Fancy going to the beach this summer? In Swindon?

For five days only there will be the opportunity for Swindonians to experience sand without having to leave the town, it starts from Saturday August 25.

The Urban Beach Experience will be open from 10:30am every day and as well as your traditional accessories such as deck chairs there will be a host of additional activities for people to do.

This will include a family beach party, beach fitness, donkey rides, live music & dance, beach retreat, games, competitions and face painting all spread out on different days of the week.

There will also be a seaside market each day - visitors will be able to wander around and sample some of the traditional coastal food.

Rachael Youd, inSwindon BID Business Development Manager said: “It’s an exciting project for the BID and we are looking forward to hosting the event in August, we’ve got everything from sounds of seagulls to traditional deckchairs to create that traditional seaside experience for all the family.

“The event is free of charge, thanks to the funding of the town’s local businesses, as part of the Business Improvement District (BID) and is a great way to promote our local businesses and showcase what the Town Centre Swindon has to offer, whilst also providing offering a fabulous wide variety of free fun activities for all ages on the day.”

And if you’re wondering what else to do this summer, now the World Cup is over, there’s plenty coming up.

Eighties rock giants Simple Minds and The Pretenders will turn Lydiard Park into a rocking arena on August 31 with support by KT Tunstall.

For those who’d like to watch a play or film but not be cooped up indoors, the park will also be the place to go.

Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of manners The Importance of Being Earnest will be at the park’s open air theatre this Friday, July 20, and Peter Pan will hold children spellbound on August 24.

Pretty Woman and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be screened on August 10 and 11 respectively.

For details and tickets see lydiardpark.org.uk

Purton House Organics will host Festival on the Farm on the weekend of August 3-5. As well as music and comedy there will be organic (of course) food and plenty for children to do including a fun fair.

Camping is available. See festivalonthefarm.co.uk for details

Singer Peter Gabriel’s Womad, is now global, with events on four continents. Wiltshire’s original festival is still the best. July 26-29, Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

See womad.co.uk for details and tickets

Octoberfest, October 12-13, County Cricket Grounds, Swindon.

This event returns to Swindon for the second time after last year’s success. If you want an experience like no other that involves drinking beer out of steins with a live oompah band, this is one not to miss.