Charlotte Tomlinson-White has scoured the county to bring you the top events taking place this month
Butterfly day
Delight in a fun day of butterfly themed craft activities, games and tours at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. Enjoy guided walks along Centenary Border, looking at butterflies and the plants which attract these wonderful insects. There will also be butterfly themed craft activities and games designed for children throughout the day. Plus, for an additional charge, children can have their faces painted.
• When: August 5
• Where: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyns Lane, Romsey, SO51 0QA, 01794 369318, www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens
Dog Show
Gilbert White & The Oates Collections will host its first ever dog show this month. Set to get tails wagging, the show will include numerous classes, such as ‘obedience’, ‘fastest recall’ and ‘agility’ as well as fun categories like ‘beautiful bitch’, ‘Golden oldie’ and ‘fancy dress’. Other highlights include a ‘scurry’ and ‘steeple chase’ for gun dogs. With charity stalls to peruse, outside catering and a beer tent, it is not to be missed!
• When: August 21
• Where: Gilbert White & The Oates Collections, Gilbert White’s House, The Wakes, Selborne, Alton, GU34 3JH, 01420 511275, www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
Opera Gala
Visit Tylney Hall and experience the musical event of the summer as they present a spectacular evening of opera with Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore, performed by renowned operatic performers, Opera Piccolina. The black-tie event, set against the historic glamour of Tylney Hall, will begin with a champagne and canapé reception after which the performance will commence, followed by a four-course dinner in the award-winning Oak Room Restaurant. A real operatic treat!
• When: August 21
• Where: Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens, Ridge Lane, Rotherwick, Hook, RG27 9AZ, 01256 764881, www.tylneyhall.co.uk
Furry Theatre
Experience Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s smash-hit musical CATS with breathtaking choreography, an amazing musical score and spectacular set design.
• When: August 9-20
• Where: Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GE, 02380 711811, www.mayflower.org.uk
Open Air Films
Head to Winchester Cathedral’s Inner Close for the ultimate film experience. Enjoy classics Labyrinth (August 4), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (August 5) and Dirty Dancing (August 6).
• When: Dates above
• Where: Winchester Cathedral, 01962 857275
Garden Jazz
Hinton Ampner is offering two afternoons of jazz sounds to while away the summer weekends. On August 7, Pocket Orchestra take you back to the hot jazz of the 1920s and ‘30s. On August 20 join Harry Strutters’ jazz trio for some jazz classics.
• When: Dates above
• Where: Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, SO24 0LA, 01962 771305
The Pastel Society
Pastel is a medium which has long appealed to artists because it combines the immediacy of drawing with the painterly application of colour. The Pastel Society was created in 1898 with George Frederick Watts, George Clausen and William Holman Hunt among its founding members. Today the Society continues to flourish, presenting the best in contemporary pastel and combining traditional skills with creative originality. Witness the incredible technical ability of The Pastel Society across a diverse range of subjects, embracing both traditional and contemporary painting styles.
• When: Until September 10
• Where: St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington SO41 9BH, 01590 676969, www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk
Zany Zebras
As Marwell’s Zany Zebras stampedes into Southampton this summer, the zoo is going zebra crazy with fun activities for everyone to enjoy! Venture around the zoo and find all the Zebra miniatures with a new, fun interactive trail - collect cool zebra facts and go stripy with zany zebra face painting. Plus, on selected dates, embrace your crafty side and design your own miniature zany zebra. Also, discover how you can support Marwell’s community based conservation programmes in Northern Kenya around Grevy’s zebras.
• When: Until September 25
• Where: Marwell Zoo, Thompsons Lane, Winchester, SO21 1JH, 01962 777407, www.marwell.org.uk
The Umbrella Festival
Over 300 years ago, on the site of Portsmouth’s Groundlings Theatre, the man charged with popularising the Umbrella, Jonas Hanway, was born. The Umbrella Festival is being held in his honour with lots of activities for young and old. Enjoy live music, performances and art and craft stalls, celebrating the diverse culture of Portsmouth city.
• When: August 13
• Where: Groundlings Theatre, 42 Kent Street, Portsea, PO1 3BS, 02392 737370
Shakespeare on the Lawn
In the year that marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them for Shakespeare’s sparkling, battle-of-the-sexes comedy, Much Ado About Nothing at The Vyne. Performed in the open air by an all-male cast with Elizabethan costume, music and dance, enjoy well-intentioned plots and evil schemes in this lively, fast-paced, funny summer production. Don’t forget your chair and picnic!
• When: August 13
• Where: The Vyne, Sherborne St John, nr Basingstoke, RG24 9HL, 01256 883858, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/vyne
