Ahoy! Setting sail to Yarmouth to celebrate its maritime past and scanning the skies above Seething for its annual air day are just two of this week's late summer family days out. SIMON PARKIN highlights what not to miss with something for everyone.

Eastern Daily Press: Family feat pix 4/9/14Family feat pix 4/9/14 (Image: Archant)

Wherry Open Days

The Reedcutter, Cantley, September 4, 10am-4pm/Horsefen Road, Ludham, September 11, free admission, 01692 630593, www.wherryalbion.comThe Norfolk Wherry Albion will today be moored on the river by The Reedcutter, Cantley, in company with the Humber Keel 'Daybreak' which has just been named as the National Historic Ship of the Year 2014, and is on a tour of the ports of the East Coast. This is a unique opportunity to see two of the original historic sailing barges that served the East Coast with cargo from across the region. Both craft will be open to the public free of charge

Then next Thursday their Ludham base will be open as part of Heritage Open Day.

Eastern Daily Press: Family feat pix 4/9/14Family feat pix 4/9/14 (Image: Archant)

Battle of The Bangers

The Forum, Norwich, September 6, 9am-5pm, free admission, www.norfolkfoodanddrinkfestival.co.ukThe Norfolk Food & Drink Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary this year with hundreds of fantastic foodie events taking place. But one of the perennial favourites is this annual celebration of local street food, a city farm, lots of delicious treats to taste-test and, of course, Battle of the Bangers. Try a selection of the best sausages in Norfolk and vote for your favourite.

End of Season Gala

East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, September 6, 1pm-6.30pm/September 7, 10.30am-5pm, £8 (£7 cons), £6 children (5-15), 01502 518459, www.eatm.org.ukThis end of the summer vintage transport weekend is the biggest of the year with the museum running tram, train, bus and trolleybus services (which no other attraction in the UK can boast). Why not arrive and leave in style as they will be operating regular bus services to Lowestoft and Beccles using their museum's fleet of preserved buses, and there will be free vintage bus tours of historic Lowestoft and its museums. Meanwhile experience the museum by lamp light with our after-dark operation on Saturday until 9pm. Vintage bus services run throughout the evening. There will also be visiting vintage vehicles, displays, attractions and food and drink offering fun for all the family.

All the Fun of the Fete 1914

Kings House Gardens/Ancient House, Thetford, September 6, 10am-4pm, free admission, 01842 752599, www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

A proper village fete 1914 style. Meet the recruiting officer, the VAD nurse and Royal Flying Corp officer. Edwardian side shows include bowling for a pig, stacking milk crates and hoola. See a performance by 'Old Bill Busby' of some fantastic wartime songs. Enjoy brass bands and displays by the Thetford Garden and Allotment Association. And pre-book your places in the traditional tea tent (£8 per person). Small charge for sideshows.

Acle Society Show

South Walsham Road, Acle, September 6, 2.30pm-4.30pm, free admission, 01493 751057

The 42nd Annual Show to be staged by Acle Society. A traditional village show which will include displays of fruit, flowers and vegetables, handicraft, cookery, photographs and children's work. Refreshments and raffle. Auction of produce at the end of the show.

The Farmers Jam

Norfolk Ski Club, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, September 6-7, from 10am, entry free, 01603 662781, www.norfolksnowsports.comDespite its name, the Farmers Jam isn't a weekend for rural types to sell homemade preserves, rather its an exciting weekend of slope shredding and daredevil antics at the Norfolk Ski Club at Trowse. Every year, the event offers one of the biggest freestyle festivals in Britain. Freestyle skiers and boarders come from across the country to compete on rails, ramps, jumps and more, with lots to see and do. Taster sessions will be held for those who would like to try skiing and/or snowboarding for the first time. Expect big air, slope style, rails and quarter pipe action, all dressed up with stalls, equipment demos, live music and DJs, barbecues and a party atmosphere.

Big Swim

Fritton Lake, September 7, 1pm, £15 per entry, www.activeoutdoorsport.co.ukFritton Lake is one of the most beautiful stretches of water in East Anglia, extending two and a quarter miles from end to end it is considered the jewel in the crown of the historic Somerleyton Hall estate. The 'Big Swims' form part of our Norfolk Open Water Swim series. With two distances to choose from, 3km or 5km, the race is designed to cater for all swimming capabilities and ages. The use of wetsuits is optional subject to the water temperature. All finishers will receive a medal.

Alpaca Open Day

The Low Farm, Letton, Thetford, September 7, 11am-4pm, £3, £2 under-10s, 01362 820097, www.azsualpacas.comOpen day offering the chance to interact with and learn more about these endearing animals. Alpaca walks and obstacle course, family fun, refreshments. The finest Alpacas in the world are those whose ancestry can be traced back to their Peruvian homeland, where the cashmere-like Alpaca fleece was used to produce clothing for the Incan royalty. You can get to see how the wool is produced and used.

Railway has an Open Day

Ashmanhaugh Light Railway, East View Stone Road, Ashmanhaugh, September 7, 2pm-5pm, £1.50 single ride, £3 afternoon rover ticket, £10 family rover ticket, 01603 404263, www.ashmanhaughlightrailway.co.ukThe Ashmanhaugh Light Railway is a 7¼ inch gauge railway in the north Norfolk countryside, within earshot of the whistles of the Bure Valley Railway and the Bittern Line trains. Trains will be running round the fully signalled, landscaped narrow gauge circuits, 2-5pm, weather permitting, hauled by a variety of steam, electric and petrol-engined locomotives.

Nor-Con V

Holiday Inn, Norwich Airport, September 7, 10.30am-5pm, £9, £5 children, £27 family, 01603 508050, www.nor-con.co.ukWell known faces from the world of science fiction will be at the Holiday Inn for the fifth anniversary of this event, organised by the Norwich Sci-Fi Club. Sure to be a huge draw will be comedian, actor and more importantly Doctor Who and Primeval cast member Ben Miller, plus local star and fellow Primeval actor Hannah Spearritt. Also putting in an appearance will be Trev and Simon, Alice Krige, Colin Howard and Samuell Benta. There will also be a host of costume characters, stalls and much more. Meanwhile on September 6 don your outfits for the special anniversary Cosmic Cosplay Party (7pm-12am, £10).

Norfolk Fives Exhibition

The Forum, Norwich, September 7, 9.30am-3.30pm, free admission, www.norfolkfives.co.ukNorfolk Fives are a group of Mazda MX-5 owning enthusiasts. This year is a double celebration, the MX-5 has been in production for 25 years and the Owners Club was formed some 20 years ago. This exhibition portrays the evolution of the world's best selling sports car from its humble beginnings and there will also be a race spec car that people can sit in.

The SR-71 Blackbird Talk and Tour

IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire, September 7, from 11am, included in normal admission £17.50 (£14 cons), under-16s free, www.iwm.org.uk

Former SR-71 pilot Colonel Richard Graham and renown Blackbird expert Paul Crickmore present a joint talk focusing on the flying operation of the SR-71 Blackbird, the world's fastest jet aircraft. Then at 2.30pm, Colonel Graham will host a walk-around tour of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew from RAF Mildenhall, which is on display in the American Air Museum.

Family Fun Day

Carr Lane, Great Moulton, September 9, from 2pm, free entry, email joeandpeter@icloud.com

Traditional family fun day with family dog show. Lots of stalls, tombola, grand raffle, lots of games, barbecue and bar, bouncy castle and much more, fun for all ages.

How & Why

Horsey Windpump, Horsey, September 10, 10.30am-12.30pm, £2.50, £1 children, 01493 393450, www.nationaltrust.org.ukThis striking windpump provides stunning views over the coast and broadland landscape and offers a great spot for birdwatching and wintering wildfowl. Learn about the fascinating history and workings at this special event. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions on drainage mills in general and Horsey Windpump in particular. Climb to the top to enjoy panoramic views of Horsey Mere and the coast.