2026 marks the 200th anniversary of Cowes Week, the world-famous sailing regatta on the Isle of Wight. This historic event draws the elite of the yachting world for a week of thrilling races and glamorous shoreside parties. Expect spectacular yacht races by day and champagne celebrations by night. The 200th edition promises extra festivities – think fireworks, Red Arrows displays, and gala dinners to toast two centuries of tradition. Even if you’re not a sailor, it’s worth a trip to Cowes (a short ferry from Lymington or Southampton) to soak up the celebratory atmosphere and perhaps enjoy a Pimms on the Green watching the sails on the Solent.

Aviation enthusiasts and corporate high-flyers alike flock to Farnborough Airshow, held biennially in Hampshire. 2026’s show will be a blockbuster, showcasing the latest in aerospace technology with dramatic flying displays overhead. It’s a unique mix of trade expo and public spectacle – the last two days usually open to the public for an unforgettable day out. Picture cutting-edge fighter jets, massive passenger airliners, historic warbirds, and daredevil aerobatics painting the sky. If you love planes or just want an exhilarating outing, Farnborough is a must. (Hedgerows can arrange VIP access or grandstand tickets – let us know early, as they sell out fast!)

Right on our doorstep in Brockenhurst, the New Forest Show is a charming country fair celebrating rural life. It typically runs for three days in the last week of July (precisely overlapping Farnborough this year). Expect to see equestrian competitions, livestock displays (you’ll “aww” at prizewinning cows, sheep, and pigs), craft stalls, local food tents, and even lumberjack sports and dog agility shows. It’s a delightful family-friendly event with a high-end twist, as you can browse quality art, garden exhibits, and even a VIP enclosure for afternoon tea. Dress up in your country best (Panama hats and sun-dresses fit right in) and enjoy an authentic English country show experience.

Every September, Britain’s largest boating festival takes over Southampton’s marina. The Southampton Boat Show is a playground for boating enthusiasts – imagine hundreds of gleaming yachts and powerboats on display, from humble dinghies to multi-million-pound superyachts. There are often opportunities to get out on the water for free sailings, plus champagne bars, seafood eateries, and live music to keep landlubbers entertained. It’s considered one of the top boat shows in Europe, attracting an international crowd. If you’re into maritime culture or fancy a day admiring beautiful boats while sipping bubbly by the Solent, this is the place to be.

Dorset offers its own variety of events, often with a creative or culinary flair. For example, check out the Dorset Seafood Festival in Weymouth (usually July), where top chefs cook fresh local catch by the harborside – an absolute treat for seafoodies. Arts and music lovers might enjoy the Sherborne Abbey Festival (classical music concerts in April/May inside the abbey’s glorious acoustics) or the Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle (a family-friendly music and arts camping festival, likely in late July 2026). And for something truly unique, Dorset is home to the quirky Great Dorset Steam Fair (if it runs in 2026) – a heritage spectacle of vintage steam engines, craft demonstrations, and nostalgia galore, typically in late August near Blandford.

While technically in West Sussex, Goodwood events are within reach and very popular with our guests. The Goodwood Festival of Speed (late June/early July) is an extravaganza of motorsport and car culture, famous for its hill-climb race and displays of rare supercars. The Goodwood Revival (early September) is a glamorous step back in time – a vintage-themed race meeting where everyone dresses in 1940s-60s attire amid classic cars and old warbirds flying overhead. Both events draw international jet-set crowds and are unforgettable if you’re an auto or racing aficionado. We can assist with tickets or even classic car hire if you’d like to arrive in style.

A lively celebration of all things hot, hearty, and homemade, the Chilli & Cheese Festival is one of Dorset’s most beloved summer events (typically early August). Held on the showground in Sturminster Newton, this festival brings together artisan cheesemakers, fiery chilli producers, gourmet street food, live music, and family zones. Expect tastings from mellow local cheddars to award-winning blue cheeses, alongside chilli sauces ranging from mildly warming to fearlessly volcanic. With cookery demos, craft stalls, local ales, and a friendly rural atmosphere, it’s a fun, flavour-filled day out for food lovers of all ages.

Set against the fairytale backdrop of Lulworth Castle, Camp Bestival is one of the UK’s premier family-friendly festivals, typically held in late July. With big-name headline acts, theatre tents, storytelling, circus shows, wellness zones, woodland trails, and endless activities for children, it perfectly blends festival excitement with family adventure. Parents can relax on picnic blankets while kids enjoy craft workshops, science shows, and the iconic World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle. The festival’s atmosphere is warm, colourful, and incredibly welcoming — a magical multi-day experience that generations can enjoy together.

A charming, smaller-scale festival with a big heart, Ted’s Festival is a community-led event held in the New Forest, often featuring local musicians, artisan food stalls, craft beer, and family entertainment. Its intimate feel sets it apart from the larger Dorset festivals — think hay bales, acoustic sets under the trees, children’s craft tents, and street food made with local ingredients. It’s the perfect place to unwind, listen to great live music, and enjoy an authentic, relaxed countryside festival atmosphere.

A proper end-of-summer crowd-pleaser in the New Forest, Burley’s Steam & Vintage Show takes over Burley Park on Chapel Lane for a weekend of old-school horsepower and village-fair fun. It’s best known for its lineup of working steam engines and traction engines, but you’ll also find rows of vintage tractors, classic cars, and quirky historic vehicles, plus miniature steam rides, arena displays, trade stalls, and a lively local crafts/food scene. Live music and family entertainment run throughout the day, giving it that relaxed “wander, watch, picnic, repeat” vibe. The show typically runs around 10am–5pm each day and raises money for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, so it’s feel-good as well as fun. Even if you’re not a full-time vintage buff, it’s a gorgeous New Forest day out – think cider in hand, engines chuffing in the background, and plenty to keep kids and grown-ups happy

Winter in Hampshire brings two of the South’s most atmospheric festive markets: the Winchester Christmas Market and the Salisbury Christmas Fayre. Winchester’s market, held in the cathedral’s medieval Close, is one of the best in Europe — wooden chalets filled with handmade crafts, artisan foods, mulled wine, gifts, and an ice rink beneath the illuminated cathedral towers. Salisbury’s Christmas market (typically in Guildhall Square) offers boutique shopping, festive street food, twinkling lights, and performances in view of the city’s spectacular cathedral spire. Both markets are magical for an evening wander and ideal for picking up unique gifts or simply soaking in the seasonal charm.