SOUTH

Go crabbing, Suffolk: winding towards Walberswick’s picture-perfect harbour, Dunwich River — which was the venue for last week’s annual British Open Crabbing Championship — is crabbing heaven. Lines sold locally; bring a bucket and bacon. Visit walberswick.ws.

Get partying, London: it’s the London Mela today (londonmela.org), with Gunnersbury Park exploding in spices and saris, bhangra and bhajis, from 1pm to 8.30pm. There’s more free music and merriment on August 30 and 31 at the Notting Hill Carnival (thenottinghillcarnival.com).

Hunt for fossils, Kent: coastal “rock doc” walks in search of flints and fossils are among the many free activities organised and guided by Thanet Coast Project this August, with storytelling walks and seashore safaris also on offer; 01843 577672, thanetcoast.org.uk.

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Follow an art trail, West Sussex: the free Arundel Gallery Trail (August 22-31) winds through streets, castle grounds, private homes, galleries and gardens, exhibiting paintings, sculpture and photography by more than 150 artists. Visit arundelgallerytrail.co.uk.

Fly a kite, Hampshire: Portsmouth International Kite Festival (August 29-31) takes off on Southsea Common, with aerobatic displays, kite workshops for young and old and kites from around the world, shaped as seals, jesters and giant fish. Visit portsmouthkitefestival.org.uk.

Witness a world record, Dorset: not content with Red Arrows fly-bys, street entertainers, stalls and music, Bournemouth’s free four-day Air Festival (August 20-23, bournemouthair.co.uk) kicks off with a world-record attempt: 110,000 fireworks in less than 60 seconds.

See Banksy, Bristol: a burnt-out ice-cream van has replaced the inquiries desk at Bristol’s City Museum & Art Gallery (0117 922 3571, bristol.gov.uk/museums), one of 100 works in Banksy’s “takeover”, now with two weeks to run; 10am-5pm daily, until 8pm Wednesdays.

Go wild camping, Devon: the only place in England where wild camping is legal, Dartmoor is a fabulously remote and windswept place to get away from it all. Visit www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk.

MIDLANDS

Watch river football, Gloucestershire: the annual River Match in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water kicks off at 4pm on August 31 (fête from 11am). Two teams from Bourton-on-the-Water FC battle it out on — or rather in — the Windrush.

Go pond-dipping, Birmingham: pond-skaters and water boatmen, nets and wellies — what child could resist? Cannon Hill Park has free pond-dipping at 11am today, meeting at the play area by Midlands Art Centre. Ages 5 and up; adults must accompany.

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