Press Release 14 July 2017
Summer Fun in Wiltshire with new Bookable Attractions, Events and Activties
With the summer holidays fast approaching VisitWiltshire have highlighted a selection of family fun places to visit and things to do.
If you are keen to press pause and escape from the everyday to try something a little different, come and experience Wiltshire’s wonderful events, activities and attractions. Wiltshire has it all, and for the first time, booking your visit to Wiltshire could not be simpler with our new online shop.
Experience the timeless county of Wiltshire, which offers something for everyone this summer.
Try Something a Little Different
Become an archaeologist at Salisbury Museum’s Festival of Archaeology (22 – 23 July), where visitors can unearth replica relics in the sandpit challenge.
Calling all wannabe pilots - Boscombe Down Aviation Collection allows visitors to sit in some of their fast jet cockpits and is holding a Model Show (6 August) where you can see professional hobbyists models and craft stalls.
Battle it out at the annual Confetti Battle in Devizes (30 August) where confetti canons fire and visitors can buy their own supplies to throw at friends. Don’t miss the event finale firework display.
Take to the loom for a session inspired by wool in the Wonders of Weaving at Trowbridge Museum (23 August).
Solve the sneaky clues on a new Murder Mystery Treasure Trail in Royal Wootton Bassett to eliminate the suspects and discover whodunit! Suitable for up to 5 people and will take 1½ hours to complete.
Reach for the skies at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve’s Festival of Flight (19 August) where visitors can go up in a tethered hot air balloon to experience amazing aerial views of Wiltshire. Also on offer are falconry displays and a WWII re-enactment.
Top Picks - Summer Events
Marlborough College Summer School (9 July – 5 August), is one of the largest multi-generational learning experiences of its kind, with over 400 courses to choose from. Plus gala performances from Illyria’s outdoor theatre production of The Lost World (25 July), complete with life-size dinosaurs.
Crop Circle Exhibition and Information Centre at The Barge Inn at Honeystreet (15 July – 13 August) is a multi-media exhibition situated at ‘crop circle central’ in the Vale of Pewsey. Find out about the crop circle phenomenon, hear the latest news and find out which crop circles can be visited with tours, lectures and conferences.
Malmesbury Carnival and Festival (5 August – 3 September) has a varied programme of events taking place including open gardens, comedy night, folk music, jazz, street market, games, quizzes, films and so much more. The heart of the Carnival is the colorful procession (2 September from 6pm) which journeys up through the town where the streets are always lined with enthusiastic spectators.
Edington Music Festival (20 – 27 August) held in the 14th century priory church of St Katherine and All Saints in Edington is one of the oldest annual festivals of church music in the world. Over 80 musicians gather to sing and it celebrates some of the most loved music from the choral repertoire from the 16th century to the present day.
Great British Food Festival (26 – 28 August) is back at Bowood House & Gardens with over 50 artisan producers, a big serving of hot food, real ale and wine bars, plus a dash of craft and gift stalls and lots of activities for the kids. There will also be top chef demos and excellent live music making for a lovely foodie family day out.
New Online Shop – Bookable Timeless Pleasures at the touch of a button
VisitWiltshire have just launched a new online shop where visitors are able to purchase tickets for a variety of Wiltshire attractions, events and activities. Visitors are now able to plan their visit to Wiltshire by using the itinerary planner on www.visitwiltshire.co.uk to work out where they want to visit and at the touch of a button they can purchase tickets to some of Wiltshire’s most popular attractions at www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/shop
Tickets can be purchased for Stonehenge, Treasure Trails, Wiltshire Museum, Vaughan’s Cookery School, Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, The Salisbury Museum, Salisbury Escape Rooms, Text Quest, Live Escape Salisbury and Great British Food Festival at Bowood. Longleat and Cheddar Gorge tickets will be on sale shortly.
Fiona Errington, VisitWiltshire's Marketing Manager said, "We are delighted to be able to offer a new online shop for visitors, making it easier for people to plan their stay in Wiltshire so they can experience the many amazing places to visit and things to do.”
There’s so much to see and do – so why not extend your visit and stay!
Summer Break – Special Offers
15% discount at Drovers’ Barn, self-catering cottage in Shrewton (sleeps 4 – 6) for bookings ending on or before 5 August 2017. Prices from £104 per unit per night
Milford Hall Hotel & Spa, Salisbury are offering a two night break with dinner B&B to include cream tea on arrival and two tickets to either Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral or Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. Only £319 per room bases on two guests sharing a standard twin or double room.
10% discount at Postern Hill Camping and Caravan Site, Marlborough when you stay on a mid-week deal or get closer to nature on a grass only pitch and save 15% when booking online only at www.campingintheforest.co.uk. Grass pitches from £12.40 per unit per night.
Complimentary afternoon tea on arrival at Meadowbank House Bed & Breakfast, Liddington, when you stay two nights or more in the lovely North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Beauty. Double rooms from £75 per room per night.
Please note: offers are subject to availability and terms and conditions may apply. For more Summer Offers please see www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/special-offers.
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 Pleasures album can be downloaded from our Flickr gallery via this link - https://www.flickr.com/gp/129320754@N03/22U6ti . 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.