fabulous fireworks display. Local bands entertain spectators at ground level.
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Oct - Nov 2013; Sat only (annual)
Southend's seafront is always a good place for a party and one of the biggest is the Ganesh Hindu Festival. Attracting thousands annually, it celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. Events are concentrated on Shoebury East Beach.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Screams of delight ring out from Southend-on-Sea's Adventure Island, where children run between rides like Jumping Jolly Roger's, Pharoah's Fury and Dragon's Claw. The rides and entry fee are categorised by height and divided into Mini, Junior and Big Adventures.
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Daily
Southend's pride and joy is undoubtedly its pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.33 miles. Dating back to 1830, it has amazingly survived countless fires and boat collisions, the area's economic hardship as well as two world wars.
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Daily
The Chantry Heritage Centre is a small museum housed within a 14th-century chapel. Inside there is an ornate Jacobean staircase and displays on Gravesend's local industries and Roman history, including Roman coins excavated from nearby Springhead.
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Apr - Sep 2013; Weekends only (annual)
Whoever scoffs at the idea of sharks and piranhas residing off England's coastline will have to eat their words at Southend's Sealife Adventure. Children and adults alike spend hours getting close to and admiring unknown underwater life.
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Daily
Southend-on-Sea's Kursaal Complex retains some of its original grandeur and is affectionately used as a point of reference by both locals and visitors. These days it contains a bowling alley, casino, amusement arcade and a popular fast-food restaurant.
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Daily
Bluewater, close to the M25 near Dartford, is a shopper's paradise with more than 330 stores, 12 cinemas and a range of leisure activities from rock climbing to fishing. It is one of Kent's most popular visitor attractions.
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At the Treejumpers Skypark in Bluewater shopping centre, everyone from seven to 70 can enjoy three-hour sessions of adrenalin-filled fun. Scale the climbing wall, balance on the aerial trek's tightropes or whizz across the lake at 30mph on zip wires.
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Fri, Sat, and Sun only
Cheshunt Park celebrates Guy Fawkes night with a huge fireworks display. The evening's entertainment includes food and refreshments, a bonfire and a funfair.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
West Ham United play their home matches at The Boleyn Ground. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
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18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
West Ham play their home matches at Upton Park. The Premier League fixtures for the 2010/11 season are as follows:
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21 Aug 2010 - 22 May 2011 (annual)
The William Morris Gallery is England's only public museum dedicated to the avatar of the Arts and Crafts movement. The 18th-century Water House, the master designer's early home, houses numerous artefacts from Morris' long, wide-ranging career as designer, manufacturer, printer and socialist, and presents examples of his wallpaper designs, tapestry and books.
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Daily; not Mon or Sun
Mighty Upnor Castle was built to protect warships moored at Chatham dockyards. This rare example of an Elizabethan artillery fort is a treat to explore and the peaceful riverside grounds are also open to the public.
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Apr - Oct 2013 (annual)
The intimate Standon Calling festival returns to the grounds of a 16th-century Hertfordshire manor house with cutting-edge live music, DJs and boutique camping. Intriguing components of this special festival include an underwater disco in the manor swimming pool!
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Aug 2013; not Wed (annual)
The World Travel Market at ExCel London is the annual marketplace for the UK travel industry, open to trade only. The latest travel trends are debated as visitors attend seminars, one-to-one meetings and plenty of parties.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Get clued up on DIY matters at ExCel's Grand Designs Live London exhibition. The show takes inspiration from houses featured on the Grand Designs TV show, with ideas for kitchens, bathrooms, gardens and interiors.
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May 2013 (annual)
Watch sweaty contenders pumping their muscles at the London Triathlon, a gruelling trial concentrated around ExCeL London. There is a Super Sprint, a tougher Sprint, the Olympic Distance and the team relay Olympic and Sprint competitions.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The Thames Barrier was built to protect London from rising tides. Its space-age silver buttresses are worth a look at any time, even more so when the barrier is raised (about ten times a year) for routine maintenance.
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Daily
Britain's most important naval base for over 400 years, the now-restored Historic Dockyard Chatham is a key heritage site. Kent's largest museum, it includes Royal Navy's last operational Second World War destroyer, HMS Cavalier, and the Chatham-built submarine, Ocelot.
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Feb - Dec 2013 (annual)
Built for William the Conqueror in 1087, imposing 113-foot-high Rochester Castle covers 70 square feet. Trek to the top of the tower for stunning views of River Medway and the castle grounds, which often host festivals and concerts.
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Daily
Spurs play their home matches at White Hart Lane. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
Available :
18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
Kids can climb aboard some monstrous machines at the unique Diggerland adventure park in Kent (weekends and school holidays only). Under strict supervision, children can take a ride or even a drive in mechanical diggers of all shapes and sizes.
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Daily
Fort Amherst and the surrounding area has been inhabited for over 3000 years and the area in an around it includes a Saxon burial ground, a Roman mosaic and the original site of old Chatham. Join a team of experts investigating local paranormal activity.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
The David Beckham Academy runs soccer training programmes for children throughout the year. Next-door to the O2 in Greenwich, it has two full-sized indoor pitches, educational and medical facilities. Adults can enjoy corporate programmes and an evening league.
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Daily
The former Millennium Dome has a new lease of life as The O2 music venue. London's most controversial building, close to Greenwich on the River Thames, now rocks to the sounds of superstar performers like Prince and Bruce Springsteen.
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Daily
The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals brings together the best male tennis players of the season for a final showdown at London's O2 Arena. The likes of Roger Federer and Andy Murray slug it out for US$5 million in prize money.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The inaugural London Electronic Dance Festival takes over the city's Victoria Park with a feast of crunching beats and booming bass. French house music star David Guetta and influential UK electronic dance act Leftfield top the bill.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Underage Festival returns to London's Victoria Park, with a fantastic show strictly for 14-18-year olds. Bands and DJs across six stages deliver teenage kicks - without alcohol, or embarrassing parents.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Lovebox Weekender brings love, tunes and happy people to London's Victoria Park, making the most of a summer weekend with a quality line-up and plenty of festival fun. Away from the main stage you'll find DJs filling the dance arenas.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Burberry Discount Outlet, tucked away in Hackney's Chatham Place, offers a wide range from the coveted Burberry collection, from staple wardrobe items to spoil-yourself accessories.
Available :
Daily
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