Wiltshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wiltshire">Wiltshire</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Giffords-Circus-Avalon-cRachel-Lousie-Brown-1000x667.jpg" alt="Gifford Circus" class="wp-image-33119" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Giffords-Circus-Avalon-cRachel-Lousie-Brown-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Giffords-Circus-Avalon-cRachel-Lousie-Brown-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Giffords-Circus-Avalon-cRachel-Lousie-Brown-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Giffords-Circus-Avalon-cRachel-Lousie-Brown.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Giffords Circus is back in Marlborough until 2 September, so grab your tickets now. This year’s show, Avalon, includes aerial artistes, acrobats and comic duo that’ll have you laughing out loud. It’s always a sell-out so get booking <a href="https://giffordscircus.digitickets.co.uk/tickets">here</a>.



For an August bank holiday bonanza, head over to Glove Factory Studios in Holt. On 26, you’ll find feasting around the lakes with a BBQ and live DJ. Combine it with a stroll around the village’s scarecrow trial, which draws a crowd every year. The theme for 2024 is ‘childhood TV characters and you’ll find over 50 entries to get to grips with. For more info on the BBQ, see <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-bank-holiday-bbq-tickets-943747192257?aff=ebdsoporgprofile">here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Ulrike-Mai-Pixabay-resized.jpg" alt="Wine tasting" class="wp-image-33949" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Ulrike-Mai-Pixabay-resized.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Ulrike-Mai-Pixabay-resized-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Ulrike-Mai-Pixabay-resized-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Put your taste buds to the test on 24th and 25th August, with a tour at <a href="https://bluestonevineyards.co.uk/products/signature-tour">Bluestone Vineyards</a>. Tickets (£30) include a guided tour of the vineyards, then a tutored tasting of their Sparkling Classic Cuvee &amp; Sparkling Cuvee Rosé. Feeling peckish? You can add on a cheese and charcuterie platter for lunch. Heaven!



Carnival fever is alive and kicking in Malmesbury over the bank holiday weekend. The big finale is on 31, but there are tons of events in the lead-up. Listen to local bands in the <a href="https://www.malmesburycarnival.co.uk/all-events/malmesbury-abbey-cloister-gardens/view-map?tmpl=component">Abbey Cloister Gardens</a>, or head to a <a href="https://www.malmesburycarnival.co.uk/all-events/music/1214-jazz-night">jazz night</a> on 23rd. Little ones in tow? Take them to a free <a href="https://www.malmesburycarnival.co.uk/all-events/procession/1215-mythical-medieval-monsters-free-carnival-arts-workshop">carnival arts workshop</a> on 24th, hosted by the brilliant Last Baguette Theatre Co.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Picnic-Prom-Emma-Smith-Live-Christian-Larsen.jpg" alt="Picnic Prom IF Opera" class="wp-image-34018" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Picnic-Prom-Emma-Smith-Live-Christian-Larsen.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Picnic-Prom-Emma-Smith-Live-Christian-Larsen-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Picnic-Prom-Emma-Smith-Live-Christian-Larsen-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Christian Larsen</figcaption></figure>



Bradford on Avon’s IF Opera is in full flow come the bank holiday weekend. Pack a picnic and whizz the kids over to beautiful Belcombe Court on 25 August for a musical adaptation of <a href="https://www.ifopera.com/little-red-riding-hood">Little Red Riding Hood</a>. For a more grown-up treat, you’ll find <a href="https://www.ifopera.com/lucia-di-lammermoor">Lucia di Lammermoor</a> on 23rd and <a href="https://www.ifopera.com/die-fledermaus">Die Fledermaus</a> on 24th. There’s also the fabulous <a href="https://www.ifopera.com/picnic-prom-2024">Picnic Prom</a> on 26th, when The James Taylor Quartet put on a sparkling show.



The folks at the fabulous Farm Cookery School is also holding a bank holiday BBQ (26 August). This is very much a family affair – you can learn to make your own burgers or veggie burgers, then pile them high with toppings and sauces. Alternatively, sit back while the pros grill you a hot dog or two. Better still, it’s all in aid of Dorothy House. Check it out <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bank-holiday-bbq-tickets-976013521717?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR050ZH3FqvG7FfP0h8hpjIUWnD9dvjNvO1jjAD7CVyRrc3hlPXrioZsze8_aem_eh_p-a9H4IP-kDkVV8HkMQ">here</a>.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/pizza-dough-resized.jpg" alt="pizza dough" class="wp-image-34017" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/pizza-dough-resized.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/pizza-dough-resized-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/pizza-dough-resized-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Do you love all things dough? <a href="https://bakingchambers.com/">The Baking Chambers</a> in Marlborough is running boutique masterclasses on select dates this autumn. This month it’s all happening on bank holiday Monday – you’ll learn to make pizza dough, garlic bread and a tray of rosemary and sea salt focaccia. Classes are small and sell out quick, so it’s worth getting ahead if you’d like to book.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-somerset-dorset-amp-bristol">Somerset, Dorset &amp; Bristol</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/orchestra-resized.jpg" alt="classical music" class="wp-image-34016" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/orchestra-resized.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/orchestra-resized-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/orchestra-resized-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



If you’re a classical fan, head to Bristol Beacon for the&nbsp;<a href="https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/bbc-proms-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC Proms.&nbsp;</a>Concerts include The Virtuous Circle from Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra, and the BBC Singers at 100. You can also catch Kirill Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, plus a fun-filled CBeebies: Ocean Adventure.



Status Quo are first up on a diverse weekend of music at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lcclive.co.uk/calendar">Live in Somerset</a>, Taunton. You can also catch JLS, Ministry of Sound Classical and Busted.



Folk fans would do well to head down to Lyme Regis for the <a href="https://www.lymefolk.com/">Folk Weekend</a> (23rd-26th). With Angeline Morrison and Steve Knightly headlining, this looks set to be big. &nbsp;



Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.seetickets.com/event/act-1-5-climate-action-accelerator-massive-attack/clifton-downs/2845205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massive Attack</a>&nbsp;are on Bristol’s Clifton Downs on 25th. This is the band’s first show in five years, and it promises to be pretty epic. See <a href="https://www.massiveattackbristol.com/">here</a> for tickets. &nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-berkshire-amp-gloucestershire">Berkshire &amp; Gloucestershire </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Reading-Festival-2023-by-Luke-Dyson-resized.jpg" alt="Reading Festival " class="wp-image-34019" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Reading-Festival-2023-by-Luke-Dyson-resized.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Reading-Festival-2023-by-Luke-Dyson-resized-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Reading-Festival-2023-by-Luke-Dyson-resized-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Luke Dyson</figcaption></figure>



If there’s one thing that’ll clear a field full of teenagers, it’s their parents living it up like it’s the noughties. Queen Lana Del Rey is set to headline at this year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.readingfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reading Festival</a>&nbsp;(21 – 25 Aug), alongside Blink-182,&nbsp;Liam Gallagher,&nbsp;Catfish and the Bottlemen,&nbsp;Raye&nbsp;and Skrillex. 



The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phoenix-festival.co.uk/">Phoenix Festival</a>&nbsp;in Cirencester is an amazing two days of music, great food and entertainment – and it’s totally free. Taking place from 26 – 27 August this boutique favourite takes place in the Abbey Grounds. This year’s headline acts are ‘Guns or Roses’ and (so they say) Take That tribute band ‘Rule the World’. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Anton-Du-Beke-Mark-Harrison-1.jpg" alt="Anton Du Beke" class="wp-image-34015" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Anton-Du-Beke-Mark-Harrison-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Anton-Du-Beke-Mark-Harrison-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Anton-Du-Beke-Mark-Harrison-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mark Harrison </figcaption></figure>



Keeeeep dancing and salsa your way over to&nbsp;<a href="https://hungerfordbookshop.co.uk/author-events-at-the-hungerford-bookshop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hungerford Bookshop</a>&nbsp;for your chance to meet Strictly saucepot Anton Du Beke on&nbsp;Mon 26 Aug&nbsp;(bank hol!) He’ll be doing a signing for his debut children’s book and tickets are limited so go, go, go. Grab yours&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-anton-du-beke-book-signing-for-his-debut-childrens-book-tickets-980017347267#tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



Ever since Blur bassist Alex James bought a very big house in the country, he’s been throwing&nbsp;a lively annual festival for the Cotswolds crowd&nbsp;– Kate Moss is a regular.&nbsp;<a href="https://thebigfeastival.com/">The Big Feastival</a>&nbsp;in Kingham (23 – 25 Aug) is like Glastonbury but with better food. This August, expect Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons-worthy fare from Raymond Blanc’s local terroir served up with a side order of Snow Patrol.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Butcombe-Cinema-0622-37.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34020" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Butcombe-Cinema-0622-37.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Butcombe-Cinema-0622-37-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Butcombe-Cinema-0622-37-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The Dundas Arms in Kintbury have a number of&nbsp;<a href="https://butcombe.com/the-dundas-arms-berkshire/offers/outdoor-cinema-22nd-25th-august/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outdoor cinema events</a>&nbsp;taking place over the long weekend. There’s&nbsp;Shrek&nbsp;(Thu 22 Aug),&nbsp;Dirty Dancing&nbsp;(Fri 23 Aug),&nbsp;Encanto&nbsp;(Sat 24 Aug at 2pm),&nbsp;Top Gun: Maverick&nbsp;(Sat 24 Aug),&nbsp;Barbie&nbsp;(Sun 25 Aug), and&nbsp;Toy Story&nbsp;(Mon 26 Aug). Tickets are £15 for adults, £9 for under 12s which includes a Peroni Capri or any Thatchers drink or a large soft drink (post mix)/fruit juice, plus your deckchair for the night. Just BYO blanket!



Bank holidays in Berkshire have never looked so fun! Kick start the long weekend at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/henley-summer-fest-the-big-family-day-out-tickets-698297716267?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henley Summer Fest</a>&nbsp;for their Big Family Day Out&nbsp;(Sat 24 Aug). Expect a bounty of live music, stunt displays, inflatables, circus workshops, fireworks, fairgrounds rides, and even hot air balloons. Tickets from £28 for adults, £14 for 3-15s, and free for under 2s.



Hampshire



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Carfest-Chris-Evans-resized-1.jpg" alt="Carfest Chris Evans" class="wp-image-34039" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Carfest-Chris-Evans-resized-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Carfest-Chris-Evans-resized-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/08/Carfest-Chris-Evans-resized-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Auto-nut Chris Evans’ bumper seven-festivals-in-one,&nbsp;<a href="https://carfest.org/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=banner&amp;utm_id=MuddyStilettos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CarFest</a>, is back for the August Bank Holiday weekend at Laverstoke Park Farm near Basingstoke. Come for AdventureFest, FoodFest, KidsFest, RetroFest, StarFest, SpaFes, Olly Murs, UB40, Sam Ryder, Deacon Blue&nbsp;– and all those cars.



Down in Portsmouth, you can dance the August Bank Holiday away on the sea front at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.victoriousfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victorious</a>. There’s a stellar line-up, including Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol, Biffy Clyro, The Pixies, Sugababes and more.

Bank holiday alert! What’s on in Wiltshire, Somerset and beyond

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