Malmesbury lies between the Sherston and Tetbury Avons, and it is here that the two rivers converge below St. John’s Bridge and the River Avon proper begins.
Where Two Rivers Meet - Malmesbury River Festival
12 June - 5 July 2026
Troubled Waters
Friday 19th June - 7.30pm (doors 7pm), Rausing Building, Malmesbury
Described by audiences as ‘delicious’, ‘captivating', ‘sexy’ and ‘brilliant’, this adult spoken-word storytelling show explores our connection to waterways, wetlands and their inhabitants. Leaping salmon, fishtail women, mythical raves and sacred springs – these freshly told legends celebrate all those who question the fixed and find their own flow. Reviewed as 'genuinely very funny... A masterful storyteller' (Backstage Bristol), Troubled Waters transports audiences into a world where ancient folklore intertwines with contemporary themes. Whether you come for the laughs or the watery wisdom, we’ll dip our toes into vital waters and explore what moves beneath the surface.
Created & performed by Corinne Harragin
Performance time one hour, no interval
The show has been made for adults, but is suitable for children aged 10+ if accompanied by an adult.
Touring UK as a storyteller for the last 10 years, Corinne uses physicality and humour to reanimate the written-down-ness of story with her own brand of oral performance. Finding pockets of enchanted forest within the hinterland of contemporary urban sprawl, she tells stories that recentre marginalised voices and silenced histories, bringing fresh questions to ancient myths and folk tales for adult audiences.
Join us for a short creative session en plein air - outdoors sketching!
Bring your favourite materials and friends to join in a friendly group sketching experience. Find a spot on the mead and create your own river or nature picture - drawing, painting, collage - you choose.
Saturday 4 July - 10.30 - 12.30. Meet under the Beacon opposite the Silk Mill and use the picnic benches or bring your own deckchair and easel!
A fun, social event - no judgement and lots of encouragement from other amateur and seasoned artists.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration £5
Join us at the water’s edge as we enjoy a four hour art challenge.
Saturday 27 June 2026 - 10am - 2pm - St Aldhelm’s Mead/Cuckingstool Mead.
Using your own style and materials, create your own version of the river scene, the trees or the silk mill and town bridge - drawing, painting, collage, textiles … all welcome!
Meet us under the Beacon near the Silk Mill and use the picnic benches nearby, or bring your deckchair and easel to find the perfect spot.
Toilets are available at St Aldhelm’s play area.
Registration £10.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Part of Malmesbury River Festival - see our Projects and What’s On for more events.
'Cynefin' (pr. kuh-neh-vin) is the creative vision of West Wales native Owen Shiers. Fascinated by music and history, it is a bid to give a modern voice to Ceredigion’s rich yet neglected cultural heritage. Starting out from his home village of Capel Dewi in the Clettwr Valley, following the river and traveling through the local musical landscape, Owen unearths seasoned songs, poems and stories, some never before recorded, and gives them new life in the present.
Saturday 27th June, 7pm Malmesbury Town Hall
Full Cynefin band concert. Suitable for all ages.
Nominated for UK Folk Album of the Year 2025 , Cynefin gives Owen a platform to ply his intricate arranging skills whilst taking him right back to his roots.
“A quietly political antidote to the modern age” – ☆☆☆☆ Folk Album of the Month, The Guardian
“Beautiful” – ☆☆☆☆☆ Top Pick, Songlines
“Love it!” – Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6
Malmesbury Town Hall
An award-winning cinematic and musical odyssey that explores the remarkable relationship between humans and rivers. Written by Robert Macfarlane with music by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) and featuring music by Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead and narration by Willem Dafoe.
Between May and December 2026 Caerbladon is partnering with local community environmental groups such as the Malmesbury River Valleys Trust and MAGIC (Malmesbury Area Green Impact Community) to commission artists, writers and scientists to research stories, facts and unusual aspects of the river and uncover how it has shaped our lives in terms of social, economic, historic and ecological impact. The aim is to engage residents and visitors in activities that celebrate Malmesbury’s river habitats and raise awareness of river health and climate impact.
In Summer 2026 there is the inaugural Malmesbury River Festival featuring new site-specific works, community engagement and participatory activities the river's cultural and environmental importance. The festival is supported by Malmesbury Town Team and Malmesbury Town Council.
Click on the event or activity to find out more and book your place. Our Events page is here
Friday 12 June – Festival Opening 5pm Caerbladon
Waterpower
Waterpower is a sound installation by the Malmesbury sound artist, Mike Hipwell, which uses the recorded sounds of the rivers and streams of Malmesbury, taking in the ebb and flow of the seasons which are then combined with composed and performed music (installed in Caerbladon's backyard throughout June)
Confluence
An exhibition of work inspired by rivers in the Malmesbury area, including new paintings by Sandra Chin, Miranda Carter, Rachel Heard, and from our In Living Memory project Charles White and others.(on display at Caerbladon throughout the festival).
Malmesbury River Project (photography) by Richard Harris
An exhibition of selected work about the Malmesbury rivers through the seasons (Birdcage Walk railings throughout June)
Sunday 14 June
Malmesbury River Heritage Walk
A guided river walk led by historian Campbell Ritchie and scientist Dr. Jumana Akhtar exploring how the two rivers have shaped Malmesbury’s story in terms of their social, economic, historic and ecological impact. A MAGIC (Malmesbury Area Green Impact Community) event for Big Green Week 2026.
Friday 19 June
Troubled Waters show by Corinne Harrigan
Contemporary retellings of ancient river legend, folklore and myth
This adult spoken-word storytelling show explores our connection to waterways, wetlands and their inhabitants. Leaping salmon, fishtail women, mythical raves and sacred springs. Suitable for 10+ accompanied by adult.
Friday 26 June
Ivana Kupala – Midsummer Magic in Malmesbury
Malmesbury Stands with Ukraine celebrates Ivana Kupala, an ancient Slavic midsummer festival honouring the elemental forces of fire and water, celebrated around the summer solstice to mark nature’s peak. Cloister Gardens 6pm – 9pm. At the end of the evening, everyone walks down to the bridge over the Avon and throws their wreath into the river (but no wading in to retrieve them or bonfires!)
Saturday 27 June
Landscape Artist of the Year 2026
A painting and drawing challenge taking place on St. Aldhelm's Mead, with the river framing iconic Malmesbury river views. 10am – 2pm
Cynefin - band concert (7pm Malmesbury Town Hall)
The brainchild of Welsh folk singer, researcher, grain grower and cultural historian Owen Shiers, Cynefin started life as a musical mapping project. After receiving a scholarship to research the obscure and forgotten folk songs of his native Ceredigion, his initial aim was to create a musical map of the county, starting off in the Clettwr Valley where he was raised.
The result of three years of research and work, Cynefin’s debut album ‘Dilyn Afon’ (following the river) follows the cultural ‘cynefin’ of Owen’s home county.
Saturday 4 July
Riverside Sketch and Walk (10am - 1pm)
A group activity following the Malmesbury River Walk for 2 hours with sketchbook in hand culminating in a group ‘reveal’ event/celebration
River Film Night (7pm Malmesbury Town Hall)
River, 2021 (75 minutes)
A cinematic and musical odyssey that explores the remarkable relationship between humans and rivers. Written by Robert Macfarlane with narration by Willem Dafoe and music by Jonny Greenwood, Radiohead and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Sunday 5 July
Malmesbury & District Natural History Society - Bioblitz (Sunday 5 July 10am - Noon St Aldhelm's Mead)
Help us record all the wildlife, plants, insects, birds or mammals in St Aldhelm's Mead by taking photos and notes on where they were found. You don't need to be an expert in wildlife. If you don't know what you are looking at, you can take a picture and get someone from the Society to help. All we need is lots of people with inquiring minds. If that sounds like you and your family, please reserve a space on our website. It's completely FREE but we do need to know numbers beforehand so we can plan!
To book a place https://malmesburynaturalhistory.co.uk/event/bioblitz/
