The Wylye Valley Art Trail was conceived in 2000 as a way for visual artists and makers living and working in the area to bring their work to a local and wider audience. Following research, funding applications, meetings and planning, the first Wylye Valley Art Trail took place in May and June 2001.
From the beginning, the trail was intended to be artist-run, inclusive and non-selective, bringing together established artists and makers alongside those just beginning their creative careers. This ethos remained at the heart of WVAT throughout its first 25 years.
In 2022, the volunteers of the Wylye Valley Art Trail were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), recognising the contribution of the many volunteers who have organised and supported the trail over the years.
In 2025, WVAT celebrated its 25th anniversary. Today, the trail continues to provide an opportunity for artists, designers and makers to share their work directly with the public.
While the Wylye Valley remains at the heart of the trail, WVAT has grown to include artists with connections to the wider region, including Wiltshire, Somerset and the surrounding counties.
The aim is to continue the original spirit of the trail, creating an open and accessible opportunity for artists and makers at different stages of their careers to take part and for the public to discover the creative work being made across the region.