Great West Way Travel Magazine
JOIN THE FUN!
From confetti battles to music festivals, canoe races to country shows and big-ticket exhibitions
CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH
Celebration of light, Bristol FEBRUARY-MARCH
This illuminating new annual event will celebrate the creative talents of local, national and international designers and collaborators in a playful outdoor gallery of light installations that will bring vivid colour to Bristol city centre's public spaces at a traditionally quiet and dark time of the year. ► visitbristol.co.uk
Parties, Portraits and Politics UNTIL EARLY APRIL
A new temporary exhibition will give visitors a glimpse of what it was like to be entertained in Blenheim Palace during the 1920s, from the menus and wine to the fashion, music, politics and art. The 9th Duke of Marlborough and his second wife ‘Gladys Deacon', entertained lavishly throughout the roaring twenties during their glamourous house parties.
► blenheimpalace.com
Wonder FEBRUARY
A new year-round programme and festival of children's book events in Bath and beyond that will capture imaginations and inspire future storytellers.
► visitbath.co.uk
Bath Comedy Festival 31 MARCH–19 APRIL
Bath Comedy Festival presents household names in the world of comedy and promotes the big names of tomorrow. ► visitbath.co.uk
APRIL / MAY / JUNE
Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race
10-13 APRIL
This is the world's longest non-stop canoe race, which starts in Devizes, following the Kennet & Avon Canal and joining The Thames, finishing just downstream of Westminster Bridge, opposite the Houses of Parliament, a total distance of 125 miles, 77 portages. ► dwrace.co.uk
Howard's Day at Castle Combe Circuit 13 APRIL
Easter Monday is the traditional start to the motor racing season at Castle Combe Circuit and is marked by this popular race day. ► castlecombecircuit.co.uk
The Bradford on Avon Duck Race, 13 APRIL
At this the famous annual
Duck Race over a 1000 ducks are launched into the river from the Town Bridge, where Rowing Club kayakers wait at the finish line to retrieve the lucky winners of many amazing prizes to be won! ► bradfordonavontowncouncil.gov.uk
The Bath Festival
15-24 MAY
Having recently celebrated its 70th birthday, this 10-day festival celebrates music and literature, bringing prominent writers, musicians and cultural figures to the city.
► bathfestivals.org.uk
Pub in the Park Marlow
15-17 MAY
Set in the beautiful town of Marlow this is a glorious three day feast of the best food the country has to offer created by some of the world's best chefs, pop-up pubs and great live music.
► pubintheparkuk.com
Highclere Country Show 24-25 MAY
The estate better known as Downton Abbey, Highclere hosts one of England's best country shows, with falconry, gundog displays and the chance to have a go at clay shooting.
► highclerecountryshow.co.uk
Calne Summer Carnival 27 JUNE
The Calne Summer Carnival draws in over 5000 visitors to its historic town centre, with activities from live music to street entertainers, food stalls to local crafters, and the marvellous carnival procession.
► calne. gov.uk
The Little Welly Obstacle Course & Festival,
Henley on Thames 6-7 JUNE
Let your kids Go Wild, Get Muddy and enjoy tackling the 3km landscaped course with over 30 big obstacles – involving water, foam and of course plenty of MUD!
► thelittlewelly.co.uk Royal Ascot 16-20 JUNE Arguably England's most famous – and grandest – horse racing event, with five days of races each kicked off by a royal carriage parade.
This is your chance to wave at the Queen and to wear a fabulous hat!
► ascot. co.uk
JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER
Henley Royal Regatta
1-5 JULY
Established in 1839, this annual regatta attracts rowing crews from around the world to its five days of head to head knockout competitions and is regarded as an integral part of the English social season.
► hrr. co.uk
Kew the Music
8-12 JULY
Kew Gardens hosts five nights of laidback picnic concerts, from big names in every genre of music from pop and rock to classical and jazz. Headliners include Craig David, Beverley Knight and Jools Holland. ► kewthemusic.org
Bristol Harbour Festival
17-19 JULY
Bristol's largest annual event fills the harbour from the SS Great Britain to the city centre with tall ships, music stages, dance areas and food markets. Expect water displays and circus acts too. ► bristolharbourfestival.co.uk
Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford 17-19 JULY
Few events can rival the intensity, drama, and spectacle on offer at one of the world's greatest airshows. Over 300 aircraft typically take part in the flypasts and aerial acrobatics. ► airtattoo.com
WOMAD, Malmesbury
23-26 JULY
Global fiesta of music, dance, art and food that started in Charlton Park, Malmesbury and has since taken the party to more than 27 countries worldwide including Australia, Chile and Spain. ►womad. co.uk
Marlborough College Summer School
12 JULY-18 AUGUST
Established in 1974, this annual event is one of Europe's largest multi-generational learning experiences; its popularity underpinned by the phrase “something for everyone”. The College's historic grounds are conveniently located to enjoy Marlborough's famous High Street and host over 500 courses encompassing the creative arts, history, science, body and mind, life skills, sport and country pursuits..!
► summerschool. co.uk
Bath Carnival
11 JULY
Bath's biggest party features a procession of more than 1,000 dancers and musicians through the city plus plenty of world music on the sound systems and at Party in the Park in Sydney Gardens. ► bathcarnival.co.uk
Bristol Pride
11 JULY
Bristol Pride is an annual celebration of the LGBT+ community. A series of events that take place across Bristol ranging from theatre, comedy, dance and their award winning film festival, Queer Vision. An incredible 40,000 took part in their 10th-anniversary celebrations last year!
► bristolpride.co.uk
Malmesbury Carnival & Festival
20 JULY-1 SEPTEMBER
Malmesbury Carnival been going for over 100 years! The Carnival is now a whole month of events. It changes every year, with events ranging from open gardens to open mic, bands to beer festivals, high jinks to history talks, wine tasting to wine bluffing and of course the Carnival Parade!
► malmesburycarnival.co.uk
Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park 7-9 AUGUST
Held at the spectacular home of the Princess Royal and her family, incorporating the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships, as well as the Amateur Championship, The Corinthian Cup.
► festivalofbritisheventing.com
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
6-9 AUGUST
Europe's largest annual meeting of hot air balloons brings colour to the sky above Bristol with twice-daily mass balloon launches and the chance to take a ride yourself.
► bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
Reading Festival
28-30 AUGUST
One of England's biggest and best-loved music festivals, featuring big-name acts from around the world – think Kings of Leon and Foo Fighters. ► readingfestival.com
The Colour Rush and Confetti Battle, Devizes 5 SEPTEMBER
Nobody knows why it started but Devizes' Confetti Battle is surely the most fun you can have with torn up bits of coloured paper. Get stuck into the battle in the marketplace and stay for the fireworks! ► docadevizes.org.uk
Jane Austen Festival, Bath
11-20 SEPTEMBER
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of The Jane Austen Festival. Get your top hats, bonnets and lace out for this 10-day celebration of all things Austen to include a costumed Promenade through the city, and the Regency Costumed Masked Ball, with dancing in the Pump Room of the Roman Baths. ► janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk
Heritage Open Days
11-20 SEPTEMBER
This national event sees normally hidden and closed places throw their doors open to the public. Highlights along the Great West Way include Reading Synagogue, Sevington Victorian School in Wiltshire and the RollsRoyce Heritage Trust in Bristol - with many more besides!
► heritageopendays.org.uk
Mini Action Day, Castle Combe Circuit 12 SEPTEMBER
Things go pocket-sized for Mini Action Day – the UK's oldest, best and only track-based Mini event.
Prepare to marvel at the hundreds of both old and new examples of this iconic car that make the venue their home for the day.
► miniactionday.co.uk
Henley Literary Festival
26 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER
Bringing together punters and pundits from far and wide, last year's line-up included Theresa May, Sir Alastair Cook, Kate Atkinson and Mary Berry, so expect an equally diverse and stellar line up for 2020.
► henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk Cliveden Literary Festival
14-15 SEPTEMBER
Cliveden House has been at the centre of British political, royal and literary life since it was first built, and in the 1960s became notorious as the setting for the Profumo Affair that brought down a government and changed Britain forever. Today Cliveden's annual literary festival attracts writers from the world.
► clivedenliteraryfestival.org
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
LEGOLAND Fireworks Spectacular
1-2 NOVEMBER
Make your visit to Legoland even more magical by timing it to coincide with the annual fireworks spectacular, part of the theme park's spooky Halloween season.
► legoland.co.uk
Cary Grant Comes Home Festival
20-22 NOVEMBER
Bristol puts on a weekend of events celebrating the life and work of one of the city's most famous sons: the Hollywood actor and style icon Cary Grant.
Cary Comes Home for the Weekend Festival is a celebration of Cary Grant's Bristol roots, with the aim to develop new audiences for his films and recreate the much loved golden age of cinema-going.
► carycomeshome.co.uk
Hobbs of Henley Christmas Party Nights
10-19 DECEMBER
Celebrate the start of the festive season in style by setting sail with Hobbs of Henley on a Thames Christmas Party Cruise. Guests are handed a welcome drink on arrival, enjoy a 3 course meal and spend the rest of the night dancing away to their resident DJ.
► hobbsofhenley.com/christmas-party-nights
Christmas at Kew
LATE NOVEMBER-EARLY JANUARY
A show-stopping trail of festive light installations. More than a million teeny glittering lights are installed along the route with a fantastic light show grand finale at the iconic Temperate House, plus enjoy festive treats such as spiced cider and toasted marshmallows. ► kew. org
Windsor On Ice
DATES TO BE CONFIRMED
Alexandra Gardens plays host to two ice rinks – one indoor and one outdoor. You'll also find the UK's biggest dodgem, Bungees, Twister, Race-o-Rama, the Waltzer, the Toy ride, Mini planes, Helicopters and Santa's Sleigh roller coaster!
► windsoronice.com
Bath Christmas Market
DECEMBER
One of the country's biggest Christmas markets, consisting of 180 stalls, set amongst Bath's Georgian streets, the market sells hand-made ceramics, glassware, jewellery and local produce and is a must visit for winter.
► bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
To discover more events on the Great West Way visit GreatWestWay.co.uk /see-and-do/festivals-and-events