Family holidays: great days out in England There are a number of stretches of the river Wye that are possible to canoe in a day, and one of the most popular is the area around Symonds Yat, where a limestone outcrop rises around 500ft from the riverbank, offering spectacular scenery. For those looking for a more sedate spot, Hereford Canoe Hire operates along one of the most picturesque parts of the river, between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, where novices and families can enjoy a day afloat, going with the flow as green fields and wooded hills roll by. herefordcanoehire.com The River Wye Spend the night at Black Sail Hostel A favourite with Lakeland walkers for more than 75 years, the tiny Black Sail Hut sits miles from any road in the white valley of Ennerdale, in the shadow of the peaks of Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Pillar and Haystacks, and accessible over high mountain passes. Once a shepherds" bothy and now operated by the Youth Hostel Association, Black Sail has just 16 bunks and outdoor toilets. It offers the experience of being in a real mountain hut, and the communal lounge is a place to reflect on the day's walking, and to dry off when the weather doesn't meet expectations. On a clear night the hostel has an unrivalled view of the stars, unpolluted by civilisation. yha.org.uk/hostel/black-sail Explore the birthplace of the Scouts At the beginning of August 1907 Robert Baden-Powell brought together the first Scout camp on tiny Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, as a test of the ideas he had put forward in his book Scouting For Boys. Today, the island is in the care of the National Trust, and is accessible to the public via Brownsea Island Ferries, which have been transporting visitors across the harbour for more than 100 years. Brownsea is a peaceful place, a world away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland and, as home to the Baden-Powell Outdoor Centre, it still maintains a strong association with the Scouting movement. It is also notable as a nature reserve and, along with the Isle of Wight, is one of the few places in southern England where red squirrels can still be found in the wild. nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island; brownseaislandferries.com Watch Lakeland Sports in Grasmere For more than 160 years, the village of Grasmere in the Lake District has been hosting an annual Lakeland Sports show, demonstrating the arts of fell running, Cumberland wrestling and other local pastimes. The event still takes place each August in the show field in Grasmere, combining traditional sports with bird-of-prey displays, sheepdog trials, marching bands, a tug of war, and food and drink from the area, including local speciality Grasmere Gingerbread. The 2013 Grasmere Sports will be held on Sunday August 25 grasmeresports.com View of Grasmere Explore the Yorkshire Sculpture Park England's first permanent sculpture park was opened to the public in 1977. Occupying 500 acres of rolling parkland around Bretton Hall in West Yorkshire, the park is at its best on summer afternoons, offering a vast art gallery in a grand setting. Pieces by local sculptors Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and others attract over 300,000 visitors annually, with the sense of space and fresh air making for an invigorating experience. There are also exhibitions in indoor spaces such as the Bothy Gallery, the Underground Gallery and the Longside Gallery, offering a haven in the event of rain. More information: ysp.co.uk Attend the Bristol Balloon Fiesta Europe's largest annual gathering of hot-air balloons has been held since 1979 at the Ashton Court Estate in Bristol, attracting in excess of 100 balloons and up to 500,000 spectators. The event takes place over four days in August, with morning and evening balloon ascents, and evening "nightglows," where the balloons are inflated to glow against the night sky. The 2013 Balloon Fiesta runs from August 8 - 11; bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk See the Kettlewell Scarecrows Each August, the village of Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales is been invaded by an army of scarecrows, designed by villagers for a competition in aid of local charities. For a fortnight, the band of around 100 scarecrows takes over the village.Themes range from topical national events to historical, local and fictional figures, and even entire sports teams. The rakish figures can be spotted in gardens, on verges and even on rooftops throughout the village. This year's festival runs from August 10-18; kettlewellscarecrowfestival.co.uk Scale the treetops The Mighty Oak Tree Climbing Company specialises in safe climbing experiences in Cornish oak trees, using a rope and harness - and for those who want to spend time in the canopy, they have a tree-top pod where families can hide out. The organisers are currently searching for a suitable tree for tree camping - a night spent aloft in a specially designed tree-top hammock. Tree climbing is suitable for children aged four and above: mighty-oak.co.uk Watch the British Firework Championships Plymouth has hosted the National Firework Championships each August for the past 16 years, with spectacular displays from the top fireworks companies entertaining tens of thousands of spectators. Plymouth Sound The event brings fireworks experts from around the country to Plymouth, and each has an allocated period of time to impress with their displays; the dramatic results are painted across the skies over Plymouth Sound. This year's Championships will be held on August 13 and 14; britishfireworks.co.uk Mad Dogs and Englishmen by Tom Jones is published by Virgin Books at £12.99, available from Telegraph Books at £11.99 plus £1.35p&p.