Charlotte Tomlinson-White has scoured the county to bring you the top events taking place this month

Inspired by nature

Like the three Musketeers, the original trio who comprised the Inspired By Nature Art Exhibition will be coming back together again for their latest adventure. Now in its’ eleventh year, witness atmospheric seascapes, landscapes and floral works in a variety of mediums including acrylics, watercolours and collages from Daphne Ellman, Ali Lindley and Carolyne Viney.

• When: Until May 2

• Where: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyns Lane, Romsey, SO51 0QA, 01794 369318, www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens

May Half Term

Taking inspiration from the wonderful drawings by famous 20th-century artists on show in their Schlee exhibition, the enterprising team at the National Trust property have designed a very imaginative half-term trail for younger visitors. Using the art materials provided by Mottisfont, kids can explore the grounds and complete all sorts of different drawing challenges, using various techniques to complete a weird and wonderful creature!

• When: May 28 – June 5

• Where: 10am – 5pm, Mottisfont, near Romsey, SO51 0LP, 01794 340757, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

Wing to Wing

Don’t miss this very special evening event at The Hawk Conservancy Trust to celebrate the relationship between aircraft and bird flight. During the fundraising event, marvel at iconic aircraft, such as a Tiger Moth and Auster, as well as the Conservancy’s beautiful birds as they soar across the meadow during two stunning displays. With commentary by Major George ‘Smokey’ Bacon MBE TD AAC (V).

• When: May 28, 7pm (doors open 6pm)

• Where: The Hawk Conservancy Trust, Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, SP11 8DY, 01264 773850, www.hawk-conservancy.org

Romeo & Juliet

Award winning company, Ballet Cymru, present an extraordinary adaptation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece complete with the glorious Prokofiev music.

• When: May 26 & 27, 7.30pm

• Where: New Theatre Royal, 20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2DD, 02392 649000

Sweet Smelling

Discover how to make your very own soaps and pomanders to take home, in a two hour Tudor Stillroom workshop at Hinton Ampner. All materials provided.

• When: May 14, 10.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3.30pm

• Where: Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, SO24 0LA, 01962 771305, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner

May Day Bake

Visit Winchester City Mill to see how seasonal ingredients can be combined with stoneground wholemeal flour to produce delicious bread, cakes and biscuits. Sample different recipes and be inspired!

• When: May 1, 11am-3pm

• Where: Winchester City Mill, Bridge Street, Winchester, SO23 9BH, 01962 870057

Anniversary Tour

2016 marks Riverdance’s 21st birthday and for the first time ever, the show will feature dancers who were actually born in the same year that it first opened; 1995 at the Point Theatre in Dublin! Back with a new generation of dancers the show, which has already delighted over 2.9 million people, continues to astound and amaze with an electrifying performance of Irish dance. With new lighting, new costumes and a new number to celebrate the anniversary, it is unmissable.

• When: May 10 – 12, 8pm Tuesday - Thursday, plus 2.30pm matinee Wednesday

• Where: Portsmouth Guildhall, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AB, 0844 847 2362, www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk

My Mountain Life

In 1985, on a remote mountain in Peru, mountaineer Simon Yates found himself slowly being pulled off the mountain face by his injured partner dangling on the rope far below. His decision to cut the rope saved both their lives in the epic of survival that followed. Witness Simon’s tireless journey from that mountain to some of the remotest on the planet. Told with wit, humour and lavishly illustrated with images and video collected on his great climbs, Simon both entertains and inspires.

• When: May 19, 7.45pm

• Where: The Lights, West Street, Andover, SP10 1AH, 01264 368368, www.thelights.org.uk

The Jungle Book

The award-winning Metta Theatre brings Kipling’s classic tale crashing into the 21st Century with breathtaking street dance and circus in this spectacular new production.Featuring stunning choreography and jaw-dropping tricks, this heart-warming story will astonish and amaze.

• When: May 31 – June 1

• Where: Theatre Royal Winchester, Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB, 01962 840440, theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Ripping Yarns

With a career spanning 50 years, Percy Westerman (1876-1959) was the author of over 170 adventure books for children. In the 1930s he was voted the most popular boys’ author in a Daily Sketch poll conducted through public libraries and his books are now sought after by collectors around the world. This exhibition looks at the Portsmouth-born man behind these tales of pluck and daring, and displays a collection of five decades of his books with their vivid cover art.

• When: Until 7 May

• Where: Westbury Manor Museum, West Street, Fareham, PO16 0JJ, 01329 822063, hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/westbury-manor-museum