Unusual UK events in August.

August is quite capable of supplying mud, gravy, burrs and a cricket match where you'd normally expect water. Llanwrtyd Wells’ bog snorkelling and Lancashire’s gravy wrestling make especially vivid sporting photographs, but there are proper rules behind the mess. Read the relevant guide before deciding whether to enter or watch. An event can look gloriously silly and still need preparation, a confirmed place and a clear idea of what you've signed up for.

South Queensferry’s Burryman offers a very different kind of endurance, making his way through the town in his covering of burrs. Brambles Bank cricket depends on its distinctive tidal setting, while Cilgerran’s coracles draw the eye to the River Teifi. At these occasions the place is part of the event, not just a backdrop. Go by the specific visitor information, because a waterside photograph won't tell you how to reach the action or whether there's anywhere to watch casually.

Ballycastle’s Ould Lammas Fair gives the month a different pace, a gathering to spend time in rather than one competition to follow. Grasmere’s Lakeland Sports and Show offers another wider programme to consider. Compare these with a focused contest such as mountain-bike chariot racing and decide how much structure you want in your day. There's room for a family's mixed interests without everyone having to find the same championship equally gripping.

Late-summer dates and bank-holiday links can make an old programme look reassuringly familiar, but check the next edition before planning travel around it. The guides separate confirmed dates from usual times of year and point you to the relevant organiser. Choose an event in a place you'd like to explore, then let the map and real connections shape the rest. And if your ideal August outing means staying clean and applauding other people's efforts, that's an entirely sensible approach to this particular collection.