Press Release 10 May 2017

Great Family Entertainment in Wiltshire this Half Term & Spring Bank Holiday

Wiltshire’s bustling with entertainment this spring so there’s no time like the present to book a short break and visit this timeless county during the Wiltshire half term and spring bank holiday (27 May – 4 June).

Salisbury is a great place to base yourself and with the Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival (26 May – 10 June) there is fun for all the family. This year’s festival theme looks westwards, taking inspiration from the sunset and celebrates the arts and culture of the French-Canadian province of Québec. 

There are six spectacular highlight events including The Royal Philarmonic Orchestra performing in Salisbury Cathedral (26 May). There will be lots of other events taking place over the festival fortnight including an eclectic mix of UK based and international artists performing at many venues in the city centre including Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Arts Centre, City Hall and The Cosy Club.

Chippenham Folk Festival (27 – 30 May) is a four-day event of the best folk song, music, dance and traditions celebrating all that is great about the cultural history, customs and wonderful music of England. There are 200+ activities including instrument and dance workshops, cabaret acts, storytelling, ceilidh dances and concerts.

Wylye Valley Art Trail (27 May – 4 June) is a vibrant festival of visual arts and crafts which follows a meandering trail through some of the south west’s most beautiful landscapes, country lanes and market towns including Mere, Tisbury, Warminster and Westbury. 

Over 200 artists and craftspeople open their studios, workshops or galleries to visitors. A wide range of high-quality visual arts is represented including painting, sculpture, printmaking, furniture making, jewellery, installation art, digital art, ceramics, photography, glass and textiles. Many of the artists will demonstrate their work, giving visitors the opportunity to have a go. Much of the work on show is also for sale. Brochures are available from Tourist Information Centre’s or arts centres within the county.

The internationally renowned Iford Arts Festival (27 May – 5 August) takes place in the exquisite performing spaces of the Cloister and Casita in the Grade 1 Listed Peto Garden of Iford Manor, near Bradford on Avon. Enjoy opera, proms and classical concerts whilst picnicking with views over the Iford valley. 

For lots of fun for all the family visit Tractor Ted Big Machines Weekend (27 – 29 May) which takes place at Bowood House and Gardens, Calne or St Aldhelm’s Fair (29 May) at the Market Cross in Malmesbury.

Crofton Beam Engines, near Marlborough, will be open for their steaming weekend (27 – 29 May) and have a new exhibition ‘Wiltshire at War - Keeping the Home Fires Burning’ (18 May – 25 June).

It’s a fabulous time of year for horticultural enthusiasts too, with many open garden events in Wiltshire. Check out Steeple Ashton Open Gardens (4 June), Devizes Open Gardens weekend (3 and 4 June), Fonthill House Garden Opening (4 June) and Tisbury Open Garden Charity Event (4 June).

What’s New?

The 11th Hour Escape Room in Bromham, near Chippenham has opened a new escape room called 'Victoria's last challenge' a race to escape Echoes Hill Manor's attic room with your inheritance from your Great Aunt Victoria.

The Visit Hillbrush museum recently opened in the old market town of Mere. It celebrates the 95-year history of the Coward family’s brushware and cleaning tool business. Exhibitions include royal visits; how many brushes in your home; fibres from around the world; as well as historic videos and restored antique brush machines. This is the only brush museum in the UK and one of very few in the world!

Longleat Food and Drink Festival (10 – 11 June) - Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain and celebrity TV chef James Martin will be among the highlights of a brand new food and drink festival taking place at Longleat this summer. Visitors can sample everything from local wine and cider to Wiltshire chillies, Thai and Asian food-to-go stalls. There will also be live shows and food demonstrations.

Special Offers for Places to Stay

Wyndham Park Lodge, Salisbury, is a small B&B in a large Victorian house. They have special offers on rooms until the end of May with a double room including breakfast for only £65 per night.

Blackland Lakes, Calne, offers year round camping and fishing. If you book a camping break for two or more nights in May and June you will receive two child places for the price of one. Quote “VisitWiltshire” when booking.

Knoll Hill Farm, The Place to Stay, near Longleat, offers unique luxury B&B accommodation with double and family rooms within an Edwardian guesthouse and barn conversion courtyard. They are currently offering 15% off a two night stay between Sundays – Thursdays inclusive during May/June. Standard rates are between £59 - £179 per room per night. Guests may also receive 25% off a 30 minute massage or manicure when a two night stay is booked during this period.

For details of all our Spring Offers please click here. 

There is so much more to see and do in Wiltshire. Don’t forget to check out the VisitWiltshire website - it’s a great place to find out more: 

• What’s On -  www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on
• Accommodation -  www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/accommodation
• Special Offers - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/special-offers

Please note offers are subject to availability and terms and conditions may apply. To keep up to date follow us on Twitter @VisitWiltshire #timeforwiltshire and like us on Facebook.

For further information or to arrange a press visit please contact Florence Wallace, Travel Trade & PR Manager, flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk Tel: 01722 341309 or 07436 588860 

Notes to editors:

VisitWiltshire is the official Destination Management & Marketing Organisation for Wiltshire representing 600 partners. It is a public/private sector membership organisation with our main funder being Wiltshire Council. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates an estimated £1.5billion and supports over 29,000 jobs.

Images from our Timeless Nature album can be downloaded from our Flickr gallery via this link - https://www.flickr.com/gp/129320754@N03/M9aFvG. Photos may be used in print and/or online for the promotion of tourism to Wiltshire and any photos used must be credited to www.visitwiltshire.co.uk, unless otherwise stated in the title of the photo. Full terms and conditions can be found here.