To get your camping year off to a great start, here's a round up of some of the month's best events from around the UK to compliment your camping trip.
1 January
A classic start to the year
If classic cars are your thing then you won’t want to miss what claims to be the biggest New Year’s Day classic car gathering at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey.
More than 1,000 vehicles are expected to attend, plus there will be live music and even a winter barbecue to help you kick off 2019 in style. Normal museum admission prices apply. Contact events@brooklandsmuseum.com or call 01932 857381 for more details.
Nearest open Club Site: Chertsey
5 January
An all-star evening
Make the most of winter’s dark nights and have a go at stargazing with astronomer Richard Darn over at Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire. Richard is running an evening stargazing workshop helping young and old explore the night sky. The event costs £10 for adults and £6.50 for children and will go ahead even if there’s cloud cover as computer simulations will also be used. Call 0300 067 5467 for tickets.
Nearest open Club Site: Teversal
11-12 January
Wass goung on?
The ancient tradition of wassailing takes centre stage in Stroud, Gloucestershire, as Morris dancers and masked dancing mummers head out to perform around the town in music, song and play.
Rumoured to be the largest wassailing event in the country, visitors will be able to enjoy a day-long programme of fun with St Laurence Parish Church at the heart of the action. A procession and wassailing will take place from 12.30pm.
Nearest open Club Site: Blackmore
19-20 January
Get inspired by adventure travel
The UK’s only exhibition dedicated to travel experiences off the beaten track takes place at Olympia, London. Whether it’s small group adventures on land or sea, volunteering projects, walking and trekking routes, safaris or eco adventures that interest you, the Adventure Travel Show is for you! Attend inspirational talks or take part in the selection of workshops. Travel specialists, explorers and adventurers from across the globe will be on hand to inspire you. Tickets and more information are available online.
Nearest open Club Site: Theobalds Park
19&20 January
National Running Show NEC
The National Running Show is the largest independent running exhibition in the UK. There will be a host of inspirational speakers at the show including British running icon Paula Radcliffe (pictured below). This show will give you all the advice you need on kit, nutrition, advice, technology and inspiration. Whether you are planning on starting running or you’re an experienced runner this show is for you. For more information visit nationalrunningshow.com
Nearest open Club Site: Kingsbury Water Park
20 JANUARY
Binoculars at the ready
During the winter months the River Exe becomes a haven for many migrating birds. Take a guided three-hour river cruise and enjoy informative commentary from a leading ornithologist who will provide guidance on the species, habitats and behaviours of the thousands of birds. The boats have covered and heated lower decks with panoramic windows and outside upper decks with cosy blankets and plenty of fresh air! Advance booking is strongly recommended.
Nearest open Club Site: Tavistock
Throughout January
BFG in pictures
If you or your children were ever enchanted by the stories dreamed up by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake, then you are certain to enjoy one of the latest exhibitons at York Art Gallery.
The BFG in Pictures is an exhibition of 40 original Quentin Blake artworks prepared for the classic story The BFG. It also includes a series of rarely seen and unpublished illustrations and initial drawings by Quentin Blake that were not used in the first publication of the book in 1982.
As well as the exhibition itself, you can also enjoy a wealth of family friendly activities themed around it, including taking a wander into Giant Country, the chance to catch phizzwizards in the BFG’s cave and even enjoy a story in Sophie’s bedroom.
The exhibition runs until 24 February.
Nearest open Club Site: Boroughbridge