COUNTRYSIDE life in all its forms is being celebrated over the coming weeks across the district.

An annual celebration of country ways in a bygone era – Rustic Sunday – is the biggest event in the annual calendar at the Rural Life Centre at Tilford.

This falls on July 31, and sees some of the 70-strong team of the museum’s Rustic Volunteers join with visiting craftspeople to put on an experience of rural life in the tranquil setting at the centre.

Visitors can watch country crafts and creative trades being demonstrated and, in many cases, try their hand at them.

There will also be music and dancing, rides on a steam train and horse-drawn cart, a working steam roller in operation, and doors open on a Victorian laundry.

Children can ride on a traditional fairground carousel, and adults can sample handcrafted real ale from a local microbrewery.

Other attractions are a dog agility show, a green furniture maker and a working wood yard.

Visit www.rural-life.org.uk for more details.

l Last summer’s straw bale maze at Hinton Ampner near Bramdean was such a huge success it was brought back and is proving a hit again with adults and children alike.

Up all through the summer holidays, the giant maze can be found in the ancient parkland at the National Trust property, and there is a surprise in the centre for children to find.

Also at Hinton Ampner, there is a medieval Falconry Sports Day on August 13, from 11am to 4pm.

Bird of prey experts from Hawking About present the show in authentic costume and involve the audience every step of the way, culminating in a human tunnel fly through.

Normal admission charge only for the maze and falconry event at this National Trust property.

Hawking About are at south Harting’s Uppark House and Garden too, on August 6, 11am to 4pm.

l Discover the delights of walking and cycling, and days out, on the South Downs at an exhibition at Winchester City Mill which helps with planning a countryside adventure.