With the end of the summer looming and a new school term on the horizon, we've selected some of the top events and activities to enjoy this forthcoming bank holiday weekend.

VICTORIAN SEASIDE EXPERIENCE | BLISTS HILL | UNTIL 3 SEPTEMBER

Blists Hill Victorian Town in landlocked Shropshire is hosting its first-ever Victorian Seaside Experience this summer holiday.

Parents will be able to sit back and relax in deckchairs or compete in a knobbly knees competition, while kids can enjoy taking a ride on a donkey or old-style carousel. 

And that’s not all...  From Wednesday 23 to Tuesday 29 August, visitors can check out a special display featuring the swimming trunks worn by Captain Matthew Webb! 

Captain Webb was a local lad who, on 24 August 1875, became the first recorded person to swim the English Channel without artificial aid. 

The trunks will be displayed alongside other commemorative objects celebrating the captain’s impressive achievement.

---

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: UP IN THE AIR ADVENTURE | RAF MUSEUM, COSFORD | UNTIL 3 SEPTEMBER

Visitors can experience the (sometimes gruesome!) history of flight at the RAF Museum’s Horrible Hangar this month.

Based on the Horrible Histories publication Up In The Air, this brand-new interactive event brings characters from the book to life, flagging up some of their truly brainless blunders as they pursued their ambition to take to the air!

Legendary aviation pioneers from throughout history will be on hand to steer families around six zones: The Engineer’s Workshop; Barnstorming Braves; Creation Station; Meet The Inventor; Selfie Zone and the Up In The Air Challenge.

Visitors can also pick up a bespoke Horrible Histories activity pack and check out the free Twinkletoes Trail.

---

TELFORD BALLOON FIESTA | TELFORD TOWN PARK | 25 - 27 AUGUST

Friday night activities start at 5pm with family-friendly workshops including circus skills and hula hoop, followed by a time travel show from Rhubarb Theatre at 6.30pm. Music and entertainment will take place on the Live Music stage from 7pm with the Night Glow spectacular starting at 9pm.

Saturday and Sunday proceedings run from 12pm - 7.3pm with the Wings Parachute Team dropping in at 12am on both days.

Enterainment includes: Midlands Kite Flyers, family activity zone, activities at Bike Hub, food and drink areas, crafts and activities and more. There will be live music each day from artists such as Rick Cosco, Telford and District Light Opera Players, Rock Choir, Got To Sing and more.

Balloon flights are scheduled for 6am and 6pm Saturday and Sunday but timings and launches are strictly weather dependent.

---

SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL | WEST MID SHOWGROUND | 25-28 AUGUST

A highlight of any folk fan’s calendar, this four-day fest brings together centuries of musical tradition in one picturesque setting. 

Steeped in history, the border town of Shrewsbury provides an ideal backdrop for the festival’s mash-up of modern, medieval and everything in between, where grassroots cultures collide in dynamic fusion styles.

Take along the whole family for dance and workshops as well as live music.

As in previous years, What’s On is pleased to be sponsoring Launchpad, an element of the event designed to showcase local and up-and-coming talent.

2023 line-up includes: Billy Bragg, The Sharon Shannon Trio, N’famady Kouyaté, Eddi Reader (pictured) and Capercaillie.

---

THE MASSIVE 90S & 00S RNB FESTIVAL | THE BUTTERMARKET, SHREWSBURY | 26 AUGUST

The Massive 90s + 00s RnB Festival comes to The Buttermarket this bank holiday.

Expect 7 hours of old school 90s & 00s RnB anthems, live performers and hosts (including Aaron Carty's Beyonce experience), confetti showers, glitter stations, festival production and more.

---

THE HANKS PYJAMAS | THE SQUARE, SHREWSBURY | 27 AUGUST

Calling all foodies! Hank Marvin Street Food Events, The Cat's Pyjamas and Blind Tiger will be taking over The Square this bank holiday Sunday.

Running from 11am until late, visitors can expect plenty of tasty street food, cocktails, music and multiple bars. House of Wingz will be bringing their top notch (trust us!) wings, boneless chicken and burgers to the town and local favourites Press De Cuba will be serving up their delicious Cubanos and sides.

---

SUMMER FIESTA | WESTON PARK | 27-28 AUGUST

The two-day event family-friendly event features a line-up of local food, drink and crafts producers, live music from the Dirty Rockin Scoundrels and The Gold Room, fairground rides and Indian Dohl drumming workshops.

The whole estate is open to explore including the Woodland Adventure Playground included in the discounted ticket price. The Miniature Railway will also be running to take you on a ride into the enchanting Temple Wood.

Tickets for the Summer Fiesta are just £6 per person when booked in advance online. Standard admission prices apply on the day.

---

SHREWSBURY STEAM RALLY | ONSLOW PARK | 27-28 AUGUST

One of the region’s largest events, the Shrewsbury Steam Rally attracts thousands of people and boasts vintage and steam-powered vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

The show’s main-arena attractions include a ‘grand parade’ of steam engines, historic lorries, classic cars and motorcycles, heavy horses, prams and bicycles.

A crafts & hobbies marquee and ‘olde time’ fairground also feature, as does a demonstration of farming and rural skills in a working field.

---

SUNFLOWER FIELDS | LITTLE WYTHEFORD FARM

Little Wytheford Farm's popular sunflower fields are now open for the summer.

Open Wednesday - Sunday from 10am - 4pm, entry costs £2.50 per person with under 5s going free.

Dogs are welcome and you can pick your own stems for 50p each.

The fields will be open for approximately 6 weeks, weather depending.

---

IRONBRIDGE GORGE WORLD HERITAGE FESTIVAL | 28 AUGUST - 17 SEPTEMBER

The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival returns this summer, complete with a host of events, activities and workshops.

The popular festival celebrates the history and culture of the town. Attractions will include walks, talks, trails, arts, music & poetry, a street festival, a Taste of the Gorge event, a coracle regatta and heritage open days.