OUT & ABOUT

Hurrah, Bowood has reopened, which means winter is officially behind us at last. You’ll find tons going on, from an epic tulip display in the formal gardens to garden tours.

If it’s a bluebell bonanza you’re after, head over to Bowood’s Woodland Garden, which open from 11 April. The rhododendrons will also be out in force, plus there’s home-made cakes and coffee courtesy of The Nosh Box, a café come vintage horse trailer. Furry friends are welcome in the Woodland Gardens, just keep them on a lead. Tickets from £8.40, under 16’s and RHS members go free.

If you’ve been longing to peek inside the gorgeous gardens at Fonthill House, pop 27 April in your diary. You’ll find sweeping parkland, formal gardens and wonderful woodland walks, stuffed with magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Tickets £10, you can buy yours here.

How about a stunning dog walk, fuelled by an epic bacon bap? The lovely White Horse Inn at Compton Bassett kicks off a series of spring stomps on 5 April. Meet at the pub for a bacon butty and hot drink, before setting off on a four-mile stroll. You’ll be back for midday, just in time for a pub lunch! Walks are in aid of dog rescue charity Leash for Life, and all you pay is a donation of £5+.

Ever wanted to sneak a peek behind the scenes at Iford Manor? Now’s your chance, as Head gardener Steve Lannin is running a tour on 25 April (£35). He’ll happily give you tips, so you can get green fingered at home, plus you’ll get a hot drink from the fabulous café coffees. Prefer a tour with fizz? Join owner William Cartwright-Hignett for a champagne tour on 17 April instead (£45). Snap up your place here.

Shoppers flock to Clem’s fabulous fairs, which are held at Compton Marbling, just outside Tisbury. Expect a meticulously curated collection of everything from vintage textiles to exquisite jewellery and luxury knits. And when you need a pick-me-up, you’ll find coffee and cakes supplied by local fave, Bird and Carter, too. The next fair is 25 and 26 April.

Feeling match fit? Head to Devizes on 6 April for its annual half marathon. The main event starts next to The Green, before looping through scenic surrounding villages. There are water stations enroute, and experienced pacers too. Book your space here.

WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES

Artist-printmaker Hannah Cantellow is offering some fabulous classes in her Devizes studio this spring. There are tons on offer, including a mindful monoprints session on 12 April (£75). This is a hands-on workshop, where creativity meets mindfulness. Check it out and book it up, here.

If your idea of self-care involves a little indulgence (and let’s be honest, whose doesn’t), then this aromatherapy workshop with Ella from Bampton House is calling your name. She’ll take you through the magic of blending your own bespoke therapeutic body oil, and you’ll leave with a bottle of the good stuff. For £37.50, you get two blissful hours of guided blending, all materials, plus a snack to keep you going.

Get your home insta-ready for Easter, with a gorgeous hand-crafted spring wreath. Head to Stourhead on 15 April, when a pro florist will show you how to create a masterpiece using fresh flowers, lush foliage and the odd Easter egg. Tickets £75, which includes all materials and refreshments to fuel your creativity.

Ever had a cheesecake Easter egg? Us neither, but it sounds pretty fabulous. Head to Still Sisters in Trowbridge on 19 April, when you’ll learn how to make and decorate your own cheesecake filled egg. Naturally, your creative spirit will be fuelled by a beautiful cocktail. This is a distillery, after all. Check it out here, tickets £20.

Fancy giving wild swimming a go? Wildling Studio is organising guided sessions at the stunning Drew’s Pond near Devizes on 6 and 22 April (£8). For more info and booking, see here. Don’t forget your hot water bottle!

In search of inner calm (aren’t we all…)? Try one of the ultra-chill, gong sound sessions at Corsham’s Precision Pilates on 5 and 6 April (£16). Expect an hour of meditation, relaxation and perhaps even spiritual healing. Discover more and book here.

Instead of popping to the supermarket, why not make your own Easter egg with a guided session from Wiltshire chocolatier Hollychocs? You’ll learn how to make stunning choccy shells like a pro, before creating gorgeous chocs to fill your egg. Dairy free chocolate available too. The workshop is on 4 April, £70pp.

FOOD & DRINK

Do you fancy tucking into a lakeside dinner, cooked by a top chef on the stunning Fonthill Estate? New nomadic food experience Dining in Plain Sight comes to Wiltshire this month, and it’s offering just that. Guests dine in a candlelit glass marquee, overlooking the gorgeous lake at Quarry Wood. There, ex-River Cottage chef James Whetlor will dish up canapés and a three-course feast follows, all cooked over fire and coals. Dinners run from 23-30 April and 1-3 May, £220 pp. Bag your seat at the table here.

For something a little bit different, head to Pythouse Kitchen Garden on 26 April. After coffee and pastries, foraging expert Mark Parday and chef Darren Broom will whisk you off on a foraging adventure, followed by a three course lunch featuring wild food that’s been collected that day. Tickets £100, but this one is strictly limited in numbers so get in quick.

Since Brandon and Matteo took over the Duke Hotel in Hilmarton a year ago, it’s quickly made a name for itself thanks to its innovative food and quaffable cocktails. Now, the talented duo are celebrating their first birthday in style, with an anniversary party on 19 April. Head there between 12 and 4pm for free canapes, and make sure you try one of Brandon’s signature cocktails while you’re there.

Vaughan’s seasonal pop up feast goes Greek on 26 April, with a banquet that sounds frankly divine. Expect a Mediterannean mezze, with the likes of locally smoked taramasalata, kleftiko of West Country lamb and spanakopita with tzatziki made from Lacock wild garlic. Better come hungry! Ticket’s £60, check it out here.

If you haven’t sampled Iford Manor’s restaurant, then get your name down quick for one of their Friday night supper clubs. You’ll find the next five-course feasts on 11 and 25 April. Expect a tasting menu from award-winning Head Chef, Matthew Briddon, with delights like onion tart and cheddar and rocket, pressed terrine of estate lamb and steamed catch of the day with caramelised chicory. Tickets £70pp, check it out here.  

We’re off to Chippenham on 25 and 26 April for a festival sure to put a smile on your face (apologies in advance, designated drivers). Lots of delicious craft beers feature, plus there’s live music on the Saturday too. You’ll find tickets here.

THEATRE & CINEMA

A new production of Dan Brown’s thriller The Da Vinci Code heads to Salisbury from 10 April, and it promises to be electrifying. Directed by award-winning Chelsea Walker, it involves more twists and turns than you can shake a sunflower at. Check it out here, tickets from £12, suitable for 16+.

You’ve seen the film. You’ve swooned over Swayze – now see one of cinema’s biggest all-time hits on stage. The smash hit theatre production is playing at the Wyvern Theatre from 23 to 26 April, featuring The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody of course. It’s love, loss and romantic pottery-making from beyond the grave – don’t forget to take a tissue! Tickets from £21.

Keen to up your culture credentials? Head to Wiltshire Music Centre on 13 April, for a screening of Puccini’s Turandot. Broadcast from London’s Royal Opera, this is a dramatic tale of love and revenge. Plus, there’s Marshfield ice cream in the interval. Tickets from £9, here.  

Calling all Strictly fans. Dancer Nikita Kuzmin brings his show Midnight Dancer to the Wyvern in Swindon on 9 April. Expect a dance spectacular with music, sequins, and some world class moves. Tickets from £34.

The Pound Arts Centre has oodles April events and one of our faves has to be The Amazing Bubble Man. Louis Pearl thrills audiences around the world with the magic art of bubbles, and he’s been a sell-out success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for 14 years. On 6 April he’ll be mesmerising us with everything from square bubbles to bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes and even people inside bubbles. Phew. Tickets £15.