Beat the winter blues and get out to see one or more of these November events in the UK

Trees of Ickworth, Suffolk

When the park at Ickworth was laid down in the 18th century, a decision was made not to clear all the trees, but to work around them. So, today, visitors can look at trees that are up to 700 years old. There are 250 veteran and ancient trees, all with a rich history, which the head-forester gardener and the National Trust’s regional archeologist will describe on a tour of the park. The morning finishes off with a hot lunch made with ingredients from the kitchen gardens. November 13, 11am-3.30pm; £32, including park admission, booking essential; 01284 736127, nationaltrust.org.uk

Lord Mayor’s Show, London

This year marks the 795th Lord Mayor’s Show and, despite the downturn, the City of London isn’t scrimping on the entertainment. An elaborate parade including 200 vehicles, 71 floats, 150 horses and 20 marching bands sets off from Mansion House at 11am and returns to the same location at about 2.30pm. With acrobats from Hong Kong, Zulu warriors and hip-hop dancers from Hackney, it should be quite a show. After the parade, there’ll be free guided walks around the City and a fireworks display on the Thames at 5pm. November 13; free; lordmayorsshow.org

The Electric Estate, Northumberland

To mark the 200th birthday of the prolific Victorian inventor Lord Armstrong, the National Trust is teaming up with Northumberland Lights to transform his Cragside estate with different kinds of light installations. Visitors can follow a series of interactive illuminated walks through the estate, which includes woodlands and the largest rock gardens in Europe. Selected dates and times between November 12 and 28; £11.50, kids £8.50, families £32; northumberlandlights.com

St Nicholas Fayre, York

A combination of farmers’ market, crafts emporium and medieval-themed bunfight, the St Nicholas Fayre spreads through the cobbled streets of York, its stalls piled high with local produce, handmade arts and crafts, and choice Christmas gifts. It’s busy and bustling, with a backing track provided by carol singers and local buskers, and there’s a medieval market and bar at Barley Hall for a slice of history — and a post-shopping glass of local ale, mulled wine or hot chocolate laced with brandy. November 25-28; free; yorkfestivals.com

Somerset carnivals

Had your fill of fireworks? Somerset will be lighting up the sky this Guy Fawkes season with a series of illuminated carnivals — the biggest in the world. Themed floats up to 100ft long, decorated with as many as 30,000 bulbs, will parade through the streets accompanied by marching bands, majorette troupes, costumed walkers and masqueraders. Nine towns will participate; the biggest carnival takes place in Bridgwater and attracted more than 100,000 spectators last year. November 5-15; free; somersetcarnivals.co.uk

Animal tracks and signs, East Sussex

Track down creatures that come out only at night on an exploratory walk through Stanmer Park, in Brighton. Guides from the Sussex Wildlife Trust will help you to explore the woodland, looking for footprints and other signs of nocturnal animals, and examine owl pellets to see what (or who) was for dinner. You can also have a go at building a mini-shelter for hibernating animals. November 20, 11am-1pm. Entry £6, kids £7, families £18; sussexwt.org.uk

Portsmouth Victorian Festival of Christmas

It’s a Victoriana love-in this year in Portsmouth. Take a stroll down a specially created Victorian street, listen to readings from works by Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, or take tea with the Mad Hatter and friends. There will also be bawdy music hall-style entertainment, an arts and crafts bazaar, lashings of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, and, of course, Father Christmas — dressed in green, not red. The ticket price includes entry to other local attractions. November 26-28; £13.50, kids £11.50, families £41.50; christmasfestival.co.uk

Curling, Kent

You don’t have to get your skates on to to try this Olympic sport at Fenton’s curling rink, in Tunbridge Wells. England’s only curling ice rink is opening up its three lanes to anyone who wants to have a go, and will have instructors on hand to find out whether you’ve got what it takes. All equipment is provided, but wrap up warm. November 28, 10am-4pm; £5 an hour, booking recommended; fentonsrink.co.uk

Animate It! in Bristol

Aardman Animation’s most famous characters, Wallace and Gromit, will make a guest appearance at the company’s Animate It! interactive exhibition, in the At-Bristol science centre. You can chat with the duo, create your own storyboards and showreel and play with film sets from their latest movie. Budding directors can create an animation in the style of Chicken Run and Creature Comforts — and enter it in a competition to win a Golden Morph. There are also live science shows and night-sky shows at the Planetarium. November 27; £11.35, kids £7.25; at-bristol.org.uk

Hands on Hawks, Leicestershire

Get up close and personal with the resident falconry team at historic Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park — and, of course, with the birds of prey themselves. Visitors can get the gloves on and hold a hawk or owl; then, with the help of the team, you can try flying them yourself. You can also watch the pros in action as they fly falcons, sparrowhawks and kestrels. November 14 and 21; £2, kids £1; www.bosworthbattlefield.com