Branklyn Garden's spectacular collection of plants (best viewed in spring and autumn) includes a large number of rhododendrons, alpines, herbaceous and peat-garden plants. However, the main draw for most visitors is the rare and beautiful blue Himalayan poppy, Meconopsis.  Read more

A flurry of exotic costumes, soca sounds and samba moves take over Brighton this July for the one-day carnival that sees approximately 15,000 people take to the streets to party. The parade goes from Middle Street to Madeira Drive.  Read more

The Bristol Harbour Festival is one of the highlights of the city's summer events programme. It features tall ships and a variety of other vessels, music, dance, circus and street theatre, markets and a spectacular fireworks show.  Read more

Bristol Zoo Gardens, located in large award-winning gardens in Clifton, carries out conservation projects and breeds endangered species. The Seal & Penguin zone is particularly popular, allowing visitors to see creatures beneath the water's surface, through transparent tunnels.  Read more

Brockhole, set in 30 acres of grounds on the shores of Lake Windermere, is the Visitor Centre for the Lake District National Park. Visitors can find out more about Lakeland at the centre and, if they're lucky, they may also spot the local curiosity - the Tizzie Wizzie - which is said to have the body of a hedgehog, the tail of a squirrel and wings of a bee.  Read more

The Brooklands Museum tells the story of the development of British motorsport and aviation at its site from 1907. There are plenty of vehicles to marvel at.  Read more

Swindon's Butterfly World houses more than 30 different species of butterfly. The enormous hothouse contains tropical plants, little streams and rustic bridges, waterfalls and fishponds. There is also a separate mini-beast room with creepy crawlies like tarantulas, scorpions and snakes.  Read more

The Bygones Victorian Museum lets visitors walk down a faithfully reproduced Victorian Street and view replica period rooms. The military-minded can experience what it was like to be incarcerated in the midst of the First World War, in a trench in France in 1916, or to hide in an Anderson shelter during the Second World War.  Read more

Chocoholics flock to Cadbury World, four miles from central Birmingham, to sample fresh liquid chocolate, explore its Aztec origins, browse the world's biggest Cadbury shop, ride the Beanmobile and chase Creme Eggs in Cadbury World Essence. Advance booking is recommended.  Read more

Travel back to the Middle Ages at Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire. Along with the obligatory roller coasters, there's Merlin's magic show twice a day in the castle, Squire Bumpkin's farm and hair-raising jousting tournaments involving frighteningly realistic knights.  Read more

James Cook was born on 27 October 1728 at Marton, just to the south of present-day Middlesbrough. The interactive Captain Cook Birthplace Musuem here, set in the picturesque landscaped grounds of Stewart Park, celebrates his life and achievements.  Read more

The Cardiff Harbour Festival wraps up the Cardiff Festival with a long weekend of nautical family entertainment. Cardiff Bay comes alive with tall ships, aerial and aquatic displays, sea shanty singers, walkabout entertainers and live music.  Read more

Carlisle Castle amply repays those wishing to explore its 900-year history. Once commanding the western end of the Anglo-Scottish border, the castle has witnessed, over the centuries, countless conflicts and sieges, as both the English and Scots laid claim to it.  Read more

The Carnaval del Pueblo, a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture in London, salsas its way into Southwark's Burgess Park. More than 100,000 people come for the Latino party, which incorporates music, food, parades and arts and crafts stalls.

A splendid vista of English greenery, Cassiobury Park was once the estate of the Earls of Essex, as restored by Charles II. It is now administered by Watford Borough Council, offering a variety of natural habitats on either side of the Grand Union Canal for sporting and leisure pursuits. A mixture of flowerbeds, shrubberies and meadowland, the park is a haven for cycle riders, locals and visitors alike to escape the urban hustle and bustle.  Read more

Castell Coch is Cardiff's very own fairytale castle, nestling in the woods on the outskirts of the city, complete with turrets and round towers. Take a tour of the elaborate interiors of this 19th-century castle, built on medieval foundations.  Read more

Located just 15 miles north-east of York, Castle Howard is one of Britain's finest and grandest stately homes. Built in 1699, it remains the private home of the Howard family, but now receives hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.  Read more

Bring the whole family along to Castle Howard for a fun packed Easter a traditional Easter fair, an adventure playground and a Easter trail that will take you around the grounds. Remember to look out for Molly the Rabbit and her friend Rapaelle along the way!  Read more

Castle Park is Leicester's Old Town, an historic area of ancient walls and gateways, churches, fine old buildings, museums, gardens and riverside walks.  Read more

Located in Castletown, Castle Rushen is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval castles, complete with dungeons and clock tower. Inside, displays illustrate different periods of the island's history and include 17th-century-style furnishings and wall hangings.  Read more