A range of events and activities are taking place in and around Salisbury this weekend. 

Here are just a few ideas of things to do. 

1. Fabulous Family Fun Day 

The Fabulous Family Fun Day is back in Salisbury for its 8th year.

The event is held in memory of Lyn Futcher who died from breast cancer and raises money for Salisbury Hospice Charity.

It takes place today (Saturday May 14) from 12noon to 10pm at Salisbury Rugby Club.

It features live music, children’s entertainment, a beer festival, Pimms and Prosecco bars as well as football and touch rugby tournaments. 

Entry is free. 

Salisbury Journal:

2. Flower Festival 

Salisbury Cathedral has been filled with 30,000 blooms and 127 exhibits as part of its flower festival.

The theme for this festival is celebration and marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as well as the cathedral’s 800 years of history.

The festival runs until Sunday (May 15) and tickets can be purchased from the Salisbury Cathedral website.

Salisbury Journal:

3. Mayor making 

Salisbury’s 761st mayor will be welcomed with a special ceremony.

The mayor making ceremony will take place today (Saturday, May 14), when the current mayor, Cllr Caroline Corbin, will hand over the mayoral chain to Cllr Tom Corbin, who is the deputy mayor at present.

Alongside the Charter Market in the Market Place, there will also be music and activities from 10am to 4pm in the Guildhall Square including a free children’s workshop where they can make their own mayor’s chain or hat.

4. Open Gardens 

A number of open garden events are being held this weekend.

Knoyle Place, Holloway, East Knoyle will be opening as part of the National Garden Scheme on Saturday, 2pm to 5pm.

Refreshments are in aid of St Mary’s Church, East Knoyle. Lower Lye will also be hosting an open garden.

On Sunday, the garden at Cottage in the Trees, Tidworth Road, Boscombe Village, will be open from 1.30pm to 5pm. Refreshments in aid of Salisbury Hospice Charity.

Also open on Sunday is Lavender Gardens, 10am to 3.30pm.

For more visit: ngs.org.uk

5. Jubilee Trail 

A royal-themed family trail is in Salisbury to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Seven virtual characters will be hidden in locations across the city.

At every stop, there will be a QR code that, once scanned, will guide participants through the history of the Queen’s 70-year reign.

The trail is a joint venture between Salisbury BID and Salisbury City Council and runs until May 12. 

For more information, visit experiencesalisbury.co.uk/what-s-on/2022/april/salisbury-platinum-jubilee-trail

6. Art exhibition

Avon and Bourne Valley Art Exhibition returns for its 10th year. 

The event runs over the weekend of April 14 and 15 in Figheldean Village Hall from 11am to 5pm.

The exhibition has not been held since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019 more than 400 people attended with more than 250 exhibits on show. 

This year it will be supporting Salisbury District Hospital’s Stars Appeal.

The exhibition will be open to the public with free admission. Light refreshments will also be available. 

7. Storytelling 

Enjoy the magic of storytelling at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest near Ringwood.

Visitors to the site on May 14 and 15 May will come across three large, four poster beds where they can lie down, gaze up and enjoy stories.

Created by Gobbledegook Theatre, commissioned by Forestry England and produced by Activate Performing Arts, the installation has been especially created for families and young children.

Each bed has a different sound adventure to share including magical folklore tales, woodland songs, and the story of the underground network helping trees to talk to each other. Located on the Play Trail, FOREstory will be open from 10am to 4pm on both days.

Families can also visit the new wooden sculpture of the Gruffalo, at the start of the Play Trail. Then continue the story theme by following the Superworm Trail to learn more about the forest’s smallest creatures.