Press release 8 July 2016
Wiltshire Towns: Fairs, Festivals & Carnivals
Wiltshire’s historic towns are timeless places to enjoy at leisure. During the summer months many of these beautiful towns have lots to offer with a range of fairs, festivals and carnivals which attract visitors from far and wide.
VisitWiltshire has selected a few which are timeless pleasures for visitors and have lots of history, more to explore and forthcoming events.
Westbury
On the edge of Salisbury Plain, watched over by the famous White Horse, discover Westbury, a Domesday listed town. Follow the Blue Plaque Trail to see the medieval heart, a Victorian pool and its fascinating early industrial heritage. With a lively mix of shops, pubs and restaurants, surrounded by stunning countryside. www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/westbury
The Village Pump Festival on Friday 22–Sunday 24 July is a small, friendly festival in a beautiful location nestling under the Westbury White Horse. This year, the headliners are The Proclaimers, Neville Staple Band and Breabach plus Morris dancing, family activities, workshops, bars and food outlets. Camping and parking is included in ticket price – on the gate rates are adult £130, youth £65 and child £10.
Edington Music Festival on Sunday 21–Sunday 28 August has 90 of the UK’s top choral singers and organists playing the most beautiful music ever written including organ recitals, plainchant, new commissions and sacred music across the centuries.
Marlborough
The handsome former staging post of Marlborough has evolved into a stylish and cosmopolitan town with its own chic café culture, offering discerning visitors a unique blend of attractions and facilities. Site of a twice-weekly market its High Street is one of the widest in Europe, lined on both sides with characterful old buildings housing an array of high quality shops. www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/marlborough
Choose from over 600 courses and an array of eclectic entertainment at Marlborough College Summer School. Weekly courses run (Monday– Friday) from 12 July–8 August and are great for families from junior troopers (age 3+) to adults. There will be a series of Gala concert evenings each week on Tuesdays and Fridays. This year’s acts include Michael Palin, Collabro, Natalie Williams as well as Illyria’s open air production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Merchant’s House Annual Summer Lunch will take place in Marlborough on Sunday 31 July. Join the Merchant’s House Trust for an afternoon of entertainment and a delicious lunch in the beautiful grounds of Marlborough College. Explore the history of one of Britain’s popular pastimes with live performances of Punch and Judy from 12noon.
Malmesbury
This vibrant market town has so much to discover! Reported to be England’s oldest borough with a stunning 12th century Abbey, visitors enjoy Abbey House Gardens, a weekly market at the original Market Cross, browsing unique shops, walks along the River Avon, fabulous cafés, restaurants, pubs and hotels, and music, history, arts and garden events. Discovering Malmesbury is a magical journey. In fact, you may never want to leave. www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/malmesbury
Malmesbury Carnival and Festival has been running for over 90 years and takes place from Friday 5 August–Saturday 3 September this year. At the heart of the event is the Carnival procession which takes place on 3 September from 6pm. Throughout August there are a range of events and a festival programme is available from tourist information centres or online.
Calne
For a small town, Calne packs in a lot of history. It’s a story of drovers’ trails and coach roads, the rise and fall of canal and rail travel and the legacy of woollen broadcloth. It’s where the traditional English technique of curing ham and bacon – the Wiltshire Cure – was invented, and also where oxygen was discovered. www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/calne
Calne Food & Drink Festival takes place on Saturday 3 September. It is a showcase of local food and drink that includes a food market, street stalls, tastings, talks and cookery demonstrations and lots more! 10am – 4pm and is free of charge.
Melksham
Melksham evolved at a ford across the River Avon and is served by excellent bus routes and a railway station. At the heart of a rural community, its friendly town centre is full of independent shops and plenty of cafés. Melksham has a busy community calendar ensuring that there is always something going on. www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/melksham
Melksham Food & River Festival takes place on the playing field at the heart of Melksham on Sunday 4 September. Excellent local food and drink, amazing water-based activities such as boat rides, water rescue and diving demonstrations. Over 60 stalls, children’s rides and activities, cooking demonstrations, live music and a chilli-eating competition.
Warminster
Warminster is a warm and welcoming town with many fine Georgian buildings and a wide variry of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and inns. Head to Lake Pleasure Grounds for tennis courts and a boating lake, or enjoy walking and cycling in the surrounding countryside. Longleat and Stourhead are nearby, while excellent road, rail and bus links Bradford on Avon and Salisbury are within easy reach. www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/warminster
The Warminster Festival & Carnival will take place from Tuesday 18 October–Wednesday 2 November.
In addition to above, don’t miss the following:
• Devizes Festival 2016 from Sunday 21 August–Friday 2 September; a three week festival of music and the arts taking place in various venues around Devizes.
• Salisbury Contemporary Craft & Heritage Festival, Friday 9–Sunday 11 September. Situated in the Cathedral Close, this festival celebrates superb craft skills, both ancient and modern. There is a lively programme of tours, talks and workshops and over 100 of the UK’s top designer-makers selling exquisite handmade items.
• Iford Arts Festival, Saturday 4 June–Sunday 7 August; This festival includes opera, picnic proms and classical cloister concerts and the performances takes place in the Cloister and Casita of the Grade 1 Listed Peto garden of Iford Manor, near Bradford on Avon.
For further information on Wiltshire events see www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on and for towns see www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/explore/towns.