Here are the events not to miss this summer across the UK

Glyndebourne Festival

The first ever production at the Sussex opera house of Puccini's heartbreaking Madama Butterfly heads the bill at the 2018 Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Among returning shows is a revival of the eye-catching, hilarious and dance-filled 2005 production of Giulio Cesare, Handel's rhythmic take on the Julius Caesar and Cleopatra story. Also being revived this year is the stupendous, outrageous staging of Handel's Saul, a riot of colour and sparky ideas.

Hay Festival

Deck chairs, tents, sunshine, cider and endless books: literary festivals don't get much more charming than Hay. This year, Canadian writer Magaret Atwood will be reflecting on her 1985 novel, The Handmaid's Tale. In the wake of Trump, #MeToo and a chilling TV adaptation, the dystopian world has never felt so resonant. Meanwhile Philip Pullman, who delighted fans with with a long-awaited preqeul to the Northern Lights trilogy, will join novelist Marina Warner and folklore expert Jack Zipes to consider the strength, magic and hope that shines through fairytales and classic children's literature.

All Points East

Cancel your flights to California: Coachella is coming to London. The people behind the legendary music festival on the West Coast are launching a brand new one this side of the Atlantic, here in London's Victoria Park.

All Points East will be a 10-day extravaganza running from the 25 May to 3 June, kicking off with three big days of music. The festival will include recently reunited dance-punkers LCD Soundsystem, moody rockers The xx and the inimitable Björk as headliners.

Watch an open air theatre show

From Michelle Terry’s first season as artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe to open mic poetry nights at Battersea Arts Centre's outdoor courtyard, there’s a whole season of unmissable outdoor performances across London and something out there for everyone.

Keeping it highbrow, Scoop at London Bridge is staging a three-hour adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. Meanwhile, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will be delighting audiences with a revival of 2015's five-star family production of Peter Pan, and chilling punters to the core with Henry James's The Turn of the Screw.

Chestertons Polo in the Park

Chestertons Polo in the Park is returning to Hurlingham Park in Fulham for three days this summer. Enjoy watching matches in the largest polo tournament in Europe, whilst making the most of everything else your ticket offers: street food trucks and bars in the Grazing Paddock, and a chance to explore the quintessentially British shopping village. If you’re bringing the little ones, make sure you check out the packed programme of activities organised on-site by the Little Hooves Kids Club.

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Originally quite a traditional affair – the Summer Exhibition has been running annually since 1796 – it is today the world's biggest open submission art show, attracting an overwhelming number of entrants each year.

With the New RA having just opened and the Royal Academy celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, the 2018 edition is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Serpentine Pavilion

Every year Kensington's Serpentine Gallery commissions an architecture firm to dream up a temporary pavilion for its grounds. This year, Mexican architect Frida Escobedo has become the 18th architect to design one of the world's most prestigious architectural commissions. At only 38, she is the youngest practitioner to take on the project, and the first solo woman since the late Zaha Hadid.

Royal Ascot

Britain’s most notorious racing event is back, and with it a chance to don your finest outfit, a fancy hat and get your champagne at the ready. With Michelin-starred chefs Adam Handling of The Frog, Phil Howard of Elystan Street, Simon Rogan of L’Enclume and Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons each ready to cook up a storm, you might want to leave your picnic at home.

Wimbledon

Almost as soon as the sun comes out, we're chilling the Pimm's and chopping strawberries in time to watch the world's most glamorous tennis tournament, Wimbledon. Whether you set up camp on Murray Mound, take a pew and watch it from one of the outdoor screens in London or simply from the sofa, there are plenty of lovely ways to enjoy the tennis event of the year. While many of the 2018 screenings are yet to be announced, we're feeling confident some of 2017's best viewing spots will be returning this year.

Henley Royal Regatta

The annual boating and high-society 5-day spectacular that is the Henley Royal Regatta will soon be back with a splash. For those new to town, it’s the world’s most famous event dedicated to rowing, held on the River Thames or – more precisely – by the exceptionally pretty and idyllic town of Henley-on-Thames, since 1839. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to this charming setting for five days (Wednesday 4 July - Sunday 8 July) of over 200 international-standard races. Though many visitors do obviously take the rowing seriously, there’s also plenty going on for revellers who are more attracted by the jolly boating atmosphere.

Latitude Festival

Now in its 13th year, Latitude festival at Southwold’s Henham Park continues to attract some of the most innovative artists and thinkers in their droves. Set around a pine-wreathed lake and graced with flocks of sheep (dyed bright pink for the occasion), Latitude is magically pretty. It also packs a greater punch than most music festivals: the programme is overflowing with theatre, art, comedy, poetry, literature, politics and dance.

BBC Proms

This year’s dynamic eight-week BBC Proms season is packed with music you’ll want to hear, played by orchestras from all over the world whose programmes cover hundreds of years of composition. Whether you are a classical music addict or new to concert-going, the BBC Proms offers unbeatable programmes in a lively and relaxed atmosphere. Late-night events are particularly magical.

Cowes Week

There's nothing quite like Cowes Week; the oldest and largest annual sailing regatta in the World and an iconic feature of the British sporting calendar. Having started in 1826, the event is held each August on the Solent (the waters between southern England and the Isle of Wight). Watch the sailing action on a boat or keep dry (and steady) shoreside, where you can mingle with other sailing enthusiasts who’ve turned up for the occasion.

Notting Hill Carnival

Steel drums, rum punch, coconuts, jerk chicken and a whole lot of joy: Notting Hill Carnival will be back late August. The annual Bank Holiday celebration features hundreds of sound systems, opulent costumes, singing, dancing and more food than you could ever eat. And kids will love it too: Sunday is Family Day, which means a relaxed parade with a calmer atmosphere, but with just as much summer fun.

Festival Number 6

No. 6. Festival has only been around since 2012, but has had rave reviews every year since. It’s not hard to see why. Festivals don’t come much more boutique nor much more eccentric, and 2018's line up is characteristically brilliant. There are many acts on the bill, ranging from the satirical, grotesque and often hilarious Will Self, to post-punk sounds from reigning indie darlings Django Django. Night owls will be pleased to know that there's also plenty of DJing expertise on hand, with the likes of electro-house DJ Erol Alkan and emerging musician Hak Baker coming to town.