United Kingdom February Events

Six Nations Rugby Championships

See some of the world’s best Rugby Union players this February and March as England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy battle it out in 2011’s Six Nations Championship. Cardiff’s breath-taking Millennium Stadium will host the opening game on 4 February when England will play Wales to kick off what promises to be a spectacular sporting celebration.

On 12 February England take on last year’s losers, Italy, at Twickenham Stadium in London while Scotland play Wales on home turf at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. On 26 February England play France at Twickenham and the day after Scotland meet Ireland at Murrayfield. There are further UK fixtures in March so check the Six Nations website for full details and times.

Glasgow Film Festival

Join this celebration of the very best Scottish and international film running from 17-27 February. It’s the fastest growing event of its kind in the UK offering screenings, workshops, lectures, festivals within the festival, discussions and the chance to meet filmmakers from Scotland and around the world.

Don’t miss the GFF ‘mini festivals’ that explore different themes within the main event. Frightfest, dubbed by director Guillermo del Toro as the ‘Woodstock of gore’, celebrates the art of the horror movie while the Glasgow Music and Film Festival marries music and movies in a carefully curated programme of live musical events and films.

For more information and the full programme, check out the Glasgow Film Festival website.

London fashion week

Every year, in February and September, the capital plays host to over 50 trend-setting designers who unveil their new collections to a hungry audience of press and buyers from all over the globe within the graceful setting of Somerset House in central London.

London Fashion Week is a trade only event but this doesn't mean that you have to miss out on the latest fashion news or the chance to see some of the world's hottest designers. London Fashion Weekend takes place directly after the trade show from 24-27 February. Over 120 established and emerging designers sell pieces from their collections at fantastic discounts, fashion heavyweights dispense fashion and beauty tips and a catwalk show will give you an insight into key looks for next season.

Bath Literature Festival

From 25 February- 6 March head to the West Country for the Bath Literature Festival and enjoy events ranging from author talks to literary pub crawls. Join Alexander McCall-Smith, the author of the successful “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin author “Louis de Bernières”, Booker Prize winner Howard Jacobson and many more. There’ll also be storytelling, music, performance and poetry readings.

Since its launch in 1996, the Bath Literature Festival has grown into one of the most well-known events in the UK’s literary calendar. While you’re there make sure to explore beautiful, honey-coloured Bath, a World Heritage Site famous for its Roman Baths and associations with “Pride and Prejudice” author Jane Austen.

Crickhowell Walking Festival

Join this eight-day festival of walking in the Brecon Beacons National Park that combines a number of different walks for all levels of ability. So whether you’re happy trekking all day across the tops of the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons or would rather keep to paths and the lower slopes there are routes to suit everyone. The 73 walks are all led by experienced guides so you’ll be in good hands.

The programme, beginning on the 26 February, also has a range of associated events including talks, some of which will be followed by a walk to illustrate the talk the next day, courses in Map Reading and Navigation – theory and practical – as well as times to relax to music and even dance, if you’re not too tired after a hard day’s hiking!

For the full programme of walks and to find out more about Crickhowell and the Brecon Beacons, check out the Crickhowell Walking Festival website.