What's on?
If you want to know what is happening in the North Cotswolds (and Stratford upon Avon district also) for the time you are staying in our cottage, whether it be Summer, Autumn, Winter or Spring, you will find events and attractions below, year round, in a month by month calendar.
Local Markets throughout the year:
Moreton-in Marsh Market (mixed produce/clothes/hardware etc.) Every Tuesday until 4 pm and a farmer's and craft market taking place monthly This is held regularly on the first Sunday of the month, running from 9.30 to 2 pm in the High Street.
Stratford Market Every Friday. 9am to 4pm there is a traditional retail market offering a variety of goods and foods. Also, Antique & retail market, every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month 9am to 5pm.
Farmers' Markets
Bourton on the Water 4th Saturday in the month
Chipping Norton 3rd Saturday in the month
Cheltenham 2nd and last Friday in the month
Stratford 1st and 3rd Saturday in the month
Stow on the Wold 2nd Thursday in the month
Woodstock 3rd Saturday in the month
Oxford Markets and Fairs throughout the year
Year round theatre of course in Stratford - there are several - the newly rebuilt Royal Shakespeare Company theatre (RSC) and The Swan (see under Theatres in the list of pages) and the Bear Pit (in an old church) amongst others.
Year round Racing at Stratford and we are 26 miles from Cheltenham Racecourse so could be used as a base for the Cheltenham Festival in March for those who want to combine theatre and visiting the Cotswolds with the racing fixture.
On the first Monday of the month the Ebrington Arms has a Folk music night with food being served as normal 6-0pm
EVENTS CALENDAR (This is a calendar for a whole year but some event links may not yet be operable or still displaying last year's events, if they are long time ahead)
AUGUST 2018
Guided tour of Chipping Campden Tuesdays at 2.30 and Thursdays at 10 am A town walk taking about 2 hours. Meet up at 2.30 pm. Join the Cotswold Wardens for a walk along Chipping Campden's "most beautiful village street now left in the island." Hear how the ancient town has developed, the importance of wool through to the influence brought by The Guild of Handicrafts. Suggested donation £3.00. For details, telephone Ann Colcomb on 01386 832131
Open air theatre in Stratford at The Dell. Free. See the website for dates
In Stratford, listen to brass bands playing at the The Stratford Bandstand at the recreation grounds (you can park in the car park here, a left turn just before you go over the river bridge into Bridge Street) Here is their summer programme
The Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe - Horses, horses, horses at Gatcombe Park, home of the Princess Royal so good for Royal watching as well as for horsey people.Also a shopping village, arena attractions and entertainment for all the family.
Jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace featuring 'The Knights of Royal England' Brave knights meet on the South Lawn and enjoy the activities including archery and falconry displays.
Possibly some time in August there will be free angling tuition offered by Shipston Angling Club at Aston Magna Lakes.
Morris Men dancing round the local villages on Wednesday evenings
Chipping Norton Theatre summer film showings
RSC plays in Stratford
The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza at South Cerney - steam engines (over 100), planes, tractors, helicopters, countryside displays - a 'boys and toys' dream day out
Ragley Hall events
Sudeley Castle events for children
NAF Hartpury Horse Trials
Shakespeare plays continue
Ilmington Village Fete and Flower Show August Bank Holiday Monday 1-5pm. The Ilmington Morris Dancers will be dancing here also.
The BIG Feastival 24th to 26th August at Chipping Norton - this is the Jamie Oliver event which has become a BIG thing!
Blenheim Palace until October 7th Yves Klein Contemporary Art Exhibition
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum has an exhibition called Oxfordshire Remembers 1914-18 Stories from the closing years of the First World War. On until November.
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2018
Guided tour of Chipping Campden Tuesdays at 2.30 and Thursdays at 10 am A town walk taking about 2 hours. Meet up at 2.30 pm. Join the Cotswold Wardens for a walk along Chipping Campden's "most beautiful village street now left in the island." Hear how the ancient town has developed, the importance of wool through to the influence brought by The Guild of Handicrafts. Suggested donation £3.00. For details, telephone Ann Colcomb on 01386 832131
In Stratford, listen to brass bands playing at the The Stratford Bandstand at the recreation grounds (you can park in the car park here, a left turn just before you go over the river bridge into Bridge Street) Here is their summer programme (when available)
Chipping Norton Theatre film showings and more
Moreton in Marsh Show Major one day agricultural and horse show first Saturday in September
Labor Day at Sulgrave Manor, the home of the Washingtons.
Broadway: Broadway Food Festival + Classic Cars.
The Ilmington Morris Dancers dancing round the villages during September
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum has an exhibition called Oxfordshire Remembers 1914-18 Stories from the closing years of the First World War. On until November. And until 29th April ; 'The Indian Army in the First World War'
Shipston on Stour Totally Locally Arts and Crafts Market
Batsford Arboretum - the Big Batsford Bat Walk
Broadway Tower nuclear bunker is open for viewing (separate ticket from the tower) every weekend
Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials September The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is one of the world's premier three-star three-day events.
Heritage open Day around England. Properties and events which are free to access in and around Stratford on those days.
Blenheim Palace LIterary Festival September
Discover Creative Campden Chipping Campden Made in the Cotswolds events weekend
We are an hour and 40 minutes drive from Bath so it is perfectly possible for a day trip and if you are a Jane Austen fan then The Jane Austen Festival may appeal
GWR Steam events at Toddington and Winchcombe (1950's diesel as well);
Warwick castle events.
National Dressage at Stoneleigh
Stratford upon Avon Food Festival -
Shipston Food Festival An event to promote local food and food producers of the area.
Frampton Country Fair
Food & Drink Festival, Tetbury
Kenilworth Castle Robert Dudley and Kenilworth guided tour
Malvern Autumn Show Agriculture, food, drink, gardening and much more.
Clypping Ceremony, Painswick
Shipston on Stour Creative Arts Festival
Harvest Fayre at Sulgrave Manor
Shipston on Stour Harvest Fayre in the Square
Blenheim Palace until October Yves Klein Contemporary Art ExhibitionOCTOBER 2018
Plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Winter Season in Stratford
Most of the National Trust houses and gardens are open until the end of October but do check opening hours before you go as they may be closed on some days during the week.
At Compton Verney Art Gallery exhibitions
Autumn at Batsford A wonderful place to walk at this time of year
Horse of the Year Show at the NEC
Cheltenham Literature Festival
Shipston town Band Autumn Concert.
Autumn@Snowshill At Snowshill Manor All of October. From their website : The Snowshill team will be celebrating this beautiful and colourful time of year. Our menu will be filled with home made apple delights. You can chat to local experts and enjoy the flavours of this season.
Stratford upon Avon Music Festival
The Gypsy Horse Fair Stow on the Wold. (NB you might want to avoid Stow on that day if you are not attending as the traffic flow will be very bad) Date TBA
The Dive Show at the NEC
Warwick Castle. Special events for Half term
Anne Hathaways cottage Family fun for half term
Hidcote Garden autumn events
In Ilmington, Bonfire and Fireworks party at the Playing Fields end of October or beginning of November
NOVEMBER and DECEMBER 2018
From end November through December, there are a multitude of performances on at the Royal Shakespeare Theatres in Stratford. Performance details can be found by going to the RSC website. Exhibitions at Compton Verney
Hidcote Garden autumn events including Autumn Ramble and Roast
Warwick Racecourse First jumps of the season
Cheltenham Races. The Open. Over jumps.
Bath Christmas market is one of the biggest in the country. Bath is 1 hour 40 mins from the cottage.
Broadway Date TBA. Late night Christmas shopping evenings Pig roast, carol singers stalls, a band, carriage rides etc. 5.30 to 8.30 pm
Batsford Arboretum Walk Walk around the arboretum following the best of the Autumn colour until the middle of November
Bonfire Night at Ragley Hall Park and Gardens. Enjoy a bonfire beside the lake and a spectacular fireworks display set to music with refreshment stands and children's entertainment
Tuesdays classics Orchestra of the Swan, Stratford.
WellChild Christmas Fair at Daylesford
Night of a Thousand Candles, Woodstock
Christmas at Blenheim Palace.
Cheltenham Racecourse The Open Meeting
Classic Motor Show
Artmix - a cocktail of contemporary arts and crafts at Chipping Campden Town Hall Handcrafted Christmas Presents.
Christmas at Blenheim
Racing at Stratford
Hidcote Manor Garden Winter events such as Autumn Ramble with the head gardener and a roast lunch. (booking ahead required).
Pantomime at Chipping Norton Theatre until January.
Christmas Market at Sulgrave Manor
Cheltenham Christmas Market at Cheltenham Promenade - wooden chalets selling a huge range of newly designed wooden chalets selling a wide range of festive crafts and gifts
At Stratford upon Avon Christmas Markets and Fayre start at Waterside and various places - craft and gift stalls and festive entertainment
Christmas Fayre - Worcester Over 130 stalls fill the atmospheric streets of Worcester's historic heart with the colours, sounds and smells of Christmas;
Events at Oxford Castle Quarter
Oxford Christmas market mid-December TBA
Blenheim Palace Christmas until mid December
Stratford Christmas markets
Chipping Campden Christmas Fair - Spirit of Christmas evening charity event December Pet real reindeer, listen to the performances from the Chipping Campden Mummers, visit Father Christmas at in his grotto in the grounds of the Cotswold House Hotel and shop at one of the many stalls.
Winter opening at Batsford Arboretum
Victorian evening at Shipston on Stour Early December Gift stalls. and children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto. Carol singing, the town lights switch-on, a Tree of Life to remember loved ones. Music provided by the Shipston Town Band. Possibily also fire-eaters and stilt walkers entertaining us.
Hidcote Garden, special December events (visit their website for details) ;
Blenheim Palace concerts. Blenheim Palace remains open until a few days before Christmas and then closes down until February
Walks in the Park at Blenheim all year round except for Christmas Day.
A Christmas Eve ghost tour by lantern light At Tudor World (possibly - they did other years).
Late night Christmas Shopping evening in Broadway A Christmas tree festival, hundreds of lights, horse and carriage rides and ice skating on the village green
Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas Fayre - 1st Friday in December. Lighting up of the Christmas tree in the river at 6.30 pm. Shops stay open until 9pm.
Winter opening at Batsford Arboretum
Hidcote Garden, special December events (visit their website for details) ;
Walks in the Park at Blenheim
26th December. Boxing Day at Batsford. Christmas walks and free mulled wine. Batsford is open every day except Christmas Day.
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2019
A multitude of performances at the Royal Shakespeare theatre for January and February Check the RSC website At the Swan Theatre too.
New Year's Day Racing at Cheltenham
North Cotswold Chamber Choir, Chipping Norton
Lentall Concerts: Burford February
"Bite" The Cotswolds Food Festival (not sure about 2019?) Lots of foodie events at The Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden throughout the week and the artisan food market in Chipping Campden.
Witney Winter Concerts
Blenheim Palace and gardens at Woodstock, reopen .
Hidcote Garden reopens (weekends only)
Half Term events at Warwick Castle, Sulgrave Manor, and at Shakespeare Houses and Nash's House in Stratford.
The Heritage Motor centre at Gaydon (doesn't work as hidden link so here is the url https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/ reopens
Events at Stoneleigh, NIA and NEC..
Chipping Campden Country Market weekly on Fridays;
Cheltenham Folk Festival;
Theatre tours and tower visits at the theatre Stratford continue all year.
MARCH 2019
Cheltenham, the National Hunt Festival We are 26 miles from Cheltenham Racecourse.
Chipping Norton Music Festival
New season's exhibitions at Compton Verney Art Gallery - reopens mid March
Plays At the RSC and the Swan and fun workshops for children in the Easter holidays Mothers Day Avon Cruise Stratford
Militaria at Malvern Europe's Premier Militaria Show
Races at Stratford Race Course;
Countryside Day - jumps at Warwick Racecourse and Jumps day
Blenheim Palace events Victorian Passion and Pursuits Exhibition until 16th April
CADA antiques fair at Blenheim
Crufts Dog Show at N.E.C.Birmingham The World's largest dog show
most National Trust Houses now open on weekdays as well as weekends but check individual websites for details.
Witney Winter Concerts
Hidcote Gardens open for some weekdays as well now (see website for details)
Winter Tours and events at Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden
APRIL 2019
North Cotswold Hunt Point-to-Point Easter Monday at Paxford
The majority of National Trust Houses now open on weekdays as well as weekends but check individual websites for details.
New season's exhibitions at Compton Verney Art Gallery
Spring Tours and events at Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden
Warwick Castle events
Countrytastic at Malvern Three Counties showground 13th April
CADA antiques fair at Blenheim
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum Chipping Norton Literary Festival
Blenheim Palace events Easter weekend fun for children
Living Gardens Days Batsford Arboretum
Combe Mill in steam
Plays At the RSC and fun workshops for children in the Easter holidays Julius Caesar starts , Anthony and Cleopatra and The Hypocrite and the Swan Theatre
Shakespeare birthday celebrations in Stratford 21st April billed as"A day of live performances, crafts and cake "
Farmers' Market Stow on the Wold
Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival
Events at Hidcote.(Hidcote garden is 3 miles from the cottage).
Stow Gypsy Horse Fair
Spring Jousting Festival at Blenheim Palace
MAY 2019
Events at Hidcote.(Hidcote garden is 3 miles from the cottage).
Art Week early May in North and West Oxfordshire - Banbury, Burford, Bicester, Chipping Norton
Blenheim Palace Supercars at the Palace
Plays at the RSC continue.
New season's exhibitions at Compton Verney Art Gallery
Italian Day in Broadway! Broadway village 10am to 4pm - Italian Market, Italian Supercars, Italian Cookery demos, Jazz band and lots more.
Jousting tournament at Blenheim Palace
The Annual Bluebell Walk at Whatcote between 2 and 5 from Hell Brake Paddock, Church Lane. Proceeds to St Peter's church,Whatcote.
Chipping Campden Literature Festival
Chipping Campden Music Festival at St James Church
Winchcombe Walking Festival - 22 great walks on offer. Booking in advance essential.
Malvern Spring Gardening Show at Three Counties Show Ground
Gypsy Horse Fair, Stow-on-the-Wold
Spring Bulbs at Hidcote
Orchestra of the Swan at Civic Hall, Stratford
Oxfordshire Artweeks Exhibition of work by local artists across villages and towns in different areas of Oxfordshire. Early May for North Oxfordshire.
Ilmington Morris Men events calendar They usually start dancing again around St George's Day in April and then weekly around the local villages. They may not yet have their programme here.
Blenheim Palace Events: The Blenheim Palace Food Festival (You have to buy a park and gardens ticket to access this event, or of course hold a full pass for Blenheim)
Shipston Wool Fair. Shipston on Stour puts the Sheep back into Sheep Street! Sheep, lambs, crafts and fun Woolly Weekend Spring Bank Holiday weekend
Gloucester Quays Tall Ships Festival
Stratford Fringe Festival Theatre, Comedy, Literary and Music events as well as Buskers and Street Entertainers in the town.
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum
Cheese-Rolling at Coopers Hill officially banned due to Health and Safety regulations but it continues...
Giffords Circus as Daylesford Organic Farm
The French Market in Moreton
Cogges Farm Family Festival, near Witney.
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
Ilmington gardens open days Open gardens with teas and Morris men, in aid of charity. last weekend of May?
Orchestra of the Swan Concerts at Armscote Manor for April, May, and June Let me know if you would like me to book tickets for you!
JUNE 2019
Cotswold Olympick Games the 406th Olympiad
The Scuttlebrook Wake Chipping Campden Town Square (floats, maypole dancing and street fair)
In Stratford, listen to brass bands playing at the The Stratford Bandstand at the recreation grounds (you can park in the car park here, a left turn just before you go over the river bridge into Bridge Street) Here is their summer programme
Guided tour of Chipping Campden. A town walk, led by the Cotswold Wardens. Learn about the wool-based history of Chipping Campden and the Guild of Handicrafts.
RSC plays at Stratford All run through to September
St Leonard’s Church, Bledington
Concerts at 7.30pm at St Leonard's Church, Bledington.
Compton Verney Art Gallery Family fun days -
Longborough Festival Opera 6th June to 2nd August
Wagner's Der fliegende Hollander - performances June 6, 9, 11 and 13
Verdi's La traviata - performances on June 23, 26, 28, 30, July 1 and 3
Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos - performances on July 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21
Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea - performances on July 28, 30, 31 and August 2
Chipping Norton Theatre - summer film showings
The Ilmington Morris Men events calendar
Sudeley Castle events
Blenheim Palace Giffords Circus 7th to 11th June
At Blenheim Palace Music Nocturne live concerts 14th to 17th June: Nile Rodgers & CHIC, plus special guests Soul II Soul;Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, plus special guests The Coral;Elvis Costello & The Imposters, plus special guests The Waterboys and Nick Lowe; Gary Barlow.
Bledington Music Festival This classical music festival which has been attended by past guests (to much acclaim) is held over three days, in the evenings, in June in a pretty Cotswold church. 5th to 7th June Alissa Firsova, piano, Daniel Rowland, violin, The Cann Twins, piano duo and pianist Clare Hammond. David Jones, Baritone. Bledington is a village which is about 4 miles from Stow on the Wold.
Vintage and Classic Car Show, Churchill
Blenheim Palace Flower Show 22nd to 24th June
Broadway Vintage & Classic Car Show on the Broadway village green.
Events at Sudeley Castle
Woolsack Races, Tetbury
Shakespeare Plays continue as in May (see under Theatre)
Food & Drink Festival, Fairford
Cheltenham Festival of Science
Food & Drink Festival, Cheltenham
The Great Tew Estate horse trials
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum
Various Open Gardens around Chipping Campden near end of June
25 Gardens will be open 2pm - 6pm each day, with garden entry by ticket
Tickets available from the Chipping Campden Tourist Office or from any of the gardens. Tea and cake stops as well ! Free parking at Campden School, Cider Mill Lane.
Bear Pit theatre for June
Sudeley Castle: Garden Week
Outdoor summer Theatre by The Oxford School of Drama set in the glorious surroundings of the Pleasure Gardens at Blenheim Palace
Compton Verney Art Gallery Family activities in the summer holidays
GWR Railway Toddington See the calendar on the website for a really fun day out for children or any boy who has not quite grown up.
Wartime in the Vale - Ashdown WW2 Camp, Evesham June
Beaufort Polo Club Country Fair Near Tetbury in the South Cotswolds
A Free festival with over 10 hours of free live music! Games stalls, Hog Roast, Tombolas, Children's rides, and much more!
Blenheim Palace flower show June A wonderful three-day flower and garden show
The Shipston Proms- Jazz, blues, folk, rock and classical - a two week festival of music, including a performance by the Orchestra of the Swan. It finishes with a dancing in the street event.
Ilmington open gardens in aid of the NGS Last weekend of June ? Teas will be served and the Ilmington Morris dancers will dance over the weekend.
Cheltenham Music Festival Cheltenham is about 40 mins drive from the cottage.
JULY 2019
Chipping Campden town walk with the Cotswold Wardens. A guided walk along the High Street, learning about the history of Chipping Campden from the times of the wool merchants to the Guild of Handicrafts. Tuesdays at 2.30 pm and Thursdays at 10 am.
Open air theatre in Stratford at The Dell. Free. See the website for dates
In Stratford, listen to brass bands playing at the The Stratford Bandstand at the recreation grounds (you can park in the car park here, a left turn just before you go over the river bridge into Bridge Street) Here is their summer programme
The Cotswold Tour d'Ilmington. A cycle ride for charity. You can either ride 10 miles on the flat, or 30 miles on the hilly ride. Entrance fee £12 adults, £6 Juniors (12-16). Register here and enter Ilmington in the search box
Blenheim Palace The Great British Garden Party,
the Cotswold Show and Food Festival 7th and 8th July in the grounds of Cirencester Park
Stratford upon Avon Poetry Festival
Longborough Festival Opera until 2nd August
Verdi's La traviata - performances on June 23, 26, 28, 30, July 1 and 3
Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos - performances on July 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21
Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea - performances on July 28, 30, 31 and August 2
Cheltenham Music Festival 30th June to 15th July. An amazing array of performers for the 2018 Festival include:
Maxim Vengerov, András Schiff with the OAE, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Sarah Connolly, James Gilchrist, Mahan Esfahani, Steven Isserlis, Benjamin Grosvenor and The King’s Singers plus Sir Mark Elder and Louise Alder with The Hallé and Martyn Brabbins with the BBC National. Cheltenham is about 40 mins drive from the cottage.
RSC plays in Stratford
In Stratford, Last night of the Shakespeare proms. The Orchestra of the Swan at Stratford ArtsHouse
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival The Battle of Tewkesbury in the War of the Roses reenacted.
The Shipston Proms- Jazz, blues, folk, rock and classical a two week festival of music, It finishes with a dancing in the street event.
See programme for the Ilmington Morris Men on pdf download TBA above to see where they are dancing in 2019.
Great Barrington Windrush Valley Flower Show and Fete
Open Air Theatre at Batsford Arboretum
Sudeley Castle events
Exhibition of crafts in Chipping Campden Town Hall;
Cheltenham Music Festival An amazing array of performers Cheltenham is about 40 mins drive from the cottage.
At Sulgrave Manor near Banbury, American Independence Day Celebrations.
The Cotswold Show and Country Fair at Cirencester Park Arena events, country pursuits, rural crafts, food festival, trade stands 7th and 8th July
At Ragley Hall Outdoor theatre and picnics
Ebrington Village Fete 2 pm at the Cricket Ground on Saturday, 14th July
Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, the world's largest military airshow July 13th to 15th
Medieval Festival, Tewkesbury It's the battle of 1471 all over again! Re-enactors from around the world recreate the battle of Tewkesbury. Featuring around 2000 warriors, including knights in full armour, gunners, with cannon and hand guns, archers, with the traditional English Longbow, and men at arms with swords, spears and other weapons of the period, all brought to life with a lively and informed commentary, and taking place on part of the site of the original battle of 1471.
Racing at Stratford (see section on sports)
Stratford FabFest - a festival of folk music and beer at The Old Tramway Inn
Summer Concert, The Elgar Chorale at
St. Eadburgha's Church, Broadway
Postlip Tithe Barn, near Winchcombe The Cotswolds Beer Festival. A celebration of the best beer and cider from near and far.
Battle Proms Evening Picnic Concert -at Blenheim Palace -
Blenheim Palace music events
Warwick Folk Festival Music, dance and crafts. The traditional and the contemporary.
For jazz and classical music there is a 10 day Summer Music Festival at Guiting Power
At Warwick Castle displays of jousting (knights on horseback)
Blenheim Palace from 18th July until October Yves Klein Contemporary Art Exhibition