The Queen's Joust at Leeds Castle May half term

The Queen's Joust at Leeds Castle

23rd - 25th May 26, Maidstone

What's on this May Half Term Week and Spring Bank Holiday 2026

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Discover what’s on across South East England this May half term, including family events, festivals, outdoor activities and free days out. Find ideas by date, location or interest.

From dramatic jousting, birds of prey, art trails, food festivals, bus tours, and some free family days out across South East England this May half term. The Spring Bank holiday weekend also means you'll find an ever-growing number of events and activities for all ages, to get you out and about and making the most of the long weekend. Whether you live in the South East, are just visiting the for a day-out or enjoying a weekend away, discover what's on this half term holidays.

Half-term and bank holiday Monday events in South East England

Find something near you to enjoy in the featured list below, or use the search above to find out what's on for a specific date or in a specific county - alternatively use the 'map view' button to find something local. Scroll to the bottom of the page for lots of ideas and inspiration from the full list of events across the South East this school holidays.

  • The Big Eat Festival, Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley Abbey, Southampton, Hampshire (F)
    23rd - 24th May 2026
    Returning for its fourth year, this free-to-attend festival is a celebration of local food and musical talent with all the profits being donated to local food banks.
  • Explore the historic City of Oxford by bus and on foot, City Sightseeing Oxford, Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire
    23rd - 31st May 2026
    A great to experience Oxford with 18 bus stops to hop on and off at, entry to the Carfax Tower to enjoy views of Oxford and a 45 minute walking tour.
  • The Queens Joust, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent
    23rd - 25th May 2026
    Exhilarating display of combat and action and medieval living and feasting this May bank holiday
  • Eton Arts Week, Eton, Berkshire (F)
    23rd - 31st May 2026
    With the launch event En Plein Air Eton on the 23rd, the Eton Art Trail showcasing local artists, talks, workshops and family activities to enjoy.
  • May Half Term Activities, Cutty Sark, Royal Museums Greenwich, Greenwich, London
    23rd May - 31st May 2026
    Hands on craft workshops themed around stars and navigation, historical characters to meet and a family trail to follow around the ship.
  • Birds of Prey Weekend, Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
    24th - 25th May 2026
    See birds of prey up close, the brand new NFTS 1930s circus themed model exhibition and enjoy the chance to explore the oldest original model village in the world. 
  • The Napoleonic Experience, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
    24th  - 25th May 2026
    Epic arena battles and encampments with over 150 re-enactors, cannons and weaponry, bringing history to live and the chance to meet Jason Salkey from TV show Sharpe.
  • Mystical Magical May Half Term, Rare Breeds Centre, Highlands Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent
    25th May - 29th May 2026
    Follow the mystical trail, try your hand at spell writing, explore the farm and meet the enchanting themed characters as they wander around the farm
  • Steam Days, Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire
    30th - 31st May 2026
    Unlimited steam rides, get hands on in the signalling centre, explore the 1932 engine shed, let of some steam in the outdoor adventure park 
  • Sportive Cycle Ride, Hook Norton Brewery, Brewery Lane, Hook Norton, Oxfordshire
    31st May 2026
    Fantastic cycle ride through the Oxfordshire countryside with two distances available and full support provided - 39 miles or 60 miles

Planning a May half-term holiday

Discover great value accommodation across the South East for a spring getaway. You can also search by destinations to link up with the local offical tourism websites across the region. Head over to the newsletter archive and YouTube channel to discover some of the great places to visit in South East England. The month of May generally brings brighter and longer days, more consistent weather and sees a host of music events and food festivals, outdoor trails and evening events added to the what's on calendar, keeping everybody thoroughly entertained.

When is the May half-term Holiday 2026?

May half term in South East England runs from late May to early June and includes the Spring Bank Holiday Monday, making it ideal for short breaks and family days out.

Is May half-term the same across all the South East counties?

Yes, this May half term all of the counties are running the same holidays from Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May 2026, which includes the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 25th May 2026. This is the second bank holiday Monday in the UK in May.

Half-term activities near me 

Find over a hundred events across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, this May Half Term and Bank holiday weekend.

May Half Term Events and Activities

Number of results:

Number of results: 118

, currently showing 81 to 100.

  1. City of Oxford Walking Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Tour

    Broad Street, Oxford

    Discover the vibrant history of the oldest university in the English-speaking world on the only official University of Oxford walking tour. Learn how Oxford grew from a small market town to become the city of dreaming spires.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Feb 2026to23 June 2026Open 11:00 - 17:00
  2. Wilder Kent Experience: Beavers, Nature's Engineers

    Type

    Type:

    Countryside

    Cades Road, Worth

    Explore Ham Fen and see the evidence of beaver activity since their introduction to the reserve 20 years ago.

    Ham Fen is an exceptionally special reserve, home to the UK's first official beaver release project and Kent's last remaining fenland.…

    Dates

    From:
    31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
  3. Bates Green Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Gardens

    Arlington

    Bates Green Garden was designed and planted by the late Carolyn McCutchan over a period of many years from 1968.  The tranquil 1.5-acre garden surrounds the farmhouse, which was originally a gamekeepers cottage built circa 1814. 

    Dates

    From:
    25 Feb 2026to28 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
  4. Families Go Wild

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Wexham

    Explore and get messy at Black Park!
    Join us in Black Pines Camp for some fun in the woods! We have a variety of activities for your child to go wild and many Forest School skills to learn about. This includes crafts, tools, campfire skills…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Apr 2026to22 Apr 2027Open 10:30 - 12:00
  5. Three Rivers Music Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Porchfield

    Three Rivers Festival returns to Durrants Farm, Porchfield, from 29–31 May 2026, with its first wave of artists now confirmed. This year's early announcement features Dub Pistols, Jaguar Skills, The Undercover Hippy, Born ina Barn, Fellowship of…

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026to31 May 2026
  6. Curious About Windsor

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Peascod Street, Windsor

    Have fun (re)discovering Windsor with two quirky treasure‑hunt walks that get you spotting things you’ve never noticed before. It’s a fresh‑air adventure that’s fun, affordable, and perfect for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
  7. Eclipse

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chichester

    In the kitchen of an old Devon rectory, the daughter who stayed and the son who moved away make conversation with their current and former partners, the milkman, the postman, the care workers. They talk about the weather, the roads, the toaster, the…

    Venue

    Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

    Dates

    From:
    8 May 2026to6 June 2026
  8. Simply Porsche

    Type

    Type:

    Run / Rally

    New Forest

    We are delighted to announce the return of Simply Porsche on Sunday 31 May 2026.

    All Porsche owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu and park up within the museum parkland for a superb day out for both owners and enthusiasts.

    Held in association…

    Dates

    From:
    31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
  9. May at Go Ape Crawley

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Titmus Drive, Crawley

    Looking for things to do this May half term in Sussex? Escape the ordinary and head to Go Ape Crawley, set among the rolling woodland in Tilgate Park, for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.

    Perfect for families, friends, and thrill seekers, Go Ape…

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 09:30 - 16:00
  10. Curious About Portsmouth

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    The Hard, Portsmouth

    Get ready to explore Portsmouth like a real‑life detective! With two treasure‑hunt walks, you’ll spot clues, solve puzzles, and discover amazing things you’ve never noticed before. It’s fun, it’s outdoors, and it’s perfect for curious kids (and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
  11. Steam Days at the Didcot Railway Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Didcot

    Savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam; take unlimited rides behind a fully sized Steam Locomotive at Didcot Railway Centre in Oxfordshire.

    Venue

    Didcot Railway Centre, South Oxfordshire

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:30 - 16:00
  12. May Half Term Cutty Sark

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage & History

    Greenwich

    Visit the world-famous Cutty Sark this May half term and enjoy hands-on craft workshops themed around stars and navigation, meet historical characters, follow a family trail around the ship, or let your imagination loose with special play boxes.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
  13. Weekend Breaks

    Weekend Breaks

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Faringdon

    Weekend Breaks in The Vale Of the White Horse

    Dates

    From:
    11 Apr 2026to28 Jan 2027Open 09:00 - 23:00
  14. Curious About Canterbury

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Sun Street, Canterbury

    Curious About Canterbury takes you to the famous sights and the hidden gems, with surprises tucked around every corner. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2027Open 09:00 - 16:00
  15. A-May-zing half term at Drusillas Park

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Alfriston

    Make wild memories this May half term at Drusillas Zoo Park!

    Keep the kids half term happy with a zooper day out at Drusillas Park - voted one of the best days out with kids in Sussex!

    Get nose-to-nose with 80 species of animal in our…

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 18:00
  16. Summer Pass | AirHop Guildford

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Guildford

    Make your summer Unforgettable at AirHop Guildford!

    Looking for the perfect way to keep the kids active and entertained? Head to AirHop Adventure & Trampoline Park Guildford for a summer packed with BIG jumps, epic weekends and unforgettable…

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2026to9 Sept 2026
  17. Curious About Hastings

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Hastings

    Get ready to explore Hastings like a real‑life detective!

    Curious About Hastings takes you to famous places and secret corners, with surprises hiding around every turn. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly, so…

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026to3 May 2027
  18. May Half Term at Go Ape Wendover

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event / Activities

    Aston Clinton

    Looking for things to do this May half term in Buckinghamshire? Escape the ordinary and head to Go Ape Wendover Woods, set among the rolling woodland just outside Aylesbury, for an unforgettable outdoor adventure
    Perfect for families, friends, and…

    Dates

    From:
    31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:30
  19. Horrible Histories: Queen Eleanor's Guide to Surviving the Middle Ages

    Type

    Type:

    Childrens Events

    Maidstone

    Step into the rotten realities of the Middle Ages with Horrible Histories this May Half Term at Leeds Castle!

    From 26th to 31st May 2026, join Queen Eleanor of Castile on a horribly hilarious journey back to 1278, where life was far from fairy…

    Venue

    Leeds Castle, Maidstone

    Dates

    From:
    26 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 18:00
  20. £10 Sunday Roasts

    Type

    Type:

    Food

    Whiteley, Fareham


    £10 Sunday Roasts

    Available every Sunday from 4th January at The Parsons Collar Pub
    Celebrate Sunday with a tasty £10 treat!
    When they are gone they are gone!
    Book - lodge@solenthotel.co.uk

    Dates

    From:
    4 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30