Family-friendly summer events in Salisbury
Finding things to keep the whole family entertained during the school summer holidays can often feel an impossible task but with Experience Salisbury here to help, there will never be a dull day!
Our What’s On in Salisbury guide is packed with family-friendly events for all ages to enjoy, plus we have a range of attractions to inject fun into the school break. Here are some of our top picks:
Salisbury Bear Hunt
Make sure to keep a look out when you’re in Salisbury this summer because there are 100 teddies hidden in shop windows across the city centre! The annual Salisbury Bear Hunt raises money for Save the Children's Children's Emergency Fund and all you need to do is find the teddy bears, write their names on a form and return it to the Salisbury Information Centre by 3rd September 2022. A fun and easy way occupy the family over the summer.
Fayre on the Square
Make sure the family tries the crazy croquet in Salisbury’s Guildhall Square this summer. It’s part of Fayre on the Square, which returns from 23rd July with table tennis, the Summer City Garden Bar, ice cream sellers and delicious food stalls. It’s a fun way to entertain the children right in the heart of the city. You can book your crazy croquet now. Find out more by clicking here.
Fayre on the Square returns to Salisbury this July
Festival of Archeology
On the 23rd and 24th July this year’s Festival of Archaeology will take place at Salisbury Museum. The grounds will be full of fun and fascinating stands from archaeology, history and living history experts, providing a packed weekend of entertainment for all ages, right in the heart of Salisbury.
If you can’t get to the festival, don’t worry there is plenty going on at the Museum this summer. Every Tuesday over the school holidays they will be offering family friendly discovery days. Ranging from a climbing wall to art workshops – there's a lot for all ages to enjoy.
A beautiful setting for Salisbury Museum's Festival of Archaeology
Salisbury Cathedral
You'll get to make your very own gargoyle at Salisbury Cathedral this summer! There will be family workshops taking place from 1st to 3rd August. Only 20 people will be allowed onto each session so booking in advance is essential. It's £3 per person. Find out more here.
Salisbury Cathedral will also be holding a Youth Eco-Day on 17th August, which will give youngsters the opportunity to spend time at the cathedral learning about the ecological life there. Those involved will get to take a tower tour and make a 'bug cathedral', among lots of other fun activities. This is a FREE event. Click here to find out how to book a place.
You'll be on the look out for gargoyles at the cathedral this summer
Ghost Tours
Seek out the spooky side of Salisbury on a city Ghost Tour! Join the group as they search for Salisbury’s secretive ghosts and listen to spine chilling tales of hauntings and gruesome happenings from the city’s past, from tales of witches and wizards to the violent death of the Duke of Buckingham. The tours take place each Friday through the summer. Tickets can be bought from the Salisbury Information Centre or online.
Stonehenge Kids’ Dig and Explore Quest
All budding archeologists should head to Wiltshire's World Heritage Site this summer for their Kids' Dig! A visit to Stonehenge will give kids the opportunity to unearth the past in special sandboxes. Artefacts from across the centuries are ready to be excavated, giving children the chance to learn more about the history of Stonehenge through the things that have been left behind. Once you've finished the dig, there will also be a chance to enjoy exploring the Neolithic houses, testing your strength by pulling stone and taking part in a free Summer Explorer Quest. Find out about both by clicking here.
Enjoy a family day out at Stonehenge
The Wind In the Willows
Award-winning theatre company, Calf2Cow, brings to life the classic story of The Wind In The Willows. See it this summer in the spectacular surroundings of the garden at The Wardrobe musuem in the Cathedral Close. Be whisked off to the world of ratty, mole and toad in this mesmorising re-telling. Head down to the river bank on 10th August!
The Railway Children
Here’s another outdoor theatre spectacle you won’t want to miss this summer. Also taking place in the beautiful Arundells garden, The Railway Children will re-tell the classic children’s story in a stunning setting. Make sure you get there early to explore the gardens and enjoy a picnic! See it on 18th August.
Arundells is a stunning location for outdoor theatre in Salisbury
Salisbury Races
Enjoy a day at the races with the whole family this summer. There are afternoon race days on the 10th and 11th August with FREE entrance for accompanied children aged 17 and under at all Salisbury race days. See the full fixure list on the Salisbury Racecourse website.
The Giant Gnomus
Gnomus is the caretaker of the Earth and he’s returning to Stonehenge from 27th to 29th August, performing to families at various times throughout the day. The enormous puppet will share stories about how the ancient site was built, who else has visited over the past 5,000 years and reminding us that we must all be caretakers of the earth. A great way for children to learn more about the fascinating history of Stonehenge. If you book online and you’ll save. Click here for more.
The children will love meeting Gnomus at Stonehenge!
There is so much to see and do in Salisbury this summer we couldn’t fit it all here, but you can find the full events calendar on our What’s On pages!
If you have an event you would like us to mention, please let us know by submitting your details here.