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.

THE BEACH | LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL | UNTIL SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

The Beach has returned to Lichfield Cathedral for the school summer holiday - and it’s free to experience!
Visitors can pull up a deckchair, build a sandcastle, and enjoy some on-site food & drink. Children’s crafting activities and water play sessions also feature (until Friday 1 September)... 

As well as the beach, the cathedral has plenty else to offer, including its garden area - a perfect place to relax and unwind - and a new art installation by Carolynn White.

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DINO DISCOVERY | LOWER DRAYTON FARM, STAFFORD | UNTIL SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

No less than eight animatronic life-size dinosaurs have arrived at Lower Drayton Farm ready to wow visitors to its PLAY@ farm attraction this summer, as part of the Dino Discovery Maize Maze adventure.

The farm’s social media followers were invited to come up with names for the dinos – which include Tiny the life-size T-Rex; Dippy the Diplodocus; Velociraptors Penkridge, Dunston, Gailey and Trussell; Ankylosaurus Lizzie and Trike the baby Triceratops.

In addition to finding the lost dinos, the Dino Discovery Maize Maze experience will see youngsters hunt for fossils, get creative with dino-themed crafts and learn all about modern day ‘dinosaurs’ in a special 'Meet the Reptiles' talk. The full day out will also include access to PLAY@ with its huge indoor playbarns, acres of outdoor space, packed programme of animal talks and interactions and fun yet educational farm trailer ride. Weather allowing, there will also be daily foam parties held at 4-5pm throughout the summer break.

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THE BIG FAMILY DAY OUT | BEACON PARK, LICHFIELD | SATURDAY 26 AUGUST

Crooked House Events, a Midlands-based event production company, is hosting a family fun day, free for Lichfield residents.

The Big Family Day Out will take place in Beacon Park on Saturday 26 August, aiming to give back to the local community and bring families together for a day filled with music and entertainment, with free tickets up for grabs for Lichfield residents.

The event will include tribute acts paying homage to iconic artists such as ABBA, Blondie, Amy Winehouse, and Fleetwood Mac, DJs throughout the day, a variety of food and drinks vendors, glitter stations, fairground rides, family activities and much more for all to enjoy.

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THE BIG FEAST | HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT | FRIDAY 25 & SATURDAY 26 AUGUST

The Big Feast returns with two more days of free entertainment on the streets of Stoke-on-Trent City entre (Hanley), with a mix of theatre, music, circus, dance and more.

This year's performances and events include Fatts Project Big Gay Disco Bike (pictured), circus workshops with Upswing, Joli Vyann's thrilling 7m high rotating hourglass performance Timeless, and live original punk music and high energy dance from Punk Alley.

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VICTORIA PARK BIG WEEKEND | VICTORIA PARK, STAFFORD | SATURDAY 26 & SUNDAY 27 AUGUST

Families can enjoy a weekend of open air music and activities at Stafford's Victoria Park this Bank Holiday.

On Saturday, there will be a free-entry Family Fun Day with live entertainment, climbing wall, crafts, funfair rides, circus skills workshops and plenty of food and drink stalls.

And the Sunday will see various DJs playing reggae, ska, and blues from the bandstand on the park from noon until 4pm. There will also be fairground rides, bouncy castle and food and drink available.

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FUNTOPIA | LYME VALLEY COUNTRY PARK, NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME | SATURDAY 26 AUGUST

The big day out for little kids is coming back to Newcastle this Bank Holiday.

Designed especially for under 10's, Funtopia has high energy inflatables, role play areas, shows and competitions, character meet and greets, giant games, huge water fights, a tasty food court and more.

There is also an Under 5's area for mini guests, filled with bouncy castles, soft play, ball pool, and other fun toys and games.

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THE NEW WORLD | NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM, ALERWAS | UNTIL FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

In collaboration with Wild Rumpus, The New World is an  interactive experience that draws inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Arboretum and the powerful stories of service and sacrifice we share.

Each adventure around The New World will be as unique as those who have chosen to travel through it. Divided into six distinct areas within the Arboretum grounds, families will be inspired through ‘creative, physical and reflective activity’, with a Memory Maze, Dream Grxen, Playscape and bamboo structure Utopia.

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HORRIBLE HISTORIES: UP IN THE AIR ADVENTURE | RAF MUSEUM, COSFORD | UNTIL SUNDAY 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.

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SUMMER FIESTA | WESTON PARK | SUNDAY 27 & MONDAY 28 AUGUST

Weston Park’s Summer Fiesta returns for a third year over the bank holiday weekend.

The two-day event family-friendly event, taking place on Sunday 27 & Monday 28 August, 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.

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FARMARAMA | NATIONAL FOREST ADVENTURE FARM, BURTON-ON-TRENT | UNTIL MONDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

This summer, National Forest Adventure Farm is hosting the ultimate beach party with gigantic paddling pools and a huge sand area.

Each day there will be fun seaside shows, super sand art, the huge maize maze and last but not least - a foam party. 

Plus visitors will have access to the rest of the farm including the indoor soft play, the outdoor adventure zones, the animal barn and paddocks as well as tractor & barrel rides.