What's On

The range of Cotswold events is enormous so to visit the local attractions is really to only to see half of the picture. A little research will repay with options from village fetes to a world-standard literary festival amongst an intriguing - and year round - programme of festivals and events.

Sport is a big subject here, with top level sides such as Gloucestershire County Cricket, Gloucester Rugby Club and a string of equestrian activity that includes horse trials at Blenheim and Badminton and Cheltenham Racecourse. In addition the area is brought to life by hundreds of village events and happenings. Some are remarkable - only in the Cotswolds would you find Woolsack Racing, Shin Kicking and Cheese Rolling in the Cotswolds.

Wherever you are staying, you are rarely more than half an hour from good quality theatres, cinemas and leisure facilities of many different kinds.

Some of our event highlights include:

Open air theatre - the scenery of the Cotswolds, the beautiful country houses and gardens once again provide wonderful settings for open-air theatre for the 2009 season.

Music - a full and varied programme of musical events takes place throughout the year, including choral and orchestral concerts in the splendid Cotswold 'Wool' churches or Longborough Festival Opera. The Awaken Your Senses Festival in Tewkesbury will tantalise every musical bone in your body, and is just one of the many music & arts festivals the Cotswolds have on offer. The combined cultural offer is so strong that, tongue in cheek, we're declaring ourselves Britain's Rural Capital of Culture from 2009 - look out for new events and happenings or sign up for our email updates.

Nightlife. Cheltenham's bar, restaurant and club culture leads the way, but there are gigs, theatre and ad hoc events in the area across the Cotswolds. By basing yourself in the Cotswolds, you will also find the night scene in Oxford and Bath within easy reach. Finally don't forget the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon, also close by.