Press release 16 November 2015
CHRISTMAS IN WILTSHIRE
16 November 2015
Come and enjoy some timeless pleasures this Christmas. With charming market towns, independent shopping, Christmas markets and events, carol services, ice skating, dining and entertainment, Wiltshire makes an ideal winter break destination this Christmas.
Christmas Markets, Festivals & Shopping
Visit one of our charming market towns for a spot of independent shopping – Marlborough, Bradford on Avon and Corsham amongst others. For interesting speciality shops why not visit Malmesbury plus it has a late night Christmas shopping event on Friday 4 December.
There are a number of town festivals in Wiltshire this year including Calne Christmas Festival on Saturday 28 November with all the festive highlights including a live nativity scene, food, fireworks and a lantern parade at 4.30pm.
The biggest evening event in the Chippenham calendar will take place on 28 and 29 November with a weekend full of festive activities including a Christmas market. The Trowbridge Christmas Fayre will have stalls, music, and reindeer plus guaranteed snow from 10am–3pm on Saturday 28 November and a torch lit procession at 4.50pm.
Westbury’s Christmas Street Fayre also takes place on Saturday 28 November and includes a historic walking tour of Westbury in addition to the usual Christmas entertainment. Meet Santa and his reindeer at Tidworth’s Christmas event on Saturday 5 December.
At Fisherton Mill in Salisbury, they’ll be a four meter tall wicker reindeer, lit up with hundreds of fairy lights watching over a new range of individual gifts, including ceramics, woodwork and glassware. Plus a Christmas art exhibition from Friday 20 November.
Having undergone a £40 million regeneration project earlier this year McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon ensures visitors receive an enjoyable and exhilarating shopping experience and day out. Visit Santa’s Reindeer from 1-3pm every Saturday from 28 November, along with Victorian Carol singers in December.
Rated by the Daily Telegraph as one of the ‘Top 5 Christmas Markets in the UK’ Salisbury Christmas Market is a must visit shopping experience. Open from Thursday 26 November – Sunday 20 December. Don’t miss the ice carvers and their creations which can be seen on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December.
Christmas Events and Activities
Timed to take place alongside Salisbury Christmas market the Twilight Christmas Tower Tour and Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral makes for a perfect festive day out. Running from 3.15pm daily (except Sundays) from Friday 27 November–Wednesday 23 December. Children from 7 years +. Pre-booking essential.
There are a choice of real ice skating rinks in the county with Longleat’s opening from Friday 13 November–Sunday 3 January and Whitehall’s Ice Skating Spectacular at Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock, which has a clear all-weather roof and is open from Thursday 5 November–Sunday 3 January.
In addition to the ice rink Longleat's Christmas Festival of Light will be shining even brighter this Christmas with large displays of Chinese lanterns featuring temples, Terracotta Army warriors, and a huge dragon boat floating on Longleat’s lake. Open from Friday 13 November–Sunday 3 January the event will run alongside Longleat’s traditional Christmas celebrations. Pre-booking advisable.
Explore some National Trust properties this Christmas including Stourhead House which will be decorated to showcase Harry Hoare’s childhood and how the family enjoyed the festive period within the house. Open from 11am – 3pm daily from Saturday 28 November–Tuesday 22 December.
This year for the first time Mompesson House in Salisbury will be opening up its doors for a Regency Christmas from 11am–3.30pm on weekends only from Saturday 28 November–Sunday 20 December.
Lacock is a beautiful place at any time of year, but at Christmas the quaint village and peaceful Abbey comes alive with festive spirit. The Great Hall will be open, there’ll be Christmas choirs in the courtyard and a Christmas Tree Festival. Open weekends only from Saturday 21 November.
The Wiltshire Museum in Devizes will have the Saturday club, Young WANHS: A Victorian Christmas, from 10.15 on Saturday 12 December for 7 to 14 year olds who are interested in archaeology and history. Booking essential.
The Trowbridge Museum will also be exploring a traditional Victorian Christmas and theming will be based on Christmas traditions from around the world, showcasing folklore, festivities and food. There will be a range of events and workshops from Saturday 28 November–Wednesday 23 December.
Join in the seasonal fun at The Larmer Tree, Tollard Royal for a celebration of local festive food, craft and music from Friday 4–Sunday 6 December.
Come and meet the miniature donkey and owls at the Cross Keys Shopping Centre in Salisbury on selected dates over the Christmas period.
Christmas Concerts and Entertainment
The panto season is the time of year which is eagerly awaited by many younger visitors to Wiltshire... Oh no it isn’t… Oh yes it is!
There are some great venues and productions this year including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Adam Woodyatt, who takes to the stage from Saturday 5 December–Sunday 3 January at Wyvern Theatre in Swindon; Cinderella at Salisbury Playhouse from Wednesday 2 December–Saturday 9 January; A Christmas Carol – The Musical at City Hall, Salisbury from Tuesday 24–Saturday 28 November.
Pound Arts Centre in Corsham is running a range of activities with Festive Wreath Workshops on 9 December, Shine, Fire and Frost on 12 December and Richard Durrant with Amy Kakoura – Candlelit Christmas on Monday 21 December.
Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon brings to life the rich Baroque music of South America with Paragon Singers Christmas in the New World on Saturday 12 December. They will also be an afternoon of family fun with the showing of ‘Where has Rudolf’s Red Nose Gone’ and workshops for children age 3–8 from 2pm on Sunday 13 December.
Salisbury Cathedral & Magna Carta will host a number of concerts this year starting with the renowned Darkness to Light service taking place at 7pm on Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. A special carol concert with Christmas favourites which will be recorded by BBC Wiltshire for transmission over Christmas will take place at 3.15pm on Sunday 13 December.
Carols Take Flight at a floodlit carol service at Boscombe Down Aviation Collection near Old Sarum on Monday 7 December with children’s service from 4.45pm and adults from 5.45pm where mince pies and mulled wine will be served.
Winter Break Accommodation
The Dove Inn at Corton near Warminster is a delightful country pub in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, making it a great place to stay for a winter break. With 14 en suite guest rooms and dogs welcome, prices start from £90 per night. www.thedove.co.uk
Kingsbury Apartment in Wilton is an elegant and spacious two bedroom apartment within a beautiful Georgian townhouse. Prices from £180 per unit per night. www.kingsburyapartment.com
Manor Farmhouse is an attractive Grade 2 Listed period traditional village farmhouse, situated in the small village of Collingbourne Kingston, 9 miles south of Marlborough. Rooms rates from £100 per night. www.manorfm.com
Top 5 Christmas Present Ideas
- Stonehenge ATV - Gift vouchers - £140 per person for full 7 hour day. Contact 01722 717429 www.stonehengeatv.com
- Salisbury Racecourse annual subscription for only £180 if purchased before 18 December, £195 thereafter. Contact 01722 326461 www.salisburyracecourse.co.uk
- Castle Combe Circuit - Driving Experience Course Gift Voucher £100. Monetary gift vouchers available for many other experiences. Purchase online www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/experiences/gift_vouchers.asp?booking=Vouchers
- Lucknam Park Luxury Gift Vouchers – Twilight Spa for £75, Equestrian Experiences from £115 or combine the two with a Saddle and Spa day for £300. Purchase online https://lucknampark.skchase.com/
- Bowood – For a range of spa, golf or foodie gifts, Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort has a range of options. Monetary gift vouchers also available. Purchase online www.bowood.org/product-tag/christmas-gift-ideas/
There is so much more to see and do in Wiltshire this Christmas! Don’t forget to check out the VisitWiltshire website - it’s a great place to find out more:
- Christmas - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on/christmas.
- Christmas in Salisbury - www.visitsalisbury.co.uk/christmas
- 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 prices may vary and are subject to availability, 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 was established in August 2011 and is the official Tourist Board for Wiltshire representing over 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 28,000 jobs.
Images for VisitWiltshire’s Christmas album can be accessed via this link: https://www.flickr.com/gp/129320754@N03/G91G3o 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