Across Wiltshire, National Trust places are alive with the promise of warm summer days, lazy weekend picnics and trips out with family and friends. There’s loads on offer this season, from outdoor yoga sessions to guided walks and art exhibitions to outdoor theatre. What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations. Here is what’s happening near you this summer, please check property website for opening days and times:
Avebury
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/avebury
Sentinels of stone exhibition
Daily to Sun 11 Jun. 10am – 5pm
In the seventeenth century threshing barn at Avebury, see the iconic stones in a new way through artist and standing stone enthusiast Tony Galuidi's new exhibition, Sentinels of Stone. Experience over thirty paintings of the megaliths at Avebury and further afield. Paintings, and smaller prints, are available to purchase, and the artist will donate proceeds to charity.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
In stitches: women and needlecraft in Avebury Manor
Daily. 11am – 5pm
From Mrs Dunch Tudor period to Doris Keiller in the 1930s, the women who lived at Avebury Manor would have found all kinds of ways to spend their time. Find out more about historic crafts and what role they played in women’s lives, at Avebury and beyond in a new exhibition in the Servant's Hall. Display items and demonstrations may also be shown, subject to availability.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
Yoga on the lawn
Every Sat from 10 Jun – 15 Jul. 9.45 – 11am
Yoga will help you discover how coordinating the breath, mind and body helps bring balance, not only in class but in your daily life too. The session encourages feelings of relaxation and ease to help you deal with stress, anxiety or sleep disorders as well as improving general fitness and wellbeing. Everyone can feel the benefits and all levels are welcome from beginners up. Where better to soak up the calm and relaxation than amongst the trees of Avebury Manor Garden?
Price: £12.50. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Landscape walk – Waden Hill
Sat 10 Jun. 1.30 – 4pm
The Waden Hill circuit takes in some of the Neolithic monuments which make up this ancient and intriguing landscape. The volunteer guide will help you to unlock their past by explaining the history of the landscape as you walk. Begin at Avebury and walk along the Winterbourne towards Silbury Hill, up Waden Hill and back via the West Kennet Avenue.
Price: £8. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
300 years of William Stukeley exhibition
Daily from Sat 24 Jun. 10am – 5pm
The writings and drawings of William Stukeley have contributed significantly to what we know about Avebury and the surrounding landscape. Stukeley's beautifully detailed drawings of the stone circles in the early eighteenth century offer a reminder of how the landscape has changed in the past three hundred years, and how much has remained the same. Visit the seventeenth century threshing barn in the heart of Avebury for free to see several of his works reproduced to celebrate the anniversary.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Trust10 trail run
Fourth Sun of the month. 9 – 11am
Join us at Avebury on the fourth Sunday of every month between April-October for a free, 10k trail run. Enjoy a challenging run with stunning views across the wider Avebury landscape. Registration is from 8.30am at the Coach house (on Avebury high street, next to the Red Lion pub). The Trust10 run will begin at 9am.
Price: Free. Booking not necessary.
Figsbury Ring glow worm walk
Fri 30 Jun & Fri 7 Jul. 9.45 – 11pm
On this evening adventure, you can watch the curtain of night fall around us atop the ancient hillfort of Figsbury Ring, near Salisbury, as we hope to meet some extraordinary creatures. Join us in twilight and listen as the rangers give a presentation about the magical glow worm, before heading out into the gradually darkening landscape to search for their charming luminescence. Whilst they seem exotic or even fairy-tale, glow worms (Lampyris noctiluca) are a relatively common species native to the UK with a preference for grassland and woodland edges. Far away from light pollution, Figsbury Ring is an easily-accessible spot with a well-established population of glow worms.
Price: £8. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Landscape walk - East of Avebury circuit
Sat 22 Jul. 1.30 – 4pm
The National Trust guide will help you to unlock the past by explaining the history of the landscape as you walk. As a World Heritage Site, the archaeologically rich landscape of Avebury has long been recognised as holding the key to our past. You can discover more of the landscape's history on this walk of around two miles which takes in part of Avebury stone circle, prehistoric round barrows and West Kennet Avenue. With beautiful vistas and wide open skies you can also enjoy the stunning scenery.
Price: £8. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/lacock
Light Struck by Ellen Carey
Daily. 10am – 5pm
Well known for her work with Polaroid and the 20 x 24 studio in New York, Carey's work explores colour and light through camera-less techniques. ‘Light-Struck’ brings Carey's photograms and giant Polaroid prints to the Fox Talbot Museum, including a piece “Crush & Pull with Hands, Penlights & Spruce Needles” created especially for Lacock. This piece is directly inspired by Talbot’s own ’A Cascade of Spruce Needles’ photogram.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
Chapterhouse Theatre Company Presents: Sense and Sensibility
Sat 8 Jul. 6 – 9pm
Welcome to 1810 as Chapterhouse Theatre Company invites you to take a step back in time, and lose yourself in this magical story of romance, recklessness and restraint. Sense & Sensibility follows Elinor and Marianne Dashwood as they make their first tentative forays into Regency Society – a world where the parties are tremendous, emotions always run high, and every woman is on the lookout for a husband! Please see website for family ticket prices.
Price: Adult £18 / Child £11. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Illyria Presents: Robin Hood
Wed 16 Aug. 6 – 9pm
With King Richard away at war, the rich will break every rule to seize power. And they're ready to play dirty! Luckily, so is the swashbuckling Robin Hood and his misfit rebels. They plot to bring down the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham and every other villain along the way. It's a fast paced heist for all ages - and Robin Hood never misses a target. This action-packed production delivers huge laughs, daring adventures, and well-deserved revenge! Running time (approx): 1hr 50 mins including 20 minute interval. Please see website for family ticket prices.
Price: Adult £18 / Child £11. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Mompesson House
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/mompesson...
Mompesson: A Living House
Every Fri to Tue, 11am – 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
From using vodka to clean windows to handy gardening tips, our expert team will be letting you know how they keep Mompesson House “alive” and how you can use National Trust expertise to take care of your own precious items and plants.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
Summer of Play at Mompesson
Every Fri to Tue from 2 Jun. 11am – 4pm
Visit Mompesson House with your friends and family this summer to take part in the Summer of Play activities including a free explorer activity sheet, garden games and nature spotting. Have a go at the free garden games such as quoits and croquet. After a day of play borrow one of our blankets to relax on the lawn with a picnic from our tea-room.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Stourhead
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead
Walks and Talks guided tours
Daily in Jun. 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3pm
Accompany one of Stourhead's knowledgeable volunteers on the original route taken by the Hoare family and their guests, and learn the history of this fascinating place. Approx. 1 - 1.5hrs.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
Walled Garden talks
Every Wed and select Sat in Jun, Jul & Aug. 12.30 – 1.30pm & 2 – 3pm
Take a detailed look at the function of this vital and often overlooked area of Stourhead with one of our knowledgeable volunteers. Approx 45mins-1hr.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
Nordic walking
Thu 8 & Sat 17 Jun, Thu 13 & Sat 15 Jul, Thu 10 & Sat 19 Aug. 9 – 10.30 am & 2 – 3.30pm
Learn to get more out of walking, meet other walkers and enjoy beautiful walking routes around Stourhead. Your instructor will introduce you to a variety of walking techniques, both with poles and without, that will exercise your whole body and relax your mind. Sessions can be tailored to any skill and ability level.
Price: £6 (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Planted Country
Fri 9 to Sun 11 Jun. 9.30am – 5pm
The three-day event will revolve around the critically-acclaimed Planted Unearthed talks programme, alongside a botanical market showcasing brands and businesses who place nature and the environment at their core. A series of wellness and practical nature-based workshops and walks will complete this year’s offering.
Price: £7 advance / £12 on the day / free for NT member (normal admission applies to Stourhead). Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Father’s Day forest school
Sat 17 & Sun 18 Jun. 10am – 1pm
Immerse yourself in the woodland at Stourhead and share in natural crafts, den building and outdoor play led by a professional facilitator. Activities include: - looking for signs and navigating using nature - build a watertight camp - foraging - fire lighting with flint and steel - charcoal making - whittling a stick for cooking camp bread on fire.
Price: £30 (1 adult and up to 2 children). Booking essential 01747 841152.
Guided foraging walk
Sat 17 Jun. 11am – 2pm
Take a walk in Stourhead's beautiful wider estate and discover what exciting wild foods are growing nearby from flowers to fruits, fungi, & tubers – there’s plenty to find. Your professional forager will introduce you to a vast number of edible species; giving you tips on harvesting, correct identification and possible look-alikes as well as a huge range of cooking ideas. You will have an opportunity to taste a range of pre-made wild food tasters.
Price: £40. Booking essential 01747 841152.
Stourhead Trust10
Sat 25 Jun, Sat 23 Jul & Sat 27 Aug. 8.30 – 11.30am
Whether you’re training for a challenge or looking for a sociable jog in the fresh air, join us at Stourhead on the fourth Sunday of every month for an 8.30am registration and a 9am start. Stourhead’s Trust10 10k trail run is a challenging, multi-terrain run involving some public roads. Beginning and ending at Stourhead house, the trail takes in pasture, woodland and an Iron age hillfort with King Alfred’s Tower marking the mid-way point. Trust10 is all about enjoying the experience of running in beautiful landscapes, surrounded by nature, so if monitoring your running time is important to you, please remember to bring your own timing device.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Wider Estate walks
Fri 30 Jun, Fri 28 Jul, Fri 25 Aug. 11am – 1pm
Accompany one of Stourhead's knowledgeable volunteers and explore the wider estate. All walks include an introduction to the Hoare family and the Stourhead estate, plus topics of seasonal interest.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Festival of Archaeology
Sun 16 – Sun 30 July, 10.30am - 4.30pm
Stourhead will celebrate the Festival of Archaeology, the UK’s biggest annual celebration of archaeology, with a dig for the mysterious Stourton Castle and plenty of medieval merriment for all the family. Join us for daily events and activities and try all things medieval, including making pottery, paper and pomanders, as well as ‘have a go’ archery and the Tales of Robin Hood puppet show. The final weekend of the festival concludes with a medieval encampment, which will give visitors a unique insight into 11th and 14th Century medieval life with living history demonstrations.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Summer of Play
Daily from 22 July. All day
Join us in the play meadow for a summer of fun and games. Put on a show, compete in the obstacle course race and go hunting for nature. Throughout the summer holidays the play hub will include loose parts play, creative play, active play, performance play and nature play. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays each week, 10.30am - 3pm, you can join us for volunteer lead crafts.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Outdoor Theatre: Secret Garden
Tue 22 & Wed 23 Aug. 4 – 7pm
Join young Mary Lennox on her journey of discovery as she travels to her uncle’s house deep in the Yorkshire countryside, where unexpected friends and very magical creatures help her unlock the mystery of the secret garden. Please visit website for family ticket prices.
Price: Adult £19 / Child £11. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Outdoor Theatre: Shakespeare's, 'As You Like It'
Fri 25 Aug. 7 – 10pm
Prepare for an evening of mischief and hilarity, as three actors present an inventive take on Shakespeare's classic tale, fit for all the family. Touring the UK this summer, this classic tale will be getting the full Three Inch Fools treatment: expect fast-paced drama, endless costume changes, and much music-making along the way! Bring your own blankets, cushions, and camping-chairs and join us on our outdoor adventure at some of the most beautiful and historic landmarks in the UK. Come prepared for the weather - the performance will continue come rain come shine! Please visit website for family ticket prices.
Price: Adult £18 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Outdoor Theatre: Robin Hood
Sat 26 Aug. 7 – 10pm
The Three Inch Fools are dusting down their musical instruments and hitting the road once more with their take on the legendary folktale, Robin Hood. Bring your own blankets, cushions, and camping-chairs and join us on our outdoor adventure at some of the most beautiful and historic landmarks in the UK. Come prepared for the weather - the performance will continue come rain come shine! Please visit website for family ticket prices.
Price: Adult £18 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Outdoor Theatre: Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
Sun 27 & Mon 28 Aug. 7.30 – 10.30pm
Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company this summer as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood make their first forays into the exciting world of Regency society. This exquisite and lively tale follows the sisters as they fall in love, make mistakes and experience heartbreak for the first time in their quest to find a balance between sense and sensibility. Please visit website for family ticket prices.
Price: Adult £19 / Child £11. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Summer of Play with the National Trust
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/family-friendly
From 21 July 2023
Discover a world of adventure and play this summer across many National Trust places in the South West. There'll be lots of fun for you and your family from lawn games, such as quoits and skittles, to den-building, arts and crafts to pop up sports days, costumes and role play to giant Jenga, there is something for everyone.
Price: Free, normal admission prices apply. Booking not required.