That’s surely the recipe for fun days out this weekend and, as usual, the Mansfield and Ashfield area, along with the rest of Nottinghamshire, is bursting at the seams with things to do and places to go.
In Ashfield, excitement is mounting ahead of the opening of Kirkby’s new leisure centre by professional footballer Tom Huddlestone.
And in Mansfield, the town’s summer festival is ready to explode into life, while the Robin Hood Festival steps up another gear this weekend.
Add family fun at the cricket, at Sherwood Pines, Southwell Minster and Mansfield Museum, and there couldn’t be much more packed into our weekly guide.
Just one piece of advice – before you visit the venues, please check their individual websites for admission prices and opening times.
Have a great weekend!
5. Cavalry on the charge
The Robin Hood Festival continues at Sherwood Forest Country Park this weekend, with centre stage taken by the Cavalry Of Heroes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The hugely popular group brings its spectacular equine display show to the forest again, demonstrating its prowess in medieval horsemanship and combat skills. Photo: Submitted
6. Plant hunters' fair
Lovers of plants will be in their element in the beautiful gardens of the Archbishop's Palace next to Southwell Minster on Sunday (11 am to 4 pm). For a wide selection of plants, including rare species, will be on sale from nurseries throughout the country at a special fair. Visitors can explore the amazing gardens too. Photo: Submitted
7. Cricket's new competition
Cricket's new family-friendly competition, The Hundred, was a huge success when it launched last summer. Now it is back, and local fans urged to support the Trent Rockets, who start their campaign with a match against Birmingham Phoenix at Trent Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Joe Root is the Rockets' star man, while Moeen Ali leads the Phoenix. Photo: Submitted
8. Hands-on holiday workshops
If you're stuck for ideas for the kids during the school holidays, why not try The Harley Gallery at Welbeck, where hands-on creative workshops are being held every Tuesday (10 am to 3 pm) during August? There's a different theme each week, with next Tuesday's event focusing on making stuff out of recycled materials. Photo: Submitted