Things to do in the Cotswolds, events & lifestyle

These are some of the best places to see snowdrops in the Cotswolds (photo: Peter Llewellyn)

Lower Slaughter buried in snow (c) stocker1970 / Shutterstock

Nell Gifford reading from her book Nell & the Circus of Dreams, illustrated by Briony May Smith. Andrew Higgins/TWM

10 times the Cotswolds made history

Monday, January 13, 2020

Sudeley Castle, which was twice owned by Richard III, once as Duke of Gloucester (1469-78) and then as king (1483-85). Richard was responsible for much building work at the castle (‘Wdejager’)

In the second part of Stephen Roberts' fascinating delve into the Cotswolds' historic milestones, we're treated to civil war, Sudeley, Shakespeare and a dose of smallpox

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Snowdrops in the Cotswolds: 9 of the most magical places to go

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Snowdrops bring great joy in the early months of the year, signifying the warmer weather ahead. We pick 9 of the most magical places to explore these beautiful flowers in the Cotswolds

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Best natural places to 'find tranquillity' in the Cotswolds

Monday, January 6, 2020 Sian Ellis

Dark skies over Cleeve Hill. Photo: Ben Hirst

Wintertime is wonderful - and so is escaping the brouhaha for some peace and quiet now and then. Head to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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What's on this month in the Cotswolds

Friday, January 3, 2020 Edited by Candia McKormack

There's lots of wintry things to do in January in the Cotswolds (photo: AndyRoland, Getty Images)

If you're looking for things to do in the Cotswolds this month, we have gathered plenty of events for you to pop in your diary

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A visitor's guide to Bicester at Christmas

Monday, December 16, 2019 Anna Bailey

Causeway Street, Bicester, photo credit: Arsty/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Anna Bailey encourages us to get into the festive spirit at Bicester's historic town centre and ancient markets

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You can now enjoy a luxury breakaway at WWT Slimbridge

Monday, October 21, 2019

This exclusive experience is available on a self-catering basis

A unique opportunity to experience life as one of the UK's most celebrated conservationists is now on offer at WWT Slimbridge, thanks to the anticipated launch of Scott House, Bewick's Lodge

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14 charming Cotswold homes you can rent via Cotswolds Hideaways

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Inglenook Cottage, Broad Campden (c) SIMON FOSTER

Whether you're looking for a relaxing break for two, a getaway with family or a base to explore the beauty of the Cotswolds, the region boasts plenty of wonderful places to stay. We pick 14 stunning properties you can rent via Cotswolds Hideaways to enjoy your perfect breakaway

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5 reasons why you should visit the Forest of Dean this summer

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Words and pictures: Candia McKormack

It may only be a half-hour drive or so, but the magical, mystical Forest of Dean is a world away from the Cotswolds

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An A to Z of everything great about the Cotswolds

Thursday, June 6, 2019 Elizabeth Hartland

Arlington Row © Raymond Llewellyn, Shutterstock

From A to Z, we scroll through the alphabet and reveal 26 reasons why the Cotswolds is such a wonderful place for visitors to explore, and residents to call home

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Through the keyhole: The House at No.131, Cheltenham

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

The House at No.131 boasts individually designed, effortlessly stylish bedrooms (c) Simon Brown

Adding to its stunning collection of hotels, pubs and restaurants, the Lucky Onion Group opens its latest property: The House at No.131

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Walks

Snowdrops in the Cotswolds: 9 of the most magical places to go

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Snowdrops bring great joy in the early months of the year, signifying the warmer weather ahead. We pick 9 of the most magical places to explore these beautiful flowers in the Cotswolds

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Wonderful winter walks in the Cotswolds

Monday, December 16, 2019 Elizabeth Hartland

A snowy scene over the Malvern Hills. Photo credit: pjmalsbury/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Cotswolds are abundant with picture perfect locations ideal for a ramble. Gather loved ones, wrap up warm and blow away the cobwebs with one of these winter walks in the region

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A new walking route suitable for mobility scooters launches in the Cotswolds

Monday, November 4, 2019 Words: Siân Ellis

The recce of the Winchcombe route in 2015 by a group from the Disabled Ramblers, to explore its potential (and obstacles that needed to be removed) (c) John Cuthbertson

A new route at Winchcombe suitable for all-terrain mobility scooters is the latest step in efforts to open up the Cotswolds countryside to everyone, explains Siân Ellis

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Autumn walks in the Cotswolds: 12 of the best

Monday, October 21, 2019 Elizabeth Hartland

On a crisp, autumnal day, there is nothing better than gathering the family for a stroll amongst some of the most colourful woodland and countryside the Cotswolds has to offer. We've accumulated a list of our favourite places to catch the majority of this season's golden hues

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Cotswolds Walk: Broadway Tower Walk

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Explore the beautiful Cotswold countryside with the Cotswold Walks app

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Gardens

Ad Feature 6 great garden centres to visit in Oxfordshire

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

There are many garden centres with cafes that can turn a visit to buy plants and garden supplies into something special. Here are 6 garden centres in Oxfordshire every green-fingered enthusiast will want to visit

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Thursday, August 1, 2019

Our property, homes and gardens newsletter will provide inspiration and advice for your home and garden, plus all the latest property news in your area

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Celebrity Interviews

Julian Fellowes: Downton Abbey creator on royalty, loyalty, courtesy and costumes

Monday, November 18, 2019 Words: Katie Jarvis

Julian Fellowes talks about the hotly-anticipated new Downton Abbey - yes, it's out! - film. Katie Jarvis (who had a sneak movie preview) chatted to him about royalty, loyalty, courtesy and costumes

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Richard Mabey on his new book, Turning the Boat for Home

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Words: Katie Jarvis

Nature writer Richard Mabey will be attendance at the Stroud Book Festival (c) Elizabeth Orcutt

Writer and journalist Richard Mabey has brought out a new collection of his work, spanning 50 years of documenting the natural world. Katie Jarvis spoke to him about Turning the Boat for Home: a life writing about nature

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Adam Henson on his book, 'A Breed Apart: My Adventures with Britain's Rare Breeds'

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Words: Adam Henson

Adam with Albion cattle and Golden Guernsey goats

Why Adam Henson has finally got round to committing the story of our nation's livestock heritage to print

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Zara Tindall: "You feel like you can get lost in the valleys of Gatcombe for hours"

Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Words: Katie Jarvis

Zara Tindall riding BGS Class Affair at The Smith & Williamson British Intermediate Championship , 2017 (c) Kit Houghton

The Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing is in the DNA of Zara Tindall. Now, as brother Peter has taken over the reins at Gatcombe, its all about future-proofing the festival

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Beverley Knight: "I will always feel like the girl from Wolverhampton"

Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Words: Sandra Kessell

Lucky you if you have tickets for Cornbury's Friday extravaganza. Beverley Knight, international soul superstar and consummate live performer, is back on the festival stage with a bang

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Events

5 things to do in the Cotswolds this weekend

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 Ellie Fells

There's lots going on in the Cotswolds this weekend...Photo credit: surfleader/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The weekend is fast approaching and for those still deciding how to spend their Friday through to Sunday, we pick 5 of the best ways to spend your weekend in the Cotswolds

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What's on this month in the Cotswolds

Friday, January 3, 2020 Edited by Candia McKormack

If you're looking for things to do in the Cotswolds this month, we have gathered plenty of events for you to pop in your diary

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Review: Puss in Boots at The Theatre Chipping Norton

Friday, November 15, 2019 Elizabeth Hartland

Puss in Boots at The Theatre, Chipping Norton (photo: Josh Tomalin)

'Puss in Boots is packed full of uplifting original songs, wonderfully creative costumes and sets, plus plenty of belly laughs.' The Christmas season has begun for Liz Hartland with the arrival of the annual The Theatre Chipping Norton's pantomime

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Sudeley Castle and Gardens launches Autumn Wildlife Trail

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Autumn at Sudeley Castle and Gardens (c) Richard Atkinson

Soak up all the shades of autumn at Sudeley Castle and Gardens in Winchcombe on a new wildlife trail

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The Wurzels take to the stage at Cheltenham's November Meeting

Friday, August 30, 2019

The West Country legends will take to the stage at Cheltenham Racecourse

This will be the first time The Wurzels will be performing at the Cheltenham Racecourse

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Arts

Is Tetbury the most cultural town in the Cotswolds?

Tuesday, October 1, 2019 Words: Sandra Kessell

Church Street, leading to Market Place, Tetbury

Vying for the title of 'most cultural town in the Cotswolds', Tetbury's arts scene, architecture and foodie-ness make it the perfect place for the intellectually curious

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Review: Skylight, Chipping Norton Theatre

Friday, September 13, 2019 Words: Elizabeth Hartland & images: Josh Tomalin

Tom (Louis Dempsey) and Kyra (Rosie Wyatt) in Skylight (c) Josh Tomalin

'A powerful insight into complicated relationships', David Hare's award-winning Skylight comes to The Theatre at Chipping Norton

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The Museum of the Moon is heading to Gloucestershire

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Artist Luke Jerram with his installation, Museum of the Moon, in the University of Bristol Great Hall, Wills Memorial Building, Bristol ©Simon Galloway

Enjoy an out of this world experience at the Museum of the Moon without leaving Gloucestershire

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A Brian Jones walking tour has been launched in Cheltenham

Monday, July 29, 2019 Words: Stephen Roberts and pictures: Mikal Ludlow/Marketing Cheltenham

Brian Jones from The Rolling Stones at Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, September 1, 1967

Founder member of the Rolling Stones, Brian Jones was born and raised in Cheltenham. Now, to commemorate his stellar but short-lived career and tragically-early death in July 1969, a new walking tour has been established

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Review: John Barleycorn Must Die exhibition at New Brewery Arts

Friday, July 19, 2019 Words: Sarah Edmonds

"It's very refreshing to look backwards and learn a little of John Barleycorn and hidden charms in witches bottles before resuming my busy modern life!" Sarah Edmonds talks us through the John Barleycorn Must Die exhibition at Cirencester's New Brewery Arts

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Interiors

Cotswold interiors: A gothic Victorian revival

Monday, January 13, 2020 Words: Victoria Jenkins. Photos: Lisa Lodwig

The handle-less Leicht units came from Contour and the striped blind from Upstairs Downstairs, both in Cheltenham. The ceramic wood-effect tiles are from Mandarin Stone (photo: Lisa Lodwig)

The Feinsons' handsome Victorian home in Cheltenham is perfectly suited for a traditional family Christmas

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Ad Feature Through the keyhole: A stunning Cotswold stone home in Sapperton

Monday, October 28, 2019

An outstanding family home in a first-class Cotswold village, the appeal of Field House is further elevated by its luxurious and contemporary interior design

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Ad Feature Through the keyhole of CALA Homes' 59 Lansdown development, Cheltenham

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

59 Lansdown, Cheltenham, CALA Homes (c) Chris Richards-White

Since opening its doors in March, CALA Homes' 59 Lansdown development has proven to be popular with house hunters looking for luxury living in a perfect location

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Through the keyhole of a stylish 18th century Cotswold cottage

Monday, October 21, 2019

Sarah has used a bright ‘Peony’ by Benjamin Moore for the sitting room walls. The curtains are in a ‘Jungle Leaves’ fabric by Boussac from Pierre Frey

From Cornwall to the Cotswolds via Hong Kong, designer Sarah Fortescue has left her stylishly magical mark wherever she has lived

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Through the keyhole of a Cirencester barn conversion

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

The home looks as if it has been standing here for centuries. In keeping with its appearance, the couple had the exterior woodwork painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Charleston Grey’

With resident dead mice, nests on top of the kitchen cupboards and newspaper insulating the cracks in the ceilings around the beams, Sue and Andy's house near Cirencester was in desperate need of some TLC

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Recipes

Recipe: Vegan sweet potato and coconut soup with sweet potato chips

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Get inspired for World Vegan Month (November 1-30) with this deliciously warming, moreish spiced soup, beautifully garnished with crisp sweet potato chips and freshly grated coconut

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10 of the tastiest breakfasts and brunches to try in Cheltenham

Friday, June 21, 2019

Coffee and Eggs Benedict at No.131, Cheltenham

Breakfast and brunch is the most important meal of the day and luckily for us, Cheltenham is home to plenty of great places to get your latest smashed avocado fix. We pick 10 of the best places to enjoy brunch in Cheltenham

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