What’s on in Wiltshire – June 2021

Summer is here and lockdown is easing; it’s time to think about planning events and activities for June. If you’re thinking about what to do this June in Wiltshire – we’ve got you covered! From virtual concerts to real-life boat trips, plus art exhibitions, walking festivals, Father’s Day fun, film theatre and more – here’s what’s on in Wiltshire in June 2021.

Out and About in Wiltshire

As we emerge from lockdown, with the summer ahead of us, now is the time to get out and about and explore the timeless countryside of Wiltshire. Corsham Walking Festival - from 11 to 13 June - is the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and explore some lovely local landscapes, with twenty-six walks designed to appeal to all walking abilities. Or step aboard a canal boat for an Avoncliff Aqueduct Canal Trip from Bradford on Avon, to enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the Kennet & Avon canal from the water. And if you fancy something more high-octane, there’s the Motorcycle Grand National Weekend at Castle Combe Circuit; a jam-packed weekend of racing on two wheels on 5 and 6 June.

The end of June also sees the return of the Chalke Valley History Festival, the largest event of its kind in the UK. Set within 70 acres of an area of outstanding natural beauty near Salisbury, the festival is packed with talks, discussions and debates plus interactive living history displays. You'll need to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Virtual and Online Events

If you’re a fan of digital happenings, there are plenty of virtual events lined up to keep you happy in Wiltshire this June. Wiltshire Music Centre continue their popular livestreamed concerts this month with pianist George Fu performing on 9 June and award-winning vocal ensemble Sansara performing on 19 June. After the enormous popularity of their Summer Solstice livestream in 2020, English Heritage are offering a free live-stream of the Stonehenge Summer Solstice on 21 June again this year. Watch the sun rise and set over the iconic, mysterious standing stones from the comfort of your own home.

Father’s Day

Don’t forget that Father’s Day is Sunday 20 June; the perfect chance to reconnect with your loved ones. Celebrate with the whole family over a superb Sunday Lunch with the Father’s Day celebrations at Bowood (both Mums and Dads will even receive a gift from the team on the day!) Or head out for a Father's Day Ploughman's Lunch Canal Trip; there's a well-stocked bar and beautiful scenery to enjoy.

Family-friendly Fun

Looking for activities to keep the kids happy here in Wiltshire in June? With half term at the start of the month, we’re not surprised! Kids rule at Stonehenge until 6 June – bring your children to watch performances, listen to storytellers and spend time together as a family surrounded by the great outdoors. Or why not head to the Farm Cookery School for some creative culinary fun? Kids can have a great time learning new cooking skills with holiday club events like Pizza & Rocky Road on 1 June and Meat Balls & Sticky Toffee Pudding on 2 June. Yum!

Theatre, Performance and Film

Theatre, dance and cinema are back this month in Wiltshire! Bring a chair and a sun hat to watch an open-air performance of Macbeth in Salisbury, performed by an all-male cast with Elizabethan costumes, music and dance. On 18 June, head to Salisbury Playhouse for Living Spit's Beauty & the Beast, a monstrously-musical, Disney-defying version of this classic French tale. NT Connections Festival brings together hundreds of theatre companies and thousands of young people across the UK each year to create and perform new theatre; this year, Wiltshire Creative are a partner theatre and will be sharing live and digital performances from young people in the region between 9 and 11 June.

If you’re a fan of live dance, don’t miss Absolute Solo II on 16 June. This triple bill of solos looks backwards and forwards at award-winning Birmingham choreographer Rosie Kay's personal experience as a female in dance. If you're looking for film, psychological chiller, Saint Maud is a deeply-unnerving must-see showing at Trowbridge Town Hall on 11 June.

Exhibitions

There are some wonderful exhibitions to enjoy across Wiltshire this June. '(all things) Bright and Beautiful' is an exhibition of wildlife paintings by Salisbury artist Louise Luton, running at Fisherton Mill from 5 June. Meanwhile at Chippenham Museum you can catch Spotlight On: Modern & Contemporary Art from the Collection for free until 19 June. At Salisbury Museum, Richard Chopping: The Original Bond Artist showcases the work of the illustrator best-known for his James Bond book covers. And at Wiltshire Museum in Devizes you can admire Wiltshire's timeless landscapes at their Ways Of Seeing Wiltshire Exhibition, featuring works themed around the Wiltshire landscape - from chalk hill figures to prehistoric remains.

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We hope we’ve inspired you with lots of things to see and do in Wiltshire this June. If you’re planning a trip to the timeless county of Wiltshire this summer, have a look at the brilliant accommodation options for somewhere to stay – from luxury hotels to cosy cottages and unique glamping pods – and book your trip today!