Five of the best things to do in and around Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth in the next seven days

1 BOOKSPhilippa Gregory, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick School, August 16Best-selling historical novelist Philippa Gregory will be talking about her latest book The Last Tudor at a special event in the run-up to this year’s Warwick Words History Festival. A story of betrayal and divided loyalties in the battle for the throne of England, The Last Tudor is the final novel in Philippa Gregory’s Tudor series. “Philippa Gregory is a previous festival guest and we are delighted to welcome her to Warwick for this special pre-festival event,” said Warwick Words History Festival executive director Helen Meeke. “This year marks Philippa’s 30th anniversary in writing and she is a recognised authority on women’s history.”Details: warwickwords.co.uk

2 FAMILYFamily Fun Day and Dog Show, Compton Verney, August 13Featuring vintage games for the whole family, crafty hands-on fun and laughs galore with Hand to Mouth Theatre Company’s new show, there’s a huge range of canine capers for people and their pooches to enjoy. There will be Waggiest Tail and Best Puppy competitions, as well as demonstrations of Heelwork to Music, a chance to meet the Heelwork-to-Music Crufts Champion as well as gun dogs, shire horses and the return of the ever-popular duck herding! Avonvale Veterinary Practice will also be on hand to give free animal health and welfare advice for pets.Details: comptonverney.org.uk

3MUSICBattle Proms, Ragley Hall, August 13Since their first concert in 1997 the Battle Proms have been treating their audiences to a heady mix of sublime classical music, carefully choreographed Spitfire and cavalry displays, dramatic cannon fire and stunning firework finales. As the series enters its 20th anniversary year, the lakeside setting at Ragley will once again provide a striking backdrop to the pyrotechnics. It also claims to be the only place in the world where Beethoven’s Battle Symphony is performed as he intended –with 193 live firing cannon. The Red Devils – the British Army and Parachute Regiment’s official display team – will also perform their daring freefall display in the skies above the concert, and the Grace Spitfire team will put on a choreographed display. Details: battleproms.com

4 MUSICLambchop, The Assembly, Leamington, August 12The critically acclaimed American genre-blenders were initially indebted to traditional country, but their music has subsequently moved through a range of influences including post-rock, soul and lounge music. They had their critical and commercial breakthrough in 2000 with the release of the album Nixon, with adventurous new album Flotus similarly well received.Details: leamingtonassembly.co.uk

5 MUSICOddfellows Brass, Leamington town hall, August 13Expect an afternoon of toe-tapping show tunes, family-favourite film scores and old favourites. The upbeat, award-winning band are sponsored by the Oddfellows friendly society, which offers care, advice and support to people in times of need. The concert is in aid of British Blind Sport.Details: oddfellows.co.uk/events