Monthly Calendar
February 2019
Dawn Explosion of the Starlings The starling murmurations at the Avalon Marshes are a wonder of the natural world with over half a million birds roosting in the reed beds. But have you ever wondered what this number of birds looks like when they wake up? Come along for an early morning stroll to the roost site and watch as the whole flock takes to the air – a truly unmissable sight!
Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival
A Festival For The Whole Community
Join us for the 2019 Snowdrop Festival, celebrating all that is good about Shepton Mallet and this beautiful winter flower
Arts & Crafts Workshops – Exhibitions – Window Displays – Rambles & Trails – Plantings – Tea & Cake – Talks – Competitions
Big Wetland Duck Watch at RSPB West Sedgemoor
In the winter tens of thousands of ducks and waders visit the fields at West Sedgemoor. Along with the chance to see hunting marsh harriers, peregrine falcons and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Somerset cranes, this all makes for an unmissable experience.
Join us this half term for a fun Family Craft day at the Bishops Palace.
On Tuesday 19th February, Crafty Cats will be making all things space-related, with alien masks, constellation lanterns and flying rockets among the activities on offer.
The session will run from 10:30am-3pm and families can drop in at any time.
Wincanton Horse Racing-
THE BETWAY KINGWELL HURDLE DAY-
Fast, furious and spectacular, since 1961 The Betway Kingwell Hurdle has thrilled and beguiled and on Saturday February 16 all roads will lead to Wincanton Racecourse for the 2019 renewal. It’s a race that attracts the best two-mile hurdlers in the business – the Lionel Messi’s of football or the Jonathan Davies of Rugby Union – and in The Betway Kingwell Hurdle they’ll be putting their Championship credentials on the line ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
Telescope and Binoculars Open Day at RSPB Ham Wall- somerset –
Time for some new optics? Head down to our Ham Wall nature reserve to meet our friendly experts for advice and to try a few optics out!
Knowledgeable experts from the RSPB Shop in Darts Farm Exeter will be on site to guide you through our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories. Just drop in any time between 10 am-3 pm. We would love to see you!
March 2019
Beginners Guide to Bird Watching
Have you ever wondered which bird is which and want to learn more? If so then this is the event for you. Come along and learn how to identify some of the brilliant birds that call Ham Wall their home during the winter months.
Castle Cary’s First Vintage Market
Vintage & Retro clothes, furniture & Bric a Brac, Antiques & Bargains, Food & Drink with a great festival vibe.
Everyone welcome!
Hear a story, make a beautiful hanging bird, do a feather painting and create a chicken machine!
10:30-11:30
Ages 1-3, £5. Booking open from Friday 9th March.
A gin festival with artisan gin suppliers & samples, cocktails, nibbles and gifts.
Steam, smoke and lots of oily parts! Come and celebrate steam with an intense timetable of passenger trains, goods trains, brake van rides, driver for a tenner, miniature railway, the signal box will be open, have a look around our engine shed and workshop and our shop and cafe will be open.
Live For Children’s Hospice SouthWest
An evening of live music supporting Children’s Hospice South West at Bocabar Glastonbury, the Red Brick Building, Glastonbury.
Grab a trail sheet and egg-splore the cave to crack the mystery code left by the Easter Bunny and as a reward you’ll get your paws on a tasty treat at the end of the eggs-pedition!
For a bit of egg-stra fun, keep your eyes peeled for Richard Gough’s magical golden egg! Rumor has it it’s been hidden in the caves since he excavated it in Victorian times.
Easter Fun At East Somerset Railway
A Happy Easter awaits you! If children bring their teddy they travel for FREE (one child free per fare paying adult. Standard Ticket prices apply). There will be awesome Easter activities to enjoy, plus the Miniature Railway will be running, as well as Driver for a Tenner and why not visit the Engine Shed and Workshop to get up close to the wonder of steam.
Easter Egg Trail At Glastonbury Abbey
Fun for all the Family. Explore Glastonbury Abbey by following this fun trail around the grounds.
£2 to take part and enjoy a chocolate treat at the end.
April 2019
Easter fun At East Somerset Railway
A Happy Easter awaits you! If children bring their teddy they travel for FREE (one child free per fare paying adult. Standard Ticket prices apply). There will be awesome Easter activities to enjoy, plus the Miniature Railway will be running, as well as Driver for a Tenner and why not visit the Engine Shed and Workshop to get up close to the wonder of steam.
Easter Egg Hunt Ham Wall Nature
Easter Egg Hunt at Ham Wall Nature reserve
30 March – 2 April 2018 11:00am – 3:00pm
Come along to Ham Wall over the Easter Bank Holiday and have a go on our Easter Egg trail exploring the reserve.
Find the clues, discover the code word and come back to claim your prize. £2 per Trail (small non-chocolate prize included).
Follow our family Easter Egg trail around the Palace and Gardens to find our coloured eggs all around the Gardens, and when you’ve found them all, you can return to claim a chocolate prize
Easter at Wookey Hole 24 March – 15 April
NEW! Animatronic Dinosaurs will be roaming the Valley!
FREE Easter gift for every child
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
Expect the usual great mix of stalls, with food, drink, craft, local produce, gifts, clothes and entertainment.
May 2019
GreenBank Outdoor Swimming Pool
Opening day! First day of the season for 2018 is fast approaching. Greenbank Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool opens its Art Deco gates for its 81st season at 10am, Saturday May 5th, May Bank Holiday weekend
Cheer on this years road runners for Glastonbury road run, running through Glastonbury high street.
Tour of Wessex Cycle Race The largest multi stage cyclosportive in the UK this is a challenging 3 day ride through the stunning countryside of the South West. One day Cheddar Gorge, one day Exmoor and one day Jurassic Coast. Choose from 322 miles, 224 miles or ride an individual stage which each have a choice of two route distances.
It’s That time of year again, May Bank Holiday, and a celebration of Craft real Ales and the odd Cider…over 20 Ales and seven ciders, over the whole weekend, with music Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday and an open mic slot on the Monday
England’s smallest city hosts a big weekend of stand-up.
Royal Bath and West Show The Royal Bath & West Show is England’s Biggest Celebration of Rural Life and England’s only 4 day Royal Show. Runs from 30th May 2018 to 2nd June 2018
June 2019
Glastonbury Festival of Performing Arts. See official Glastonbury Festival website for more details
A fantastic opportunity to explore the abbey free of charge whilst enjoying music and
refreshments. Free entry from 6pm.
Glastonbury Fringe Festival
Collett Festival – Collett Park Day, followed by music in the evening, and we will again have our completely FREE and increasingly busy and brilliant CHILDREN’s FESTIVAL on Sunday.
Open Farm Sunday At Middlewick
Middlewick Farm will be open to the public. There will be 2 farm tours where people can go and meet the farm animals that live on Middlewick Farm. There will be maps for people to use to have a self-guided tour around the fields of Middlewick. A BBQ selling burgers will be available from 12 till 3pm Local cider and ale will also be available on the day to purchase, Wakey Cakey will be joining us selling cakes, a falconry demonstration from Pitcombe falconry and Stallholders . There will be a farm shop selling local produce from 11am-4pm. Entry is free of charge but we will be asking for donations for local Glastonbury Charity, Children’s World
The English Country Garden Festival
Celebrate the Great British Garden in the stunning 14-acre grounds of the Bishop’s Palace. Guided tours, live music, expert speakers, BBQ food and over 40 stalls.
The Longleat Food & Drink Festival
Returning for its second year, our Food & Drink Festival is back to invigorate your senses and tantalise your taste buds!
July 2019
Swim at Greenbank outdoor pool in Street A great outdoor heated pool the kids will love, just 5 minutes drive from Middlewick.
RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day features over 5 hours of incredible flying displays. Alongside the flying there will also be attractions, trade stalls and arena displays. For thrill seekers there will be simulators, fairground rides and helicopter pleasure flights to enjoy.
Yeovil Show Celebrating Somerset Life with beautiful animals, gorgeous local food and drink, music, displays and more.
Toddler Explorers at the Somerset Rural Life Museum
A fun-filled session of play and active learning.
Godney Gathering The Godney Gathering is one of the best single day micro festivals in the country. With Seven stages featuring over 50 individual stage performances..
Family Fun – Awesome Archaeology at the Somerset Rural Life Museum
Crafts and activities for all the family.
This year we are introducing tours aimed at families with children. The vocabulary used is easier for children to understand, and there are also coloured illustrations that show points of interest on the tour that are perhaps not so easily viewed from child height.
There is less emphasis on dates and more on visuals, in order to retain a child’s interest and help them remember what they’ve seen.
We hope that families will enjoy being able to take a tour with their children – and perhaps talk about the most memorable aspect on the way home.
August 2019
Swim at Greenbank outdoor pool in Street A great outdoor heated pool the kids will love, just 5 minutes drive from Middlewick.
Pizza Night at Middlewick. All you can Make and Eat pizza, savoury and sweet plus salads for £12.50 per adult, £6.25 for U12s. Cash bar. Open to guests and non-guests of Middlewick. Our pizza nights do get busy so we offer 2 seatings – 5.30pm and 7.00pm Phone us to book in on 01458 832 351 or email hello@themiddlewick.co.uk. Bring the whole family and friends to this fun night.
Taunton Flower Show The flower show has been held regularly since 1831. There are over 250 different class competitions at the show which is held at Vivary Park in the centre of Taunton. There are marching bands, dog displays, motor bike events and more that take place over the weekend event. The show also has a children’s zone where our younger visitors can be entertained.
Make a Lavender Favour
Enjoy making a simple favour to give to someone special, as would have been made in medieval times, using abbey lavender.
11.00am – 1.00pm.
Pizza Night All You Can Make And Eat
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
Glastonbury Extravaganza. An amazing evening of music in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey. Perfect with friends or family. With Paloma Faith headlining this year
In aid of Cancer Research UK, Tor Leisure are hosting a Dog show and Family Fun Day. Fun dog show (prizes for 1st-3rd place), have-a-go dog agility, Flyball demo & have-a-go, have-a-go fastest recall (prizes 1st-3rd place), Egg & spoon race (with your dog on lead). Also car boot sale, Bouncy castles & slides, Games for all the family!
Join us for our annual ‘Midsummer Mayhem’ Family Fun Day in the Gardens of the Palace!
This year’s day of fun will include a bouncy castle, a giant inflatable slide, crazy golf, balloon modelling, mini croquet, giant games, dressing up and face painting.
The event will also be attended by Wookey Hole Circus School who will be teaching circus skills all day; so if you’ve ever fancied learning to Stilt Walk, Walk the Wire, Unicycle, Juggle and much more, come along to find out how!
Visitors can make a day of it by bringing a picnic, visiting The Hungry Dragon snack bar in The Dragon’s Lair play area, or heading over to The Bishop’s Table café. There will also be a candy floss and snow cone van available to tempt little taste buds!
Pizza Night All You Can Make And Eat
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
Family Fun – Farmyard fun at the Rural Life Museum
Crafts and activities for all the family.
Performances, music and workshops co-hosted by Children’s World and Paddington Farm Trust.
We like to make these evenings fun. Feel free to dance to the special Middlewick playlist compiled of lots of artists who have stayed with us in recent years! Family friendly. Bring the children, dogs and relations.
Burgers from the cows of Wick, sausages form the pigs from Middlewick! Vegetarian option too. Licenced cash bar selling Somerset beer, cider and wine. Open to guests and non-guests of Middlewick. Bring your friends and family along for this fun evening. Our BBQ nights do get busy so please phone us to book in on 01458 832 351 or email hello@themiddlewick.co.uk. You are more than welcome to just turn up though. £6.00 per burger/ sausage to include salad and accompaniments. Ice cream and other treats available for sale in our Farm Shop as well for dessert. Bring your dancing shoes. Dogs welcome.
Fun Dog show at Glastonbury Abbey
With 11 classes to enter as well as face painting, fun competitions and stalls.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta Night Glow
The famous nightglow is a stunning sight with 30 ballooning teams lighting up their balloon as night falls at 9.00pm on Thursday and Saturday to a backdrop of spectacular fireworks.
Pizza Night All You Can Make And Eat
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
We like to make these evenings fun. Feel free to dance to the special Middlewick playlist compiled of lots of artists who have stayed with us in recent years! Family friendly. Bring the children, dogs and relations.
Burgers from the cows of Wick, sausages form the pigs from Middlewick! Vegetarian option too. Licenced cash bar selling Somerset beer, cider and wine. Open to guests and non-guests of Middlewick. Bring your friends and family along for this fun evening. Our BBQ nights do get busy so please phone us to book in on 01458 832 351 or email hello@themiddlewick.co.uk. You are more than welcome to just turn up though. £6.00 per burger/ sausage to include salad and accompaniments. Ice cream and other treats available for sale in our Farm Shop as well for dessert. Bring your dancing shoes.
The Mid Somerset Show is the largest ‘Free’ Admission Agricultural show in the UK. It is a great day out for all the family. Visit the show website for more information.
Pizza Night All You Can Make And Eat
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
Pizza Night All You Can Make And Eat
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
Music, crafts and games at the Somerset Rural Life Museum.
Pizza Night All You Can Make And Eat
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
September 2019
After a number of years away from the showground, Truckfest are excited to be returning to the Bath & West Showground for Trustfest South West 2018, welcoming back old friends and supporters and likewise opening our doors to new customers. As Shepton was once described …”It’s the Glastonbury for trucks“!
It’s returning at the end of summer with a blaze of light and music; put the date in the
diary and details on acts and ticket prices will be announced soon.
Wellbeing & Superfood Festival
Let’s celebrate the goodness of life together…
Fabulous healthy foodie treats
Holistic chef demonstration
Superfoods and raw holistic healing foods
Free from, vegan and vegetarian foodie stalls
Complementary therapies including massage, Indian head, reflexology
Wellbeing coaches, fitness trainers, yoga & pilates
Outdoor fun, talks, workshops & creative activities
The Abbot’s Kitchen will play host to a sumptuous medieval feast with music and entertainment. Three course meal and a glass of mead on arrival. If you require a vegetarian option or have dietary requirements, please email
events@glastonburyabbey.com along with your booking by September 7th 2018.
Tickets £50 per person, £40 for abbey members, and wine is pre-bookable
Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire’s Biggest Wedding Fayre Event will once again be held at The Showground, with 100 of the regions finest wedding creatives on hand to offer you inspiration and guidance as you plan your perfect day.
October
The UK’s Largest Dairy Show is an Essential Date in the Dairy Industry Calendar
On Sunday 14 October 2018, Wells Food Festival returns once again to celebrate the best of Somerset’s wonderful local produce from 150 of the area’s best artisan producers.
One of the most popular events held at The Showground, the Giant Flea Market offers a bounty of retro collectibles, vintage articles and unique finds.
Circus Of Horrors At Wookey Hole
The spectacular features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre & fantastic circus acts act’s all woven into a sensational shock / horror storey and the darkest of magic – taking the show to a whole new level, it’s driven by a mainly original soundscape & performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek, you’ll certainly Die Laughing.
The Festival of Literature was established in 1992 and has gone from strength to strength. The programme for the special Silver Anniversary Festival is now complete: the list of speakers is diverse, challenging, innovative and inspiring. So make sure you save those dates in October and take your pick from fiction, memoir, comedy, tragedy; history, sport, science, religion; cookery, gardening, medicine, politics.
Murder Mystery Weekend At Blackmore Farm
4 Course Dinner served in the Great Hall with performance by professional group of actors “Murder by Appointment”.
£50 per person.
Halloween Pizza Night At Middlewick
ALL YOU CAN MAKE AND EAT PIZZA BUFFET**
We make and supply all the dough and toppings for you to roll out and create your own pizza. Our pizza chef than cooks it up for you in our outdoor wood burning pizza oven.
Our pizza nights are great social events open to both the guests staying with us here at Middlewick as well as locals and visitors to Glastonbury.
Children and Dogs very welcome.
We can cater to most dietary requirements including gluten Free and Dairy Free(just let us know when you book)
£12.50 per person includes All you can Eat Pizza, Salads and Dessert Pizzas.
Children Under 12 Half Price.
2 Seatings 5.30pm or 6.30pm
Places are limited so make sure and book yourself in by emailing jill@themiddlewick.co.uk or phoning us on 01458 832 351 or leave us a message here on Facebook.
Hope to see you there.
For a bit more information visit our webpage : http://
November 2018
Guy Fawkes Bridgwater Carnival.
For more information visit our blog post. Bridgwater Carnival
Part of the Guy Fawkes Carnival Series. This one stands out for its dazzling fireworks on the beach after the parade.
Part of the Somerset Carnival series. One of the best towns to watch the event as it has great parking and easy access.
The Somerset Poppies is a public installation of artificial poppies, to be displayed at The Bishop’s Palace in November. The installation will feature over 8000 poppies made by children at schools in and around Wells.
Part of the Guy Fawkes Somerset Carnival Series. Read about the origins on our blog post. Guy Fawkes Carnival
Part of the Somerset Series of Carnivals.
Glastonbury Illuminated Carnival The Somerset Carnivals are widely regarded as the largest illuminated processions in the UK and Europe, and here they, are right on our doorstep! And guess what? The carnivals are free! However, please do give generously to the collection floats, which benefit many local charities. – See more
Telescope and Binocular Open Day
Knowledgeable experts from the RSPB Shop in Darts Farm Exeter will be on site to guide you through our range of binoculars, telescopes, tripods and accessories. Just drop in any time between 10 am-4 pm.
Come and do your Christmas shopping in the Glastonbury Abbey during our Victorian style evening with festive refreshments.
Open from 5pm to 7pm.
Over 200 chalets spread out across the streets of Bath each year selling handmade and local Christmas gifts. Runs until the 5th of December.
Glastonbury Frost Fayre. A seasonal event on the High St in Glastonbury. Food, Music, and many stalls selling everything wonderful from Glastonbury and Somerset. Always fun.
December 2018
Join us on a thrilling expedition around the world, journeying through time and space with explorers, Harry and Bea, a plucky brother and sister, and their fearless terrier companion, Monty.
Santa South West Christmas Village
A magical Christmas experience with a wide range of activities to suit all ages.
Whether you want to take to the ice on the indoor real ice rink, or enjoy the delights on offer from the traders at the indoor Christmas Market, you are sure not to be disappointed.
Santa South West Christmas Village is located at the famous Bath and West showground.
From the 1st December, selected dates until the 16th of December.
Christmas Starlings day at the Avalon Marshes
An afternoon of making starling themed crafts and Christmas decorations, followed by a guided walk to see the incredible murmurations, as the starlings come into roost on the reserve at sunset.
Frome Independent Market A wonderful market in Frome. Food, clothing, furniture, art and much more. 10am – 3pm.
‘We stand for the best. We stand for talent. We stand for independents. We work with independent local, seasonal and regional food and drink producers. We showcase fledgling and established contemporary designers & makers. We nurture traders of sustainable products, contemporary design products and vintage fashion, collectibles and furniture. We support Frome’s independent retailers and thinkers’.
Deck The Halls, a Winter Flower Festival
A Winter Flower Festival showcasing the NAFAS South West Area Competitions, in aid of the Bishop’s Palace. Come along to be wowed by these festive floral arrangements in the stunning rooms of the Medieval Palace.
Glastonbury Abbey will be transformed into a winter wonderland on two days in December with Father Christmas and his reindeer joining us for special visits.
Follow the reindeer trail to the Abbot’s Kitchen where you will meet Father Christmas. An event for children and parents alike, tell him your Christmas wishes, and enjoy seeing and feeding the Reindeer, a great photo opportunity!
Father Christmas At The Palace
Shepton Mallet Prison has 400 years of horrific history including suicides, hangings and murders… Discover some of the stories of those who still roam within the walls and find out where the shadows have been seen and footsteps heard… will you hear or see anything…?
Bring your wits and a torch!
Middlewick Farm Shop Late Night Shopping Event
20% Off from 5pm-8pm
Open House At Middlewick
Come and join us for our annual open house 3-6pm. There will be lots of Mulled wine and Minced pies, the farm shop will be open until 6pm for any last minute purchases.
