Press release 7 July 2015
STAY, EXPLORE AND MAKE TIME FOR WILTSHIRE THIS SUMMER
7 July 2015
There is a wide range of events and festivals taking place across Wiltshire this summer which makes it a perfect place to stay and explore this beautiful county.
Wiltshire offers exceptional history and heritage, stately homes and gardens, arts and culture, food and drink, shopping and nightlife, plus it is only 90 minutes or less from the centre of London.
VisitWiltshire has highlighted some timeless pleasures of Family Fun, Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events and Special Offers for visitors to the county over the long summer holiday break.
Family Fun
A brand new children’s play area will be opening at Springfield Recreation, Corsham on Monday 13 July, which already features a Skate Park, BMX Track, tennis courts and a running track. New additions include rope climbing frames, swings, a roundabout and an area for under 5s.
Recently opened is the new Splash Pad, at John Coles Park in Chippenham. This £85,000 fun water attraction includes a range of sprayers which squirt water. Suitable for children up to age 12 and is fully accessible.
Old Sarum, Salisbury has a range of events this summer ideal for young budding archaeologists! Archaeology Weekend Sat 25 & Sun 26 July; Awesome Archaeology Tues 4 & Wed 5 August; A Knight’s Quest Tues 11 & Wed 12 August; Centurions & Gladiators Tues 25 & Wed 26 August and The Grand Medieval Joust Sun 30 & Mon 31 August. Family tickets from £10.90 and English Heritage members Free (except Medieval Joust).
BARMY BRITAIN is back with a brand new show full of crazy new characters and rude new rulers from Britain’s barmy past! Horrible Histories Barmy Britain can be seen at Civic Centre, Trowbridge on Sat 18 – Sunday 19 July.
If camping is your style then why not pitch up your tent and join in the evening games and BBQ on the family camp weekends at Roves Farm, Swindon on Fri 17 & Sat 18 July and Fri 21 & Sat 22 Aug.
Kids will love to spend a day getting lost in the a-maze-ing Braydon Maize Maze. Just minutes away from Royal Wootton Bassett this family run maize maze has surprises around every corner!
Arts and Culture
Young Gallery Salisbury has opened a new Plain Arts Small Pictures Exhibition which is free and open to visitors until Fri 31 July.
The Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon hosts regular concerts and on Sat 11 July Lucy Parham, one of Britain’s finest pianists, together with two of our country’s best-loved actors, Joanna David and Edward Fox, will bring to life the passionate and tragic story of Beloved Clara.
The internationally renowned Iford Arts Festival takes place in the exquisite Peto Garden of Iford Manor, near Bradford on Avon up until Sat 8 August. The award-winning garden and its intimate and unique performance spaces combine to create a magical experience. Captivating and intimate opera, jazz, proms and classical concerts are performed in the miniature Italianate cloister. All events offer a chance to relax over a pre-show picnic, whilst enjoying the peaceful tranquillity of the Iford valley.
There are also many theatres across the county including Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, the Arc Theatre in Trowbridge, the Athenaeum in Warminster and Salisbury Playhouse the South West’s leading producing theatre. To find out what’s on visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on
Festivals & Events
An outdoor festival celebrating the World of Music, Arts and Dance WOMAD at Charlton Park on Thurs 23 – Sun 26 July is one of the most unique festivals in the UK promising audiences a weekend of discovery.
Barbury Castle International Horse Trials and Show on Thurs 9 – Sun 12 July features the world’s top eventers competing over the renowned Mark Phillips designed cross country course set in a natural amphitheatre formed by the beautiful Marlborough Downs. Barbury tests the skills and courage of the finest horses and riders and offers the best views of a cross-country circuit - anywhere.
The Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum Annual Classic Vehicle Show will be held at the Museum on Sunday 12 July 2015. The Show will be preceded on Saturday 11 July by a Car Run followed by a BBQ and evening entertainment (band and bar) with camping available. Sunday admission prices adults £8, children £1.
The Village Pump Folk Festival will be held on 24 – 26 July in the spectacular setting of the White Horse Country Park,with a fabulous line up of musical guests, the festival offers visitors the very best in folk, roots and acoustic music from all over the UK. One-day tickets for adults from £30 and weekend tickets £120 per adult. Camping and parking on site is included.
Its 25 years of the Larmer Tree Festival on Wed 15 – Sun 19 July in the magnificent Larmer Tree Pleasure Gardens. With an amazing line up for 2015 including Tom Jones, Bill Bailey and the Levellers, this 5-day family friendly festival has an intimate atmosphere which attracts 4,000 people daily and offers a diverse bill of music and comedy. It showcases six stages with over 70 eclectic artists and cutting edge comedians. One-day tickets for adults from £39; 3, 4 and 5 day tickets available.
Magna Carta Medieval Charter Fair in Trowbridge will be held on Fri 24 – Sun 26 July. There will be a Medieval Market situated in the Old Town on Friday and Saturday, and in the park a Medieval Play Day on Saturday and a full jousting show on Sunday.
Special Offers:
The Old Stables Self-catering cottage at Great Cheverell is situated in the grounds of a beautiful listed old rectory. Save £125 when you book a week’s break for only £325 during July and August (excluding 1 – 8 Aug). Subject to availability. Contact anneliesesharp@hotmail.co.uk
Beechfield House, nr Melksham has a Longleat special break offer where visitors can combine a day at Longleat with a comfortable hotel, fabulous food, heated outdoor pool and beautiful gardens. Comfy rooms can accommodate families of up to five. Tickets for Longleat plus B&B start from £210 per room per night for 2 adults. Find out more and book here
VisitWiltshire’s website is a great place to find out more:
What’s On - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on
Accommodation - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/accommodation
Summer Break Offers - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/offers
Please note dates and times are subject to change, 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 contact Florence Wallace, PR Manager, flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk or tel. 01722 341309 or 07436 588860.
Note to editors: VisitWiltshire was established in August 2011 and is the official Tourist Board for Wiltshire. It is a private sector membership organisation representing over 600 partners. 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 Summer album are now available on our photo library via this link: https://www.flickr.com/gp/129320754@N03/144we7 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.