Music, Arts & Culture

Wiltshire is a great county for the arts. Home to many artists, musicians, actors and authors, the county is full of talent.

It’s home to the largest history festival in Britain – Chalke History Festival. Started in 2011, it brings in top names from the world of history, politics and beyond.

Salisbury International Arts Festival is an annual event held over two weeks in June covering everything from acrobatics, classical music, film, literature, world music and talks from well known people. It gives the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the arts.

The Festival of Archaeology is an annual event, it is coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology & showcases the very best of Archaeology for everyone.

The globally renowned WOMAD festival is held at Charlton Park, Malmesbury and it showcases musicians from all over the globe – a must for world music fans.

There are plenty of other festivals too such as Chippenham Folk Festival, Wiltshire Jazz Festival, Calne Country Music Festival, Cricklade Town Festival, Marlborough Jazz Festival and Corsham Festival.

Literature is celebrated with Marlborough Lit Fest, Swindon Festival of Literature and theatre is well represented in the county with venues such as Salisbury Playhouse.

There are plenty of artists from sculptors to painters to discover and arts centres with varied programmes of events throughout the year. Look out for Wylye Valley Art Trail – an inspiring and eclectic festival of visual art and craft held in spring.