What’s on in the Cotswolds in February 2024
EXHIBITION
History in the Making
A collaboration between Woburn Abbey, Compton Verney and The Crafts Council, this exhibition features fascinating objects from 2,000 BCE to present day, exploring the changing attitudes to crafts over time.
until February 11, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ, comptonverney.org.uk
WELLBEING
ReBalance Bath
After last year’s hugely successful inaugural event, the wellbeing festival returns to the city of Bath. Events include a wide range of free activities, workshops and taster sessions, alongside luxury hotel packages and spa days.
January 25-February 18, various locations, welcometobath.co.uk
THEATRE
Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Fiend
The world premiere of Toby Hulse and Ross Smith’s play, directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Adam Meggido (Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical).
January 26-Saturday, March 9, Barn Theatre, Cirencester, GL7 1BN, barntheatre.org.uk
HERITAGE
Ship-shape!
An afternoon of document displays, and talks celebrating Gloucestershire’s waterways, including a talk on the history of Gloucester Docks by Tony Condor, and one on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal by Paul Barnett. Booking onto talks is required due to capacity.
Saturday, February 3, 1-4pm, Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, Gloucester, GL1 3DW, heritagehub.org.uk
THEATRE
The Circle
A stellar cast – including Jane Asher, Clive Francis and Nicholas Le Prevost – feature in Somerset Maugham’s classic comedy of manners, presented by Theatre Royal Bath.
February 6-10, Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW, tel: 01865 305305, oxfordplayhouse.com
FILM
The Banff Mountain Film Festival
Starring the world’s top adventure filmmakers as they ski, climb, bike and paddle in remote corners of the planet, so book tickets to unleash your wild side!
Cheltenham, Town Hall, February 7 & April 27; Malvern, Forum Theatre, 8 March 8 & May 18, banff-uk.com
COMEDY
Geoff Norcott: Basic Bloke
A new national tour for the star of Have I Got News For You, A League of Their Own, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and many other top TV shows, with his trademark playfully provocative brand of humour. Tickets £17.50-£21.50.
Thursday, February 8, 8pm, Stroud Subscription Rooms, GL5 1AE, thesubrooms.co.uk
EXHIBITION
Drawn to the Landscape
An exhibition of mixed media works by established and up-and-coming artists inspired by the textural beauty of earth and sky.
February 9-March 15, The Sanctuary Studio & Gallery, High Street, Newnham, GL14 1BB, thesanctuarygallery.com
MUSIC
Charlie Dore with Julian Littman
Charlie Dore is an exemplary, multi award-winning singer & songwriter of worldwide renown. At this show she is joined on stage by the celebrated multi-instrumentalist Julian Littman. Charlie’s songs have been recorded by the good and the great including George Harrison, Tina Turner, Celine Dion and Ricky Ross, but her live shows reveal that actually she invariably keeps the very best songs for herself. Tickets £12/£15.
Saturday, February 10, 7.30pm, Prema Arts Centre, Uley, near Dursley, GL11 5SS, prema.org.uk
CRAFT
Willow Workshop
Learn to create one of a series of amazing garden structures on this one-day course with Norah Kennedy. All willow, tools and handouts are supplied by the tutor. Tickets £51.50, plus £25 payable on the day for materials.
Saturday, February 10, 10am, Stroud Subscription Rooms, GL5 1AE, tel: 01453 796880, thesubrooms.co.uk
COMMUNITY
Horsley Festival: Culture and Community Unwrapped
Horsley has a history of community-based cultural activities, and this nine-day Culture and Community Unwrapped festival follows in that tradition. The festival will include an art exhibition; an ‘In Conversation with…’ series; a range of workshops, ranging from circus skills to bow-drill fire-making; and a village music concert. There will also be a strong connection with the local environment with sessions on rare snowdrops, winter wildlife, and guided walks through Ruskin College.
February 17-25, horsleyunwrapped.org
DINING
Moveable Feast II: The Love Event
From love boats to love letters in the most romantic month, Voices Gloucester is celebrating the city’s food traditions brought in via the Docks, combined with the international flavours of Gloucester’s diverse community.
Wednesday, February 21, visit voicesgloucester.org.uk for more information.
CRAFT
Mosaic for the Garden
This is a great introduction to mosaics. Using glass and acrylic shapes on an acrylic base, you will produce a beautiful suncatcher to display outside or inside, in a window, to allow light to shine through.
Sunday, February 18, Lechlade Craft Barn, GL7 3DL, lechladecraftbarn.com
CINEMA
Romeo & Juliet
This bold new film adaptation brings to life the remarkable backstage spaces of the National Theatre in which desire, dreams and destiny collide. Featuring Jessie Buckley and Josh O’Connor. Tickets £14.
February 20 & 21, Stroud Subscription Rooms, GL5 1AE, tel: 01453 796880, thesubrooms.co.uk
ENTERTAINMENT
An Evening of Deception
Don’t miss Cheltenham’s annual sell-out magic show; this year bringing two acts direct from the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe.
February 21-24, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ, tel: 01242 572573, everymantheatre.org.uk
MUSIC
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys
Combining zany stage antics with the finest, most authentic rhythm & blues playing, the legendary King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys is always high entertainment value.
Friday, February 23, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX, tel: 01684 295074, rosestheatre.org
COMEDY
Daliso Chaponda
The Malawian-born stand-up mulls over the wisdom of age in his brand-new show, ‘Feed This Black Man Again’. Tickets £18.
Saturday, February 24, North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford, OX2 7JN, thenorthwall.com
MUSIC
Fishclaw
This band of highly-skilled musicians bring their strikingly original sound – and the dark side of folk music – to ‘Gloucestershire’s most intimate live music venue’.
Saturday, February 24, 7.30pm, Prema Arts Centre, Uley, near Dursley, GL11 5SS, prema.org.uk
WELLBEING
Forest Bathing
Join Dee Aebischer – qualified guide with the UK Forest Bathing Institute – on a mindful nature-based walking and meditation experience in Hawkwood’s woodland. Cost: £50.
Sunday, February 25, 11am-3pm, Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking, Stroud, GL6 7QW, hawkwoodcollege.co.uk
EQUESTRIAN
The Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival 2024 is the pinnacle event of the jump-racing calendar, and this year will be bigger than ever as it celebrates 100 years of the Gold Cup across the week. Guaranteed excellence, whether you join on Champion Day on Tuesday, Festival Wednesday, St Patrick’s Day on Thursday, or Gold Cup Day on Friday. Tickets from £47.
March 12-15, thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival
