Events Calendar 2022 (clearly a lot of events are not publishing dates yet so do check)

Regular Events

Every Sunday through the year
Cheddar Car Boot
One of the largest car boot markets in the South West. Opens at 6am for the keen ones and lasts all morning. And plenty of market food and other goods, a cafe, covered and uncovered 

First Saturday of every month
Axbridge Farmers Market
09.00 - 13.00
Taking place in the beautiful historic market square in Axbridge - just a short walk or cycle.

Every Wednesday & Saturday
Wells (Farmers) Market
09.00 - 15.00
Bigger than Axbridge and also in a beautiful setting in historic Wells Market Square next to the cathedral and Bishop's Palace.
There is another market every Saturday but not a Farmers Market as such.

Wednesday, Fridays & some Saturdays (April- September)
Yeo Valley Organic Garden
11.00 - 5.00
One of the Yeo Valley family initiatives is the lovely Holts Farm garden at Blagdon in the beautiful Chew Valley which is open for a wander. Over 6 acres of interesting and beautiful organic garden, complete with lovely tea rooms.
£6 entrance fee - need to pre-book.
This was the setting for the Hive Alive BBC 2014 series on bees and their amazing behaviours.

Balloon Network
By appointment
Ballooning is a big thing in our area. Not only does Bristol host the world-famous Balloon Fiesta (see August), and Bristol is also the home to Cameron Balloons perhaps the world's leading manufacturer of hot-air balloons, but many Balloon Companies take off in Somerset and you can drift over the Mendips and if lucky Cheddar Gorge. Check this group out.

January

Wednesday 26th - Sunday 30th 
Slapstick Festival
A unique festival in Bristol celebrating Silent Comedy with screenings and talks from the likes of Aardman Animation, Robin Ince, Tim Vine, Stephen Merchant, Matt Lucas, the Goodies and Rick Wakeman(!).

February

Nothing specific yet in February

March

Sadly cancelled again for 2022
Bristol Beer Festival
Held in the Passenger Shed by Temple Meads Station, 140 different ales and beers, along with a big range of ciders, perrys and food. Beware - it gets sold out really quickly.​

Sadly cancelled again for 2022
Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival
The city of Bristol plays host to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative jazz musicians for one explosive weekend.

April

Not yet confirmed for 2022
Lyme Regis Fossil & Earth Science Festival
For those wanting to explore the SW a wonderful outing is to Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. Lyme Regis is only 100 minutes drive away (or a tad longer if you take meandering route - ask us for suggestions). Lyme, famous for its Cob and the Harbour, and craft shops, is also famous for fossils. And this festival means the small town is buzzing with activity.

May

Visit a Bluebell Wood
Many woods around the Mendips are carpeted with bluebells during April and May. One of the best is Maskell's wood, and ancient woodland which is a relatively easy walk from the cottage (with options to carry on up on to the gorge top). Walking sheet in cottage folder.
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June

Dates TBC
Draycott Strawberry Fair
In our neighbouring village below the Mendips, an annual small fair celebrating the local strawberry.
Local food, local music, crafts and activities, and (of course) strawberries.

Friday 10th June - Saturday 11th June
Bristol Craft Beer Festival
On the harbourside, a two day celebration of amazing craft beers. Bristol is the home to a plethora of micro-breweries. This nicely complements the CAMRA Beer Festival (but cancelled this year).

Sunday 12th 
Green Scythe Fair
A lovely one day environmental fair in a beautiful setting on the Somerset Levels run entirely on wind, sun and muscle power.  Excellent live music, over 70 stalls displaying traditional skills, crafts and produce, lively environmental debates, delicious organic local food, and a variety of the best ales and ciders. Oh - and a traditional Scything competition.

Thursday 10th-18th June
Festival of Nature
Building on Bristol's reputation of being the capital of Natural History, this is the UK's largest FREE celebration of the natural world. Lots of events and activities packed in.

July

Friday 8th - Sunday 10th
Priddy Folk Festival
A brilliant small and friendly music festival held on the ancient green of the Mendip village of Priddy. Now in its 25th year.

Dates TBC
Bristol Harbour Festival
A programme of circus, dance, music and theatre  takes over the city's harbour area. Plenty of food, drink and stalls too. And lots of interesting boats haul in to the harbour.

Friday 8th - Sunday 10th 
Healing Weekend at Secret World (famous wildife rescue centre)
This annual holistic event promotes and showcases the work of healers, spiritual workers, therapists, artists and stall holders. Food and refreshments are also available. People can come and experience a wide range of healing and complementary therapies

August

Dates TBC
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 
A big free to attend event held at Ashton Court just over the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Mass ascents most days at 6am and 6pm (weather permitting) and spectacular "night-glows". ANd some spectacular air displays.

September

Dates TBC
Somerset Arts Weeks Festival
A wonderful couple of weeks to visit artists mostly in their own studios and see them working and see their art. The programme usually is published in March

October

TBC

November

Somerset Carnivals
Throughout the month the main Somerset towns and villages compete to put on the world's largest illuminated carnivals. All in aid of charity. See link for exact dates

Somerset Levels Starlings Spectacular 

Shapwick Heath Natural England National Nature Reserve, Somerset Wildlife Trust's Westhay Moor Nature Reserve & Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve
The Somerset Levels plays host to several million starlings each autumn/winter. They start to arrive in the late summer but the flocks are at their most numerous during the winter months. 

December

Friday 2nd  
Cheddar Festive Night
Roads closed, stalls out, shops all open late, all lit up. Why not wander around, check out the traders and their special offers, and maybe grab a cup of mulled wine to help it all along. The pub usually has a hog roast.