Last open day of the year at Pewsham Locks

Published Thursday 8 October 2026

Plan a visit to Pewsham Locks on Saturday, with restoration tours, habitat talks and boat trips if conditions allow.

Top Update

Forest Farm: comments close on Monday

A reminder if you want to have your say on Forest Farm: comments on the proposal for up to 600 homes in Chippenham close on Monday 12 October. The outline application includes access from the A4/London Road, land for a local centre and open space. You can read the plans and submit your views through Wiltshire’s planning record, PL/2026/04823. No decision has been recorded.

Dates For Your Diary

Friday 16 October · 7.30pm · £10

Wildlife cameraman shares stories from the field

Wildlife filmmaker Gavin Thurston shares stories from more than 40 years behind the camera at Sheldon School’s Main Hall on Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham. Doors open at 7pm, followed by the talk and questions at 7.30pm. Book Journeys in the Wild; refreshments are card only.

Saturday 17 October · 7–9.30pm · £12.50

Candlelit string quartet at Bowden Hill

The Isla String Quartet performs Schubert’s Quartettsatz, Haydn’s “Emperor” Quartet and Schubert’s String Quartet No 15 at St Anne’s Church, Bowden Hill, near Lacock. The concert listing gives the programme; for tickets, contact Friends of St Anne’s at Fosa@lacockchurches.org.uk.

What's On

Thursday 8 October

Free documentary and discussion in Derry Hill, 7.30pm · free · booking required. The parish council screens the 50-minute People’s Emergency Briefing documentary about climate and nature at Lansdowne Hall’s New Meeting Room, Petty Lane. A discussion follows. Book a free place.

Friday 9 October

Grassroots indie bands at The Ruze, 6.30–11pm · £6–£10. The Kabins, Snake In The Footspa and Shutterspeed play a grassroots band night at The Ruze, 7 Union Road, Chippenham. Expect indie rock, shoegaze and alternative rock.

Saturday 10 October

Boat trips and restoration tours at Pewsham Locks, 10am-2.30pm. Pewsham Locks’ last scheduled open day in this year’s April-to-October series includes restoration tours from 10am, habitat talks at Double Bridge at 11am and 2.30pm, and accessible electric boat trips from 12.30pm if weather and water levels allow. Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven ground. Check the open-day information.

Free artists' talk at Chippenham Museum, 2–3.30pm · free · booking essential. Artists Morag Ballard and Helen Simmonds discuss their work at the museum, 9–10 Market Place in October's free Collection Conversations session. See the museum talk information.

Sunday 11 October

Find Chippenham's heritage hidden in plain sight, 2–4pm · adults £10 first visit; under-18s £5. Historian Lucy Whitfield’s Hidden Heritage Trail starts at Cousin Norman’s, 5 Union Road, Chippenham. Look for ghost signs, carvings and street furniture, with a riddle trail for families with older children. Booking is essential; adults pay £10 for a first visit or as members, and £14 if returning without membership.