WITH the summer holidays coming to a close, the Daily Echo takes a look at what families can get up to this bank holiday weekend before children go back to school.

  • Testwood Lakes Dads and Tots, August 29

Dads, bring your 2-5 year olds to explore in the safe woodlands and meadows of Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve near Totton.

Discover wildlife, play games, follow trails, listen to stories and build confidence in playing outside. Sessions runs from 10:30am to midday.

No need to book ahead.

  • Hover Craft Racing, Gang Warily, August 29-31

This weekend will see the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain return to Gang Warily Sports & Recreation Centre in Fawley for the 30th consecutive year.

This is the penultimate round of the UK National Championships and will see 80 racers from all over the country taking part in three days of fiercely contested races in seven different formulae, from novices building up experience to attain their National Racing Licence, through 11-16 year olds in the Junior races up to the incredibly fast and skillful F1 and F2 races.

These craft accelerate as fast as a sports car, powered by 200BHP tuned snowmobile engines but weighing less that a motorbike their power to weight is amazing.

Entry is free to come and experience this unique sport.

  • Taming of the Shrew, Deanery Gardens, Winchester Cathedral, August 29

Illyria has won four international awards and attracted numerous "5-star" and "Critics' Choice" reviews for the lively clarity of its performances of Shakespeare's comedies.

Doors open at 6.15pm and the performance will start at 7pm.

Tickets: £13.50 adults and £9 Children (5-16) and must be booked before the performance online from the cathedral box office or by phone on 01962 857 275.

Rain or bad weather does not stop Illyria's performances - cancellation in the event of a hurricane only.

  • The Great Waterside Raft Race, Hythe Marina, August 30

One of the few raft races that are held on the sea, which adds an element of excitement not found on river races. The course is set out between Hythe Marina and Hythe Pier and is always held between the two high tides unique to the Solent area.

  • Dahlia Field, Gilberts Nursery, Sherfield English, August 30

Be amazed by the sight of over 300 varieties of dahlias in the nursery’s dedicated one-acre acre field. The blooms are in all colours, shapes and sizes and can be closely inspected from wheelchair friendly hard grass paths. Open 10am to 4pm. Admission £3, proceeds to the National Garden Scheme.

  • Southampton Game Fest, Engine Rooms, Mo Club near West Quay Road, Southampton, August 31

Gain a sneak peak unreleased games at the event from exhibitors from Nintendo and Ubisoft and retro and vintage games as well as a chance to take part in Mario Kart and Mortal Kombat X tournaments.

  • The Graze Festival, Humphreys Estate, Twyford, August 30

The first Graze Festival features The Blockheads and Paul Young alongside a tasty line-up off foody attractions.

The one day festival is the brainchild of Twyford residents Tim Smith and Roger Walker, along with fellow Twyfordians Oliver Gray, Nick Seagrove and Jonathan Humphrey.

“We want to create a family day out on a friendly scale,” said Tim Smith.

The fun starts at 11am and runs until 11pm.

  • Nomansland Summer Fair, August 31

Traditional village fair on the green opposite the Lamb Inn featuring more than 50 produce and craft stalls plus games and activities including egg throwing, cheese rolling, tug-of-war, pony rides; live music and a dog show.

  • Donkey Derby, Stubbington Recreation Ground, August 31

Celebrations kick off at 11am when Fareham Mayor Cllr Mike Ford will officially open the festivities.

It features seven races each with seven donkey runners ridden by local children plus donkey rides through the park, performances from the Big Noise Samba Band, the Stubbington Springboard Gymnastics Club (First display at noon), and the Locks Heath Silhouette Majorettes plus rides on board Trigger the Train.