Somerset Aerofest

Somerset Aerofest is essentially the county's chance to show off its aviation heritage and let visitors get up close to aircraft that would normally stay parked behind a fence. Held annually, it brings together everything from vintage warbirds to modern jets, plus the kind of ground displays that get plane enthusiasts properly animated.

You'll spend a good half-day wandering between hangars and outdoor static displays, watching the flying displays if the weather's decent. Kids under ten tend to lose interest after a couple of hours unless they're already obsessed with anything with wings. Adults with any aviation interest, though, will happily spend the whole day there.

The event usually happens in summer, and you'll want to arrive early - the car park fills up fast and the crowds build through the day. Othery's the nearest town, so it's fairly rural, which means it's a proper back-to-basics kind of event without the corporate polish of bigger air shows.

If you're staying at The Hideout just down the road - only 2.7 miles away - it's a decent afternoon activity to break up a caravan holiday. Not the sort of thing that'll make or break a week, but worth checking the dates if you're timing a trip around here. Bring a sunhat and decent shoes; there's a lot of standing about on tarmac.