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What's new
There's so many exciting, new things to shout about, but here are just a few highlights of what’s new in the Cotswolds.
For a full list please download What’s New in the Cotswolds, 2023 and beyond! which also includes accommodation recently reopened.
A world-class climbing park called 270 Climbing with sports and adventure activities is coming to Gloucestershire. The project will become one of the finest climbing centres in the country, opening in a phased approach from Spring 2023 into 2024. With a range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and abilities, it’s set to become an exciting attraction for the local region and offer a vibrant facility for climbers as well as families, groups and clubs.
2023 see’s Hidcote celebrate 75 years with the National Trust with a year of programming and exhibitions to celebrate Hidcote as a world-famous garden of inspiration and creativity. This will include
- August 2022 to March 2023 Kaffe Fassett ‘Colour with Kaffe at Hidcote’ exhibition exploring textiles artist Kaffe Fassett’s use of colour throughout his work.
- September 2023 to November 2023 International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition at Hidcote
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote
Treedwellers, Cornbury Park Estate near Chipping Norton
Set within the stunning Cornbury estate nestled in ancient woodland surrounded by nature, you will be able to escape the stress of day-to-day life in 7 unique individual tree houses. Opening in April 2023, the treehouses are ecocentricly planned and organically designed so they respectfully blend into a spectacular living landscape.
Wyck Hill House Hotel just outside Stow on the Wold was sold to new owners in 2022 who have ambitious refurbishment plans that will build on this well-known and popular hotel. It is hoped the hotel will reopen in Autumn 2023 once renovations are complete. www.wyckhillhousehotel.co.uk
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The Cirencester-based Corinium Museum announces their first touring exhibition – Gladiators – A Cemetery of Secrets. From October 2022 through to April 2023, visitors will be able to 'get up and close' to six unique skeletons from the Driffield Terrace excavation in York, and on loan from the Jorvik Museum collection. https://coriniummuseum.org/discover/gladiators/
Five star country hotel Ellenborough Park located just outside Regency Cheltenham is currently undergoing a refurbishment of all 61 guest bedrooms with some completely redesigned and others extensively updated. The Horse Box Brasserie will also have a complete style transformation. All the work is due to be completed by March 2023. www.ellenboroughpark.com
The Living Room Cinema and Luxury Apartments
Work is currently underway to bring back to life a key site in the lovely market town of Chipping Norton. Located on the High street, the building being transformed over the next six months or so will become luxury serviced holiday apartments as well as a two-screen boutique cinema that will provide a unique independent film experience. It is hoped the complex will be ready to open in summer 2023 and will be a great addition to the Chipping Norton area
From Summer 2023, visitors will be able to stay on a brand new Lodge retreat set in the stunning Blenheim Palace Estate. Construction has already started on a collection of one, two and three-bedroom lodges partnered with Darwin Escapes
www.blenheim.org/news/luxury-retreat-lodges
Experimental Group acquired Cowley Manor in 2022 as the group’s first UK property outside of London. The hotel is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment and is set to reopen in late spring 2023 including the introduction of four new rooms.
Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden, is a brand new and permanent cafe and restaurant, at the Old Kennels site in Cirencester Park opening Easter 23. Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden will offer a relaxed and friendly place serving up coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea or takeaway daily, and dinner from Thursday to Saturday. With sustainability at its heart, The Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden menus will showcase some of the finest Cotswolds artisan produce from within a 25-mile radius alongside fruit and vegetables grown in its own, on-site kitchen garden. www.rootsandseeds.co.uk
Broadway Tower underwent a restoration both inside taking the building back to the days of its Georgian design and furnishings and outside to preserve and protect the towers distinctive features for the future. With the introduction of a new audio tour and multi-media guide visitor’s can fully immerse themselves in the fascinating story of Broadway Tower. Our nuclear bunker and Royal Observer Corps post has recently re-opened and is open on weekends and bank holidays.
Berrybank Park Amphitheatre
A stunning performing space set on an ancient wold with views across the Evenlode Valley, this grassed amphitheatre rests alongside a beautiful pavilion serving the best local food and drinks. In this - its inaugural year – Berrybank is hosting a mixed programme of entertainment – from Shakespeare to children’s theatre, comedy, music and outdoor cinema.
https://www.amphitheatreberrybankpark.co.uk/
The Calcot Collections flagship property Calcot & Spa near Tetbury is planning developments for 2022 and beyond. Expansion plans include five new family suites, including three treehouses, which will overlook 200 acres of farmland. A new fitness facility will also be part of the development.
Refurbishment work started in Spring 23 on the old iconic Imperial Hotel located conveniently next to the railway station in the market town of Stroud. Now renamed The Stroud, when completed later this year, the hotel will have 25 bedrooms including 2 family suites and 4 luxury suites with a restaurant and bar for you to get cosy in. The bar will be named The Bucknall Bar after the buildings architect Benjamin Bucknall. The Restaurant and Bar will hold 106 people for dining and there will be event space for 44 dining capacity.
Blenheim Palace is creating a giant new outdoor adventure play attraction as part of a major development of its Walled Gardens. The large-scale attraction, set to open early in 2023 will cover a site larger than a football field and celebrate the rich heritage of the 18th century baroque Palace, its surrounding parkland and the natural world. Utilising natural materials and built to be as sustainable as possible it will incorporate a series of exciting new features aimed at different age groups ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Designed by renowned Norfolk-based CAP.Co design, the 5,000-metre site will include quirky wooden structures, interactive water features, play trails and winding walkways.
https://www.blenheim.org/news/new-adventure-play-complex/
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Fairytale Farm
Fairytale Farm will be opening a major new outdoor themed play area in summer 2023. Fairy Dell will be a brand new, bespoke outdoor play area, designed for all ages and abilities and will feature giant mushrooms, raised walkways and bridges, crawl tunnel, clamber net, climbing wall and slides.
www.fairytalefarm.co.uk
EXCITING NEWS FOR 2024 & beyond
Designer Outlet Cotswolds – A new designer outlet planned for near the M5 in Gloucestershire will bring thousands of shoppers to the area and transform the region. The six acre new retail and leisure destination is being built just off the A46 near Ashchurch and the M5 Junction 9 for Tewkesbury. The first phase is planned to open in Spring 2024.
The Cotswolds canal project Work continues to bring the Cotswold Canals to life with the Cotswold Canals Connected, (Phase 1B of the Cotswold Canals restoration project), marking the next exciting phase of canal restoration for the Cotswolds. It will link the Stroudwater Navigation canal with the Gloucester and Sharpness canal at Saul Junction. It will join our communities, towns and villages with the rest of the UK’s canal network, present new business opportunities and create a vibrant tourist destination in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Mullins Motor Museum – Enstone The £150-million car museum dreamt up by American collector Peter Mullin for the UK is currently applying for planning permission.
