HOT CHILLI, MEDIEVAL BATTLES, OPEN-AIR OPERA AND STUNTS ON THE SEAFRONT…

Festival fever is hitting Sussex this summer with extreme sports and scarecrows kicking off the eclectic line-up in July, followed by a range of themed events in August. History enthusiasts will be in their element at Herstmonceux Castle’s Medieval Festival, while the biggest seafront air show, Airbourne, returns with displays from the Red Arrows and the Belgian F16. From the cult Chilli Fiesta at West Dean Gardens and displays of steam power at Weald & Downland Open Air Museum to opera at Petworth House and Shakespeare at Arundel Castle, there is a summer festival to suit everyone. Find out more at www.visitsussex.org or follow up on one of these suggestions:

EASTBOURNE EXTREME (www.eastbourneextreme.co.uk) promises an action-packed weekend with top freestyle slalom skaters from across the UK and Europe battling it out with tricks and stunts. Taking place on Eastbourne seafront on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July, the free two-day event features land, water and air displays, including jet ski, parkour, kitesurfing, BMX and in-line skating. Leave the action to the experts or get a taste for an extreme experience with a free ‘have a go’ taster session in windsurfing or sailing.

Also in East Sussex, the annual BATTLE SCARECROW FESTIVAL runs from 5–25 July, where visitors are invited to join the local community in voting for their favourite scarecrow. Constructed from recycled materials around the 2010 theme ‘Market Day’ the 40-plus straw-stuffed characters form a trail, allowing visitors to discover secret places in and around the historic town of Battle (www.1066country.com).

Try chilli chocolate, chilli ice cream and chilli beer when the popular CHILLI FIESTA returns to West Dean Gardens (www.westdean.org.uk) in West Sussex on 6–8 August. The first outing for this cult event was in 1995 and it has now been extended to three days, allowing more time to test the taste buds and prepare for the hottest chilli in the world, Naga Jolokia/Ghost Chilli. There will be 300 chillies and sweet peppers on display as well as growing and cooking demonstrations, tastings, salsa music and dancing lessons. Admission costs £8.50 for adults, £4 for children or £21 for a family of four.

On the same weekend, 6–8 August, music-lovers are treated to a choice of three OPEN AIR OPERA performances at Petworth House (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth) in West Sussex, starting with La Bohême on the evening of Friday 6 August. Mozart’s The Magic Flute follows on the Saturday night, topped off with a Candlelit Gala Concert on Sunday 8 August. Taking place in the grounds of Petworth House, visitors can take a picnic and relax with a feast of opera’s most inspiring music. Advance tickets cost from £20 for adults and £10 for children (01444 443000).

Meanwhile, ARUNDEL CASTLE is gearing up for its annual festival (www.arundelfestival.co.uk), taking place between 20 and 30 August. The full programme has yet to be announced, but the castle’s Collector Earl’s Garden will once again be transformed into a Shakespearean open-air theatre for three days (26–28 August), when the British Shakespeare Company will perform As You Like It and The Merry Wives of Windsor (adults £25, children £15, 01903 882173).

A month after its extreme sports event, Eastbourne hosts the world’s biggest seafront air show on 12–15 August. With four days of flying action, AIRBOURNE (www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk) includes displays by the iconic Red Arrows, Belgian F16, Blades display team, as well as a Battle of Britain Memorial flight and gravity-defying stunts from the Breitling Wingwalkers aboard the wings of their Boeing Stearman biplanes. There will also be activities on the ground, with evening concerts, an interactive RAF Village complete with replica aircraft and displays from the Essex Dog Display Team.

Over 1,000 Knights, Bowmen and Men-at-Arms will lay siege to Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex over the August Bank Holiday weekend (28–30 August) for the annual ENGLAND’S MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL (www.englandsmedievalfestival.com). History comes to life over the three days, with activities and entertainment for all ages, including twice daily battles, mounted skill-at-arms tournaments, falconry, have-a-go archery, music and dance. A single day ticket costs £13 for adults, £6 for children or £36 for a family of four, while a three-day ticket costs £35 for adults, £16 for children or £96 for a family.

Located in the historic setting of the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum (www.wealddown.co.uk), the fourth annual STEAM FESTIVAL celebrates the sights, sounds and smells of steam power on 14 and 15 August. See huge working engines, steam rollers and model boats, take a ride on a narrow gauge railway or steam powered carousel and learn how steam power was used for industry, agriculture and transport. Admission costs £9 for adults, £4.80 for children or £24.75 for a family.