First impressions
A major exhibition taking a look at the techniques behind impression, including paintings by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and more.
Nov 1-Jan 28 2001. Daily 10am-6pm, Wed until 9pm. £7/£5. The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London (020-7747 2885).
Welsh wizardry
Showcase Wales features work by artists from the principality, from 1900 to the present day; take your cheque book as many exhibits are for sale.
Free.10am-2pm except Sun. The Museum of Modern Art, Heol Penrallt, Machynlleth, Powys (01654 703355).
Ghostly goings-on
Discover the spooky stories behind the 12th-century Augustinian abbey; try and catch a glance of the lavatory-emptying monk and his barrow load of ghostly waste.
Nov 28, 29. 11am-noon and 2.30pm-3.30pm. £1.95/£1. Haughmond Abbey, Upton Magna, Uffington, Shropshire (01743 709 661).
Bed time
National Trust conservationists at the 19th-century property, Standen will be demonstrating how the priceless collection of rugs, furniture and William Morris wallpaper is cleaned and restored before the house is put to bed for the winter.
Nov 1-5. 2pm-5pm. £5. Standen, East Grinstead, West Sussex (01342 323 029).
Season's greeting
Watch the burning of a 24ft wicker effigy to banish the darkness and welcome the beginning of winter in a day of Celtic celebrations, including mask making, drumming and a feast of the dead.
October 29.10am-5pm. £5/£3/£14.50. Archaeolink, Prehistory Park, Oyne, Insch, Aberdeenshire (01464 851 500).
That's treason
Last chance to visit Chastleton House this year, the Jacobean house where Robert Catesby hatched the infamous Gunpowder Plot in 1605.
Oct 28. Access by timed ticket - call 01494 755572. £5.10/£2.55/£12.75. Chastleton House, Chastleton, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.
That's the spirit
Lady Suffolk and other costumed characters make a ghostly appearance this weekend to entertain visitors with spooky tales about nutcrack night, as Halloween was once known.
Oct 28-29, noon-3pm. £4/£2. Marble Hill House, Richmond Road, Twickenham, Middlesex (020- 8892 5115).
Light fantastic
An evening of drama, music, fireworks and food celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of light.
Nov 3.6pm-1am. £2.50. Queen Elizabeth Hall, West Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester (0161-911 4072).
