Culture & Arts

MUSIC

Marlborough Jazz Festival  The small, historic town of Marlborough turns into a mini New Orleans one weekend every July for the International Jazz Festival. A noisy, fun and atmospheric weekend featuring over 100 bands playing all kinds of music in all kinds of venues throughout the town.  www.marlboroughjazz.com

ART

Marlborough Open Studios  Throughout June and July in Marlborough and the surrounding area, local artists throw open their studios so that visitors have the opportunity to meet the artist, discuss techniques and perhaps discuss a commission or purchase an existing work.  www.marlboroughopenstudios.com    

LITERATURE

Marlborough Literature Festival - 25th-28th September 2014.  This year's event features a talk on war poets from Rowan Williams, the past Archbishop of Canturbury; readings from Louis de Bernieres, Jenny Uglow and AC Grayling. In addition to readings there are creative writing workshops, poetry readings and children's activities on offer.  www.marlboroughlitfest.org

Swindon Literature Festival  Every May, Swindon hosts a number of well known writers for a series of talks and workshops. www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

THEATRE

Watermill Theatre  This lovely converted watermill sits beside the River Kennet in Newbury. It has produced many award winning plays and musicals, all set within the intimate 220 seat auditorium. There is a bar and a restaurant for pre and post-theatre refreshments.   www.watermill.org.uk

Corn Exchange Theatre in Newbury  www.cornexchangenew.com

Wyvern Theatre in Swindon www.wyverntheatre.org.uk

Arts Centre in Swindon www.swindon.gov.uk/artscentre

Theatre on the Hill in Marlborough www.stjohns.wilts.sch.uk/html/theatre

Theatre Royal in Bath www.theatreroyal.co.uk

FILM                                                                                                                                                  

There are a number of multiplex cinemas in the area.      

Cineworld Swindon 0871 200 2000 www.cineworld.co.uk

Empire Cinema Swindon 0871 471 4714 www.empirecinemas.co.uk

Vue Cinema Newbury 0871 224 0240 www.myvue.com

There are also a number of smaller venues for more arthouse style films

Arts Centre Swindon 01793 614837 www.swindon.gov.uk/artscentre

Ramsbury Roxy www.ramsbury.org

Theatre on the Hill 01249 701628 www.stjohns.wilts.sch.uk/html/theatre

EDUCATION/COURSES

Marlborough College Summer School  During the end of July and the beginning of August, Marlborough College hosts an annual summer school. Courses on offer range from bee keeping to stain glass making and from golf to latin dance. Courses are available for adults and for children aged 3 and up.  www.mcsummerschool.org.uk