JOIN THE FUN !

Words: Samantha Rutherford

CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL / MAY / JUNE

Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race 20-21 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 some 125 miles. ►dwrace.co.uk

Howard’s Day at Castle Castle Combe Circuit 22 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 Bath Festival 17-26 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

Artist at Festival

Pub in the Park Marlow 17-19 MAY

Still new to the foodie festival scene, Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park has been a sellout in its first 2 years, with people clamouring for tickets to enjoy pop-up pubs and great live music in this stunning riverside park. ►pubintheparkuk.com

Highclere Country Show 26-27 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

The Little Welly Obstacle Course & Festival, Henley on Thames 8-9 JUNE

A day at The Little Welly is jam-packed full of fun and crazy experiences. Let your kids Go Wild, Get Muddy and have a great day out. Enjoy tackling the 3km landscaped course designed using natural features with over 30 big obstacles – involving water, foam and of course plenty of MUD! ►thelittlewelly.co.uk

Royal Ascot 18-22 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

Coach at Royal Ascot

JULY / AUGUST / SEPTEMBER

Henley Royal Regatta 3-7 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

Henley Royal Regatta

Kew the Music 9-14 JULY

Kew Gardens hosts six 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 19-21 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 19-21 JULY

One of the world’s greatest airshows, fresh from celebrating the centenary of the RAF, will return to mark the 70th anniversary of NATO. Over 300 aircraft typically take part in the flypasts and aerial acrobatics. ►airtattoo.com

WOMAD, Malmesbury 25-28 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

Cinema Rediscovered 25-28 JULY

Love cinema? 2019 will be the 4th year of Cinema Rediscovered where great films will be brought back to the big screen in cinemas across Bristol. It’s a chance to experience lesser known cinematic voices, some of the finest digital restorations, contemporary classics and film print rarities from across the globe back where they belong – on the big screen. The perfect excuse for a city break with a cinematic twist! ►watershed.co.uk/whatson

Bath Carnival 13 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 1-14 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. The main Pride Day festival will take place on Saturday 13 July. ►bristolpride.co.uk

Malmesbury Carnival & Festival 1 AUGUST-1 SEPTEMBER

The month-long carnival and festival has events for everyone including Petticoat Lane Street Market, Open Gardens, a Funfair, Walks & Talks, Wine Tasting and of course the Carnival Procession itself. ►malmesburycarnival.co.uk

Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park 2-4 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 8-11 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

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Reading Festival 23-25 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, 31 AUGUST

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

Devizes Festival

Jane Austen Festival, Bath 13-22 SEPTEMBER

Get your top hats, bonnets and lace out for this 10-day celebration of all things Austen. Highlights 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 13-22 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 Rolls- Royce Heritage Trust in Bristol - with many more besides! ►heritageopendays.org.uk

Mini Action Day, Castle Combe Circuit 28 SEPTEMBER

Things go pocket-sized for Mini Action Day on Saturday 28th September – the UK’s oldest, best and ONLY trackbased 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 28 SEPTEMBER – 6 OCTOBER

Bringing together punters and pundits from far and wide, last year’s speakers included Irvine Welsh, Sebastian Faulks and Michael Morpurgo, so expect an equally diverse and stellar line up for 2019. ►henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk

Cliveden Literary Festival 28-29 SEPTEMBER

Famous for its literary salon which has inspired writers including Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw and Lord Tennyson, Cliveden’s annual literary festival has attracted writers from the world of TV and film including Stephen Frears, Armando Iannucci, Sarah Waters and Kier Kreishi. ►clivedenliteraryfestival.org

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

LEGOLAND Fireworks Spectacular, VARIOUS DATES IN OCTOBER

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

The Festival of Light, Longleat SELECTED DATES FROM 09 NOVEMBER - 5 JANUARY 2020

The UK’s original, biggest and unsurpassed lantern festival returns for 2019. Hundreds of breath-taking, illuminated lanterns, set in over 30 acres of splendid ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, will transform Longleat as darkness falls. This year the extraordinary Festival of Light presents Myths and Legends. ►longleat.co.uk/festival-of-light

LaplandUK, Ascot 16 NOVEMBER – 24 DECEMBER

Are you ready for the most magical, mystical, Elftastic day of your lives? Based in Berkshire, LaplandUK offers a festive family phenomenon hidden within The Crown Estate and a favourite of celebrities and royals such as Sir Elton John, the Beckhams, and The Countess of Wessex. ►laplanduk.co.uk

Christmas at Kew LATE NOVEMBER-EARLY JANUARY

A show-stopping trail of festive light installations runs through Kew Gardens from late November until early January. More than a million teeny pea lights are installed along the route and there are festive treats such as spiced cider and toasted marshmallows. ►kew.org

Christmas at Kew

Windsor On Ice 16 NOVEMBER - 5 JANUARY 2020

Alexandra Gardens in Windsor plays host to two ice rinks – one indoor and one outdoor. You’ll also find the UK’s biggest dodgems and plenty of other fairground rides. ►windsoronice.com

Bath Christmas Market 21 NOVEMBER - 8 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. ►bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

To discover more events on the Great West Way visit ►GreatWestWay.co.uk /see-and-do/festivals-and-events