Riding high

Kids can try riding a penny farthing - or at least a scaled-down replica - during a vintage bicycle exhibition at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. Elsewhere in the complex, a traditional kiln will be stoked up for a brick-firing demonstration.

Near Telford, Shropshire. Today, tomorrow and Monday. 10am - 5pm. £10 adults, £6 children/students, £9 over 60s, £30 families. 01952 432166.

Jump start

Simulated rides in a Sea Harrier and a Lynx helicopter are part of the new £16 million Action Stations, opening today at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Or use interactive technology to "pilot" a Type 23 frigate through a refuelling exercise at sea.

10am - 5.30pm. £6.50 adults, £4.80 children (5 - 16), £5.80 seniors. 023 9272 2562/www.historicdockyard.co.uk.

Civil action

Muskets will be fired by John Bright's Regiment of Foote as part of a recreation of life during the English Civil War.

Witley Court, Great Witley, Stourport, Worcestershire. Tomorrow and Monday. Noon - 5pm. £5 adults, £2.50, £3.80 concessions. 01299 896636.

Joust in time

Knights in chain mail charge each other on horseback in a jousting demonstration in Warwick Castle's tournament arena.

Today, tomorrow and Monday. 10am - 6pm. Jousting at 12.30pm and 2.45pm. £11.50 adults, £6.75 children, £30 families. 0870 4422000.

Old saw

Steam threshing and wood sawing will be demonstrated at Major Bridge Park in East Yorkshire. Also vintage tractors.

Selby Road, Holme upon Spalding Moor. Today, tomorrow and Monday. 10am - 5pm. £2 adults, 1 children, seniors. 01430 860992.

House of wax

See how Madame Tussaud's makes wax lookalikes at a series of Studio Secrets Workshops. Audience members will act as guinea pigs. Sculptors will create hand casts to take home.

Marylebone Road, London NW1. May 28 - 1 June. 11am, 1pm and 3pm (families are advised to book a timed ticket for entry at least one hour before the workshop they choose). Tickets booked in advance cost adults £14, under 16s £10.50, seniors £11.50, families £39. Admission at the door £2 less. 0870 4003000.

Mutual friends

Dickens characters take to the streets of Rochester from Friday to Sunday next week. The writer spent five of his childhood years in Medway from 1817 to 1822 and returned for the last 13 to Gad's Hill in nearby Higham in 1870. Grand parade with marching bands at noon on Saturday and another at 5pm. Plus street entertainment, music, talks.

Dickens Festival, Rochester, Kent. June 1 - 3. Mostly free. Full programme at www.medway.gov.uk