With many of us staying at home for the summer, it can be hard to think of enough activities to fill the time.

Luckily there is a whole range of shows to watch, events, adventures, and ways to ‘escape’ the city all on your doorstep.

Here is a list of six things to do over the summer here in Salisbury with a range of activities that will be perfect entertainment for all ages.

1) Watch these free upcoming family friendly shows at Salisbury Arts Centre

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Each weekend this month, Wiltshire Creative has organised free theatre, circus, exhibitions, and music at Salisbury Arts Centre as part of their summer program.

Kicking things off on August 7 is the show Flock by Swish Bong, a comedic ‘sheep’ herding show which involves the audience through playground and street games. Patch the sheepdog and his Shepard will need the audience’s help to navigate the silly sheep back into their pen and win the trophy.

On August 14 a model 18 metre sperm whale will take the stage with the show ‘Plastic Ocean’.

Performers will emerge from the side and back of the whale with puppets made especially for the show by famous War Horse puppet master Jimmy Grimes, and acrobatic divers will lead the audience through the life of an ancient Leatherback Turtle.

The free pre-booked tickets have sold out, but you can be added to the waiting list by emailing: ticketsales@wiltshirecreative.co.uk

On August 21 Kapow Dance Circus will be presenting Grow. This is an energetic and uplifting dance theatre duo performance celebrating nature’s power to rejuvenate.

It is a free outdoor theatre in the grounds at Salisbury Arts Centre. Find out more here.

For the final event of the summer programme, on August 28 there will be an open-air music event with local acts to be announced soon and the Art Centre café and bar open to sell refreshments.

The free pre-booked tickets have sold out, but you can be added to the waiting list by emailing: ticketsales@wiltshirecreative.co.uk

Find out more on Wiltshire Creative’s website.

2) Take the family or visitors for a summer adventure quest at Old Sarum

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Explore 2,000 years of history at Old Sarum on Castle Road, where you can stand in the spot of the original Salisbury Cathedral, visit a Norman Castle, and trek through an Iron age fort.

To occupy the kids, a Summer Adventure Quest is being held with a trail of missing stories and a secret code to crack at the end of it. Entry to Old Sarum is free, find more information and entry prices to the castle here.

3) Head for a day trip to Stonehenge

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Join visitors from all over around in who are drawn to Stonehenge, one the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments.

Classed as the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world, Stonehenge’s origin and purpose is shrouded in mystery but it is most popularly believed to be a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun.

You can view the circle from afar for free, but to get a closer look you will need to book a slot with more information about admissions here.

English Heritage are also offering special VIP bookings where you can get to step inside the stone circle itself.

Stonehenge was one of the first sites in the UK to be inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986 however, recently it was tipped to be the next site, after Liverpool, to lose its UNESCO world heritage status.

This was due to controversial plans for a two-mile tunnel to be built at Stonehenge which were ruled unlawful on July 30 to the relief of many.

This is a stark reminder that it is important to visit our heritage sites while we can.

READ: A303 Stonehenge tunnel: Reaction as campaigners win High Court fight

4) If you like it shaken not stirred make sure to visit Salisbury Museum’s Bond Exhibition

The Salisbury Museum is celebrating the life work of ‘The Original Bond Artist’ Richard Chopping, who illustrated the original covers for James Bond.

This coincides with the release of the 25th Bond movie No Time to Die which is due to hit UK cinemas on September 30.

The exhibition is running until October 3 and celebrates Chopping’s life with original drawings and many works which have never been displayed. Pre-booking is essential and more details can be found here.

5) Have fun in the sun at Fayre on the Square

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Fayre on the Square. Picture by Spencer MulhollandFayre on the Square. Picture by Spencer Mulholland

Salisbury’s Fayre on the Square has opened for the summer. There is something for everyone with nine-hole mini golf, pop-up bars and food stalls from local vendors. It has already begun and will run until the end of August in Guildhall Square.

READ: Fayre on the Square brings golf, food and drink to Salisbury

Afterwards, why not head to one of Salisbury’s many local independent shops, eateries, or pubs.

READ: Reasons to come to Salisbury for shopping, food and drink

READ: 23 independents that opened in Salisbury during Covid

6) Get your detective hats on and work together to crack Salisbury’s escape rooms

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Live Escape SalisburyLive Escape Salisbury

Test your problem-solving skills and your teamwork at one of Salisbury’s escape room venues.

Salisbury Escape Rooms on Fisherton Street is number one on trip advisor for fun and games in Salisbury and has a challenging escape room “Death at the Lab” which they claim is the only escape room created and made by detectives.

They also have a virtual escape room ‘Dr. Van Hollywood's Marvelous Movie Maze’ which can be played from the comfort of players homes. All ages are welcome.

Live Escape Room Salisbury has the escape room SPECTRE, on Castle Street, and are opening a new Spire Spook’s Ghost hunt at the Cross Keys Shopping Centre.

READ: Live Escape Salisbury to open second venue in Cross Keys

SPECTRE’s plot involves an ‘abandoned science facility’ in the heart of Salisbury where escapees will investigate what seems like a cover up involving the scientists at a foundation called RESPECT... which happens to be an anagram of the escape room’s name. It supports two to eight players, prices starting at £50. You can book a place here.

In the upcoming Spire Spooks Ghost Hunt at their new venue, you will become a paranormal investigator for the evening at one of Salisbury’s ‘most haunted buildings’.

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