Out and about in August

Get out and about with our extended guide to exhibitions and events taking place across Britain this August. From exhibitions on the Egyptians and lectures on the history of the Gurkhas, to a children's literary festival and Titanic exhibition, there's bound to be something here for every taste.

Pick of the month

See how Egyptian kings lived

Exploring the theme of kingship in ancient Egypt, this exhibition takes a closer look at the many roles of Egyptian kings, both public and private. Objects on display include sculpture, jewellery, papyri and funerary objects, as well as ornamental statues and beautifully carved stone reliefs from ancient temples. The exhibition also boasts some more unusual Egyptian relics, such as diplomatic letters to Egypt’s allies inscribed on clay tablets, the wooden bow of one of the king’s troop commanders, and an ancient water-clock decorated for a Greek king on the throne of Egypt.

Exhibition: Pharaoh: King of Egypt
Great North Museum, Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne
Until 25 September
0191 222 6765
www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum

London

Lecture: The Gurkhas, Special Force by Chris Bellamy
National Army Museum, London
10 August
020 7881 6606
www.nam.ac.uk

Exhibition: Glamour of the Gods: Hollywood Portraits – Photographs from the John Kobal Foundation
National Portrait Gallery, London
Until 23 October
020 7306 0055
www.npg.org.uk

Lecture: Sassetta and Saint Francis with Linda Bolton
Sainsbury Wing Conference Room 1, National Gallery
5 August
020 7747 2885
www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Exhibition: Signs of a Struggle: Photography in the Wake of Postmodernism
V&A, London
FREE ENTRY
11 August–27 November 2011
020 7942 2000
www.vam.ac.uk

Event: Children’s Literature Festival
Imperial War Museum, London
13–21 August
020 7416 5320
http://london.iwm.org.uk

Event: The Fabulous Fifties @ Late
Museum of London
11 August
020 7001 9844 (advanced booking required, min age 18)
www.museumoflondon.org.uk

South and South East

Exhibition: Titanic Honour & Glory
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham
Until 30 September
01634 823800
www.thedockyard.co.uk

Event: Festival of Steam
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester
13–14 August
01243 811348
www.wealddown.co.uk

South West

Exhibition: Way of the Warrior
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro, Cornwall
Until 1 October
01872 272205
www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk
 

East

Exhibition: Splendour and Power: Imperial Treasures from Vienna
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
16 August–8 January 2012
01223 332900
www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Heart of England

Event: Jousting Tournament Featuring the Knights of Royal England
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
5–7 August
01993 811091
www.blenheimpalace.com

Event: Siege!
Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden, Kenilworth
28–29 August
01926 852078
www.english-heritage.org.uk

North East

Event: Arbeia Festival
Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum, South Shields
13 August
0191 232 6789
www.twmuseums.org.uk/arbeia
 

North West

Event: Transport Festival
Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester
FREE ENTRY
30 July–7 August 2011
0161 832 2244
www.mosi.org.uk

Yorkshire

Event: Bank Holiday Special
Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton, York
28–29 August
01904 489966
www.murtonpark.co.uk

Exhibition: William Etty: Art and Controversy
York Art Gallery, York
FREE ENTRY
Until 22 January 2012
01904 687687
www.yorkartgallery.org.uk
 

Wales

Exhibition: A Glimmer in the Earth: The Treasures of Rhayader and its Region
Rhayader Museum and Gallery, Rhayader, Powys
Until 4 September
01597 810561
www.carad.org.uk

Event: The Llangollen Railway Classic Transport Weekend
Llangollen Railway, Llangollen, North Wales
27–28 August
01978 860979
www.llangollen-railway.co.uk
 

Scotland

Event: Lanark 2011 – Scotland’s Festival of History
Lanark Racecourse, Lanark
20–21 August
07963 128365
www.lanarkmedievalfestival.co.uk

Event: The Robert the Bruce Festival 2011
Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, West Fife
26–28 August
www.visitdunfermline.com/brucefestival

Northern Ireland

Exhibition: Starstruck
Ulster Museum, Belfast
Until 25 September
028 9044 0000
www.nmni.com/um

Got an historical exhibition or event happening in your area? Email Charlotte Hodgman with the details and we'll do our best to include it in our online listings.