The weekend is imminent, but there’s still time to make plans. Here are five suggestions of what to do this weekend in and around the Cotswolds
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Looking for an excuse to get out and about in the Cotswolds this weekend? Here are five suggestions from us to you...
Slimbridge Beer Festival, Gloucestershire
Saturday June 21
What better excuse for a tipple than a beer festival?
This year will be the 12th Slimbridge Beer Festival, taking place adjacent to the Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Gloucestershire.
As per tradition, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a broad selection of local and national real ales, as well as cider, wines, and real lagers. Hot and cold snacks will be available throughout the event, and live music by a number of local bands should help to get toes tapping.
There is plenty of parking space available, as well as overnight accommodation around the local area. Since this is a charity event, any donations are very welcome. Visitors can also show their support through sponsorship of a beer barrel, with the added incentive of free tickets.
For tickets and further information, visit: www.slimbeerfest.co.uk
Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Woodstock
Friday June 20-Sunday June 22
This three-day flower and garden show features over 150 floral and gardens exhibitors, a Grand Floral Marquee, garden landscapes, and lots more including food and refreshments and family activities, all set within the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace.
The 25,000 sq.ft Grand Floral Marquee forms the main centerpiece of the show. The marquee is the perfect place to speak to the experts, buy quality flowers and admire some of the best of British Gardening. There will also be leading plant nurseries and companies exhibiting in the Plant Village, and plenty of deals in the Outdoor Shopping Village, providing plenty of opportunities to find the ideal plants, tools and furniture for your garden at home.
The Indoor Shopping Village will be stacked with a variety of gift ideas, handmade crafts, locally sourced goods and unusual products many of which are not available to buy on the high street.
Visitors who work up an appetite wandering around the show can grab a bite to eat at the Fine Food marquee, where food and drink companies will be selling an array of products and offering some free tasters. There will be a variety of fine foods ranging from cheeses, meats, oil and vinegar, to chocolates and fudge as well as wine, spirits and more.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit: www.blenheimflowershow.co.uk
Chipping Norton Town Festival, Chipping Norton
Sunday June 22
Chipping Norton’s annual Town Festival returns this Sunday. Jointly run by Chipping Norton Town and the Rotary Club of Chipping Norton, there will be a full day of entertainment, local bands and guest bands, as well as vintage cars, stalls, a hog roast, refreshments, fairground rides and children’s fancy dress. The majority of money raised will go towards local charities.
For more information, visit: www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/page.php?PgID=428463&ClubID=530
Valley Under The Skin, Stroud
June 17-July 6
Part of the Slad Valley Festival celebrating Laurie Lee’s centenary, glass artist Amanda Lawrence used her camera, sketchbook and sound recorder to ‘get under the skin’ of the Slad Valley for this exhibition.
The exhibition at Lansdown Hall & Gallery in Stroud brings together Amanda’s glass sculptures with the photographs, drawings and soundscapes which inspired them, presenting a unique experience of this iconic Gloucestershire valley.
Amanda will also be running short workshops in the gallery giving visitors a taster of the glass techniques involved.
For more details, visit: www.lansdownhall.org
Nine Circles Kobudo and Taiko Drum, Snowshill Manor and Garden
Saturday June 21
Gloucester-based martial arts group Nine Circles Kobudo will visit Snowshill Manor Garden on Saturday for a display of traditional Japanese martial arts.
Snowshill Manor contains one of the nation’s most important collections of samurai armour. A number of the 26 suits collected by Charles Paget Wade are on display in the Manor and, for many visitors, the display is one of the most memorable aspects of the eclectic collection housed in the ancient Cotswold manor house. The suits are arranged theatrically according to the wishes of Mr Wade, who wanted to give the impression of a company of warriors meeting in the gloom, with their weapons and banners.
There will be a number of displays by Nine Circles Kobudo between 12 noon and 4pm in Snowshill’s terraced hillside garden. The martial artists will don traditional costumes and demonstrate a selection of the moves and techniques which feature in Kobudo, an umbrella term for Japanese martial arts that predate 1868.
This year the displays will be supported by CCS Taiko Drumming, also from Gloucester. Taiko, meaning ‘big drum’, has its origins deep in the history of Japanese culture. Drums were used in rituals and festivals to summon gods and spirits, to drive away evil forces and to instil courage and strength in the warriors.
Gosis Rumsey, Marketing Officer at Snowshill, said: “People are fascinated by the agility, skill and structure of the combat, and it is particularly dramatic when accompanied by the drums. It is a spectacle worth watching and is thoroughly enjoyed by adults and children alike.”
The normal price of admission applies and the displays are free.
For more information, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshillmanor
