What’s On in and Around Salisbury in July & August
Whether you’re pitching up for a long weekend or planning a proper summer break in the heart of Wiltshire, the Cathedral city of Salisbury and the surrounding area have an exceptional line-up of events across July and August 2026.
From open-air racing and archaeology festivals to seaside-themed fun in the city centre, there is genuinely something for everyone. If you stay at beautiful Brades Acre, ideally placed on Salisbury Plain just minutes from Stonehenge and a short drive from the city itself, you’ll be perfectly positioned to make the most of it all.
Here’s what to look forward to this summer:
Fayre on the Square
Salisbury City Centre, 17 July to 6 September
Kicking off proceedings in style, Fayre on the Square returns to Guildhall Square for another summer-long run.
This year’s theme is the seaside, and Salisbury City Council has transformed the heart of the city into a hub of coastal-inspired fun.
Visitors can enjoy classic games including boules, skittles, mini golf, table tennis, table football, chess and swingball, with activities priced at just £3.50 each. Free-to-play options like Connect 4, giant Jenga and sandpits are available throughout the entire seven-week event, with no advance booking required.
Add in street food, a bar, ice cream and even traditional rock, and you have a ready-made afternoon out in the city centre that costs very little.
Whether you’re in Salisbury for a day trip, camping out at Brades Acre or staying somewhere else in the area, Fayre on the Square is worth factoring into any summer visit.
Salisbury Museum Festival of Archaeology
18 & 19 July
Archaeology enthusiasts and curious families alike will want to mark the weekend of 18 and 19 July in their diaries. Salisbury’s own Festival of Archaeology returns with a showground filled with living history, archaeology, talks, fun and entertainment. It’s a summer weekend at the museum filled with something for all ages. Here’s a list of the highlights packed into two historical days:
- House of Hound and Falcon Step back into the mid-14th century with this living history group as they set up camp in our front garden. Hear stories of medieval life, weapons, board games, calligraphy, and some rather gruesome surgery!
- THE DIG – Unearth the Past. Discover the Mystery. Grab your trowel and become an archaeologist for the day!
- Two Birds Experience Get up close with Tudor falconry and meet a Harris Hawk, Red-tailed Buzzard and Barn Owl
- Salisbury Cathedral will showcase some of their fascinating archaeological treasures
- Council for British Archaeology Wessex will be on hand to help you learn how to identify pottery and uncover the stories behind it
- Young Archaeologists Club will be making Roman shields
- Friends of Clarendon Palace
- Cotswold Archaeology
- Ancient Wessex Network
- Sir William Norris Household – Explore 15th Century medieval crafts with willow flower making, armour displays and astrology
- English Heritage will share the geophysical survey of Old Sarum, and a rather special collection of animal bones
- Avon Valley Archaeological Society
- Wiltshire Museum
- Portable Antiquities Scheme
- Medieval Arrowsmith and Knife Forging
- Wandering Musician will be sharing the sounds of early dance music performed on pipe and tabor
- Wiltshire Scrap Store with hands-on crafting for our younger history enthusiasts
- Time Travellers Kitchen will explore how the Crusades influenced English food culture with live demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Salisbury Race Meetings Throughout July & August
Salisbury Racecourse stages numerous entertaining race meetings every summer between mid-April and the end of September, with family-themed days, music nights and high-quality racing that draws attendances of between 2,000 and 9,000 racegoers each time.
In July, highlights include an evening racing and music night on 11 July, a mid-summer evening meeting on 21 July, and another music night on 25 July. August then brings a two-day race meeting on 12 and 13 August.
Set against the backdrop of the Wiltshire downs at Netherhampton, the racecourse is one of the most atmospheric venues in the south of England — and on a fine summer evening, few settings can match it.
Medieval Knights Tournament at Old Sarum
12 & 13 August
For something genuinely spectacular, head to Old Sarum during the weekend of 12 and 13 August. This summer, visitors can discover one of history’s most spectacular sporting contests as medieval knights compete in the ultimate test of skill. Arrows will be flying and swords clashing, with the winner decided in a grand finale, all set against the dramatic backdrop of Old Sarum itself. The Iron Age hill fort on the northern edge of Salisbury is one of the most evocative sites in southern England, and this kind of immersive historical event makes full use of it.
It’s the sort of day out that sticks in the memory — and just the kind of thing to plan around a longer stay in this fascinating area.
Wessex Country Fair at Wilton House
6 August
The Salisbury Hospice Charity’s Wessex Country Fair returns to the idyllic Wilton House Estate on Saturday 6 August, bigger and better than ever, and for the first time hosting an evening element. A highlight will be the appearance of the legendary West Country group, The Wurzels.
Set in the grounds of one of Wiltshire’s finest stately homes, the fair combines a traditional country show atmosphere with the opportunity to support a genuinely worthy local cause. It’s a great day for families and a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon in particularly beautiful surroundings.
Wiltshire Creative & Salisbury Playhouse
Throughout the Summer
For those who prefer their summer entertainment indoors – or at least under a roof – Wiltshire Creative has a packed summer programme running across July and August, encompassing musical theatre, comedy, historical drama and community events. Salisbury Playhouse continues to be one of the region’s leading producing theatres, and the summer schedule offers plenty of choice for a night out after a day exploring the plain.
End of the Road Festival
3 to 6 September
Just beyond the July–August window but close enough to factor into late-summer plans, End of the Road Festival takes place at the Larmer Tree Gardens from 3 to 6 September, with Pulp, CMAT and Mac DeMarco headlining the 20th anniversary edition.
Set in Victorian pleasure gardens and woodlands on the Wiltshire/Dorset border, the festival is known for its intimate setting, carefully curated programme, and eclectic blend of indie, folk and alternative artists, alongside comedy, literature and art installations.
Make Brades Acre Your Base This Summer
All of these events — and much more besides — are within easy reach of Brades Acre, the family-run campsite on Salisbury Plain. Situated just off the A303 near Tilshead, it’s the ideal base for exploring Salisbury, Stonehenge, and the wider south Wiltshire region. Whether you’re pitching a tent, bringing a motorhome or booking one of the site’s holiday lets, you’ll find friendly hosts, good facilities and one of the finest views in Wiltshire. Visit bradesacre.co.uk to check availability and plan your summer stay.