Stretch those green fingers in spectacular grounds for the third annual RHS Chatsworth Flower Show. Go dotty for dahlias at a display of over 6,000 of the finest blooms, then sip on limited edition strawberry and cucumber tea at the Wedgwood Tea Conservatory. Allotment owners rejoice: this year will introduce the first small-space garden design competition, with exciting and innovative entries galore.
The brainchild of pottery pro Emma Bridgewater and V&A museum Director MP Tristram Hunt, the Festival in a Factory sees Emma’s working pot bank transformed for three days of author talks, panel discussions and workshops. Brush up on your literary knowledge with talks from Mary Portas, Ben Macintyre and Viv Groskop before learning about all things pottery with a free factory tour.
Warm up your vocal cords, settle down on the banks of the Wear, and get ready to cheer for the 186th Durham Regatta. Take in the picturesque backdrop of Durham Cathedral, then head to the bankside enclosure for the best view of the head-to-head races. Prefer to stay dry? Land-lovers can enjoy performances from talented local bands, peruse the classic car display or chow down on some fish and chips.
As the UK’s foliage bursts into life for summertime, reach for some greenery of your own with Mary Berry’s Pistou Linguine. Taken from her aptly named book Classic, this dish is based on a traditional French recipe combining basil leaves, olive oil and garlic. Whether you’re tucking in al fresco or at your desk, it doesn’t get much fresher than this.