Things to do this March in Salisbury
As we say goodbye to winter, and the weather improves, Salisbury will be filled with events and activities to encourage us outdoors and keep us entertained.
From historic houses to car boot sales and thrilling theatre whodunnits – you'll find them all in our modern medieval city this month.
Here are some of the events we think you should look out for:
2022 re-starts
As spring begins, we see many attractions reopen and market place events return.
The beautiful National Trust property, Mompesson House, reopens today (4th March). Homely and welcoming, the 18th-century townhouse is located in the heart of Salisbury's Cathedral Close. As well as an impressive interior, there is a pretty garden to enjoy. Pre-booked group tours only are available. See their website for more.
Mompesson House reopens to group tours
Arundells will also welcome visitors back later this month. From 18th March you’ll be able to take a tour around the house and beautiful gardens, which were the home of Sir Edward Heath, the former Prime Minister, until his death in 2005. The house has been kept as it was when Sir Edward owned it, and you can still see his furniture and paintings – including those by Churchill and Sargent.
Arundells garden
March sees Salisbury Arts Scene and Car Boot Sundays return to the market place.
Salisbury Arts Scene takes place this Sunday (6th March), filling the square with works from talented artists. They’ll set up their galleries for the day to showcase their fabulous work, giving art lovers the chance to pick up some unique pieces.
Then, on Sunday 20th March, shoppers will get the chance to go hunting for a bargain, or two, at the first Car Boot Sunday of 2022. If you’d rather sell than buy, you can do that too. It's just £5 per car on the day or £10 for vans or cars with trailers. No need to book, just turn up on the day. It will take place in the Market Place from 7am for sellers and 9am for buyers (ending at 1pm). More information can be found here.
The historic bi-weekly Charter Market will also continue throughout the month. With a range of fresh food and produce, you can pick up supplies and support our local traders each Tuesday and Saturday.
Theatre
It’s a busy month at Salisbury Playhouse, with two big main house productions. First comes a classic whodunnit from Agatha Christie. A Murder is Announced runs from 7th to 12th March and sees Miss Maple trying to unravel a complex series of relationships and events to solve the mystery of the killer.
Things then get a little spooky, as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow arrives at the city theatre. Coronation Street legends Wendi Peters and Bill Ward lead an incredible ensemble in this thrilling new adaptation, which brings one of the most terrifying monsters from the horror canon –the Headless Horseman – to the stage. See it from 14th to 19th March. This one is for 12’s and over.
Both productions are also part of the 2 for 1 offer that is running throughout March on selected Wiltshire Creative shows. Find out more here.
If you are looking for something a bit more light-hearted, then Comedy Highlights could be for you. Salisbury Fringe Theatre’s sparkling new show features six brilliant bite-sized comedy plays created and produced by local writers, actors, and directors. The shows will be performed at The Chapel on 18th and 19th March.
Towards the end of the month, Studio Theatre will re-open post pandemic for The Thrill of Love, a thriller about the last woman to be hanged in Britain, Ruth Ellis. You can see it from 28th March to 2nd April at their Ashley Road theatre.
Exhibitions
If you are an art lover or a fan of history, there is a lot to keep you occupied this month.
The David R Abram: Ancient sites from the Air exhibition continues throughout the month at Salisbury Musuem. The Somerset-based photographer and writer has spent the past five years capturing images of Britain’s prehistoric monuments from the air, using flying cameras and telescopic poles. The fascinating photos can be seen seven days a week, 10am to 5pm.
The Vanner Gallery continues to showcase original illustrations by many of the world’s best-loved and internationally award-winning picture book illustrators, in an exhibition called Imagine: Illustrating Stories. Leading artists include Raymond Briggs, Eric Carle and Lauren Child. There is also a workshop being held tomorrow (5th March), where four-to-seven-year old's will be able to listen to bestselling local author Kristina Stephenson read from her new picture book, The Museum of Marvellous Things. They will also get to make a Muffle-Wumper backpack! Read more on that here.
The Muffle-Wumpers at Vanner Gallery!
Next week sees the final days of Fisherton Mill Gallery’s The Glamour of Abstracts (12th March), a solo exhibition by Munro Wright. Then, from 19th March, the gallery will introduce Hot Off The Press, an exciting exhibition about contemporary printmaking that showcases the work of talented artists from across the country.
Live music
The Chapel comes alive this month with a range of music genres. From Panic at the Emo (tonight) to a Clash tribute act and club night – you can find the full listing on their website here.
For something more classical, the St John Singers, directed by Stephen Abbott, will offer an evening of varied music from Monteverdi to Spirituals when they perform at the Methodist Church on 19th March. Their guests are The Close Consort of Recorders, directed by Alison Cameron who will play the Blues and Riffs. Ben Maton will also perform a rousing number or two on the organ.
For those who are looking further ahead, you can now put dates in your calendar for Salisbury Cathedral’s Organ Festival and Salisbury Races. Organ festival tickets are on sale now (find more here) and Salisbury Racecourse will release tickets for their 2022 fixtures on Monday, 7th March. Don’t miss out!