We round up August’s events with everything from art and theatre to festivals and beyond
Day time
Taunton Flower Show (5 & 6 August)
The heart of this annual event is the beautiful floral marquee with its professional displays. Taking place in the town’s Britain in Bloom five star gold award-winning Vivary Park, Taunton Flower Show features stunning show gardens, fantastic live music in the Festival Field, and some of the finest food in the South West.
Tickets: tauntonfs.co.uk
Summer fun (August)
Families can enjoy an array of activities at the Bath & North East Somerset Council-run Roman Baths (romanbaths.co.uk), Fashion Museum (fashionmuseum.co.uk) and Victoria Art Gallery. Fun includes exploring the gems found in the hot spring, making a two-tone 1960s fashion design and making your own 3D creation.
All activities are either free or included in the admission price.
Rescue Run (7 August)
Walk, jog or skip the 3.5km from the jetty to the lighthouse for Burnham-on-Sea RNLI and BARB Search and Rescue’s Rescue Rainbow Run, 1-4pm.
Entry forms from: events-2016@outlook.com
If Walls Could Talk (9 August)
Uncover the tales of Ston Easton Park’s past with a history tour from the resident historian, followed by afternoon tea in a private dining room.
Tour begins at 2.30pm.Tickets: £27.50 stoneaston.co.uk
Evening
Footloose: the Musical (1-6 August)
The smash hit musical, which bursts back onto The Bristol Hippodrome stage, stars Gareth Gates and Maureen Nolan. The show is based on the 1984 screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon.
Tickets from £18.90 footloose-musical.com
Abbey Extravaganza (6 August)
Celtic legend Van Morrison will headline the 20th anniversary Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza. Speaking from his home in Ireland, the singer says: “I’ve always found Glastonbury Abbey to have a special spiritual resonance for me and look forward to coming back this summer.” Jamie Cullum will be a special guest at the extravaganza.
Tickets: £35 (£40 on the night) adult; £20 (£25 on night) child. glastonburyabbey.com
Simon and Garfunkel Story (13 August)
As part of its world-wide tour, The Simon and Garfunkel Story comes to The McMillan Theatre Bridgwater, 7.30pm. Featuring iconic numbers like Mrs Robinson and Scarborough Fair.
Tickets: £18 bridgwateros.co.uk
Fantastic Folk (19 August)
Enjoy three great folk acts at Ilminster Arts Centre in the latest instalment of the regular ‘flying folk’ sessions, 8pm.
Tickets: £10
Eugene Onegin (20 August)
Opera up close and personal. Take a picnic and enjoy one of the world’s greatest love stories set to Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music on the big screen from Garsington Opera. Showing in Apex Park, Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea at 6pm.
Free entry operaforall.org
Somerset Rocks! (26-28 August)
Status Quo sold out early so don’t miss out on the rest of the outstanding line-up at this three-evening event in Taunton’s Vivary Park. Raising funds for St Margaret’s Hospice, Somerset Rocks also features Will Young (27 August) and Jools Holland with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra (28 August).
Tickets: St Margaret’s Hospice shops in Somerset. 0844 888 9991, ticketline.co.uk, somersetrocks.co.uk
BBQs, cocktails or cake? (August)
Hold a summer party for St Peter’s Hospice and help raise funds for community nurse specialists. Bristol’s only adult hospice cares for more than 2,000 patients each year.
To register a summer party visit: stpetershospice.org.uk
Festivals
Redfest (6 August)
Dance is centre stage at Bristol’s biggest free community festival. Taking place in St George’s Park, the event has four music stages, with headliners RSVP Bhangra.
Walking Festival (27-29 August)
This year’s free Mendip Ramblers’ walking festival is based in the village of Cheddar and there are walks of various distances from which to choose. Mendip Ramblers are working in collaboration with Cheddar Walking and walks start from the scout hut at Cheddar First School.
Art
Marking Time (21 July-7 August)
The geologist’s view of the West Somerset coast is the focus of an exhibition at Contains Art on East Quay, Watchet. A group of artists explore the dramatic layers and rich textures of the cliffs and beaches.
Annual open (6-21 August)
The venue for the 108th Clifton Arts Club annual showcase of painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and digital art is The Undercroft in Victoria Methodist Church, Bristol. Enter free to see original and affordable art daily 11am-6.30pm (closes 12.30pm on 21 August).
Theatre
Outdoor theatre (12 & 27 August)
Join Boxtree Productions for a whirlwind tour Around the World in 80 Days at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, on 12 August, 5.30pm.
Tickets: £16.50; child £10.
On 27 August The Pantaloons bring The Canterbury Tales to the Palace. Tickets: £14; child £10 bishopspalace.org.uk
Classic adaptations (24 & 25 August)
Avon Valley Railway is the setting for an open-air family show The Railway Children, brought to life by Chapterhouse Theatre Company.
The company brings Sense and Sensibility to Dunster Castle and Gardens on 20 August.
Ticket details: chapterhouse.org
Booking Ahead
April 2017
Pop Icon and multi-million selling artist Rick Astley will be on a 17 date tour next year and venues include Bristol Colston Hall (10 April) and Bath Pavilion (14 April).
