Visitors immerse themselves in 2000 years of England's past during the Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, presented by English Heritage. The event features everything from falconry, jousting displays and battle re-enactments to music, dance and ale.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Leicester's Riverside Festival is one of the city's biggest free festivals and takes place in Bede Park. The family-friendly weekend offers boat trips, illuminated boat parades, live music, stalls and activities for all ages.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
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. Leicestershire Foxes play their home games at the County Ground in Leicester.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Leicester's Darbar South Asian Music Festival, held at Curve, brings together renowned musicians. The programme ranges from the traditional to contemporary eclectic, bringing the sound of the sub-continent to the Midlands.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Leicester's 14th-century Guildhall is one of the oldest buildings in the city still in use and one of the best-preserved timber-framed halls in England. Today it serves as a performance venue and a distinctive local landmark.
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Feb - Dec 2013; not Thu or Fri (annual)
Leicester's Jewry Wall Museum houses archaeological collections dating from prehistoric times to the end of the Middle Ages. The Jewry Wall itself sits in the museum's grounds and is the second-largest piece of surviving Roman building in the UK.
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Feb - Oct 2013 (annual)
The Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Race For Life is held over two days and incorporates a series of walks and runs for women. Starting at the city's Western Park, it's one of 100 events taking place all over the country.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The UK's largest space attraction, the National Space Centre in Leicester combines informative exhibitions with thrilling interactive displays.
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Daily; not Mon
Established in 1989, the British Birdwatching Fair at Egleton Nature Reserve appeals to bird watchers across the country. Featuring a tented village, bird sightings, demonstrations, lectures and celebrity guests, each year the event raises funds for threatened species.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
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.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
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.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
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.
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Daily
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.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
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.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Flags wave, a fanfare blares and giant squirrels and cowboys plunge into battle with absurd national stereotypes and six-foot fairies. It can only be the world conker championships, held every year at New Lodge Fields near Oundle, Northamptonshire.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
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.
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Daily
At beautiful Burghley House, the Battle Proms concert in July 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.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Burghley House was built between 1565 and 1587 by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. Eighteen state rooms are opened to the public, full of national treasures including fine paintings, porcelain and furniture.
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Mar - Oct 2013; not Fri (annual)
The Lanchester Gallery provides an exhibition space for both emerging and established artists whose practice relates to the work of staff and students at the Coventry School of Art and Design.
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Weekdays only
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