Wiltshire Life

Wiltshire Life is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year after serving the county since 1946. Every issue has features on places to go, country living, wildlife and nature, the best spots for food and drink, homes, gardens, theatre and music, local history and more- truly encompassing the wonderful culture that Wiltshire offers its residents. Alongside stunning photography and topical news, Wiltshire Life has interviews with leading county figures, updates from local charities and details of social events. If you’ve just moved to the county, or lived here your entire life, why not subscribe to Wiltshire Life magazine and celebrate our glorious and lively county?

Wiltshire Life

The power of standing together • Georgie Green says we are witnessing kindness and solidarity both here in the county and across the globe.

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Sustainable design Planted at Stourhead

Soprano lends her voice to find best kept villages

Bringing world-class music to people’s homes

Village puts its heart in to fundraising

Devizes brewer raises a glass of good cheer

Walk back to the 80s

Community lunch clubs

A round-up of the best events for April • From traditional Easter egg hunts to folk music, and from opera to Elgar.

Kathryn Furnell • A true Salisbury girl reflects on a carefree childhood and a career immersed in the community.

Rupert Everett • This month the award-winning actor, known for his straight talking, will take to the stage in Tisbury. He will be sharing his frank and honest opinions, whilst helping to raise funds for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice. Mary-Vere Parr managed to catch up with him on a long distance call.

Islands of adventure as festival returns • After an enforced hiatus due to the global pandemic, the Salisbury International Arts Festival returns this summer with a world premiere, as well as music, dance and drama from all over the world. Kate Morley reveals more about what is in store for festival-goers.

Facing the true cost of eating alone • Changes to the way the county’s lunch clubs for the elderly are funded by Wiltshire Council have caused consternation among organisers and members. Gary Lawrence found out what is being proposed, and what it might mean.

Co-farmers are given something to crow about • Able Hands Together raises more than just chickens and goats, it gives young people and adults with additional needs somewhere to build skills and confidence, as Anne Holland discovered.

A change of domaine • In our continuing series looking at how farms and estates are changing and adapting through the generations, Mary-Vere Parr pays a visit to Botleys Farm in Downton and finds out how pig farmer has swapped swine for wine.

Tulip detective on the trail of bygone blooms • Polly Nicholson’s fascination with flowers has developed into a passion for finding forgotten varieties and a thriving business. Mary-Vere Parr went to meet her.

Treasures of the past protected forever • Historic England, formed 140 years ago this year, cares for more than 400,000 buildings, monuments and parks. Wiltshire has its fair share of incredible landmarks, and Amelia Anderson from the organisation says they want to find out more about them.

Lifelong fascination set in stone • An encounter with Stonehenge as a boy sparked an interest that has made Mike Pitts a world authority on the monument. He told Simon Heptinstall about his love of archaeology and his latest book.

Inspired by a life on the Wiltshire downs • 2022 marks the centenary of the death of acclaimed naturalist and author William Henry Hudson. Surviving letters have given fresh insight on the man behind A Shepherd’s Life, the classic portrait of a Wiltshire downland community. Conor Mark Jameson traces Hudson’s...