The London 2012 Olympics are a mere six months away and Olympic fever has already reached a fever pitch with something in the news about the big event just about every day. If it's all getting a bit much for you - or if you just want to watch some of the odd sports events you only look at once every four years (Olympic Walking anyone?), there are plenty of eccentric British sporting events coming up in the next few months. Bog Snorkelling, and Pancake Racing to name a few. We like sports where you can have a laugh while you are cheering on your favorite. Have a look at these

_{Share your UK blog}

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The Pendle Witch Trials were the most notorious witch hunts in English history. Exactly 400 years ago, in 1612, two families, and some of their friends and neighbors from the Lancashire village of Pendle were arrested, tried and hanged for witchcraft crimes most of them freely confessed to. Find out who they were, how they were tried and who accused them. Learn about the Pendle Witches on a visit to Lancashire's most brooding and evocative countryside.

_{Share your UK blog}

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

As the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth on February 7 approaches, it's remarkable how few physical landmarks of Britain's favorite author are open to the public - or still standing for that matter. Saddest of all, the Charles Dickens Museum in London, which holds the most important Dickens collection in the world and which occupies the author's last remaining London residence still standing, will be closed for most of the Dickens Bicentenary Year. In its wisdom, the charitable trust that owns and runs the museum, has taken £500,000 of Lottery Heritage Fund Money to top up its £3.1 million renovation fund and will close the museum from April 9 to November 4 for refurbishment. So, while London is bursting with Olympics 2012 and Diamond Jubilee visitors, this important museum will be closed.

Nevermind. There are still a few places where you can get close to the real Charles Dickens without partaking of theme park Dickens attractions:

• Find out where to find traces of the real Charles Dickens in Kent and Hampshire.
• Get the full schedule of Dickens 2012 Bicentenary events

_{Share your UK blog}

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

If you're tired of the same old same old look and feel of a lot of hotel rooms these days, why not go for something completely different. How about a treehouse?  They're popping up all over the place and they range from family accommodations to romantic luxury suites for two, from vacation rentals and self-catering  to woodland hideaways on the grounds of Scottish castles. Even Chewton Glen, the 5-star luxury country house hotel in Hampshire is planning to open a half-dozen treehouses in August of 2012. But you don't have to wait until then. There are plenty of treehouses around already. Check these out.

_{Share your UK blog}

Follow me on twitter and facebook

Getty Images