Holiday fun in South East England

Families visiting South East England can take advantage of a number of enjoyable events and activities this summer, including dragon boat racing on the River Thames; birds of prey and kite flying displays in Surrey and Portsmouth; Victorian jousting tournaments at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire; family festivals at Legoland Windsor; the launch of a new Top Gear exhibition at Beaulieu in the heart of the New Forest and much more.

There are also a number of deals and discounts available throughout the region, such as free ferry travel to the Isle of Wight and accommodation offers in Oxford.

Events

Wind in the Willows outdoor theatre, Basildon Park, Berkshire, 3rd July 2009
Nationaltrust.org.uk/basildonpark

Basildon Park in Berkshire, the Palladian mansion which was featured in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightley, is playing host to an outdoor theatre performance of Wind in the Willows this summer. Family film buffs can take in the spectacular scenery of this grand 18th-century National Trust property whilst enjoying the adventures of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad in their lives on the river, as performed by Heartbreak Productions. Adult tickets cost £12 and child tickets cost £8.

Circus skills at Legoland Windsor, Berkshire, 18th-19th July 2009
Legoland.co.uk.

For the first time ever, ‘Legoland Live! My First Festival’ will take place over the course of two days and will benefit from a circus skills workshop and an all-singing, all-dancing day of activities with top children’s acts headlining the show. Britain’s Got Talent star George Sampson will join Barney, Bob the Builder, Angelina Balerina, Popshop vocal coaches Carrie and David Grant and many more. One-day ticket prices start from £32.40 for adults and £24.30 for children.

Dragon boat racing on the River Thames, Surrey, 19th July 2009
Visitthames.co.uk

Families looking for a great summer’s day by the River Thames will find plenty of entertainment at the Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge at the Canbury Gardens in Kingston-upon-Thames. Hundreds of boating competitors across 36 teams will battle it out in dragon boats during a day of fun and excitement. Market stalls, sideshows, bouncy castles and children’s rides will keep kids of all ages entertained. Families can also take part in the racing – no experience is necessary and full training will be given. Admission for spectators is free.

Birds of prey flying display at Painshill Park, Surrey, 26th July 2009
Visitsurrey.com

Owls, hawks, falcons and eagles will be soaring through the sky in the grounds of Painshill Park this summer where families can view flying displays from some of nature’s feathery friends. Family tickets for two adults and two children cost £22 and audience participation will be encouraged. Painshill Park will also be hosting summer craft workshops offering hours of creative fun for kids where they can make masks, puppets, colourful kites and much more. The craft workshops will be running everyday excluding weekends and Bank Holiday’s between 27th July – 14th August 2009. Prices start from £6.60 for adults and £3.85 for children.

Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament, Oxfordshire, 7th-9th August 2009
Blenheimpalace.com

The Knights of Royal England are descending upon Blenheim Palace for a Victorian jousting battle to thrill the whole family this summer. Families can cheer for their favourite knight whilst viewing professional displays of horsemanship and medieval skills including jousting at the tilt and foot combat using swords and mace. Children can also enjoy falconry displays and have a go at archery. Day tickets start from £17.50 per adult and £10 for children aged 5-16. Under five’s go free. Day tickets can be converted to an Annual Pass for free, allowing unlimited entry to Blenheim Palace for a whole year.

Kid’s go free at Royal Ascot’s Shergar Cup concert, Berkshire, 9th August 2009
Ascot.co.uk

Children and adults alike can experience the excitement of a day’s horseracing at the world-renowned Shergar Cup before stepping back to the 80’s at Royal Ascot’s ‘Here and Now’ concert. Famous artists from the 1980’s will be performing their most popular hits at the UK’s most famous racecourse over a two-hour set. Artists confirmed include Bucks Fizz, Curiosity Killed the Cat and Rick Astley amongst others. Tickets start from £15 and include racing, entertainment and the featured concert. Children under the age of 16 years go free.

Portsmouth International Kite Festival, Hampshire, 29th-31st August 2009
Visitportsmouth.co.uk

Excitement will be sky-high in Portsmouth this summer with the return of the region’s annual International Kite Festival. Families can marvel at an array of inflatable kites, from giant salamanders to colourful jesters and devils. There will be impressive flying skills and musical routines performed by talented flying display teams and champion kite fliers from around the world. Children can also try their hand at kite flying. The Portsmouth International Kite Festival will take place on Southsea Common and is a free event.

Exhibitions

Top Gear launch at Beaulieu, Hampshire, 19th June 2009 until 2010
Beaulieu.co.uk

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is launching a brand new exhibition – World of Top Gear – on 19th June 2009, which will be centred on the UK’s most popular motoring show, Top Gear. The exhibition will showcase actual vehicles used in Jeremy, Richard and James’ most memorable challenges over the last 12 series and video displays will show behind-the-scenes footage, stories from the presenters and clips from some of the Top Gear’s best motoring moments. Adult prices start from £15.75 and child prices start from £8.50.

Discounts and Offers

Bargain breaks at Four Pillars Hotels, Oxfordshire, 19th July – 6th September 2009
Four-pillars.co.uk

Families holidaying on a shoestring can stay with Four Pillars Hotels this summer and enjoy dinner, bed and breakfast rates from as little as £15 per person per night for week-long stays. What’s more, kids can stay and eat for free. Four Pillars Hotels is also offering special summer rates for two-night stays with dinner, bed and breakfast from just £20 per person per night. Rates are based on two sharing. Up to two children under the age of 12 can stay and eat for free when sharing their parents room. Four Pillars Hotels in Oxford are wonderfully located nearby to all the main attractions of this scenic city.

Free children’s ferry travel to the Isle of Wight, from now until 31st December 2009
Wightlink.co.uk

This summer Wightlink is offering some great family ferry deals to the Isle of Wight, one of the UK’s most popular family holiday destinations. Visitors to southeastoffers.com can download as many vouchers as they like, allowing free ferry travel for kids under the age of 15. Two full fare paying adult foot passengers can take up to five children with them at no extra cost. The same offer is available for two full paying adults travelling by car.