Six summer things people in Shropshire should do this June – from summer markets to music festivals and open gardens

Whether you’re a foodie, a culture vulture, or just love a good open garden, here are some must-dos in Shropshire to make the most of early summer.

1) Belle Vue Arts Festival

The fortnight-long Belle Vue Arts Festival in Shrewsbury opened on Saturday (June 7) with an exciting lineup of gigs, walks and exhibitions.

This year's events include a family scavenger hunt on June 15, a local artists' exhibition at Barnabas Church Centre, and the popular art and scarecrow trail on display in residents' gardens on June 21 and 22.

2) Open gardens

Each year, the National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to more than 3,500 exceptional private gardens across the country to raise impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

This month, several Shropshire homes will be opening their garden gates to raise money for good causes - including the quirky hillside garden of Brownhill House in Ruyton-XI-Towns, between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, on June 24.

Set across two acres of sloping land, the gardens have been transformed over the years into an eccentric paradise which the owners, Roger and Yoland Brown, say has a "surprise around every corner".

For all garden openings for the National Garden Scheme visit: findagarden.ngs.org.uk

3) Newport Carnival

Newport Carnival is making its much-anticipated return to the market town on Saturday, June 14.

Each year, the event draws hundreds of visitors to the town centre, where crowds gather along the streets to enjoy the vibrant parade and take part in a day of free festivities.

This year’s carnival will feature a lively mix of entertainment, including a performance at 1pm from Telford's own singing builder and star of The Voice Callum Doignie, with his band Callum and the Pookies, along with a variety of food and drink stalls to enjoy throughout the day.

4) Proms In The Park 

The UK Proms Weekend will be returning to Attingham Park on Saturday, June 14.

The 2025 tour will feature new set lists of the most loved classics from film and stage, a rousing finale of Last Night Of The Proms favourites, well-known hosts, incredible vocalists and dancers, support acts, a new and improved stage and sound system, a TV wall, three massive bars including Beartown Brewery lager and IPA bar, and a wide selection of street food vendors.

Tickets are available online at theatresevern.co.uk.

5) Two-day music festival in Telford Town Park

The award-winning Parklands Festival returns to Telford Town Park's QEII Arena on June 21 and 22, with more than 80 artists across eight arenas, including international and local talent.

Organisers describe Parklands, an 18+ event, as a festival of multi-genre electronic music.

6) Explore Shropshire’s markets 

Shrewsbury’s award-winning Market Hall on Claremont Street is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm (with occasional late-night openings). Farmers’ and specialist markets also take place in the Square on the first Friday of each month, from 9am to 3.30pm, and the Made In Shropshire market takes place on the second Saturday of each month in the square from 9am to 5pm.

Bishop’s Castle town hall hosts a flea market on the first Saturday of the month, and a farmers’ market on the third Saturday, while Bridgnorth holds a market along the high street and beneath the town hall on Fridays and Saturdays. A speciality Sunday market takes place twice a month from March to December.

Church Stretton has a charter market in the Town Square every Thursday from 8am to 2pm whie an indoor market takes place on Tuesdays in Ellesmere’s Market Hall, from 9am to 2pm.

Ludlow holds daily markets in Castle Square (apart from Tuesdays), with a farmers’ market on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.

Market Drayton has a street market on Wednesdays, while its indoor market is open on Wednesday and Saturday.

Newport’s striking blue-and-white Indoor Market Hall is open from 8am to 4pm every Friday and Saturday.

Oswestry’s indoor market is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and the open air street market is on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Artisans’ Market is held on the last Friday of the month.

Wellington has a fully-heated indoor market with more than 120 shopping units, plus outdoor market space and trades on Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays from 9am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 4.30pm.