Starting in Plymouth is the annual extravaganza known as the British Firework Championships. This two day event down on the Hoe is a great draw for tourists and, given the weather over the last couple of weeks, summer tourism in the UK could do with a bit of a bang. Starting at about 6.30 on each evening there will be three displays per night and it should last until about 9-9.30. Fireworks can be seen in the sky so, of course, the event will be free to all. Having a fireworks display always seems a bit different given that it is still light up until nearly 9pm.

Earlier I mentioned the weather and, according to some local contacts, rain is not unknown. And with this being the 13th such event, packing a mac might not be a bad idea. The other thing to watch out for is traffic. Parking can be a big problem in Plymouth (try getting a parking spot when the free bingo is on once a month!) and there will certainly be some jams as the visitors come in for the championships so public transport might be the best way to get in.

What I haven’t tried is whether you can go to some high ground away from the Hoe and still get a good view and thus avoid the traffic.