Children across Wiltshire are being invited to discover the joy of reading this summer as the popular Summer Reading Challenge returns to libraries across the county from Saturday 4 July. More than 6,300 children took part through Wiltshire libraries last year, and organisers are hoping even more young readers will join in during the 2026...
Category: General news
MarshFest returns with biggest family festival yet
Families can look forward to a full day of live music, children’s entertainment and great local food when MarshFest returns to Marshfield on Saturday 12 September. The popular community festival has unveiled its 2026 line-up after an impressive 127 acts applied to perform. More than 100 bands competed for a place, with organisers selecting a...
Pupils from across BANES get hands-on recycling lessons
Pupils from Saltford Primary School were among more than 430 children from primary schools across Bath & North East Somerset who have been learning about the importance of repairing, reusing and recycling electrical items through a series of fun, interactive workshops. The workshops, organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council in partnership with Sustainable...
New exhibitions shine a light on Bath’s scientific history
Visitors to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy will be able to discover the fascinating links between astronomy, photography and art this autumn as two new exhibitions open in the historic Bath home where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus. Running from 5 September 2026 to 3 January 2027, the exhibitions combine historic scientific achievements with...
Young explorers can become archaeologists at The Roman Baths this summer
Families looking for a hands-on summer holiday activity can dig into history at The Roman Baths with the return of Archaeology Adventures. Designed for children aged six to 12, the interactive sessions give young visitors the chance to experience what it’s like to be a real archaeologist while exploring one of Bath’s most famous historic...
New Tennis Coaching Team at Lansdown Club, Bath
A new era for tennis at Lansdown Tennis, Squash & Croquet Club in Bath is about to begin with the appointment of experienced coach Tom Osborne as the club’s new Lead Tennis Coach. Tom joins the club on 10 July from the University of Bath’s nationally recognised Team Bath Tennis Centre, where he led a...
St Benedict’s Primary School steps up road safety campaign
Pupils at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School welcomed a special visitor this term as the school strengthened its efforts to improve road safety for children and families. The Midsomer Norton school welcomed local PCSO Will, who monitored vehicle speeds outside the school while speaking to motorists about the importance of driving carefully near schools. The...
Holbrook Primary pupils benefit from new sensory equipment
Children at Holbrook Primary School are set to benefit from new sensory circuit equipment thanks to a generous donation from Trowbridge Lions. The new resources will be used during the school’s sensory circuit sessions, which help children regulate their sensory needs, improve concentration and prepare for learning. Through a series of structured physical activities, pupils...
Kingswood Prep names next Head as leadership handover begins
Families at Kingswood Prep School can look forward to a smooth transition in leadership after the school announced that Deputy Head Helen Worrall will become Head from September 2027. Helen will succeed Mark Brearey, who is retiring after 16 years leading the school, and brings with her eight years of experience at Kingswood Prep, where...
Summer holidays idea: Discover the remarkable world of John Aubrey at Chippenham Museum
Families looking for an inspiring day out this summer can step back in time at Chippenham Museum‘s major new exhibition celebrating one of Wiltshire’s most fascinating historical figures. Running until Saturday 19 September, Wiltshire and the World: John Aubrey and the Quest for Knowledge marks 400 years since the birth of John Aubrey, who was...
West’s colleges and universities unite to boost skills
Leading colleges and universities from across the West of England have formally launched two new regional partnerships designed to strengthen skills, support economic growth and create more opportunities for learners. The new forums, Colleges West and Universities West, were officially launched at an event hosted by the University of the West of England, bringing together...
Priston Music Festival returns with free family fun near Bath
Families can enjoy a weekend of live music, children’s activities and community spirit when the Priston Music Festival returns from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September. Now in its 17th year, the much-loved volunteer-run festival will once again transform the picturesque Somerset village of Priston, near Bath, with 36 acts performing across two specially built...
Community groups in Bath can apply for Family Learning Fund
Community groups across Bath are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to help families learn new skills, build confidence and spend quality time together. The new Family Learning Fund has been launched by SNG, one of England’s largest housing associations, to support projects that bring adults and children together through shared...
Bath Children’s Literature Festival unveils biggest programme yet
Families can look forward to the biggest ever Bath Children’s Literature Festival this autumn, with bestselling authors, illustrators, TV favourites and performers coming to the city for 10 days of events celebrating the joy of reading. Running from 25 September to 4 October, this year’s festival marks the National Year of Reading with its largest...
Families can enjoy more for less at Swindon’s Town Gardens Bowl this summer
Families can enjoy affordable days out this summer as South Swindon Parish Council reduces ticket prices for children and families across its Town Gardens Bowl programme as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative. With a packed programme of live music, theatre, comedy and family entertainment, the Parish Council hopes even more families...
Bath MP praises Ralph Allen School students in Parliament
Students at Ralph Allen School have received national recognition after their sustainability work was praised in the House of Commons by Wera Hobhouse MP. The recognition follows a recent visit by the Bath MP and Councillor Sarah Warren to the school, which was covered on The Bath & Wiltshire Parent website. During the visit, they...
Record-breaking Middlewick Open Garden raises £245,000 for local charities
Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity and The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust will each benefit from a share of a record-breaking £245,000 raised at this year’s Middlewick House Open Garden. Hosted by Nick and Annette Mason at their home near Corsham on 6 and 7 June, the event generated just over £245,000, with the proceeds...
Free Festival of Archaeology launch comes to Westonbirt
Families can enjoy a free day of archaeology, history and nature when the Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology launches at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, on Saturday 18 July. Running from 18 July to 2 August, the Festival of Archaeology is the UK’s largest celebration of archaeology. This year’s theme explores the connections between...
Student Creates Latin Audio Guide for The Roman Baths with Sir Stephen Fry
A GCSE student has helped bring spoken Latin back to The Roman Baths after creating a new Latin audio guide for the historic attraction, narrated by Stephen Fry. Inspired by a family visit earlier this year, London student Florence Golding was fascinated by the site’s multilingual audio guides, available in 13 languages. As a Latin...
BOA Skate Jam set to roll back into Bradford on Avon
Skateboards, scooters, BMX bikes, live music and family fun will take over Poulton Park this summer as the popular BOA Skate Jam returns to Bradford on Avon on Saturday 18 July. Running from 12 noon to 4pm, the free community event welcomes riders of all ages and abilities for an afternoon packed with competitions, demonstrations,...
Flourish launches £3 children’s meals for the summer
Families looking to keep the cost of eating out down this summer can take advantage of a new offer at Flourish Foodhall & Kitchen, where children’s meals will cost just £3 throughout the school holidays. The ‘Kids Eat for Three’ initiative is available at both Flourish locations in Saltford and Norton St Philip for children...