Make the most of a visit to Salisbury this June

The days are long and the nights short, what better time to come and visit Salisbury than in midsummer. There’s plenty to see and do in and around our city during June but here are some of the highlights that you might like to come along to…

Festivals galore

Festival season will be in full swing during June with the Salisbury International Arts Festival running until the 9 June. Highlights in June include William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the Cathedral Close (1st June), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performing within Salisbury Cathedral (also 1st June) and Opera della Luna at Salisbury Playhouse on 4th June. Be sure to book as soon as possible for the festival events as they often sell out quickly. 

If you love music then be sure to check out the Farley Music Festival, held in the small village of Farley, just outside Salisbury. Now in its 18th year, the Farley Music Festival brings with it world-class musicians. The festival runs from 18-23 June. 

History buffs should definitely pop 24-30 June in their diaries as the Chalke Valley History Festival returns. Talks, living history and air displays are just part of what makes up this popular event, plus the countryside that surrounds the festival is simply stunning. 

Watch the sunrise at Stonehenge

Probably the biggest event in the year at Stonehenge is the Summer Solstice. English Heritage allow managed open access to the famous stone circle. Parking charges apply and visitors are encouraged to use the shuttle buses that run frequently from Salisbury city centre and the railway station to the site. 

Celebrate our Armed Forces at the Armed Forces Weekend

Your chance to say thank you to the personnel that make up the UK’s Armed Forces. The national event for Armed Forces Weekend will be taking place here in Salisbury. Enjoy street food, military displays, army charities stalls, workshops and live music from acts. Most of the event will be hosted on Hudson’s Field, on the outskirts of the city, but a major part of the national celebrations will be a military parade through the city centre on the morning of Saturday 29 June, which is National Armed Forces Day. Tickets for the events at Hudson’s Field are available from the Wiltshire Council website. 

Get close to some of the area’s nature

Whether it’s learning about nature via the family-friendly Bird Show at Langford Lakes (2 June), joining in with a macro photography workshop (also at Langford Lakes, 8 June) or genning up on chalkland wildflower ID at Coombe Bissett Down nature reserve with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on 9 June. Alternatively, why not take one of our local walks and see what you can spot for yourself? The Town Path walk, for example, is often a great area to find water voles and kingfishers. 

Another great way to celebrate nature is to pop along to the Secret Gardens of the Cathedral Close openings which take place on 9 June. Ten gardens will open up in aid of the Friends of Salisbury Cathedral. 

Check out some of the farmyard animals at River Bourne Community Farm in Laverstock and take part in lots of exciting events as part of their ‘Big Day Out’ event on 30 June. Dog agility displays, tractor-trailer rides and much more form all that’s on offer at this family event. 

Of course, this is just a selection of what’s going on in and around Salisbury in June. Be sure to take a look at our events listings for more details of what’s coming up. Plus, if you are looking for somewhere to stay, we have a range of hotels, B&Bs, self-catering properties and campsites within the area to suit all budgets.