Rough riders

Off-road driving for kids will be the star attraction of Children's Fun Week at Eastnor Castle, starting on Monday. They can negotiate a specially-designed course in mini-Land Rover 4x4s.

Near Ledbury, Herefordshire. August 13-17, 11am-5pm. £5 for adults and children 5-15; £3 for 2-4s; week passes £10/£6. 01531 633160, www.eastnorcastle.co.uk.

Edinburgh nights

From Mozart's operas to the Fringe, the annual Edinburgh Festival kicks off tomorrow. Theatre, dance, orchestras including the Boston Symphony and the Russian National - and film at the parallel Film Festival.

Until September 1 (Film Festival runs until August 26). 0131-472 2000, www.eif.co.uk. Film: 0131-229 2550, www.edfilmfest.org.uk.

Van tops bill

Van Morrison and Feeder are among the top names at the Ross-on-Wye International Festival. Plus Eddi Reader, jazz singer Stacey Kent, the De Lunares flamenco dance company and gospel singing from Helen Shapiro.

August 16-27. Ticket prices and venues vary. 01989 563330, www.festival.org.uk

Networking

A cocoon or spider's web of threads is being created over three weeks by Japanese artist Shoko Ariba at London's Mafuji Gallery. She ends her "continuous performance installation" with a talk on September 1.

28 Shacklewell Lane, Hackney E8. Nearest station: Dalston Kingsland (North London line). Open Thurs-Sat, 1pm-5pm. Free. 020-8567 8222.

Endurance tests

Children can learn to survive in the woods of East Sussex next week. Shelter-building, cooking and fire-lighting are on the menu in the aptly-named Wilderness Wood. The course is aimed mainly at teenagers.

Hadlow Down, Uckfield. August 14. 10.30am-12pm. £4.40 (£2.50 for accompanying adults). 01825 830509, www.wildernesswood.co.uk.

The wheel thing

Fakys, madonnas and the nose pick are part of the routine for Team Extreme, a bunch of expert BMX, skateboard and snakeboard riders performing five times a day in a specially-built half-pipe at Alton Park.

Alton, Staffordshire. Until September 2. Park opens 9.30am. Rides 10am-5.30pm. £23 adults, £19 children, under-4s free, £70 families (discounts of £2 single or £4 family tickets for advance bookers). 08705 204060, www.altontowers.com.

Variety show

More than 100 floats, fireworks over the bay, fairground rides, and talent and fancy dress competitions are on the bill at Weymouth's carnival.

August 15, 10am-10pm. Free. 01305 785747, www.weymouth.gov.uk.