Free things you can do in Wiltshire this summer

The sunflowers are located at Lodge Farm in Chippenham

With the summer holidays well under way, many families are still thinking of ideas for what to do over the next few weeks.

Not only that, the cost of activities can sometimes be extortionate and daunting.

With that in mind, here are five ideas for summer activities across Wiltshire - none of which will cost you a penny.

1. Go to a music concert

Music will be played in some of Swindon's parks on Sundays

Love a bit of live music?

Some of Swindon's parks, including Town Gardens in Old Town and Queen's Park, will feature two free music performances from Swindon Brass and Cricklade Brass every Sunday during the summer holidays.

A full list of performances can be found here.

2. Immerse yourself amongst the sunflowers

The sunflowers can be found at Lodge Farm in Chippenham

Free to walk around, why not make a visit to the sunflower field?

Located just off junction 17 of the M4, in Chippenham, Lodge Farm is open for people of all ages to enjoy and also welcomes dogs.

"We wanted to do something that everyone could come to, so it's nice to just open the field and allow to walk around an enjoy it," said Claire Blakiston, who works at the farm.

3. Explore some local history and your creative side

Children will be able to take part in a number of workshops, including crafting

Trowbridge Museum will be delving into the history of the town, including how it was shaped by the production of the West of England woollen cloth.

The museum will hold children's workshops, such as making matchbox holiday journals (for children to keep their summer memories in), needle and felting to make a pair of heart shaped pocket hugs and planting microgreens, across the holidays for children who are aged five and above.

There will also be workshops where children will have the opportunity to make a sail boat out of lolly sticks, with them then launching them in the learning hub harbour.

Quiet sessions for children who are neurodivergent are also available.

David Birks, learning and outreach officer at the museum, said: "We've got a whole raft of free activities that children can come down to with their families.

"It's going to be a full summer of crafting, getting glue and paint on our hands."

4. Get yourself down to the park

The park has recently celebrated its 100th anniversary

Why not get yourself down to the Lake Pleasure Grounds in Warminster?

The site, which has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, includes a skate park, nature reserve, an alien themed splash pad and even a free tree trail.

The trail includes a leaflet, where children and their parents can identify all the different types of trees nearby.

Mayor of Warminster, Stacie Allensby, said: "It gives them something to do especially during the summer time, at the moment when the kids are getting frustrated and bored being in and eating you out of a house and home.

"It gives them somewhere to run and burn off all that energy."

5. Beach hut youth club

An old container has been made into a beach hut

You might be in Swindon, but why not take the kids on a trip to a beach hut?

An old shipping container has been transformed into a beach hut at the Pinetrees Community Centre in Pinehurst.

Run by the charity Shine and supported by the local parish council, it was set up during lockdown as a space for children to enjoy activities outside.

Now it's "taken off", said Aaron Webb, Youth Officer for Central North Swindon Parish Council.

“Beach hut is a safe space for children and young people to come during the summer holidays.”

The kids can get stuck into some bracelet-making, painting, or even street golf. Not to mention sports-day themed sessions, to tie in with this year’s Olympics.