McLaren F1 star and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button will make a special guest appearance at this weekend’s DTM event at Brands Hatch.

At 11.10am on Sunday (20 May), Jenson will briefly sign autographs for fans before taking part in a live question and answer session with ex-F1 star and current Mercedes DTM racer David Coulthard. This will take place in front of the Mercedes-Benz hospitality suite located in the public areas behind the Pit Straight grandstand.

Shortly afterwards, Button will take the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz DTM ‘race taxi’ with current DTM championship leader Gary Paffett alongside; the first time Button will have driven the circuit since his British F3 days in 1999.

“Brands Hatch is one of the circuits where I cut my teeth in junior single seaters and I have many fond memories of the place” said Button. “It’s one of the greatest tracks in the world and a place with an awful lot of motorsport history.

“It’s going to be a fantastic experience to head back to Brands Hatch to watch the DTM race on Sunday. I think the DTM weekend will be a great event – it’s a fantastic series with some excellent, close racing and some of the best drivers in the world. It’s going to be a great personal experience and a fantastic opportunity to get up-close and personal with all the British fans who have been supporting me over the years.”

Discounted tickets for the DTM at Brands Hatch are available until tomorrow (Wednesday 16 May) at midday. Tickets are available from £29 with free admission for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.

Oulton Park is geared up for its first major event of 2012 this Easter weekend (6,7 & 9 April) as the British GT and F3 Championships race for the first time in 2012. Also headlining over the weekend will be the F3 Cup Championship, which promises one of the biggest grids of the meeting on Easter Monday.

The British GT Championship looks in rude health with a bumper field featuring some of the world’s most desirable cars. The Ferrari 458 and Porsche 911 are the most popular choice amongst the teams, but examples of the Nissan GT-R, Mercedes SLS-AMG, Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8 and Lotus Evora will also be found in combat this Easter. Two one-hour races spearhead the action on Monday.

Local interest comes from Ben and Freddie Hetherington racing one of the Nissans, whilst Northwich’s Speedworks team will be running a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Antrobus’ Chevron cars will also be fielding two cars for David Witt and Ray Grimes, plus Jordan Witt and former Touring Car driver Anthony Reid.

On Saturday the prestigious British F3 Championship will commence with three races. Recent champions Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne continue to impress in Formula 1 with Red Bull-backed Toro Rosso, and the drinks company has tipped Carlos Sainz Jr, son of the double World Rally Champion, as a future star. He makes his F3 debut in Cheshire with their support. British hopes lie with experienced pairing Jack Harvey and Harry Tincknell, plus reigning Formula Renault UK champion Alex Lynn.

Meanwhile the MSVR-run F3 Cup attains championship status in 2012 and celebrates in style with over 20 cars entered for the first round. Easter Monday’s two races will include Chester’s Jamie Stanley, a former British GT champion, plus Monoposto champion Tristan Cliffe, British Formula Ford race winner Linton Stutely and Radical Sportscars champion James Abbott.

Other entertainment over the weekend includes the British Formula Ford Championship, which launches a new car and fuel-efficient engine this season, the Volkswagen Racing Cup and the newly-rechristened Ginetta GT5 Championship. There’s plenty of family fun too, with a supercar parade on the Monday, free pitlane walkabout and autograph session, an Easter egg hunt and a funfair for kids.

Tickets for the British GT and F3 Championships at Oulton Park on 6, 7 & 9 April are available on the gate from £13. Children 12 and under go free on all days. For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.oultonpark.co.uk.

The MG marque is represented with the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship, which features the best of British sportscars and saloons. Meanwhile there’s more of a German flavour to the Kumho BMW Championship, where a wide range of propeller-badged tin-tops can be found on the grid.

Porsche fans will enjoy the GT3 Cup Challenge, which features the more extreme variant of the classic rear-engined Sportscar.

There are classic touring car races aplenty on Easter Sunday, with events for the Classic Thunder series for saloon cars built before 2005, Post Historic & Classic Group 1 Touring Cars, Pre ’93 Touring Car Championship and the Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Car Championship.

Meanwhile single seaters also feature heavily over the weekend with the Formula Renault BARC Championship and Classic Formula Ford 1600 and 2000 classes.

Tickets for the BARC Club Car Championships are available from £10, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.snetterton.co.uk.

The £15 fee was due to be introduced in July however, MPs blocked the plans, condemning them as ‘undemocratic’ and ‘fundamentally wrong’, with one MP arguing that Parliament was not a theme park.

Around 10,000 people take Big Ben tours every year.

Take a tour of Big Ben:

To take a tour of Big Ben’s clock tower, you must be a UK resident – only UK residents are permitted to visit the Clock Tower. To arrange a tour residents should request a visit through their local MP or a member of the House of Lords.

Visitors must be in good health and be capable of climbing 334 small, spiral steps – there’s no lift!

For more information visit here: www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/ukvisitors/bigben/health/

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship will visit the Kent circuit on three occasions, starting with the opening round on Easter weekend (6-9 April) and returning for a summer party on 20-22 July. The final two days of the July meeting will be held on the Grand Prix circuit, as will the final races of the season on 12-14 October.

The British Touring Car Championship will be holding their opening and closing rounds at Brands Hatch, the latter on the Grand Prix circuit, on 31 March – 1 April and 20-21 October respectively. Meanwhile the spectacular DTM German Touring Cars return, a little earlier this year on 18-20 May, with David Coulthard expected to head up a strong British contingent that includes multiple WTCC champion Andy Priaulx and McLaren test driver Gary Paffett.

There’s also action from the British Truck Racing Championship, which draws huge crowds to the circuit, and the successful Halloween-themed events of the last two years make way for a Guy Fawkes spectacular this November (3-4), following an earlier round on 21-22 April. The FIA Formula Two Championship and International GT Open headline the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in July (13-15), whilst the British F3 and GT Championships also return with a date in June (23-24).

Two big festivals are planned, with the Mini celebrated in June (16-17), whilst the Lotus marque enjoys its own event in August (18-19), with F1 demonstrations expected from Classic Team Lotus. There’s further historic action in the Masters Historic Festival in May (26-27), whilst the annual Historic Superprix returns in early summer (30 June – 1 July). A more modern slant can be found a week later with Modified Live on 8 July.

The circuit’s big event for 2012 is as a venue for the Paralympic Games, with the Road Cycling events taking place on 5-8 September. Tickets for these can be purchased via the London 2012 website (www.london2012.com).

In addition to these headline events, the circuit hosts packed programmes of club racing week-in, week-out. A huge variety of cars and bikes, both old and new, can be found at these events and a full calendar can be viewed at www.brandshatch.co.uk.

Brands Hatch 2012 season highlights:

• Sat 31 Mar-Sun 1 Apr Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (Indy)
• Fri 6-Mon 9 Apr MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (Indy)
• Sat 21-Sun 22 Apr Delphi British Truck Racing Championship (Indy)
• Fri 18-Sun 20 May DTM (German Touring Cars) (Indy)
• Sat 26-Sun 27 May Masters Historic Festival (GP)
• Sat 16-Sun 17 Jun Mini Festival Brands Hatch (Indy)
• Sat 23-Sun 24 Jun British F3/GT Championships (GP)
• Sat 30 Jun-Sun 1 Jul HSCC Superprix with FIA Historic Formula One (GP)
• Sun 8 Jul Modified Live
• Fri 13-Sun 15 Jul FIA Formula Two and International GT Open (GP)
• Fri 20-Sun 22 Jul MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (GP)
• Sat 18-Sun 19 Aug Lotus Festival (GP)
• Wed 5-Sat 8 Sep Paralympic Games Road Cycling
• Fri 12-Sun 14 Oct MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (GP)
• Sat 20-Sun 21 Oct Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (GP)
• Sat 27-Sun 28 Oct Formula Ford Festival (Indy)
• Sat 3-Sun 4 Nov Delphi British Truck Racing Championship (Indy)
• Sat 24 Nov Britcar ‘Into the Night’ Race (Indy)

Why not book a trip to London to soak up some culture? This country’s rich history means we have some of the finest exhibitions and museums in the world. This idea may not sound like every child’s cup of tea, but with careful planning it usually proves to be very popular. Both the Imperial War Museum and the Natural History Museum provide wonders round every corner for boys of all ages, while the fine selection of exhibits and art galleries is likely to inspire the most unenthusiastic group of girls.

Any family London expedition should be planned to touch upon our impressive theatrical heritage. Although pantomimes are largely restricted to the Christmas period there are plenty of exciting productions all-year-round, perfect for a day out with the kids and perhaps a kick-start to a love of theatre and literature! A real treat for older kids would be to visit the birthplace of the Bard, Stratford-upon-Avon. Taking in a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre has is a unique experience in the world of western theatre.

If your children are fans of nature, there are plenty of animal parks and zoos dotted around the country. London Zoo, perhaps the most famous, was the first to be opened in the world and now houses nearly 17,000 animals (755 different species). Its partner, Whipsnade Zoo, takes advantage of Bedfordshire’s space and specialises in housing the larger and more social species such as rhinos and elephants. Both zoos are run by the renowned Zoological Society of London and are currently offering the chance to become a zookeeper for a day. This is the once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close and personal with your favourite animals, an experience that 92% of all participants have rated as excellent – a perfect way for the kids to spend their day!

For a more quirky outing, why not travel to the county of Gloucestershire during the last few weeks of your Easter Holiday? The cheese rolling contest at Coopers Hill (a bizarre yet jovial tradition that is over 200 years old) is guaranteed fun and laughter for the whole family. In recent years it has become very well known and appreciated worldwide. Any willing visitors are invited and encouraged to take part alongside the more seasoned West Country veterans, while those feeling less adventurous can stand to the side and spectate. During the event, a ball of Double Gloucester cheese (weighing around eight pounds) is rolled down Cooper’s Hill and chased by a rabble of fired-up contestants. The event’s increased popularity has not detracted from its charm and spending an afternoon spectating or taking part, promises a great and memorable family day out.

Why not visit Scotland for the Easter Holidays? Aside from the majestic highlands, the mysterious lochs and historic cities there is plenty to see when visiting our northern neighbour. Edinburgh Castle, one of the most breathtaking structures throughout Great Britain, steeped in history and majesty, is putting on a host of informative and fun events throughout the Easter Period. Children will love the atmosphere and beauty of the castle and will be enthralled and entertained by the activities and performances being held. Some of the highlights include, a reenactment of a stately inspection by Queen Victoria, a detailed battle report by several of Robert the Bruce’s generals and a theatrical reenactment of a royal banquet, all acted out in full character and costumes – a guaranteed hit with the kids.

These are just a few ideas for doing something a little different with the kids at this special time of year. There is such a variety to do and see in this country, that there really is no excuse for remaining indoors when the family is all together. Hopefully these ideas will inspire you to investigate and show your children what else this exciting nation has to offer.

In total, 25 towns across the UK were entered into the competition to receive city status, with just one town being expected to receive the honor, however, in a surprise result, Chelmsford in Essex, Perth in Perthshire and St Asaph in Denbighshire were all confirmed as winners today.

Two visits from the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship promise plenty of excitement, with reigning champion Tommy Hill leading the pack on 5-7 May, before a return visit on 6-8 July.

The British Touring Car Championship returns on 9-10 June, where Matt Neal and Jason Plato are expected to continue their fierce rivalry. The latter has recently signed to lead MG’s return to the category, whilst Neal races a new Honda Civic and will be hoping not to repeat his controversial incident last year where he took out team mate Gordon Shedden on the final corner of the race.

There are also two big historic-themed events. The Masters Festival opens the season on 17 March with races for cars spanning the decades, whilst the traditional Oulton Park Gold Cup on August Bank Holiday weekend (26-27 August), is expected to end the summer on a high note. On a Bank Holiday theme, the opening round of the British GT and F3 Championships are back with an Easter date on 6, 7 and 9 April).

Oulton Park 2012 season highlights:

• Sat 17 Mar The Masters Historic Festival (International)
• Fri 6-Mon 9 Apr British F3/GT Championships (International)
• Sat 5-Mon 7 May MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (International)
• Sat 9-Sun 10 Jun Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (Island)
• Fri 6-Sun 8 Jul MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (International)
• Sun 26-Mon 27 Aug The Oulton Park Gold Cup (International)

Snetterton’s 2012 race events calendar has been released, with over 35 events covering cars and bikes, starting on 10 March.

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship makes its annual visit to Snetterton on 25-27 May, racing on the 3 mile 300 circuit, as Tommy Hill continues his title defence. There have been big changes amongst the top teams, including a switch to Kawasaki for Shakey Byrne, plus big new signings, including World Superbike legend Noriyuki Haga, Grand Prix winner Anthony West and World Endurance Champion Freddy Foray. Predicting a winner this year is almost impossible!

The British F3/GT Championships and the British Touring Car Championship bookend a speed week in Norfolk, providing a great start to August (4/5 & 11/12). Both will race on the new 300 circuit, with its elevated spectator banks offering superb panoramic views. The 300 and 200 configurations will both be utilised by the expanded Modified Live event on 22-23 September.

Meanwhile a big new event debuts at the circuit in July. The MSA Superkart British Grand Prix, one of only three motorsport events in the UK to hold the title, will take place over the weekend of 14-15 July, and is a joint headline event with the CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship. Completing a summer of great racing, the traditional Citroen 2CV 24 Hour will return for the August bank holiday weekend.

Fans of historic racing will have much to celebrate too, with the Vintage Motor Cycle and Vintage Sports Car festivals on 16-17 June and 30 September respectively. Much of the machinery competing dates back to the pre-war era and is rarely seen driven in anger!

Snetterton 2012 season highlights:

• Fri 25-Sun 27 May MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship (300)
• Sat 16-Sun 17 Jun Vintage Motor Cycle Festival (200)
• Sat 14-Sun 15 Jul MSA Superkart British Grand Prix (300)
• Sat 4-Sun 5 Aug British F3/GT Championships (300)
• Sat 11-Sun 12 Aug Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (300)
• Sat 25-Sun 26 Aug Citroen 2CV 24 Hour
• Sat 22-Sun 23 Sep Modified Live
• Sun 30 Sep Vintage Sports Car Festival (200)

Cadwell Park’s 2012 race events calendar has been released, with more than 25 events covering cars and bikes, starting from this weekend (11 March).

The main highlight of Cadwell Park’s season will be the annual MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship’s ‘party in the park’ over the summer Bank Holiday weekend (25-27 August).

There have been big changes amongst the top teams in BSB, including a switch to Kawasaki for Shakey Byrne, plus big new signings, including World Superbike legend Noriyuki Haga, Grand Prix winner Anthony West and World Endurance Champion Freddy Foray. With Tommy Hill returning to defend his title, predicting a winner this year is almost impossible!

Cadwell Park’s high regard amongst the historic community continues with a second running of the Wolds Trophy on 21-22 April and a Vintage Sports Car Festival on 9 June. Meanwhile the two-wheeled fraternity hold their Classic Cadwell bike weekend on 6-7 May.

The action is also brought right up to date with the spectacular Modified Live event, featuring the wildest cars on the planet. The European Drift Championship’s sideways action is complemented by the ultra-fast Time Attack series for highly tuned cars.

In addition to these headline events, the circuit hosts packed programmes of club racing week-in, week-out with a huge variety of cars and bikes, both old and new.

Cadwell Park 2012 season highlights:

• Sat 21-Sun 22 Apr The HSCC Cadwell Park Wolds Trophy Meeting
• Sat 5 May Modified Live
• Sun 6-Mon 7 May CRMC “Classic Cadwell” Bike Weekend
• Sat 9 Jun Vintage Sports Car Festival
• Sat 25-Mon 27 Aug MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship