The great Bank Holiday adventure

From swords of steel to steel drums, there's plenty to do over the long weekend.

A Country Affair
Performances on three stages and arenas at Hampton Court Palace, together with hands-on activities for children - including a sheep show with dancing ewes and ferret-racing. Plus Morris dancers, Maypole performers, falconry displays and horse shows. Where: Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU. When: Sat 25-Mon 27 Aug, 10am-6.30pm. Tickets: £6, child £3. Information: 0870 752 7777; www.hamptoncourtshow.com

The Notting Hill Carnival
The August Bank Holiday means one thing to many Londoners - the Notting Hill Carnival. Some two million people will take to the streets to watch the colourful carnival floats, move to the music thumping out of hundreds of speakers and soak up the atmosphere. Just in case you don't know, Sunday is the family-oriented kid's carnival. Where: Notting Hill - between Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Grove and Chepstow Road. When: Children's day Sun 26 Aug, main carnival Mon 27 Aug, from noon, free.

Panorama In The Park
If you can't face the crowds at the Notting Hill Carnival but want to experience the sounds of the Caribbean, head to Hyde Park where there will be a steel pan championship - with bands competing for the title National Champions of Steel - along with a carnival exhibition and family zone. Where: Hyde Park Parade Ground (nearest Tube Marble Arch). When: Sat 25 Aug, noon-9pm (steel bands 4pm), free.

Dance On The South Bank
The National Theatre is running a free Dance Weekend, giving you a chance to flamenco, tango and ballroom dance in the open-air space of Theatre Square. With bands, shows, DJs and classes, Fri is for tea dancing, Sat for ballroom, swing and tango, Sun features breakdancing by Physical Jerks, and Mon has an Indian, Bollywood and belly-dancing theme.
Where: National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX. When: Fri 24-Mon 27 Aug, 1pm-10pm, with a late lounge till 1am on Fri & Sat, free. Information: 020-7452 3400; www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Kempton Park Fun Day
Bank Holiday racing with free entertainment for the children, making a day at the races something the whole family can enjoy. Take the train (just 40mins from London Waterloo) and the racecourse is just 200 yards walk.
Where: Kempton Park, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 5AQ. When: Mon 27 Aug, first race 2.15pm Tickets: £11, under-16s free. Information: Book on 01372 470047; www.kempton.co.uk

Kew Bridge Steam Museum
A 1940s event - Waterworks At War - exploring life on the home front, including how to make nutritious meals from rations (some of these will be served in the cafe). See the Auxiliary Fire Service, find out how bombs are disposed of, how to 'make do and mend' and travel on the waterworks steam railway.
Where: Kew Bridge Steam Museum, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0EN. When: Sat 25-Mon 27 Aug, 11am-5pm. Tickets: £8, £2 discount if you come in period costume. Information: 020-8568 4757; www.kbsm.org

A Sailor's Initiation For Children
For messy, nautical fun head to HMS Belfast where you can take part in one of the oldest rituals in the maritime world - Crossing The Line - which marks a sailor's first crossing of the equator. It involves getting wet and being gunged, a delight for most kids.
Where: HMS Belfast, Tooley Street, SE1 2JH. When: Sat 25-Mon 27 Aug, 10am-6pm. Tickets: £9.95, children free. Information: 020-7940 6300; hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk

Tournaments And Armour
The new exhibition for this month at the Tower of London is Masters Of The Sword. See the skills, armour and weapons of soldiers in action in the days of the Wars Of The Roses. It is followed by a Tournament At The Tower - complete with knights on horseback.
Where: Tower of London, EC3N 4AB. When: Masters Of The Sword, until 31 Aug; Tournament At The Tower, Sat 1 & Sun 2 Sep, Shows throughout the day. Tickets: £16, child £9.50. Special events included in ticket price. Information: 0870 756 6060; www.hrp.org.uk

Kids Week
Children aged 5-16 can go free to more than 30 top shows with some tickets for Billy Elliot, Fame, We Will Rock You and Wicked still available.
Where: West End theatres. When: Until 31 Aug. Tickets: One child free with a paying adult, plus up to two children half-price. Information: www.kidsweek.co.uk

Kids' Weekend in the West End
If they prefer shops to shows then take them to the West End where - as part of Kids Week - there are a range of events including a Teddy Bears' Picnic in John Lewis (Sat 25 Aug, 3.30pm-4.30pm). Hamleys will be showing trailers of blockbusters such as Harry Potter and Bratz on Sat 25 & Sun 26 Aug. Details at www.newwestend.com

Pops In The Park
Saturday and Sunday, Crystal Palace Bowl, Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road
Music of Aretha Franklin on Saturday, and the Last Night of the Summer Proms on Sunday. 020 8688 9291 popsinthepark.co.uk