No sport? What to do in the UK this August

Apparently there is some big sporting event on this month. This is all well and jolly, and we very much enjoyed seeing the banishment of a giant Voldemort at the opening ceremony on Friday, but our mum says we need to get out and get some fresh air too. And unlike last month, the weather looks like it might behave itself, so no need to stick to indoor events only. Here are six superb things to do in the UK in August for all ages:

Eastbourne International Airshow , Eastbourne, 9-12 August: It’s free and it’s flighty, which means it’s been written into the diary in proper ink – this year is the twentieth anniversary of the Eastbourne Airshow and will see the UK’s only flying Vulcan bomber, fast jets, parachute displays and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight featuring the Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire. There are also attractions and events including trade stalls, paintballing and live music, all rounded off by the firework finale.

Stay: Do some pub pitching up at the Bull’s Head in nearby Herstmonceux, where you can get pub grub in the bar or make your own over the campfire. The site is family-friendly and has pitches for tents, tourers and motorhomes from £12 a night. A stay any night throughout the Airshow is £12 for tents and £16 for motorhomes and caravans, for either two adults or two adults and two children .

Billingham International Folklore Festival , Cleveland, 10-18 August: Join over 300 performers from around the world for the annual Billingham festival of dance, music and song. The week-long event also has exhibitions, workshops and classes including Hungarian dance workshops and Egyptian belly-dancing sessions, and is sent off in style on the last night by a gala concert and fireworks.

Stay: Crimdon Dene Holiday Park at Hartlepool is less than ten miles from the festival and is a David Bellamy Conservation Award Gold Winner. There’s an indoor pool with jacuzzi, an all-weather sports centre, daytime activities and kids’ clubs, as well as a bar and restaurant on site. Electric hardstanding caravan and motorhome pitches are £34 for 10 August for two adults and two children .

Just So Festival , Cheshire, 17 August: This is firmly one for the little people, with storytellers, craft tents, baby massage, barn dancing, live music and even pottery for babies (we think the mud will be the attraction here). Keep the kids awake for 40 Winks, where from dusk there’ll be bedtime dancers in the trees, bedtime stories, choral lullabies and pillow fights. And there are four-poster beds to laze on during the day too.

Stay: Common End Farm in nearby Ashbourne is a peaceful site with views to Thorpe Cloud in Dovedale and where children are welcome. A stay for one night for two adults and two children on 17 August is just £19 for a tent pitch .

World Alternative Games , Powys, 17 August-2 September: London 2012 is due to be celebrated in a wonderfully madcap way at Llanwrtyd Wells for two weeks, which is already known for its annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships and Man V Horse Marathon. This year there’ll be loads of other alternative events, including stiletto racing (for lads and lasses), worm charming, backward running, office chair racing and wife-carrying. There’s plenty available for the kids too, with Pooh Sticks and a rock, paper, scissors comp among more.

Stay: Riverside Caravan & Camping Park costs from £11 per night for a non-electric pitch with no extra fees for awnings, pup tents, gazebos or dogs (electric hook-ups are available for an extra £3 per night). Or there’s Lower Porthamel Organic Farm at Talgarth which has non-electric pitches for £19 a night from August 17 for two adults and two children .

Conwy River Festival , Conwy, 18-26 August: If you can’t make it to the Isle of Wight for Cowes Week , head to Wales instead for this, with live music, archery school, children’s entertainment, a maritime and music quiz and a fairground. The Conwy Quay Day crams everything in, including duck racing, jet-ski demonstration and sailing and boat racing.

Stay: The family-oriented Ty Mawr Holiday Park has kids’ clubs, an indoor pool, family entertainment and several food options on site. A non-electric grass pitch for tents, motorhomes or tourers is £35 a night for two adults and two children all through the festival .

Foodies Festival , Oxford, 25-27 August: This Oxford food fest is one of seven taking place around the UK this summer (there’s also one in London from 17-19 August and in Edinburgh from the 10 ^th to the 12 ^th ). As well as food from around the globe at the World Food Pagodas & Street Food Avenue, there’ll be demonstrations from Michelin-starred chefs in the Chef’s Theatre and hourly masterclasses in food and drink. We think it’s almost time for lunch…

Stay: Keep the gourmet feel to your weekend by staying in a shepherd’s hut or in Betty the hand-crafted gypsy wagon at Glamping Thorpe in nearby Banbury, where a stay in either is £240 for two adults from 25-28 August .

If you’re still looking for inspiration for things to do this August and beyond, have a look at our festival finder on the homepage which lists events all over the country and where to stay nearby, from the York Beer and Cider Festival to Robin Hood . Or you can browse through our sites by area, such as Somerset or the South-West , and then check the ‘Local Attractions’ tab to see what you can do nearby. No sport required, and fresh air a-plenty.