Make The Most Of The May Bank Holidays With A Fun Day Out

After a late Easter, we can soon look forward to two more Bank Holiday weekends, on the 5 May and the 26 May. The latter date also includes the school half term holidays, so if you have kids (or want to avoid them…) then this is the time to start making some plans. Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of the May Bank Holidays.

If you are travelling in a group, then coach hire makes perfect sense: it’s often more affordable and definitely more reliable than public transport, and it allows you to relax and enjoy the spring scenery without the stress of navigating busy traffic and finding somewhere to park. 

Richmond MayFest, (3-5 May)

Richmond Mayfest is a series of events that centres around the town and the castle over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. It’s a vibrant community festival packed with music, dancing, storytelling, crafts, parades, comedy, and much more. There is a packed schedule with plenty to choose from, and it promises to be a fun day for all the family. 

The Big Eat Festival (24-26 May), Southampton 

The popular Big Eat Festival returns to the Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley near Southampton over the late May bank holiday weekend. It’s free to attend and any profits will be donated to local food banks.

As well as showcasing the best of local food and talent, there will also be live music and entertainment with a family focus, including a silent disco, a petting zoo, and a dog show. A panel of expert judges will award the Hampshire Street Food prizes for categories such as Best Burger, Best Pizza, Best Vegan and more. It all sounds very appetising. 

The Royal Victoria Country Park is set in over acres of grounds, and is also the site of a former Victorian military hospital. Nearby Southampton is home to the Mayflower Theatre, which is one of the largest in the country and regularly hosts touring West End musicals, ballets and operas, plus much more. It’s the perfect place to round off a long weekend.

Eastbourne Carnival, (24-25 May)

Eastbourne is a popular traditional seaside resort, famed for its long pier, Royal Hippodrome Theatre and open air 1930s bandstand. It’s easily accessible from London and other towns in southern England, and is host to the south east’s biggest Seafront Carnival. The theme this year is ‘celebrations of the world,’ and anyone can apply to take part.

Creative workshops are being organised to help participants prepare the best costumes, performances and props for the parade. Last year, over 1,500 took part in the parade from Western Lawns to Princes Park, and there were 25,000 spectators, as well as an array of live bands, entertainers and food and drink stalls. 

Eastbourne is also home to many theatres and entertainment centres, as well as the Bandstand, which hosts concerts, tribute bands and special events throughout the year. It’s also close to the beautiful Sussex Downs, with 100s of miles of chalk ridge and coastal paths to explore, so it’s well worth making a long weekend of it. 

Love Saves The Day Festival, Bristol, (24-25 May)

The late May Bank Holiday marks the beginning of the music festival season in earnest, and if you are near Bristol then check out the Love Saves the Day festival at Ashton Court. It features exciting new R&B, dance and electronic acts and DJs to create the perfect bank holiday atmosphere. 

The same weekend in Bristol also sees the return of the popular Dot To Dot festival, which brings a host of the best new emerging artists to venues around the city. Over 30 acts have already been announced, including Fat Dog, Sprints, Kate Bollinger, and Laspsley. 

Bristol is a vibrant city with a range of clubs, restaurants and theatres to choose from for a memorable long weekend away from it all.