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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, 2022 and beyond!
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 late Spring 2022. 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.
Eynsham Hall – At present undergoing an extensive refurbishment programme which includes building a new East Wing. The new building will be in a style sympathetic to the existing property and is a hugely exciting project for the team. The Hall we be reopening in the Summer of 2022.
Warner Hotels Group are now undertaking an extensive refurbishment of their new acquisition Heythrop Park Resort – a 440 acre estate with a 340 bed Grade II manor house hotel. It is hoped the hotel will reopen in summer 2022.
The Kings Head Hotel in Cirencester, Bespoke Hotels' Hotel of the Year 2022, has opened 14 new bedrooms and now has 52 individually styled rooms and nine one-bedroom apartments. Its stylish subterranean spa is also in the process of being refurbished with a new look thermal suite due to be unveiled later in 2022. It remains open for treatments and has partnered with ELEMIS, offering a range of signature facials and massages
The Wild Duck at Ewen Refurbishment - This popular pub was purchased by The Lucky Onion Group and it is presently undergoing extensive refurbishment, there will be new boutique bedrooms , an alfresco terrace and new dining spaces ready for reopening sometime in 2022.
Work is continuing on transforming Kelmscott Manor - the Cotswolds home of the father of the arts and crafts movement, William Morris. The Society of Antiquaries plan to double visitor numbers to the former Cotswold retreat of William Morris, improving facilities, reinterpreting the house and wider estate and undertaking vital conservation work. It is now hoped to reopen in April 2022
The slow reveal of the restored & refurbished Broadway Tower is complete!
The tower’s fabulous location with views over 16 counties brings with it enormous exposure to the elements and so requires constant care and maintenance. Vital work took place in 2021 to preserve and protect its distinctive features for many years to come.
The interior has had a makeover too. Step back in time to enjoy the Tower as it would have been in late Georgian and Victorian times and, with the help of our new multi media tour and guide book, imagine yourself as one of the cast of colourful characters of its fascinating past.
Opening in Spring 2022 is a beautiful new 1hour nature & art trail. The new trail will progressively feature an array of art installations, wild flower meadows, conservation areas, woodland and spectacular views.
Also planned on the site for 2022 is a new nuclear bunker and Royal Observer Corps Post Covid-Friendly pop up experience so keep a look out for updates.
Batsford Arboretum near Moreton in Marsh are about to embark on an exciting expansion of their visitor centre which is due to be completed by June 2022.
The existing building - which houses Batsford’s garden shop, The Garden Terrace Café and the arboretum gift shop – is set to be expanded to provide a larger café and garden shop. Besides the extension project, The Batsford Foundation, who manage the arboretum and garden centre, will be developing a new wildlife lake and reservoir during 2022, which aims to supply water to the plants in the garden and arboretum. The Foundation have also recently installed three electric vehicle-charging points in the arboretum car park.
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.
Circus Sauce, the famous travelling restaurant that accompanies Giffords Circus on its summer tours, is launching a winter restaurant in the Cotswolds this November 2021. Winter Sauce will take up residence at The Old Gore Barn in Cirencester serving dinner on selected evenings, as well as Sunday lunches, throughout November and December 2021
Cotswold Motorbike Rides is a brand new tours experience where local Tim Porter shares his passion for exploring the Cotswolds ‘on two wheels’ around the wider region. Providing a personal private guided motorbike ride for up to 4 riders either as half-day or full day options and a ‘Ride& Stay’ package this is a great way to see the countryside.
London-based design studio Kitesgrove has brought its passion for original design and authentic lifestyle to a new farm shop and coffee bar from the founder of The Cotswold Guy, chef Christopher Davey who has transformed The Old Bakery in the main square of Guiting Power into a boutique farm shop with deli and coffee bar, offering visitors the very best produce and delicious, hand-crafted food. With its on-site production kitchen, the farm shop serves The Cotswold Guy’s signature dishes as oven-ready meals, takeaway deli items and coffee, as well as homemade bread, dairy, fish, game and other quality local, seasonal produce.
The Owners of the Upton Firehouse in Burford, local chefs Sam Edwards and Jak Doggett will now be opening a new restaurant in Cricklade street Cirencester. The restaurant will occupy a three storey building and be an all-day restaurant and bar serving dishes in their unique contemporary style.
A new tour launches in October 2021 for Westonbirt arboretum and it is hoped to continue for 2022. Westonbirt Unseen tours are all about using your senses to enjoy Westonbirt as a way of highlighting inclusion and accessibility in natural spaces. Led and delivered by a lovely group of visually impaired guides who will lead you through an immersive and interactive sensory experience.
EXCITING NEWS FOR 2023 & 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 2023.
The Cotswolds canal project has been awarded nearly £9 million from Heritage Lottery funding. The funding means that the five miles of canal already restored will be connected to the national inland waterway network at Saul Junction over the next two years. As well as opening up another 4.5 miles of canal, the funding will see huge benefits in terms of the economy, leisure, community, health, heritage and the environment, including the creation of 21 hectares of biodiversity land, planting 30,000 trees and shrubs, generating additional spending of £5.5 million per year in the local economy, bringing health benefits estimated at £8 million a year, preserving the canal archives from the 1730s and involving up to 500 extra volunteers.
Mullins Motor Museum – Enstone The £150-million car museum dreamt up by American collector Peter Mullin for the UK will hopefully be nearing completion in 2023.
