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. Of course this year everything is pretty uncertain. Some events are starting up again - but best to google the things I have listed to make sure as a lot of places now require booking ahead.
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 Markets
The traditional Charter Market is held in Rother Street every Friday, all year round with fresh produce stalls ( local vegetables, fruit, cheese, olives, bread, coffee, cakes and patisseries) together with clothing, hats and scarves, silver jewellery, leather handbags, accessories, art, flowers and gifts.
Every Saturday, the Rother Street Urban Mix market sells craft items, vintage and antiques, handmade jewellery, useful items for the home and generally quirky stuff alongside artisan food stalls.
Held every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until Christmas, Waterside Upmarket is a market with street food and occasional street entertainers so interesting for children. Find there also, stalls for local makers, crafters and artists.
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 (held alongside the Craft market which is held every week 9am-2/3pm)
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
EVENTS CALENDAR (This is a calendar for 2021 as it should be in normal times but some event links may not be operable simply because they are not happening this year. Google is your friend to see what might be happening at any of these venues.
MAY 2021 ( SOME taken from their summer cancelled programme for 2020 but many gathering type events cancelled. Gardens and museums open - however, check on websites!)
Steam railway trips from Toddington to Cheltenham - see timetable. Round trips only.
Events at Hidcote.(Hidcote garden is 3 miles from the cottage).
Sudeley Castle events
Blenheim Palace Supercars at the Palace
Cheltenham Jazz Festival ONLINE THIS YEAR
Plays at the RSC continue. ONLINE UNTIL ALLOWED TO RESUME LIVE
New season's exhibitions at Compton Verney Art Gallery JUST THE GROUNDS OPEN AT THE MOMENT BUT WATCH THEIR WEBSITE
At the Ashmolean from the 18th May to the 20th June 2021 The Pre-Raphaelites - exhibition of drawings and watercolours. BOOKING REQUIRED
Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival HAS BEEN MOVED ONLINE 8th to 22nd May
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 Blenheim Palace Food festival ;
Chipping Campden Music Festival at St James Church THERE MAY BE SOME CONCERTS IN MAY BUT THE MAIN FESTIVAL HAS BEEN MOVED TO SEPTEMBER
Winchcombe Walking Festival - 22 great walks on offer. Booking in advance essential.
Gypsy Horse Fair, Stow-on-the-Wold
Spring Bulbs at Hidcote
Evesham Vale Light Railway - Steam trains run daily
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 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 as they will be waiting for the all clear.
NOT MUCH ON AT THE MOMENT BUT THEY HAVE A DRIVE IN CINEMA FROM MAY 6TH
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum
Cheese-Rolling at Coopers Hill officially banned a few years ago, due to Health and Safety regulations but it continues... UNCERTAIN THIS YEAR. MAY BE MOVED TO JULY
Giffords Circus Locations around the Cotswolds, starting with Stroud 19th May
Cogges Farm Family Festival, near Witney.
Ilmington open gardens in aid of the NGS Saturday 29th May and Sunday 30th May. 12.30-6 pm Teas will be served both days and the Ilmington Morris dancers will dance round the gardens on Sunday.
JUNE 2021 (some of these may need a google to see if they are happening)
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.
Broadway Arts Festival 4th to 13th July
Steam railway trips from Toddington to Cheltenham - see timetable. Round trips only.
RSC plays at Stratford All run through to September
Longborough Festival Opera 1st June to 3rd August
Chipping Norton Theatre - summer film showings
The Ilmington Morris Men events calendar
Sudeley Castle events
Giffords Circus all around the Cotswolds
At Blenheim Palace Music Nocturne live concerts
Vintage and Classic Car Show, Churchill ?
Evesham Vale Light Railway - Steam trains run daily
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 10th to 13th June
Food & Drink Festival, Cheltenham ?
The Great Tew Estate horse trials
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum
At the Ashmolean Oxford, from the 18th May to the 20th June 2021 The Pre-Raphaelites - exhibition of drawings and watercolours. BOOKING REQUIREDVarious Open Gardens around Chipping Campden near end of June
Chipping Campden 25 Gardens will be open 2pm - 6pm on a weekend in June 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
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.
Beaufort Polo Club Country Fair Near Tetbury in the South Cotswolds
Chipping Norton Town Festival. Hopefully end of June but needing a google.
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 - it is not clear if this is going ahead.
JULY 2021 (taken from their summer cancelled programme for 2020 so let's hope it will be something like this)
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.
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. Register here and enter Ilmington in the search box
Cheltenham Music Festival Cheltenham is about 40 mins drive from the cottage.Blenheim Palace 2nd to 9th July
Steam railway trips from Toddington to Cheltenham - see timetable. Round trips only.
The Great British Garden Party,
the Cotswold Show and Food Festival 3rd and 4th July
Stratford Poetry Festival (Can't find that this is on) but see Explore Shakespeare
Longborough Festival Opera until August
An amazing array of performers. 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 google to see if any performances on.
See programme for the Ilmington Morris Men on pdf download TBA above to see where they are dancing in 2021
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;
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 Cricket Ground on Saturday TBA
Medieval Festival, Tewkesbury Google to check this is happening. 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
Summer Concert,
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 - 3rd July
Blenheim Palace events Family Summer Entertainment All about dogs ; International garden photographer exhibition check website
Warwick Folk Festival Music, dance and crafts. The traditional and the contemporary. 15th to 18th July
For jazz and classical music there is a 10 day Summer Music Festival at Guiting Power held at the end of July
At Warwick Castle displays of jousting (knights on horseback)
AUGUST 2021 - If all is back to normal, it should look something like this.
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
Ashmolean Museum in Oxford 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 at Chipping Norton - this is the Jamie Oliver event which has become a BIG thing!
Blenheim Palace Family Summer Entertainment; Family Cycling Day;International garden photographer exhibition until 19th August
Woodstock - the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2021
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)
Beer and Blues Weekend at the Fleece Inn usually first weekend in September. End of summer Beer Festival with lashings of live blues music! Real ales and ciders.
Chipping Campden Music Festival (moved from May)
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 Exhibitions
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 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 Salon Prive Classic and supercar 6th September; British Heart Foundation half marathon 27th 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
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