August 1

Art workshop: Sun, Sea and Sand Ludlow Assembly Rooms.

Make a shell-encrusted box or mirror frame, a bottle kite and play Saving the Shrinking Seas, a fun, action-packed and educational game. 10.30am. Visit ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk or call 01584 878141.

August 1

Berrington Summer Games

Unique games on the National Trust property’s lawns. For details, visit nationaltrust.org/berrington- hall or call 01568 615721.

August 2

Madcap Theatre Company presents The Taming of the Shrew at Croft Castle

What happens when a man’s eldest daughter scares off all possible suitors? Easy. Tell the suitors of his youngest that she can’t get married before the eldest, and let them find a man crazy enough to ‘tame the shrew’. For more, visit madcaptheatreproductions.co.uk.

August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

Aztec Family Adventure

A range of activities every Friday this month at Hampton Court Castle suitable for all the family. Includes kayaking, canoeing, archery, circus skills and much more. Call 01568 797777 or email ticketoffice @hamptoncourt.org.uk.

August 3-4

Detectives Weekend

Help Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve a mysterious crime, taking place at Blists Hill Victorian Museum, Ironbridge Gorge.

Try your hand at forensic science, taking fingerprints, printing reward posters and matching plaster cast footprints to different shoes. Follow the trail of clues and put your powers of deduction to the test to solve the curious mystery of treasure stolen from the Earl of Craven’s mansion. Contact 01952 433424 or visit ironbridge.org.uk for more information.

August 5-16

2Faced Summer School

10am to 3.30pm, for ages seven to 18. Learn urban, jazz and contemporary dance styles from the some of the best teachers from across the UK over two weeks. Visit 2faceddanceco.uk for an application form.

August 4

Herefordshire Country Fair

The event returns to Hampton Court Castle and Gardens, the site of the successful 2010 fair. Show jumping, fishing, clay shooting and guided scurries as well as a nationally renowned garden for visitors to enjoy. herefordshirecountryfair.co.uk 

August 4-8

Tropical Inc at Eastnor Castle

See an amazing collection of animals and mini-beasts including snakes,> spiders, meerkats, skunks and many other cuddly critters and creepy crawlies, with talks and displays running throughout the day. Visit eastnorcastle.com for details.

August 5

Dragons, Damsels and Pond Dipping at Berrington Hall.

Join in the hunt for all those “ugly bugs” in the parkland and in the lake. Visit nationaltrust.org/berrington-hall or call 01568 615721 for details.

August 8

Mermaids and Pirates at Berrington Hall

Head for Berrington Hall dressed as a mermaid or pirate to enjoy free entry and pirate-themed stories, songs and craft activities. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/berrington-hall or call 01568 615721.

August 10 and 11

The Siege of Brampton Bryan

Re-live the Siege of Brampton Bryan, with more than 100 English Civil War Society re-enactors, as well as stalls, cannon and of course the (fireproofed) straw castle. Details from Aardvark Books in Brampton Bryan or call 01547 530888.

August 11

Babe the Sheep-Pig from The Family Outdoor Theatre at Eastnor Castle.

Bring along a picnic and your own low backed seating and blankets (no gazebos). Pre-booking essential – visit eastnorcastle.com for more information.

August 11-15

Hooked on Books

An exciting new literary festival at Eastnor Castle, celebrating children’s books and fiction. Listen to magical storytelling, meet children’s authors, take part in creative writing and illustration workshops, enjoy model-making with Carnival Arts, dance shows with the 2Faced Dance Company, and much more. Visit eastnorcastle.com for more information.

August 13

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Day

From 11am to 4pm, with a teddy bear trail and teddy bear quiz. Bring teddy and a picnic to the Waterworks Museum in Hereford. Call 01432 357236 for details.

August 12-26

Tropical Hereford

A giant sandpit for the under-12s with free entry. Buckets and spades, deckchairs, candy floss, seaside rock and more.

On August 12 and 23, see Punch and Judy at 11am, 12,30pm and 2pm On August 14: Petting donkeys, collecting for the Donkey Sanctuary.

August 15 and 22 will be the Farmers’ Market Big Beach barbecue with music from the Queen Elizabeth Humanities College steel band. On August 17 and 24 try out the surf simulator.

On August 19-21, take to paddle boats suitable for younger children.

August 14-15

Time Travellers Go... Siege Challenge for Kids

Goodrich Castle is under siege and it is your job to defend it. Build your own mini trebuchet and knock out your opponents in a fun filled game ideal for all junior warriors. Tickets available on the day. Visit english-heritage.org.uk/ daysout for details.

August 15

Art workshop: Travelling the Time Line

Make a plaster fossil, a fizzing volcano and a model dinosaur at Ludlow Assembly Rooms from 10.30am. Ages six-plus. Call 01684 878141 or visit ludlow assemblyrooms.co.uk.

August 15

Teddy Bears’ Picnic at Berrington Hall

All teds welcome for a picnic in the gardens and afterwards some teddy activities and games. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/ berrington-hall for details.

August 16

Chapter House presents The Wind in the Willows at Hampton Court Castle

Join Badger, Ratty, Mole and Toad for a perfect summer adventure. Music, song and dance promise a magical family show. Call 01568 797777 or email ticketoffice @hamptoncourt.org.uk.

August 16

Up Close and Personal with Corner Exotics

Ludlow Assembly Rooms, 10.30 am. Simon Airey, the animal man, invites you to get up close and personal with some beautiful and fascinating creatures. Learn some cool facts and terrible jokes, too. Book at ludlowassembly rooms.co.uk or call 01584 878141.

August 17-18

Wales Millennium Centre Family Summer Weekend Activities

Including mini make and do, face painting, Touch Trust sessions, preschool music workshop and Hard Côr workshops and performances: Landscapes, a wordless theatre performance by Mimika Theatre; Jurassic Jury, a musical competition to find the world’s best dinosaur, where the audience decides the winner; a performance by adult drama group Off Centre; and a performance by Hijinx Theatre in which the Snooks Brothers are looking for recruits for their allmale synchronized swimming team, with plenty of assistance from the audience. Free 

August 19-22

Flying Potter

Join Jon the Flying Potter from Eastnor Pottery for some fun and creative workshops throughout the day. Make your own fantastic clay creations. Visit eastnorcastle.com for more information or eastnor pottery.co.uk for details of other workshops.

August 20-26

Summer holiday shows and activities at the Royal Shakespeare Company

Inventive theatre company The Wrong Crowd is in residence at the RSC in Stratford for a week, offering a range of activities for families inspired by the current costume exhibitions at the RSC, In Stitches. Includes a sleepover at the RSC, for ages eight-12 plus one parent, on Sunday. Details at rsc.org.uk.

August 21-22

Time Travellers Go...Explorers!

Take a journey through time and explore the ruins of Goodrich Castle. Discover what life was like there during times of war and peace, with interactive games and activities that will test your knowledge and know-how. Tickets are available on the day. Visit english-heritage.co.uk/ daysout for details.

August 24-26

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge will be hosting a themed event over the bank holiday weekend based on the much-loved Victorian novel by Lewis Carroll. Come dressed as a character from out of the book and take part in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Join the Queen of Hearts for a game of croquet, follow a clue-led trail to find the Cheshire Cat and the opportunity to take part in many more activities. Contact 01952 433424 or visit ironbridge.org.uk for more information.

August 25-26

Great Outdoors with WildPlay

At Eastnor Castle there will be a choice of making mud pies, building dens, bug catching, snail races, scavenger hunts and much, much more. The Herefordshire WildPlay Rangers are here to have fun with nature and get messy. Visit eastnorcastle.com for more information.

August 25-26

Tournament of Champions at Hampton Court Castle

Back by popular demand is the action packed medieval jousting stunt show alongside a spectacular birds of prey flying show. Call 01568 797777 or email ticketoffice @hamptoncourt.org.uk.

August 26

Dragon Boats at the River Festival

The City of Hereford Rotary Club is once again bringing Dragon Boat racing to Hereford. The races take place on the River Wye over a distance of about 250m from below the Hunderton bridge to the rowing club. Stalls, food tents, ice creams, a licensed bar, funfair, tug-of-war and the afternoon ends with the Wye Duck race with £1,000 for the winning duck.

August 31

Boating on the lake at Berrington Hall

A rare opportunity to take a boat out onto the lake. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/ berrington-hall or call 01568 615721 for details.

September 1

Pets and Ponies at Eastnor Castle.

Meet and pet the animals from Newbridge Farm Park or take a ride on one of the beautiful ponies of the KC Riding Rescue Centre. Visit eastnorcastle.com for more information.

September 8

Circus Skills at Eastnor Castle.

Try juggling, stilt and tightrope walking, unicycles, plate-spinning, and much more with the Castle’s circus entertainer, Jem. Visit eastnorcastle.com for more information.