Joust the ticket

There will be two daily jousts during the tournament

See Knights like these bold fellows at Blenheim Palace

Boredom is not an option this summer. Until the end of August shows and events burst into bloom all over Britain - from jousting tournaments in the grounds of historic houses to sheepdog trials and Highland gatherings, there's entertainment for all the family. And today - and for the next two weeks - The Mail on Sunday will give you a taste of what's happening across the country. We start the ball rolling this week with special events, next Sundaywe'll tell you about family activities and on August 5 about places to visit that won't break the bank. For even more ideas, see Visit Britain.com's events page

Treasure Island

Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, East Sussex - July 28,6.30pm

Founded almost 20 years ago, the science and numeracy-based Quantum Theatre performs in schools in term-time and keeps the momentum going during the summer holidays with fastmoving classic shows that will appeal to families. This year, the group is presenting its lively adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson favourite for one night only at outdoor venues across the country until September 1.

The historic Priory, setting for Saturday's performance, has marvellous gardens, a working watermill and a moated medieval island.

Open: Priory - Tues-Sun until Oct 31 (daily in August), 10.30am-5.30pm. Admission: Adult £6, child £3, family £15.20, concessions £5. Treasure Island - picnics from 5.30pm, performance 6.30pm (bring rugs or folding chairs), adult £10, child £6, family £30. Information: Priory - 01323 844224, www.sussexpast.co.uk. Quantum Theatre (for details of other venues) - 020 8317 9000, www.quantumtheatre.co.uk.

Dinosaur Trail

Wyre Forest, Bewdley, Worcestershire - July 27 and August 24

Marked trails, family cycle routes, picnic sites, a visitor centre and a children's playground have opened up this once mighty broad-leaved forest on the Worcestershire/Shropshire border to an appreciative public.

On the Dinosaur Trail, five to 11-year-olds get a pack that links them to the time of the great beasts. At the end they get a small prize.Take a picnic for a gentle family day out.

Open: Visitor centre - daily 10am-5pm. Dinosaur Trail - meet at the Discovery Centre any time between 1pm and 3pm. Admission: Car park £2, trail £3 per child. Information: 01299 266929, www.forestry.gov.uk.

Zoo Nights

London Zoo, Regent's Park - July 27, from 6.30pm to 10pm

Adults are amazed and children impressed to see the hippos having their teeth brushed before bed - blue brushes for the males, pink for the females - on this fun and informative night out. Flying, leaping and climbing animals give acrobatic displays while jugglers, fire-eaters and stiltwalkers do their best for our species.

Biggest daytime pulls are Gorilla Kingdom and the new tropical biome where you can wander round both the forest floor and the tree canopy of a tropical rainforest.

Open: Daily, 10am-5.30pm. Admission: Adult £14.50, child £11, concessions £13 (10 per cent discount if booked online). Information: 020 7722 3333, www.zsl.org.

Jousting Tournament

Blenheim Palace,Woodstock, Oxfordshire - August 10-12

The thunder of hooves, the clash of arms and the colour - jousting is a marvellous spectator sport based on the medieval concepts of honour, chivalry and impressing the ladies. There will be two tournaments a day, at noon and 2.30pm.

After the jousting, have a look at Blenheim Palace and its impressive grounds

Elsewhere, Blenheim's newest permanent attraction is Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story. In rooms not previously open to the public, visitors see 300 years of history through the eyes of the Marlborough family,its servants and its learned and aristocratic visitors.

Open: Daily (until Oct 28), park - 9am-5.30pm (palace and pleasure gardens open at 10.30am). Admission: Adult £16, child £9.75, family £43, concessions £13.50. Information: 08700 602080, www.blenheimpalace.com.

Sleeping with Sharks

National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth --August 31, from 6.30pm

A full evening's entertainment is planned for the aquarium's first Family Sleepover - not actually with the sharks but in one of three nearby areas. There's a tour, an arts and crafts session, films and a 10pm 'midnight' feast. After an early breakfast, children will have the exciting experience of driving underwater remoteoperated vehicles. Bring sleeping bags, torches and snacks; changing facilities, washbasins and lavatories are available.

This world-class aquarium is famous for its walk-through tank, as high as a threestorey building, filled with 550,000 gallons of water in which countless Mediterranean fish - and menacing sharks - swim.

Open: Daily, 10am-6pm. Admission: Adult £9.50, child £5.75, family £27, concessions £8; family sleepover £100 for four (at least one adult), £25 each extra

Falconry

The Falkirk Wheel,Tamfourhill, Stirlingshire - today and August 4,5

It's exhilarating to watch a tawny eagle, hooded vulture or harris hawk soar over this elegant piece of engineering - the world's only rotating boat lift which, at 115ft, is the height of eight stacked doubledecker buses. The birds and their handlers will be on the green from noon onwards, giving free displays at regular intervals.

Replacing the 11 locks that formerly dropped Edinburgh's Union Canal to the level of Glasgow's Forth & Clyde Canal, the Falkirk Wheel is used by holidaymakers in narrow boats crossing Scotland. It is also popular with visitors taking the hourlong round trip - the views are marvellous. The nearby remains of the Roman Antonine wall, canal walks, trails, cycle tracks, children's playground, picnic area and visitor centre make for an unusual day out.

Open: Visitor centre - (until July 31 and Sept/Oct) daily, 9.30am-6pm; (August) Mon-Fri, 9.30am-6pm, Sat/Sun 9.30am-7pm. Admission: Car park £2, boat trips (booking recommended) adult £8, child £4.25, family £21.50, concessions £6.50. Information: 01324 619888, www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk. See www.waterscape.com/events for more holiday events on British canals.