Learn the wonderful art of kite flying – just as children in ancient times would have done. From April 29 until May 1, you’ll be able to make your own kite and receive expert advice and top tips before launching your kite to fly over the vast grounds of Bolsover Castle. Adults £11.80; children £7.10. [Photo: English Heritage]

Looking for interior design inspo? Look no further. Design guru Kevin McCloud will host Grand Designs Live when it kicks off at the London ExCel Centre this weekend (April 29 – May 7). It promises to be a great day out with hundreds of ground-breaking ideas for the home and the chance to speak to specialist suppliers from over 500 exhibitors. Tickets from £12. [Photo: Grand Designs Live]

Sherlock fans, look no further. St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel has a special afternoon tea themed around everyone’s favourite detective. Delicacies include a macaroon infused with 25-year-old Scotch, and a ‘Watson’s Moustache’ stout cupcake. £35 per person. [Photo: St James’ Court]

If you’re based in Leeds, the big event of the bank holiday is Live at Leeds. Over 100 bands are set to play across 14 venues on April 29, from O2 Academy to the Brudenell. The lineup includes Slaves, White Lies, DMAs, The Pigeon Detectives, Nothing But Thieves, Wild Beasts and Rag’n’Bone Man. From £32.50. [Photo: Facebook/Live At Leeds]

Fancy a spot of free magic? Then head to Cheshire’s award-winning Lion Salt Works Museum for Magic at the Museum this May Bank Holiday weekend. The event is free and will feature magical-themed crafts, storytelling and a potions and spells table. [Photo: West Cheshire Museums]

Budding gardeners won’t want to miss a weekend of Royal Horticultural Society inspired stalls, talks and activities, encouraging everyone to get involved in gardening – whether you own a window box or a garden. The event – held in Flat Iron Square – will feature celebrity gardeners offering advice, as well as delicious street food. And the best bit? It’s completely free. [Photo: RHS]

A new bluebell wood has opened in The National Forest near Burton Upon Trent – and what better time to see the buds in bloom than May Day? Husband and wife owners Dave and Charlotte are aiming for a mini-festival feel at Lodge Hill Bluebells – there’ll be tea and cake in a tent, lawn games, den building and woodland activities to try. [Photo: Lodge Hill Bluebells]

April 30 marks International Jazz Day – so why not celebrate with an afternoon tea themed to all things musical? Sheraton Grand London Park Lane are launching a Jazz Afternoon Tea featuring delights such as a chocolate tart topped with a musical note and an edible saxophone. All is served to the sound of live music inspired by the golden era of jazz. From £39. [Photo: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane]

Vintage lovers should make for the Moorland Garden Hotel in Dartmoor for the May Day Bank Holiday. The spring fete will feature games, vintage clothes, tea room (serving award-winning Devonshire Cream Tea), a jazz band, stalls, BBQ and hog roast. The event takes place from 10.30am until 4pm on May 1. Entry costs £2. [Photo: Moorland Garden Hotel]

With its pebble beaches, fish’n’chips and quirky shopping lanes, Brighton makes for a great day trip, particularly when the sun’s shining. Take your trip to new heights this Bank Holiday by boarding the British Airways i360, which offers super views across Brighton, the South Downs National Park and the beautiful Sussex coast. At 162-metres tall, it’s the world’s tallest moving observation tower. [Photo: British Airways i360]

Anyone with a sense of adventure should give the Super SUP a go. The activity has just been launched by Newquay Activity Centre on Cornwall’s north coast. It sees up to six of you balance on the same board, standing or kneeling as you paddle along the coast – with plenty of splashes guaranteed. From £59. [Photo: Newquay Activity Centre]

Ever wondered what life is like below stairs? Now you can find out at a new exhibition at Holkham Hall called What The Butler Saw. Visitors will be able to discover how this vast house was kept running like clockwork and learn what it takes to lay a table for a stately dinner party and what food guests of the Earl of Leicester would have been served 100 years ago. Children will be able to dress up and you can also explore some of the home’s hidden passages. Exhibition is included in standard admission (adult £15.00, children £7.50). [Photo: Holkham Hall]

Space fans should head to the Cosmos Planetarium in Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth to learn about British astronaut Tim Peake’s Principia mission to the International Space Station. A state of the art, fully digital 360° dome is educational and fun, and sees visitors ‘fly’ up on a rocket to dock with the station, then learn how Tim and his fellow astronauts live and work in space. Tickets to the film are free with entry to Dynamic Earth (adults from £13.50, children from £8.55). [Photo: Dynamic Earth]

A celebration of all things crab, the Salcombe Crabfest is back for its second year following the success of the 2016 edition. The festival – which is taking place on April 30 – will feature cookery demonstrations, exhibitors and family entertainment, plus celebrity guest BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt. [Photo: Salcombe Crabfest]

The ancient tradition of May Day dates back to pre-Christian times – and you can find out more about the history of this celebration by stepping back to Tudor era England from April 29 until May 1. The themed celebrations in Kentwell, Suffolk, come complete with maypoles, May Queens, Morris Dancing and Jack O’Green. Adults from £15.08; children from £11.48. [Photo: Kentwell]

Certainly one for horse lovers. Kids will love going back in time to meet Charles II for a horse race with a difference. You’ll see Georgian hounds and watch the military skills from the King’s Lifeguards as well as dressage displays. Adults £19.70; children £12.10. [Photo: English Heritage]

Channel your inner cowboy and head to Groombridge Place near Tunbridge Wells, where they are putting on a Wild West Adventure filled with cowboy crafts, fireside songs and storytelling. A great family option, you’ll also have access to the Enchanted Forest and can explore Crusoe’s World with its large wooden ship complete with rope bridges. From 10 and 5.30pm, April 29 until May 1. [Photo: Visit England]

Could there be a better backdrop for a jousting match than beautiful Blenheim Palace? From April 29 until May 1, you’ll be able to catch mighty jousting tournaments on the South Lawn, featuring the ‘Knights of Royal England’. The tournaments will be staged twice daily, while other activities include falconry displays, archery and a Jester workshop. Park & Gardens ticket required (adult £15.30; children £7.10). [Photo: Blenheim Palace]

Staffordshire residents are preparing themselves for their annual celebration of the county’s greatness on May 1. There will be a number of events and competitions on the go, including a world record attempt for continuous trampoline bouncing at Flip Out indoor trampoline park. Visitors to Alton Towers will also get 50% off admission prices – if they take a toy duck, or a drawing of a duck, along and say ‘Ay up duck’ at the entrance. [Photo: Visit Britain]

Forget horses – this Grand National is all about the sheep. The fluffy things will be racing with teddy bear ‘jockeys’ on their backs at Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom in Shropshire. After the race, be sure to pay a visit to the animals, including parrots, raccoons, otters and meerkats. Admission is from £7.50 for a child and £40.00 for a family of five. [Photo: Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom]

Heading to Cornwall this bank holiday? Then you should definitely pay a visit to the Eden Project, where a newly-opened walkway will give you a thrill. The Weather Maker is the latest phase of the Rainforest Canopy Walkway and enables everyone to explore the world’s largest indoor rainforest from the treetops. Cross the wobbly rope bridge or shelter in the shack from a tropical rainstorm. Adult tickets from £25, children from £14. [Photo: Eden Project]

Magician Luke Jugglestruck will be wowing crowds in the National Botanic Garden of Wales from April 29 until May 1. His magic show, circus skills and games are sure to impress both young and old audience members. Other activities include a guided woodland walk and water zorbing. Entry from £9.55 for adults and from £4.50 for children. [Photo: National Botanic Garden of Wales]

How about cruising along the Thames glimpsing London’s landmarks while tucking into a two-course lunch? City Cruises offer a Lunch Cruise that will see you sail past the famous sites as you enjoy a menu that includes chicken in a creamy sauce and a decadent three chocolate truffle cake. Cruise departs from Tower Pier on April 29 and 30 at 11.45am. From £32 for adults, £22 for children. [Photo City Cruises]

The three-day weekend means you have longer than usual to get yourself to the gorgeous south coast of Wales. If you want to really feel alive, try your hand at surfing. Porthcawl may be less known that Welsh surf spots Gower and Pembrokeshire, but it offers some of the best waves for beginners and experienced surfers. Porthcawl Surf School offer lessons from £30, including wetsuit hire. [Photo: Porthcawl Surf School]

There will be a galaxy of Star Wars-themed activities at Legoland including a speed building competition, a scavenger hunt to find the Jedis across Miniland and the chance to help build a giant Yoda model. Come dressed as your favourite character and enter the costume competition. Tickets from £45. [Photo: Legoland]

Laura Mvula, Jamie Cullum and Will Young are just some of the acts that will be appearing at this festival dedicated to all things jazz, which comes to the Cotswold town for its 21st anniversary from April 26 until May 1. The festival is hosted in a tented festival village with a Big Top stage, Jazz Arena, and a Family Tent featuring workshops, performances and sing-alongs. [Photo: Flickr/Cyberex]

Tempted by nice nosh? Then head to the Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink, where the lineup of chefs includes Tom Kerridge. He will join festival co-founder Michael Caines MBE in the cookery theatre on the Sunday – so you’ll be able to see first-hand how he makes his culinary creations. From April 29 – May 1. [Photo: Facebook/Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink]

Held in Notting Hill from April 30 until May 1, Portobello Live is a festival dedicated to music, cabaret, spoken word and performance art. It’s where the best in new music and performance meets rock royalty and the finest record-spinners. The result? A community jamboree like no other in London. [Photo: Flickr/juan carlos peaguda]

Sitting on a bend of the River Avon, Warwick Castle is bursting with family activities this bank holiday weekend. Kids can download the free 3D interactive reality Kingmaker DigiTrail app, which lets them collect animated historical objects as they explore The Kingmaker attraction, learning all about medieval battles. Don’t miss the Horrible Histories Maze and meet Albert and Victoria, two Fish Eagle chicks taking part in the Flight Of The Eagles display twice each day. From £18.40. [Photo: Warwick Castle]

From April 28 until May 7, the Dorchester Festival will be underway in this quaint village. Enjoy its eclectic mix of music, art and family events, including a Bond Night, dog show and duck race. Events are individually ticketed and raise money for charity. [Photo: Flickr/Antony ***]