The Spring Plant Fair at Borde Hill will take place on the 19^th-20^th April between 10am-5pm on both days.  The show will have exhibitions of rare rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, along with local food, drink and craft stands.  There will be something for all gardeners, whether experienced or novice, with over 2000 plants on sale. Horticultural  competitions, which are likely to include around 300 specimens with over 50 categories, will be judged prior to the official opening of the Show Marquee at 11.30am, with all entrants on view for everyone to see.

The Chiltern Country Show will be held at the Chiltern Open Air Museum on the 19th & 20th April.  A complete family day out with something for everyone including sheep shows, terrier racing, Kennel Club dog competitions, birds of prey displays, and candle making.  In addition the show will include falconry, working dogs, sheep and goats, duck herding, historical re-enactment, tournaments and rural demonstrations, arts, craft and gift marquees, lifestyle and food hall stalls.  Children’s entertainment will include Punch & Judy shows, cart-horse rides, inflatables, children’s fairground and a farm.

The annual summer opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace takes place from the 29th July – 29th September.  Members of the public can see the lavishly furnished rooms with paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude; sculpture by Canova and Chantrey; examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.  The 19 state rooms are used by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions. This year there will be a special exhibition of A State Banquet, set in the Ballroom as it would be when heads of state visit Buckingham Palace.  In addition to the State Rooms, the Royal Mews are also open to the public with horse-drawn carriages and state motor cars on display that have been used for coronations, state visits, Royal weddings, the State Opening of Parliament and other official engagements.  More than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and the Royal Garden Parties. 

The British International Motor Show will be at Excel in London from the 24th July -  3rd August. The two week show is the biggest in the UK with over half a million visitors viewing over 600 cars on display and 60 marquees.  Interactive attractions include The Heritage Enclosure, Supercar Paddock, Drift School, Kidz Car Zone, 4x4 Adventure Land, Marine Experience and The Motor Show Music Festival.

Glorious Goodwood takes place from the 29th July – 2nd August.  High in the social calendar, this glamorous horse racing event blends top class horse racing with summer fashion, where men often wear linen suits and a Panama and women dress in classical summer attire. The beautiful views over the South Downs combined with hot summer days go to make this a particularly enjoyable meeting.

Music on the Lawns at Leeds Castle 25th & 26th July.  The Swing Singers perform on the 25th with a capella singing with music from Bach to the Beatles.  On the 26th The English Chamber Orchestra with a programme including works from Mozart, Albinoni and Rossini, culminating in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, in the tranquil surroundings of the pavilion lawn below the castle.