Top 10 Things to do Over the August Bank Holiday Weekend

It’s the last bank holiday before Christmas so you’ve got to make the most of it! There are so many events and places to go, so to help you decide we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 to make sure you make the most out of your weekend.

Leap Around at Longleat
Longleat is the place to go for all things animal related. See the lions, feed the deer and take a selfie with a penguin. Afterwards, head into the grounds to tackle the largest hedge maze in Britain or wonder around and discover 500 years of history about Longleat’s stately home.

Get Creative at Lift Off! Weekend
Visit Salisbury for the launch of Wiltshire Creative’s first season of Lift Off! Weekend. Over the weekend there will be 4 days of free entertainment across the historic city. The weekend starts with a bang on Friday night, with live music in the Close and fireworks to open the event. Over the Saturday, Sunday and Monday you can expect theatre, arts trails, workshops, demonstrations and more.

Indulge at the Great British Food Festival 2018
Set in the grounds of the beautiful Bowood House, the Great British Food Festival is an exciting day out. Throughout the weekend there’s up to 80 free demos and talks, cookery classes, competitions and entertainment. Prepare to witness Men VS Food with the chilli challenge, 606 sausage challenge and the treat challenge, guaranteed for a good giggle.

Feel the Heat
The world's oldest working beam engine will be pumping and steaming over the weekend. Located at Crofton, Marlborough, it’s easily accessible by car or by train, just a 2 mile walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath. Combine the steaming weekend with a trip to discover the Kennet and Avon or a visit to the Wilton Windmill.

Time to Relax Swindon’s Urban Beach
If you can’t get to the beach, bring the beach to you. Swindon’s urban beach experience will be based at Wharf Green from 25-29 August and it’s all free! There’s a family beach party, donkey rides, soft volleyball, DJs, seaside music and plenty more fun to be had. So grab your deckchair and head for the beach this bank holiday weekend.

See the Stones at Stonehenge
A long weekend makes the perfect opportunity to visit Stonehenge. Get there late and see how the atmosphere changes as day turns into night and the stones transform as the sun sets. The picturesque, perfectly placed stones create a perfect Instagram opportunity whether you’re an amateur or a professional photographer. We love seeing your photos and sharing your experience with us, so be sure to #timeforwiltshire when you post.

Shopaholic Heaven
Conveniently falling just after pay day, the bank holiday weekend gives you a fantastic reason to go shopping. Wiltshire has an abundance of shopping delights including McArthurGlen Designer Outlet at Swindon and the Cross Keys Shopping Centre in Salisbury. For something a little more special and independent, there’s plenty of indie shops located in Marlborough, Bradford on Avon and Devizes.

Get your Festival Shoes on
Devizes International Street Festival runs from the 26-27 August with a fantastic array of street performers, circus acts, musicians and dancer from Europe and the UK. Let loose and have some fun with live music, the festival fairground, street comedy and workshops. There’s also performances of My!Laika’s electric show Popcorn Machine over the weekend.

Oscar Winning Outdoor Entertainment
Take a picnic to the theatre with a host of entertainment located outside this bank holiday. Immersion theatre are putting on their rendition of Peter Pan at Lydiard Park on 24 August as well as an open-air cinema at Chippenham’s Island Park with a screening of the Greatest Showman. For some alternative outdoor entertainment, you could take a bank holiday balloon flight with Aerosaurus viewing Wiltshire from above and the beautiful views within the county.

Get Active with Wiltshire’s Activities
Wiltshire has some landscapes to die for – rolling hills, deep valleys, glorious lakes and magical forests. The county has around 8,200 footpaths and around half of Wiltshire is designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty perfect, for walking. Tee off at some fantastic golf locations including Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Course, Rushmore Golf Club and Cumberwell Park Golf Club. 

There are plenty of other things to do over the bank holiday weekend. Check out our ‘What’s On’ page to see a whole host of thing that you can get up to, and if you’re looking to make a break out of it, take a look at our ‘Accommodation' page.