28th – 30th August: Axbridge Pageant 2010. Witness over 2,000 years of Axbridge’s rich past in this spectacular historical re-enactment played out in the town’s medieval square. 500 local people will be taking part in scenes depicting the Romans and Saxons, ‘Hanging’ Judge Jeffreys and Monmouth’s rebel army, through to the Elizabethans and Victorians, the two World Wars and on to the present day.

What's on and where for families in Somerset

this Summer

8th – 10th July: The Dance Centre Annual Show ‘Born 2 Boogie’ Regal Theatre Minehead. 7.30pm. An extravaganza of various styles including musical theatre, pop, hip hop and contemporary dance. Ages of performers range from 4 to 74 with an array of music genres and costume. 01643 706430

9th – 11th July: Priddy Folk Festival, Priddy, Nr Wells. Folk festival for all the family. Music and children’s events including juggling, story telling, puppets and face painting. 01749 674080

9th – 18th July: Frome Festival. Community festival with more than 130 events in various locations around the town. 01373 453889

10th July: Tina Counsell Junior Showtime. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare. 7pm. Tina Counsell Junior Showtime celebrate their 25th anniversary with a show packed full of music and dance styles from the last 25 years. From Stepping Out, Rock Around The Clock and The Nutcracker to popular musicals including My Fair Lady, The Wizard of Oz and The Music Man, this evening of family entertainment, performed by local children aged 4-19 years, is one you won't want to miss! A donation from the show will be given to Weston Hospicecare 01934 645544

10th July: RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day. RNAS Yeovilton will be celebrating its 70th anniversary. An extensive flying & static display will take place to mark this significant milestone with rare naval aircraft such as the Swordfish, Sea Fury, Seafire and Sea Vixon coming together with other vintage aircraft and their modern counterparts to highlight the role that RNAS Yeovilton Squadrons have played, and continue to play, in operations throughout the decades to the present day. Entertainment on the ground for all the family including side shows, funfair, vintage, classic and military vehicles, service demonstrations, picnic areas, helicopter pleasure flights, simulator rides, trade stands and more. Tickets: 08445 781 781

10th – 11th July: Haynes Model Motor Show, Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, Nr Yeovil. All things model car including Scalextric, radio controlled cars and Diecast; with races, traders, and demonstrations throughout the weekend. 01963 440804

10th – 11th July: Teddy Bears’ Picnic – To bee or not to bee. Fyne Court (National Trust), Broomfield, Nr Taunton. Free jar of honey for any child who brings a teddy. The Quantock Beekeepers will be there to do face painting, candle rolling, bee demonstrations, spot the bee activity as well as quizzes and trails. A buzzing weekend for all the family. 01823 451587

11th July: Doulting Summer Fete. St Aldhelm’s School, Doulting. 2.30pm. Stalls, raffle, refreshments, stocks, bar, bbq and entertainment. Fun for all the family.

11th July: Andy and Mike’s Big Box of Bananas. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare. 1.30pm. CBeebies presenter Andy Day and Mike James bring their much-loved humour to this slapstick comedy show for 4-11 year olds (and their entire families). A magical and mysterious box appears. Unable to open it, the boys take you on an exciting journey to find out what's inside! Meet confused pirates, musical sea life and extravagant all-singing, all-dancing air stewards! 01934 645544

13th July – 7th August: Les Miserables. Bristol Hippodrome. This international award-winning musical sweeps its audience through an epic tale of passion and destruction, against the backdrop of a nation in the grip of revolution. Seen by more than 55 million people worldwide in 40 countries and in 21 languages, this spectacular adaptation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece continues to thrill audiences night after night. 0844 847 2341

14th July: The Drifters. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare. 7.30pm. The Drifters are one of the biggest selling and longest serving bands of all time and some of the group's biggest hits include Saturday Night at The Movies, There Goes My First Love and Under The Boardwalk. This dynamic non-stop show combines classic songs, top flight choreography and world class musicians with some of the group's newer material including the stunning new track Do You Dream of Me? 01934 645544

15th – 17th July: Stepping Out. Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton. A weekly tap class, presided over by an ex-professional dancer and her acerbic pianist, is frequented by just about the oddest assortment of unlikely (and ungainly!) individuals imaginable. An expected challenge forces them to work together as a team, overcoming all obstacles and achieving the impossible. 01823 414141

21st – 24th July: BSP Arts Aladdin. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare. 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 3pm). This production heralds the 8th visit by this extremely talented production company which this year have broken away from their usual traditional musical theatre presentation in order to stage a summer pantomime! Book your ticket for your very own magic carpet ride, rub the lamp and be transported to a magical land of colourful sets, costumes and lighting in addition to memorable music and much loved songs.

24th July: A Plant in Time flower making workshop. Lytes Cary Manor (National Trust), near Charlton Mackrell, Somerton. Fun for all the family. Let your creativity blossom and make a fabulous flower from recycled materials at free drop-in workshop. 01458 224471

25th July: Messing about on the river. Escot Gardens, Ottery St Mary. Day by the river, suitable for all the family. Activities from 10am -4.30pm. River dipping, barefoot swamp walk, face painting, story telling, circus skills and BBQ.

School summer holidays: Dr Who Experience at Montacute TV Radio Toy Museum. Invasion of a host of Dr Who characters. 01935 823024

26th – 30th July: Summer School at The Brewhouse theatre & arts centre, Taunton. 10.30am -4pm. Put together your own show that will be performed at the end of the week to your friends and family in The Brewhouse Studio. 01823 283244

26th July – 26th August: Active Hestercombe. Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Spend the day exploring the woodland areas and participating in fun and challenging activities in the beautiful landscape of Hestercombe Gardens. Activities (including raft building, den building, climbing) are fully supervised by qualified staff and are for children aged 8 to 14, with paintballing for children aged 12 to 16.  01823 413923

28th July: Dunster Country Fair. Dunster Castle Lawns, Nr Minehead. Exmoor Pony show, hound show, terrier and lurcher shows, ferret racing, team events for riding and pony clubs, trade stands, craft tent, falconry display, parade of hounds, licensed bar, refreshments. 01984 640253

28th July: Guided Butterfly Tours. Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Enjoy a gorgeous guided tour of the gardens with experts who can spot and identify the many beautiful species of butterflies at Hestercombe. No need to book. (Garden admission only applies). 01823 413923

28th July: All Things Victorian, Killerton House (National Trust), Broadclyst, Nr Exeter.  Step back in time in a Victorian day. Activities include: play Victorian parlour games, make and play with Victorian toys, serve at a Victorian table, meet a Victorian laundry maid and much more! 01392 881345

30th July: Bat Detectives, Fyne Court (National Trust), Broomfield, Nr Taunton. 7.30-9pm.   Callling all young bat detectives. Come along in fancy dress, make your own bats, take part in a quiz and then venture out into the dark to see what you might find.

31st July: Al Fresco Cookery Demonstration. Knightshayes Court (National Trust), nr Tiverton. 2-4pm. Watch a cookery demonstration by local chef, using fresh, seasonal produce from the kitchen garden. 01884 254665

1st August: Postman Pat – A Very Royal Mission. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare. 1pm and 3.30pm. In Pencaster everyone has recieved a letter from the Palace, delivered by Pat and his faitful cat Jess of course. Someone special is coming to open the new sorting office and they only have a short time to get themselves, and Pencaster, prepared fro a very royal visit. Join Pat and his friends Mrs Goggins, Ted Glen and Ben Taylor in 90 minutes of fun and participation. 01934 645544

4th August: Bugs and Bees, Knightshayes Court (National Trust), Nr Tiverton. 1-3pm.  Event for children aged 6 and over. Hunt for bugs and discover the hidden and amazing world of garden insects. 01884 254665

4th August: Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Killerton (National Trust), Broadclyst, Nr Exeter. 2-4pm.  Fun and games for teddies and their friends! Meet Pooh Bear and join in a grand teddy bears’ picnic. Punch & Judy, face painting and a teddy bear trail around the garden. 01392 881345

5th August: Treasure troves and felt flowers.  Bristol Zoo.  Follow the clues on this wildflower trail to find a treasure chest. Inside, a map will guide you to the long-lost Bristol onion. In the afternoon create a fantastic felt flower picture. Lots of fun and very messy! Booking essential, call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project 0117 9030609.

5th August: Beauty and the Beast – Theatre in the garden. Killerton (National Trust), Broadclyst, Nr Exeter. Suitable for fun loving adults, families and children! Bring a picnic. 6-9pm. 01392 881345

5th August: 120th Honiton Agricultural Show. Country show with attractions in main arena. Over 400 trade stands, craft marquee and Food Hall. Grand parade displaying the day’s prize winners. 01404 41794

6th August: Going batty on the Downs (adult/family walk). Spend a magical evening on the Downs with members of the Avon Bat Group.9pm – 11pm.  With bat detectors at the ready, experts will be on hand to identify any bats encountered! Booking essential, call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project 0117 9030609

6th – 7th August: Taunton Flower Show, Vivary Park, Taunton. Floral and competitive marquees, craft and food hall marquees, rural craft area, over 100 trade stands and arena entertainments. 0845 438 1958

7th August: Nunney Street Fayre, Nunney, Nr Wells. A lively street fair with over 100 stalls, crafts, entertainers and live music. 01985 220479

7th – 8th August: Glastonbury Musical Extravaganza, Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury. 2 day music festival set in the historic and dramatic grounds of Glastonbury Abbey. 01458 834596

8th August: Dunster Castle Under Siege, Dunster, Nr Minehead. 11am – 4pm.  Join the Taunton Garrison at their Living History Camp of the English Civil War. Battle re-enactments and weapons demonstrations throughout the day! 01643 821314

9th – 11th August: The Gruffalo. Bristol Hippodrome. Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood… meet a wheeler-dealer Fox, an eccentric old Owl and a party-mad Snake! Mouse can scare these hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined? 0844 847 2341

10th -11th August: Medieval Games at Dunster Castle, Dunster, Nr Minehead.11am – 4pm.  Lady Katherine and her loyal manservant Tomas will be hosting a range of authentic medieval games for all to take part in. 01643 821314

11th August: Red Arrows Day, Seafront, Minehead. 11am – 5pm. The famous Red Arrows will be showcasing their spectacular aerobatic air display against the backdrop of Minehead Bay and will be raising funds for Guide Dogs and the Blind and RNLI. The town will be alive with street entertainment: music, unicyclists, face painters, magicians – something for all the family. 01643 705075

11th August: Fairy, Princess and Elf Day. Killerton (National Trust), Broadclyst, Nr Exeter. 12 – 4pm. Come dressed as a fairy, princess or elf; follow the special garden trail, make a magic wand and crown; face painting and other fun activities. 01392 881345

14th -15th August: Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally, Norton Fitzwarren, Nr Taunton. Attractions include working traction engines, tractors and road rollers; fairground and street organs, horse drawn vehicles; vintage cars, motorcycles, fire engines; stationary engines, afternoon parades of vehicles; family fun, children’s entertainment. 01643 704996

15th August: Monster Truck Madness & Dream Car Rides, Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, nr Yeovil. See the enormously destructive Big Pete the biggest and meanest monster truck in Europe. Watch in amazement as this monster jumps 15ft in the air, demolishing and crushing anything in its path! 01963 440804

18th August: Wizards & Dragons Afternoon. Killerton (National Trust), Broadclyst, Nr Exeter. 2-4pm. An afternoon of magic and wizardry. 01392 881345

19th August: Ladybird Spotters. The Downs, Clifton. 10am – 3.30pm. Spend a morning on the Downs searching for ladybirds and playing fun games to find out all about them. In the afternoon make a ladybird badge and a house to help them survive the winter. For children 8-12. £8.50 per child. Booking essential, call the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project 0117 9030609

20th August: Dunster Show, Dunster, Nr Minehead. Set on the lawns below Dunster Castle, this country show features some spectacular entertainment and plenty of shopping opportunities as well as cattle, sheep and horse classes. 01984 656990

21st August: Family Fun Day, Vaux Park Polo Club, South Petherton. 11.30am.  A family fun day to raise money for national children’s charity, bibic. The event will feature a chance to see young polo players take part in a junior polo tournament, as well as lots of other fun attractions.

18th – 22nd August: Oliver Twist. Ball court, Prior Park College, Bath. By turns comic and tragic, musical and dramatic, this powerful adaptation of Dickens’s classic novel, inspired by the vivid world of Victorian music-hall, is the perfect choice for the Theatre Royal’s much acclaimed outdoor summer school, ‘Storm on the Lawn’. Wear warm clothing and bring a cushion! Picnic in the grounds from 7pm. 01225 448844

22nd August: Fun in the Park, French Weir Park, Taunton. FREE family day. 12 noon – 4pm. Range of activities including sports, crafts, art, archery and bouncy castle.

28th – 30th August: Axbridge Pageant 2010. Witness over 2,000 years of Axbridge’s rich past in this spectacular historical re-enactment played out in the town’s medieval square. 500 local people will be taking part in scenes depicting the Romans and Saxons, ‘Hanging’ Judge Jeffreys and Monmouth’s rebel army, through to the Elizabethans and Victorians, the two World Wars and on to the present day.

29th August: Last night at The Proms. Presented by the British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare. 7.30pm. Along with the best of British music we include wonderful tunes from countries influenced by British culture and highlights from film, musicals and opera before raising the roof in traditional proms style with Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem. Bring along your flags, whistles and hooters and join in the fun. 01934 645544