Pride Of Place Malmesbury
24 May - 6 July 2025
Beginning with St. Aldhelm’s Fayre and EAT:Malmesbury event, this six week festival includes exhibitions, live events, urban sketching, nature walks, and a landscape painting challenge celebrating all that is special about Malmesbury.
A particular focus is collaborative working with local groups and partner businesses to project a positive image of Malmesbury and its cultural offer, and to provide opportunities for participation for local residents and visitors alike, thus increasing footfall and supporting business resilience.
24 May – 1 June St Aldhelm’s Fayre (events, walks, evensong and self-guided trails)
Saturday 31 May – Community Picnic at Backbridge Farm, launch of the Town Team’s Welcome Pack for new residents and public artworks
Sunday 1 June – EAT: Festival (food and drink event around Town Centre)
Monday 2 – Thursday 5 June: Establish Sanctuary Garden in Birdcage Walk and exhibition of Anna Sellen’s Meadow Study on the railings celebrating local nature and biodiversity
Saturday 7 June – Opening of The Sanctuary Garden/music and poetry/Big Green Week (7 - 15 June)
Saturday 7 June – Malmesbury Landscape Artist of the Year (Abbey House Manor gardens) 11am – 3pm
Sunday 8 June – Big Green Week nature walk organised by MAGIC (Malmesbury Area Green Impact Community)
Saturday 14 June – Carnival Abbey House Manor Open Garden with live music
16 – 22 June Refugee Week. Majid Adin residency and exhibition at Caerbladon till 26 June, including artist talk and workshops for families
19 June – 2 July: South Porch-themed exhibition at Malmesbury Abbey
19 June – Refugee Week Talk at Three Cups / Working in Gaza - A Talk with Shane Stevenson
21 June – Bee Day – everything about pollination, biodiversity and honey-making, with artist/beekeeper Anna Sellen
21 June – Malmesbury Singers in the Abbey / Feel The Spirit
Friday 27 June Ivana Kupala Ukrainian Midsummer Festival, Cloister Gardens
5 July – launch of the Caerbladon Summer Exhibition 2025 - featuring Sally Stafford’s paintings
4 – 6 July: Malmesbury School exhibition at Rausing Building: Inspired by Turner
6 July Wessex Orchestra concert in Abbey / Summer In Spain
National Meadow Day 6 July
About Malmesbury
Daniel’s Well
Often called ‘the queen of hilltop towns’ because of its history and unique setting, surrounded by rivers and countryside, Malmesbury is an attractive destination for visitors from far and wide.
It was the favourite place and seat of the first King of All England, Athelstan, and Thomas Hobbes the philosopher was born here. Building on a history of innovation and enterprise, from the 10th century aviator Eilmer the Flying Monk to the EKCO radio and telecommunications factory that played such an important role in the second world war effort, the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology is based here on the company’s Malmesbury Campus.
Malmesbury has a vibrant local community of artists, makers and musicians and a growing number of specialist shops and independent cafes and restaurants. The historic Market Cross, 12th Century Abbey and Abbey House and Gardens are just some of the many jewels in the crown of this small Cotswold town with over 400 listed buildings. The Athelstan Museum is housed within the Town Hall, which also hosts a cinema club, craft fairs and a small-scale exhibition space. Various festivals take place at nearby Charlton Park, bringing musicians and performers from around the world to the area.