May Bank Holiday 2015: Best events, exhibitions and festivals around the UK

Britain is counting down the minutes until the first bank holiday weekend of May. Yet while it's tempting to stay on the sofa all day, plan your time off with our round up of the best events taking place around the UK, from London to Edinburgh.

London Coffee Festival

The London Coffee Festival is the largest coffee and artisan food event in the UK, with gourmet coffee from world-class baristas, speciality tea, delicious food and live music. With over 22,000 visitors expected, the festival is set to be busy – so you can buy your tickets in advance here.

30 April to 3 May. Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London

Custard Factory vintage fair

Judy's Vintage Fair will bring together some great vintage traders for the day for a shopping extravaganza. Setting up in the Market Hall at the Custard Factory, you can expect huge discounts. The fair was set up in 2005 and has attracted the likes of Pixie Lott, Florence Welch and Chloe Sevigny.

2 May, 11am - 4pm. The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham.

Manchester: Woman in Black

Susan Hill's The Woman In Black, adapted for theatre by Stephen Mallatratt, will end its latest run this weekend. So if you fancy a cultural fright fest, book now.

1 - 2 May. The Lowry, Salford Quays.

Cardiff: Calan Mai

After hosting the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the Wales Millennium Centre will continue celebrating music with this free folk festival. Along with performances from established folk artists, there will be workshops and activities, as well as a twmpath – the Welsh equivalent of a Gaelic ceilidh.

1 – 4 May, Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff

Leeds: Tour de Yorkshire

Leeds will host the first ever Tour de Yorkshire over the bank holiday weekend, with Olympic and Tour de France champion Sir Bradley Wiggins and German sprinter Marcel Kittel, winner of the first stage of last year's Tour de France. The event will end in Roundhay Park.

1 – 3 May, see Visitleeds.co.uk for the full route

Edinburgh: Glenkinchie Distillery

For a real taste of Scotland, you need to visit Glenkinchie Distillery. The visit includes a unique exhibition and a tour of the distillery production area, before a tasting of Glenkinchie Single Malt Whisky at the bar.

Glenkinchie Distillery, Tranent, East Lothian

Bristol: Bristol Walk Festival

The festival features the best walks in the city and in the surrounding countryside, catering for beginners to experienced ramblers. It will host over 160 walks over the month of May, to see the sights of the city and all it has to offer.

1 – 31 May. For a full itinerary, see here.

Newcastle: Gateshead Beer Festival

For the sixth year, the festival take place over the three-day weekend with an extensive collection of beer, cider and wines, as well as lots of live music. There is a great selection of ales sourced countrywide, but the festival also showcases local brewers and their creations. Tickets are selling out fast – so make sure you book in advance here.

1 – 3 May, Gateshead Rugby club, Low Fell