What’s on in Wiltshire – August 2021

With lots of exciting summer events taking place, August 2021 is the perfect time to rediscover all the places you love here in Wiltshire. So, what’s happening? There are sunflowers to be picked, theatre to watch, music to enjoy and picnics to create! Here’s our run down of the events and activities taking place here in Wiltshire this month…

Family Days Out

Looking for events to keep the children entertained this month? There are plenty of family-friendly events taking place here in Wiltshire. Head to the maize maze at Bickton Manor Farm near Downton, where you can explore the Neverland maze with Peter Pan, pick your own sunflowers, and maybe enjoy an icecream while you're at it! There are acres of highly photogenic wild flowers, crafts to make and Peter Pan themed fun to enjoy - plus the farm will be raising money in aid of Great Ormond Street.

Enjoy African Sunset Safari at the Hawk Conservancy Trust on 8 and 28 August, this evening flying display shows off the team's African birds at their best as they fly across the skyline at sunset. Or head to STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon to take part in their family activity; Hands on the Past. Taking place every Wednesday and Thursday in August, these sessions give children aged five and older the chance to handle and explore objects in the STEAM collection. And for more hands-on fun, the kids can get busy in the kitchen at Farm Cookery School. Their picnic week sessions for children 11+ and 8+ is the chance to create a picnic feast to enjoy in the sunshine. To tie in with their current exhibition about well-known Victorian diarist Francis Kilvert, Chippenham Museum are hosting a Victorian Day on 21 August, featuring croquet, lacemaking, a penny-farthing and more. 

If you're heading to Salisbury this Autumn, a visit to Salisbury Cathedral makes a wonderful family day out, as children under 12 go free. Use the family-friendly guide to explore the fascinating history of this ancient place at your own pace, then enjoy a picnic on the rolling lawns in the shadow of Britain’s tallest spire.

Open Air Theatre

August is the perfect time of year for sitting outside in the sunshine and watching live performances! Enjoy two upcoming open-air plays within the beautiful surroundings of Stourhead, including a riotous production of Romeo & Juliet on 13 August, and the miraculous mis-adventures of Robin Hood on 20 and 21 August. Bring a picnic and a rug to sit on, and immerse yourself in the joys of theatre. Children aged 7 and up will love the upcoming performance of Mr Stink by David Walliams taking place on 21 August at Bowood House & Gardens. Or, dive headfirst into a weird world of poisonous parents, courageous quests and a magical frog called Jeremy with the Grimm Sisters - coming to Westonbirt Arboretum on 7 August and the Corsham Almshouses (thanks to the Pound Arts Centre) on 20 August.

Open Air Events

If all the open air theatre taking place this August isn’t enough for you, fear not; there are plenty more open air events planned for the month. In Salisbury, the Lost Cinema comes to Salisbury Cathedral on 27, 28 and 19 August, with open air screenings of Bridesmaids, Moulin Rouge and Jurassic Park. For a high-octane day out, head to Salisbury Racecourse on 11, 12, 20 or 24 August for a fun day at the races. Or for something a little more leisurely, the Courtyard Makers Market will take place every Saturday in August at Fisherton Mill in Salisbury, with stalls  offering original handcrafted fare and a range of quirky gifts to buy.

Live Music

If you’ve missed listening to live music over the past year or so, we think you’ll be pleased to see these upcoming performances scheduled for August in Wiltshire. On 1 August, Swing Unlimited Big Band will play an afternoon of jazz and classics on the West Lawns at Salisbury Cathedral. Later in the month, 3 piece band Parachute for Gordo play live on 17 August at Trowbridge Town Hall. At the end of the month, Edington Music Festival returns - it is one of the oldest annual festivals of church music in the world. While there will only be limited spaces available at the festival this year, the event will be livestreamed for you to enjoy from home.

We hope we’ve inspired you to start planning for August, with our roundup of events taking place here in Wiltshire this month. If you’re planning a Wiltshire getaway, take a look at the accommodation options and things to do during your stay for more ideas and inspiration!