A whale of a time
National Whale and Dolphin Awareness week beings on Saturday. Splash out in one of the organised swimathons around the country or organise your own event to raise money for these endangered cetaceans. To find out about the organised events or to get a sponsorship form call 01225 334511.
Back to the future
The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester is home until 28 August to FutureWorld, the BBC exhibition which lets you see some of the technology that makes programmes such as Walking with Dinosaurs possible. The museum is also hosting special events throughout the summer holidays, as well as hands-on exhibitions reflecting the region's heritage. Call 0161 832 1830 for a programme of events. Adults £5, concessions £3, under-18s free.
Kite fever
The skies above Bournemouth will be awash with colour today for the seventeenth annual Kite Festival at Hengistbury Head. Join in from 10.30am or just watch. Stalls will be selling every kind of kite and workshops will help novices fly for the first time. Bring Teddy and he could win you a certificate in the freefall parachute jump. Entrance is free. Call 0906 802 0234 (calls 50p a minute standard rate).
Citrus sprint
Before embarking on his 'Famous Voyage', rumour has it that a young Francis Drake fell in High Street, Totnes, Devon, while carrying a basket of oranges. This fruity fall is remembered on Tuesday at the Orange Races in the town centre. There are races for all ages and the winners will get cups and prizes. The disabled have their own event. Admission free. Call 01803 863714
Garlic galore
Count Dracula will be staying away from the Isle of Wight today as the Garlic Festival takes place at Newchurch, near Sandown. There will be a children's fun zone, spectacular arena events, a funfair and oodles of garlic both in a huge variety of dishes and as part of a display of locally grown produce. Open 10am-6pm, admission free. Call 01983 856411.
Snap happy
One of the pioneers of photography, William Henry Fox Talbot makes a posthumous appearance at the V&A museum from Tuesday until Friday. An actor will demonstrate some of his early experiments before focusing on solar photography, which visitors can try for themselves. There are two sessions, at noon and 3pm, which last two hours. Meet in the Pirelli Gardens (Sculpture and Architecture Gallery if bad weather). Adults £5, OAPs £3, under 18s and concessions free. Call 020 7942 2000.
Carnival time
Next Sunday is Kids' Day at the thirty-sixth annual Notting Hill Carnival. 'Every spectator is a participant' is the motto of the UK's largest multicultural festival so get dressed up and join in. The event starts at around midday and the musicians, food and sound systems finish about 7pm.
Get in a spin
Learn how fleece becomes fabric at one of the Woolly Workshops held by the Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry in Llandysul, Ceredigion. The workshops run from Tuesday until Thursday and visitors will learn about about carding, spinning and weaving. 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Adults £2.60, concessions £1.60, under 18s/OAPs/unemployed free. Call 01559 370929.
Fair games
Ireland's oldest traditional market, the Oul' Lammas Fair, celebrates its 400th anniversary this year. The market takes place in picturesque Ballycastle on the Antrim coast on 28-29 August with Nickelodean paying a visit on the Tuesday on their Red Hot Lobster Tour. Both days will feature games, fairground rides and livestock trading. Call 08701 555250.
Hot-rodding
For hot-rod enthusiasts, 'See you at the Nats' is an invitation to Europe's largest gathering of custom cars. The International Custom Car Show is held at the Essex County Showground, Great Leighs from Friday until 28 August and will feature a procession through Braintree. Open 9am-5.30pm. Call 07808 427305.
