Summer holiday activities underway in BSW

Local authorities in Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire are offering a range of activities to keep families and children entertained throughout the summer holidays.

In BaNES, soft play sessions, trampolining and a family bowling evening are some activities offered to children and young people and their families who receive benefit-related free school meals.

The free Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) is available for every child and young person in B&NES aged five to 16 years old, who receives benefit-related free school meals. It will run from 22 July to 30 August and every session will include a free meal. You can find out more on the BaNES Council website.

In Wiltshire children aged four to 11 can visit libraries to join the Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge and fire up their imaginations through the power of reading.

The challenge, produced by the Reading Agency and delivered by libraries, is to read at least six library books over eight weeks during the summer and receive rewards along the way. Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge and sign up online

Families in Wiltshire can also benefit from intensive swimming lessons available during the school holidays

The lessons are available across the county this summer with week-long courses available at many pools. The courses offer a swimming lesson each day of the week, and aim to build confidence in the water quickly.

Find out more about intensive swimming lessons and book now

Meanwhile, families in Swindon will be able to discover more about their local area with six new walking trails across the borough.

The trails, which are all between one and three miles long, will take families to some great local arts, heritage, and historical sites, as well as places of natural beauty. There’s a limited edition badge available for the first 200 people to complete each challenge, while everyone who completes one of the trails, will gain an entry into the grand prize draw.

Wherever possible, the routes have been designed to be accessible, with alternative suggestions provided if this is not the case. Details for getting to the start of each of the walks by public transport is also provided.

Find out more on the Swindon Borough Council website