Diary
Regular Farmers markets are held in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Stroud, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold.The Cheltenham Farmers’ Market is held in the Promenade at 9.00am-3.00pm. The April dates are 11th and 25th.
Cirencester Farmers’ Market has over 30 stalls selling fresh local food in the Market Place from 8.30am-1.00pm on the second and fourth Saturday every month.
Until 26 July, Longborough Festival Opera near Moreton-in-Marsh. It includes performances of La Traviata, Das Rheingold and The Cunning Little Vixen. Tel: 01451 830292 or visit www.longboroughopera.com.
Giffords Circus is returning to the Cotswolds on a number of dates including 6-19 August on Minchinhampton Common and 5-8 September in Cirencester. World class acrobats, comics, dancers, Cossack riders and jugglers in a 90 minute show for all the family. For tickets call 0845 459 7469. www.everymantheatre.org.ukAdults £16, children £11 including booking fee.
Until 1 August, Open-air Theatre Festival at the Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham. It includes Shakespeare, jazz and cinema under the stars. Tel:01242 258002 or www.bacontheatre.co.uk
Until 2 August, Gloucester Festival in various locations. This year's theme is "Food & Drink." Tel: 01452 503050. www.gloucester.gov.uk/festival.
23-26 July, Cirencester Early Music Festival. Concerts, recitals amd workshops encompassing Renaissance, Baroque and classical music in various locations including Bingham Hall. Festival website:www.cotswold-emf.co.uk. For tickets Tel: 01285 654180 or 640294.
23-27 July, at 8.00pm, "The Wind in the Willows" performed by the Meysey Players in the gardens of the Old Rectory, Quenington. Matinee on Saturday at 3.00pm. Grounds open for picnics 1 and 1/2 hours beforehand. Tickets available from the booking office on 07913 920505 and from the Tourist Information Centre, Cirencester on 01285 654180. www.themeyseyplayers.org
25 July, "Carmen" performed in the grounds of the Bibury Court Hotel, Bibury. Performance starts at 8pm with grounds open from 6.30pm for a pincic. Tickets cost £25 for adults and £10 for children. Telephone 01444 443000.
25-27 July, the 50th CLA Game Fair, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, has something for everyone. Many aspects of the countryside are represented with displays, demonstrations, competitions and exhibitors. Shooting, Fishing, Gundogs, estate and woodland manangement and a horse show are all included. Other attractions include art and antique exhibitors, a fashion show, food show, garden area, rural debates in the theatre and children's entertainment. Order tickets online at www.gamefair.co.uk or telephone 0844 8480990.
25-27 July, WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) Festival in Charlton Park, near Malmesbury. Seven stages, workshop areas, childrens' village. More information on www.womad.org. Tickets from womadshop.com.
26 July-2 August, The 38th annual Guiting Festival of classical music and jazz at venues around the village, Guiting Power, near Cheltenham. Further information from www.guitingfestival.org.
26 July-3 August, Gloucester International Rhythm & Blues Festival. Tel: 01452 412828. www.gloucesterblues.co.uk.
30 July-10 August, Cheltenham Cricket Festival, Cheltenham College, Tel: 0117 910 8000. www.gloscricket.co.uk.
1-3 August, Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, near Minchinhampton, including the British Open. The event features dressage, show jumping and cross-country. Other weekend activities include terrier racing and the Shetland Pony Grand National. For the Box Ofice and information telephone 0871 789 1423. www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk.
1-3 August, Gloucestershire Steam and Vintage Extravaganza, Kemble Airfield, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 6BA. The event combines a huge steam and vintage transport rally, country show and aircraft display. Tel: 01453 890891. www.steamextravaganza.com.
3 August, Wyck Rissington village fete on the village green near Bourton-on-the-Water. Traditional village fete including bouncy castle, barbeque, tug-of-war and tombola. Open from 11am-4pm.
7-10 August, Mitsubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials. Visit www.hartpury.ac.uk.
8-10 August, Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament, "The Knights of Royal England".
9 & 10 August, Fun days for children at Sudeley Castle including 7.3m climbing wall, bungee trampolines, adventure playground and bouncy castle. Normal admission applies. Telephone:01242 604244. www.sudeleycastle.co.uk. Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, nr. Cheltenham, Glos. GL50 3HW.
12 August, Grouse season opens.
16-17 August, Fairford Steam Rally & Show featuring steam traction engines, vintage and classic cars and tractors and a traditional fairground. Gates open 9am. Free parking. For more details visit:fairfordsteamrally.com or telephone 01285 71232.
17 August, Final County Cup, Cirencester Park Polo Club. Telephone 01285 653225. www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk.
18-25 August, Festival of the Tree at Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury. A week of events and activities celebrating trees and their uses. Over 150 exhibitors and lots of exciting things for children. Tel:01666 880147 or www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
19-31 August, 8-12 Goal Polo - Cheltenham Cup, Cirencester.
23-30 August, Fleamarket and Collectors fair at Warwick Hall, Church Green, Burford. Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm.
29-31 August, Ragged Hedge Fair. Family weekend of arts, crafts, music, farm tours and organic food and drink. Abbey Home Farm, Burford Road, Cirencester. For more information contact willcmaster@aol.com. For tickets telephone 01285 640441 or visit www.raggedhedgefair.co.uk. Advance weekend camping and day tickets are avilable. Accompanied 10-15 year olds get half price entry with under 10s free.
6 September, Cotswold International Film and Video Festival, Subscription Rooms, Stroud. Visit www.cotswoldfilmvideofest.co.uk.
6 September, Moreton-in-Marsh Show. A large one day agricultural show featuring a wide range of animals and livestock, including sheep, horses, cattle, goats and poultry. There will also be many tradestands and refreshments. Tel: 01608 651908.
11-14 September, Bleinheim Horse Trials. Visit www.bleinheimpalace.com.
19-28 September, Jane Austen Festival, Bath. Tel: 01225 443000.
21 September, 9.30am-3.00pm, Country House Car Boot sale and family day out sponsored by the Lower Mill Estate in aid of NSPCC in the grounds of Lord & Lady Vestey's estate at Stowell Park, Yanworth, nr Northleach, Gloucestershire. In addition to the Car Booters there will be many other attractions including Designer and Vintage clothes, Farmers Market, plants, garden accessories, interior design products, face painting, tombola, vintage organ, live music and refreshments. Invited sellers only. Entrance charge for buyers £5.00 per car. The event will be signposted from the A429 and A40 roundabout near Northleach and A429 north of Cirencester. For further information visit www.nspcc.org.uk/carboot.
23-30 September, Tetbury Food Festival. More details to follow.
1 October, Pheasant season opens.
10-19 October, Cheltenham Literature Festival, Cheltenham Town Hall and other venues. Tel: 01242 227979. www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk
The Cotswold Craft Market is held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at the Corn Hall in Cirencester, 10am-4.30pm. For more information contact Matthew Smith on 01761 431237. www.cotswoldcraftmarket.co.uk
There are monthly auctions of antiques and general items at Moore Allen & Innocent’s Norcote salerooms, Burford Road, Cirencester. Tel: 01285 646050. www.mooreallen.co.uk
The Corinium Museum in Cirencester holds monthly evening lectures on a wide range of subjects. Tickets cost £5 with a 10% discount for annual season ticket holders and Friends of the Corinium Museum. Booking is essential. The museum is also taking part in the Cotswold District Council Rural Cinema scheme and holds regular family events and children's holiday activities. For more details contact the museum on 01285 655611 or email: museums@cotswold.gov.uk.
Annual Events:
March: National Hunt Festival and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham Racecourse. Tel. 01242 513014
May is a busy month with a number of key events including the Badminton Horse Trials, Badminton. Tel: 01454 218375 for tickets.
In addition there are the following: Royal Horticultural Society Spring Gardening Show at Malvern, Worcestershire. Tel: 01684 584924 to book. The annual Woolsack Races and traditional street fair in Tetbury. Tel: 01666 503686, Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill, near Brockworth. www.cheese-rolling.co.uk and the Bath International Music Festival.