Five fun ways to spend the bank holiday weekend

The last bank holiday before Christmas is fast approaching. If you don’t have anything in the diary as yet, check out the suggestions below and see if anything tickles your fancy:

1. Visit a theme park. Yes, it’ll be busy, but it’ll also be fun. Try out the biggest, scariest rides and watch the most amazing shows at Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Oakwood, M&D’s, Drayton Manner, Pleasurelands or Chessington World of Adventures. Get your build on at Legoland Windsor, find your inner pig at Peppa Pig World or go digger crazy at Diggerland.
   Take: snacks, an activity to keep you going in the queues, more snacks and a shedload of money for cheesy photos and souvenirs.
2. Attend a festival. If you fancy getting your groove on to a bit of live music, eating some tasty food from a questionable-looking van and camping up to your eyeballs in mud, why not head to one of the many festivals taking place over the bank holiday? Check out the events in your local area or take part in one of the bigger gigs such as Leeds/Reading Festival, Let’s Rock Scotland, Yam Carnival or Foodies Festival. If you’re looking for a Christian event, check out Greenbelt.
   Take: sun cream, waterproofs, toilet roll, a phone charger and a good pair of earplugs.
3. Stage a home-based retreat. If your idea of a perfect bank holiday is a long weekend at home, you can plan ahead for that, too. Remember to switch off the alarm, get all the equipment you need together for that DIY project, buy that book you’ve been dying to read, order some pamper supplies and download a few decent films. Why not pick up a new hobby, get all those annoying jobs around the house finished or learn how to use that new piece of gym/kitchen equipment you bought but never used?
   Take: all the time in the world to rest, relax and revive.
4. Head to the lakes. The UK is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful stretches of water – there are almost 400 lakes in England alone. If you’ve already done the Lake District and Loch Ness, why not give Lough McNean Lower (County Fermanagh), Kielder Water (Northumberland), Llangorse (Brecon Beacons), Wimbleball Lake (Somerset), Loch Garten (Highland) or The Loe (Cornwall) a go?
   Take: a bike, a boat, a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a decent camera and a picnic.
5. Open your home/church up to people on the fringes. It’s sad to admit it, but churches often have an ‘in crowd’ along with a smattering of people who feel a bit isolated, for example elderly members, people with disabilities, those from different ethnic backgrounds, single parents and those who are recently divorced or bereaved. Offer an open invitation and spend time exploring God’s word with whoever comes along. Sing, walk, talk, cook together, share resources and encourage one another. Let them know they are valued by God and by your congregation.
   Take: lashings of tea and cake!