FOOD & DRINK

Supper and sculpture – what’s not to like?! Emily Young – Britain’s greatest living stone sculptor – has brought six of her pieces to Glove Factory Studios, and they are really something special. The pièce de resistance is ‘The Sun King Dreams of Peace,’ an incredible bronze which has taken up residence by the lake. Head over to Glove Factory Studios on 23 May for a private evening view, followed by a two-course supper from the talented team at Wild Herb at the Field Kitchen. Tickets £28, book here.

Big news for foodies and film buffs. Movie director Guy Ritchie is opening the gates to Ashcombe, his Wiltshire estate, for a series of seriously exclusive lunches and dinners. Over eight weekends in May and June, eight hand-picked chefs will be bringing their creativity to life in his lakeside kitchen, where they’ll dish up tasting menus for groups of 18. Coming for an evening feast? There’s the option to lay your head in one of the estate’s seriously stylish farmhouses. Sounds dreamy! Dinner £175pp, dinner plus overnight stay from £350. Find out more here.

Shaken or stirred? Unleash your inner mixologist at Lucknam Park’s monthly masterclass, on May 11. Things kick off with a champagne cocktail, before you learn to make one of the hotel’s signature drinks and a seasonal concoction. Canapes are included and sessions take a max of 10 people. Book here, tickets £65.

The sun’s finally here (hurrah), which means it’s officially BBQ season. Hamptworth Golf & Country Club is getting into the swing of things, with a family do’ on 19 May. Expect drinks on the terrace, face painting, a bouncy castle and feasting aplenty. You don’t need to be a member to join in the fun, check it out here.

Prefer to learn how to tell your Grenache from your Gamay instead? Lucknam’s fortnightly wine tasting masterclass sounds like great fun (hic). The resident sommelier will guide you through six vinos, including fizz, whites, reds, rose and a fortified wine. Tickets £75, including canapes.

Bishopstrow Hotel is feeling summer vibes, with a garden gathering on 19 May. Expect live music, cocktails and a three-course grill, including sharing starters. It’s £55 a head, you can bag your spot here.

Gather a gang and head to Parade House in Trowbridge on 18 May, for a three-course extravaganza cooked by Dean Toon. With two AA Rosette’s and a string of awards to his name, he’ll be cooking up a storm. Expect the likes of duck liver parfait with toasted focaccia, black truffle & burrata tortellini and vanilla panna cotta with poached strawberries. Yum! It’s £49.50pp, you can book here. 

Wiltshire’s going crazy for cocktails this month. Rick Stein’s in Marlborough is throwing an hour-long masterclass on 15 May, and it looks set to be a goodie. Youll learn how to perfect the English martini and the Cucu-Banks (think apple, lemon and cucumber). £20, book here.

Iford Manor is spoiling us with two supper club in May, both of which look set to be six-courses of deliciousness. You’ll find feasts on 10 and 24, with the likes of crispy pork risotto, Wiltshire pork with jersey royals and salmon brioche with watercress puree. Tickets £65, book here.

SPORTY DAYS

The Formula 1® Qatar Airways British Grand Prix 2024 gets underway at Silverstone on 5 – 7 July and we’re giving Muddy readers the chance to book ahead for a VIP package for the Sunday that’ll bag you the best seats, food and drink included and all the festival fun and entertainment for a rocking family day out.

ART & CULTURE

We’re excited to see the stunning Talos sculpture garden reopen for its annual summer season (25 May). Exhibitors range from artists of international repute to some seriously impressive new kids on the block, plus there are fascinating talks too. Unless you’re after a private tour there’s no need to book, entry is free (open Thursday-Sunday). Keen to find out more? Check out our write-up, here.

Swindon Festival of Literature launches on 5 May, and this year’s calendar is action-packed. There’s a circus extravaganza on the bank holiday Monday (think acrobatics, aerial feats and comedy) and a ton of workshops, including poetry mentoring and bookbinding. Of course, there are author talks aplenty too. We particularly like the sound of hearing Hilary Bradt, co-founder of the brilliant Bradt Guides, divulge her adventures, including getting lost in a jungle and encountering mountain gorillas in Rwanda. You can catch her on 10 May, but check out the full programme here.  

A great one for keen photographers –Messums Wiltshire is exhibiting a new series of still life images by Jean- Vincent Simonet. He’s described as something of a maverick, and at the vanguard of contemporary photography. You can check out his work from 4 May.

Salisbury International Arts Festival kicks off on 26 May, and it’s a biggie. The citywide celebration has an impressive line-up of speakers, including Ruby Wax, Alan Johnson, David Baddiel and Juliet Stevenson.

It’s all go in Salisbury this month. The city’s two-week art trail launches on 25 May, with an incredible 40 venues and 93 artists taking part. You’ll find sculptors, painters, ceramicists, photographers, jewellery makers and textile artists throwing open their studio doors and, of course, it’s all free.

WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES

Fancy making your own candles? Becky Avery, founder of Wiltshire-based Hazel & Blue, takes you through the process in this 90-minute barn workshop in Whitley, on 11 May. She’s the guru on everything from candle creation to finding your perfect fragrance, so make sure you gen up while you’re there. Tickets cost £49 and sessions are always a sell-out, so book here.

Pottery and gin? Sounds ideal to us. Potter Jane Scott runs loads of workshops and courses from her Corsham studio, but this one particularly piqued our interest. After a welcome G&T you’ll get stuck into making your own clay beaker, texturised with botanical moulds. Meanwhile Holly, from fabulous Scout and Sage spirits, will serve up gin cocktails to fire up your artistic streak. £95, book here.

The Pound in Corsham is upping the ante this month too. Try your hand at making a floral paper-cut relief on 17th (£40), or make a stained-glass sun catcher on 18^th. Artist Emy Mills will show you how to cut, grind, foil and solder your own glass pieces, which sounds like impressive stuff to us. This workshop runs 10-4pm and comes in at £70.

The Farm at Avebury is also upping its wellbeing offerings to a new level this May. On 16 May, there’s a fab health workshop (£55), which includes yoga and guided relaxation. There’s also a masterclass in optimal living, from nutrition and health coach Sarah Culpepper. If Pilates is more your bag, there’s a three-hour session on 12 May (£50). It includes a dynamic session in The Barn, balance exercises in the orchard and coffee and cake to get you going. It’s worth noting that these workshops are intimate and book up quick, so it’s a case of fastest fingers first.

If you fancy getting green-fingered, take a trip to Bowood on 15 May, where you’ll create an Insta-worthy spring bouquet under the guidance of resident floral guru, Claire Satchell. You don’t need to be a horticultural whizz to take part, Claire will guide you through the process, plus you’ll get tea, coffee and entry to Bowood House and Gardens. Tickets £68, you can book here.

OUTDOORS

How about a bit of stargazing, and the chance to do good at the same time? Messums is partnering with homeless charity Alabaré to put on a sleepout. Over 8’s (plus parents) are invited to bed down by the ancient tithe barn – it’s just £5 for children to sign up, but they need to raise a minimum of £25 in sponsorship (adults £150). The idea is to understand what it’s like to sleep rough and raise funds, while also soaking up the The Cranborne Chase’s epic dark skies. You’ll be given a bivvy bag, refreshments and brekkie, plus there’s a star gazing talk, and a night walk led by Green Wing star Pippa Haywood. Check it out here.  

Fancy pitting your wits against a ginormous inflatable assault course? The Labyrinth Challenge heads to Trowbridge on 18-19 May, and it’s a goodie for pretty much all ages. You’ll clamber over, scramble under and crawl through obstacles, plus there are a few slides to navigate too.Tickets from £21.52, which includes an unlimited number of rounds during your time slot. On your marks, get set, go!  

If you’ve ever wanted to sneak a peek behind the scenes at Iford Manor, now’s your chance. Head gardener Steve Lannin is running a tour on 22 May. He’ll happily give you tips, so you can get green fingered at home, plus you’ll get one of their fabulous café coffees. From £26.50, book here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Alan Ayckbourn’s comedic genius has descended on Salisbury Playhouse, and the results are every bit as hilarious as you’d hope. A Chorus of Disapproval (until 18 May) sees recently-widowed Guy joining his local amateur operatic society, in hope of finding new friends. Unable to say no to wine, women and song, Guy finds himself embroiled in a series of backhand deals, steamy affairs and pub brawls. Tickets from £12, book here.  

One for Eurovision fans. Parade House is set to broadcast all the glitz and glamour live from Malmo on 11 May. The screening room is an intimate do – it seats just 24 – so get in quick if you want to catch a glimpse of Olly Alexander in action! Tickets £6, here.

Sequins at the ready. Johannes Radebe regularly raises the roof on Strictly, and he’s bringing his glitz and glamour to Swindon on 31 May. The House of JoJo promises dazzling costumes, fabulous music and world-class dance. We’re in! Tickets from £37.50.

Feeling in need of a good giggle? Edinburgh Fringe regular and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Mrs Barbara Nice heads to Salisbury Arts Centre on 31 May. This is a great one if you’re in need of a pick-me-up. Tickets from £18.

Giffords Circus has just finished a fabulous run at Bowood, but don’t panic if you missed it. You can get ahead of the curve and bag seats for August, when the show returns to Wiltshire (Marlborough to be precise, from 22nd). Expect lavish costumes and sparkling high-octane acts, including acrobats, magicians. musicians and clowns. This is a fab family adventure, so don’t hang about. Grab your tail coat and book here.

Is your bestie a musical lover? Head to Bowood on 17 May if so. Richard Hadfield, the one-time winner of Britain’s Got Talent, is singing a night of West End showstoppers, alongside a three-course dinner. Tickets £55, book here.

You’d be hard pushed not to have watched or read something written by Anthony Horowitz. From teen spy series Alex Rider to Midsomer Murders and Foyle’s War, he’s one of the most prolific writers in the UK. On 29 May, you can catch him in conversation at The Salberg, Salisbury Playhouse. Tickets from £24.

Brace yourselves, Julian Clary is on tour and he’s coming to Swindon. ‘A Fistful of Clary’ has a Western theme – expect on stage antics aplenty from the man “with no shame.” 17 May, tickets from £33.