Don't miss out on the rich tapestry of festival events taking place across the county this summer.

The beautiful city of Salisbury and the surrounding area make a great sightseeing and shopping trip. And if you time your visit between May 26 and June 11, you can catch the Salisbury International Arts Festival.

The event has been running for the over 30 years and is one of the top five multi-artform festivals in the UK.

This year's attractions include an Aboriginal Cultural Showcase, which will give you a glimpse of an extraordinarily diverse culture, plus a brimming programme of music, film, cabaret, literature and family events.

Highlights include the Tenabrae Choir performing in Salisbury Cathedral, a Dennis Morris exhibition of his Aboriginal experience, talks with children's author Michael Morpungo, broadcasters Kate Adie, Melvyn Bragg and John Simpson, and gigs featuring Latin ska/punk band Los De Abajo, Billy Bragg and Indonesian musicians SambaSunda.

The festival finale on June 10 is set within the beautiful setting of Cathedral Close and features the London Jazz Orchestra and vocalist Claire Martin, culminating in a display of dazzling pyrotechnics and fireworks from External Combustion.

The write stuff

Swindon's Festival of Literature runs from May 1 to 13 and features some of the country's best-known novelists, poets and speakers. Hear Ann Widdecombe's views on modern fatherhood, Nick Hornby on his latest book and get an insight into the thoughts of Will Self. Plus discover the legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and take part in a children and families day with workshops, puppet shows and storytelling, and much, much more. n