Britain on the Cheap

In a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, an incendiary team will light up the 84-mile route of Hadrian’s Wall on March 13. This year marks the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman Britain in 410 AD, a huge turning point in British history.
The fire braziers will blaze from coast to coast in the north of England, with [...]

Don’t miss East London’s free Great Spitalfields Pancake Race for charity, Feb. 16 at the Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane. Teams of four race up and down Dray Walk, hoping not to drop their Shrove Tuesday pancakes.

Swansea’s Waterfront Winterland continues through Jan. 3, with an open-air ice rink, an Admiral Giant Wheel, a carousel and a ‘snow-storm’ ride outside the National Waterfront Museum—with mince pies, of course.

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland continues through Jan. 3, with an open-air ice rink, Admiral big wheel and Calennig New Year’s Eve celebrations. The New Year’s Eve party revels with FREE live music, a FREE Family Fire Show and Admiral FREE New Year’s Eve buses.

Christmas in Cornwall kicks off at the Padstow Christmas Festival Dec. 4-6, with an outdoor ice rink on the quayside, festive lights, fireworks reflected in the harbour waters and local musicians caroling around the Christmas tree. The food festival, inspired by Rick Stein, offers free cooking demonstrations and tastings, and stalls of Cornish produce stalls [...]

The Clovelly Herring Festival Nov. 15 will help the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty mark its 50th anniversary. Maritime historian and writer Mike Smylie will bring his “Kipperland” exhibition to the festival, which tells the history of the herring. He will also smoke kippers and bloaters for sale in his smokehouse [...]

As night falls, the entire city of Durham will become a living, breathing canvas for luminous artworks during Lumiere Nov. 12-15. Local, national and international artists will work with the river, bridges and landmarks, including the cathedral, to create a magical nocturnal landscape. Visitors can follow the trail on foot or by bike for free, [...]

Juice is a celebration of creativity in children and young people across NewcastleGateshead, from hip hop to poetry, film making to music, comedy to animation. The festival, from Oct. 22-Nov. 8, is about viewing and doing, including pumpkin carving, street games and AfroReggae Family Day. Many of the events are free.

The myths and legends of the Norse god, Odin, will come alive in music, visual art, dance, performances and light during Odin’s Glow Oct. 22-25 in the village of Newton under Roseberry. The four-day outdoor event for the whole family will create an enchanting landscape under the dramatic illuminated peak of Roseberry Topping, near Guisborough. [...]

Enjoy the famous Blackpool Illuminations now through Nov. 8 and stay at the three-star Norbreck Castle. A two-night stay through Superbreak is $108/£65 per person for two nights including breakfast and dinner on both nights, based on two sharing.