There’s plenty of events taking place this upcoming May, which you’ll get to enjoy as the weather takes another turn for the better!
Wheels day kicked off our most recent Bank Holiday weekend and many of us were able to enjoy the number of classic vehicles which attended the event.
Here’s a run-down of the fun stuff happening this May, leading us into the Summer. There’s plenty going on, VW related and there’s even a few things to involve yourself in from our 100 things to do under £100 project.
What’s coming up?
As we move into May, there’s a few events which are taking place across the May Bank Holiday, in a couple week’s time! Here’s a few events to get you inspired for things to do this upcoming long weekend:
Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, 30 April – 1 May (Dorset, England)
Lyme Regis is one of the most popular Fossil Hunting locations in the UK. The area has vast amounts of soft Limestone, which is great for the preservation of fossils and not so hard to chisel! The location is still home to many undiscovered fossils, so why not head down and get the kids involved in some fun sciencey stuff.
Spark their imagination and inspire their sense of achievement; finding fossils is incredibly fun. The event is free to attend and there will be a few other things going on throughout the day, which may cost a couple of pounds.
If you’re thinking about camping in the area for your Bank Holiday, there’s a couple of campsites only 2 miles away from Lyme Regis! You have the choice between Penn Farm Campsite and Chippers Field to park your camper or motorhome. They also have space for those who would like to camp in a tent.
Click here to find out more about the event.
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green Festival 29 April – 2 May (Hastings, England)
It’s fun to travel to somewhere new and immerse yourself in the culture of the area. Well, you don’t have to travel by plane to do that, there’s a wealth of culture on our doorsteps.
Visit Hastings for an unusual celebration; a traditional figure from English folklore srives in the centre of Hastings and locals and tourists come to celebrate. The arrival of Jack in the Green is tied to the start of summer and is enjoyed every year in Hastings and neighbouring towns.
Bluebell Coppice Park camp site is just around the corner with power available at only £25 per night. Why not make a little getaway of it?
The event is free to take part in as a spectator, click here to find out more!
Stanford Hall VW Show - 1 May (Leicestershire, England)
The Stanford Hall event is one that has been attended year after year by many, sometimes considered the years premier classic Volkswagen show, but still retains a very family-friendly atmosphere. Show passes from previous years are still valid as a result of the Coronavirus, but the show remains ‘pay on the day’ for those not showing vehicles. Tickets are £12.00 per adults/ 15’s and over. Those under 15 get in for free.
The first event was held in 1976, and the emphasis has always been toward putting on a great display of classic and unmodified VW’s of all types. The event takes place around the lake on the grounds of a 17thCentury Country House in rural Leicestershire.
Stanford Hall has a caravan park on site, which makes for a perfect way to spend the bank holiday. There are no tent pitches available at this campsite, so any others travelling with you must have access to a camper or motorhome.
If you’d like to find out more about the event then please click over here.
Jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace 30 April – 2 May (Oxfordshire, England)
The historic Blenheim Palace is hosting a unforgettable event – a jousting tournament!
Yes you heard correctly, arguably one of the most exciting and unique events taking place this May, you’ll want to take a trip to Oxfordshire to watch the fun. Whether you’re a fan of British history, extreme sports, or just ‘A Knights Tale’, you’ll have an exciting and unique time watching.
Just round the corner from Blenheim Palace is a campsite named Greenhill Leisure Park. The location comes with pitches available for most camping types, including those for tents and campervans. The site is a peaceful one, with a beautiful landscape and is even located on a farm, so you can enjoy all that the countryside has to offer. The site is ust a 20-minute drive away from the Oxford city centre, so this makes for a perfect family-fun location for May Bank Holiday!
Get involved here, tickets are available from £19.50.
Victorian Extravaganza Festival 30 April – 2 May (Llandudno, Wales)
This incredible event is a popular one in Wales, hosted in the town of Llandudno on the same weekend as their transport festival. Take a trip backwards in time and learn all about the history of Wales. Soak up the atmosphere and get involved!
If you’d like to enjoy some of what the Transport Festival has to offer, simply take a trip next door!
The event is free to attend with plenty there to keep you busy! If you’d like to find out more, please click here.
Llandudno Transport Festival 30 April – 2 May (Llandudno, Wales)
If you’re local to Wales, or enjoy travelling there, why not spend your May Bank Holiday on a little trip to Llandudno. The Transport festival covers everything from bikes to tractors and even steam engines!
There’s lots going on, it’s the perfect event for keeping both young and old minds occupied.
Plus, if you’re curious, you can take a trip next door and enjoy the Victoria Extravaganza festival.
If you’re interested, please take a look here.
Thinking of spending a day in Llandudno? Why not spend the whole long weekend there! With a campsite under 2 miles from the centre, there’s no reason not to enjoy the sites and go exploring. Take a look at the Camp Llandudno site to book your tent pitch. If you require a pitch for your Camper or Motorhome, then you’ll want to research Penrhiw Uchaf Caravan Site!
Traditional May Day activities - 2 May (Around UK)
May Day has long been celebrated all around the UK, with a dazzling variety of festivals and activities. Parties and celebrations will be taking place all over Great Britain.
Why not have a look at how your local area will be celebrating May day, and if they’re not, make a trip out of it in the camper!
Padstow Obby Oss Festival - 2 May (Cornwall, England)
This May Day, locals will be spending the night decorating their town with flags and greenery, complete with a maypole and the following two “Osses”, one red and one blue. They emerge from their tables and swirl and dance through the streets taunted by a “Teazer” which leads the dance with theatrical movements.
The event is free to attend and a fun one to experience something a bit different. Bring your family, bring your friends and travel down to enjoy the festival and the nearby beach!
If you’re thinking of camping in the area, there’s a beautiful site just one mile away from Padstow, named Tregella Place Camping. Perfect and idyllic for those who’d like a quiet area for a peaceful stay on your Bank Holiday weekend. Pitches available for tents, campers and motorhomes!
Click here to find out more.
Later on this May…
That’s everything to keep you entertained this upcoming May Day Bank Holiday. Here’s what the rest of the month has to offer:
Derbyshire Dubs VW Festival 5 – 8 May (Derbyshire, England)
The best VW show in Derbyshire! Bring your friends and family to the biggest festival for VW’s in Wardlow. Joinf for live music, kids entertainment, trade stalls and much much more. Not to mention the most important thing, lots of stunning VW’s!
Camping is available on site for those who want to stay for all days and there are many facilities on site. Tickets are available in advance online, starting at £10 for a Saturday day pass and £5 for a Sunday day pass. (Under 14’s go free!)
For more information on the event, please click here.
RHS Malvern Spring Festival 5 – 8 May (Malvern, England)
The Royal Horticultural’s Society spring festival in Malvern is an exciting opportunity for avid gardeners to learn more about their passion and immerse themselves in the display of show gardens.
There will also be talks from experts of their field, so that you can get the most from the event. There are tickets available which are from £38.85 per person, and kids get in for free!
For more information, please click here.
Vanwest 6 – 8 May (Taunton, England)
VanWest is Tauntons classic Volkswagen holiday!
Taking place at its new home, Taunton Racecourse over the weekend of the 6th and 8th of May. An action packed weekend has been planned, with extra camping to extend your holiday before and after the show, if you’d like to make the absolute most of it!
There will be all sorts from trade stands and live music to keep you occupied. The famous Show and Shine returns on Sunday and there will be a few people walking away with awards!
Tickets are still not available on their website, but if you’d like to find out more or get in touch with the event curators then please click here.
VW Breakout 20 – 22 May (Kettering, England)
VW breakout is a three-day relaxed weekend VW festival. With all the elements of the shows that we all know and love, right next to the quarter mile track!
The show entertainment features Doorslammer Drag Racing, Show and Shine, Traders, Fun Fair and even a Bar!
Enjoy the weekend with your family and friends. Tickets from £25 for adults and just £5 for kids. To buy tickets online or visit their website, please click here.
Dubs in the Middle 26 – 30 May (Worcestershire, England)
Make the Dub, part of your family! Gear up for family fun, games and entertainment!
The family-friendly show has plenty to offer, games, competitions, live music, vehicle displays and so much more…
To purchase your tickets and find out more, please click over here!
Kids Rule Emperor 28 May (Hexham, England)
Part of English Hertiage’s celebration of the 1900th anniversary of Hadrians Wall, Kids Rule Emperor is a chance for children to engage with a pivotal part of our country’s history!
In addition, they get to enjoy galivanting about in the lush English countryside. For a fun-filled day out and education for both yourself and the young ones, travel to Hexham. The camper deserves a trip to somewhere different, and with tons of local campsites around the area, it makes for a great change of pace from the usual camping weekends.
Click here to find out more!
Craft Fair and fun Dog Show 29 May (Southampton, England)
Bring the family, bring the dogs, and even bring the yarn if you’d like! Head over to the Brickworks Museum in Southampton for their annual Craft Fair and Dog Show.
The museum will be open and in full steam. Complete with two children’s play areas, there’s plenty to immerse the kids in while you have fun as well! Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children.
Click here for more information on the event.
Coopers Hill Cheese Rolling 30 May (Gloucester, England)
The cornerstone of some of the UK’s strangest traditions; travel to Gloucester to enjoy the Coopers Hill cheese rolling chase!
Dozens of people will launch themselves down a hill aside a wheel of cheese. It’s exactly as ridiculous as it sounds, but traditions are traditions and this one’s a fun one! Don’t knock it till you try it.
It’s free to turn up and watch, if you’re interested in taking part then you can sign up for next year’s race at the event. For even more information, please click here!
Dog Fest, from May until September (Across UK)
A series of six regional events will be taking place this summer around the UK.
Try your paw at a variety of activities as part of this years Dog Festivals. Enter your pup for a chance to win ‘Best in Show’, or simply raise some money for the Dogs Trust as you admire your surroundings on the Big Dog Walk.
Events are taking place from May until September 2022, if you’d like to find out mor about these events them please click here.
Scottish Highland Games, from May until September (Across Scotland)
The highland Games are among the most popular games in Scottish culture and they entice many locals and tourists to watch the games.
If you’re thinking about a short trip to Scotland in the camper, then this is a great opportunity to catch some local sports while supporting the smaller games. There are lots of different sports taking place and you’re bound to catch one of the games somewhere on your travels!
Enjoy a fun-filled and exciting family day out. If you’d like to find out more then please click here; different events will have different tickets prices for attendance.
So that’s May!
There’s evidently lots going on and plenty of opportunities to make the most of your weekends on the lead up to June. Hopefully you saw something that inspired you to take a short break in the camper! Cheese rolling anyone?
If you’ve still got some maintenance jobs left to do on your camper or beetle, there’s plenty of VW shows this May, that will give you a goal to work towards!
Our website is being updated regularly with new products, much like the recent addition of our new TentBox range! Keep an eye out on our website for more interesting products that will make your camping experiences, just that little bit more fun.