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. It is 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.
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. 16th to 19th September. Meet the HOok Norton Brewery Shire Horses 24th to 26th September and 1st - 3rd October. Bushcraft Activities until 12th September, Camp Wilderness - archery and tomahawk throwing until 4th September. Halloween at Blenheim Palace 22nd to 31st October. Spooky fun-filled trail
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 5th 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