Just a snippet of the performances, festivals and family days out taking place in the Cotswolds this month.

Cheltenham Literature Festival

2-11 October

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is the only place for book worms to be this autumn as some of the world’s greatest writers and thinkers congregate in the Imperial Gardens.

Prescott Speed Hill Climb – All American Stars and Stripes

3-4 October

The ever-popular American Stars and Stripes weekend celebrates the biggest and brashest cars this side of the Atlantic. There will be special displays from car clubs such as Pontiacs, Mustangs and Cadillacs, as well as live music from rockabilly band the Bravo Boys.

Pear Festival at Dyrham Park

3-4 October

This year’s pear harvest will be celebrated with a weekend of Perry pear related activities held by the National Trust at Dyrham Park. You’ll be able to learn all about Perry making and old Gloucestershire folklore and there are bottles of golden Perry cider or local pear juice to take home with you too.

Charity dog walk at the Bathurst Estate

4 October

Join a host of dog lovers for a charity dog walk and a unique opportunity to see one of the region’s top beauty spots, The Bathurst Estate, Cirencester Park.

Hairspray at the Malvern Theatres

5-10 October

The award-winning musical, Hairspray, will be coming to Malvern this autumn and will be featuring stars such as Tony Maudsley and Claire Sweeney. Don’t miss this all-star cast in an irresistible feel-good show that will have you smiling for days.

English Symphony Orchestra at the Malvern Theatres

8 October

The internationally-renowned English Symphony Orchestra return to their historic home in Malvern Theatres for the first time in nearly ten years for an evening of music by Elgar and Brahms featuring up-and-coming violin superstar Alexander Sitkovetsky.

Tewkesbury Mop Fair

9-10 October

Calling all thrill-seekers! The annual Mop Fair will be arriving in Tewkesbury once again for funfair rides, toffee apples and traditional game stands. As per usual, it’s set to be a fun-filled event suitable for the whole family.

Frightmare Halloween Festival at Over Farm

10-31 October

With four spectacularly spooky scare attractions, a host of live entertainment and a fully licensed bar, Frightmare is the place to be for adults who want to celebrate Halloween this year.

Autumn walks across the Cotswolds

Across October

On a crisp, autumnal day, there is nothing better than gathering the family for a stroll amongst some of the most colourful woodland the Cotswolds has to offer.

Apple and Ale Festival at the Fleece Inn

16-18 October

The Fleece Inn will be hosting its annual Apple and Ale celebrations, where festival goers can choose from over 40 ales and ciders in the Real Ale and Scrumpy Cider Tent. There will also be morris dancing, cider making demonstrations, displays and tastings and live music.

English Touring Opera (ETO) at the Malvern Theatres

22-24 October

ETO performs fully-staged and costumed new productions of Debussy’s Pelléas & Mélisande, Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann and Massenet’s Werther at Malvern Festival Theatre from Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 October.

The Showcase at Cheltenham Racecourse

23-24 October

Cheltenham’s jump racing season is starting with a bang as the leading horses, jockeys and trainers return to the racecourse for The Showcase. It’s set to be a great day out for all of the family.

Glostoberfest

24 October

Beer and sausage lovers can gather at the Guildhall for their share of Bavarian brilliance this autumn, as the inaugural Glostoberfest brings 12 real ales and a selection of tasty Bratwursts straight from the grill.

Deswall Court Halloween Party

31 October

Country retreat Dewsall Court will be welcoming Valentine Warner to host a Halloween Party, set within 15 acres of grounds in the deepest, darkest Herefordshire countryside.

Halloween at Blenheim Palace

24-31 October

There are plenty of scary goings-on to enjoy and experience at Blenheim Palace this Halloween. From spooky tours to ghoulish ghost trains, you’ll find lots of tricks and treats for a delightfully freaky family day out.

The Rugby World Cup is also taking place throughout October – find out the best pubs to watch it here!