Whilst combing the beaches on trips to the coast the former science teacher collects driftwood and with the addition of simple mechanisms, he creates fantastic moving stories.  The amazing Seaside Machine will deligh young and old alike.

The exhibition runs until 31st August at the Brewery Arts Centre, Cirencester.

Opening hours are between 9am and 5pm Monday – Saturday and between 10am and 4pm on Sundays.

Admission is free.

For more details visit the Brewery Arts Centre website

We have the following properties nearby:

• Yew Tree Farmhouse near Lechlade (Sleeps 14-17)
• Lakeside House, Fossebridge (Sleeps 10)
• Lodge 4 in the Cotswold Water Park (Sleeps 8)
• Meadow House, Cerney Wick (Sleeps 4)
• Isis Cottage in Somerford Keynes (Sleeps 4)
• Wishbone Cottage, Fairford (Sleeps 4 +1)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

Highlights include the Opening night Rodgers and Hammerstein Gala, The 24 year old sensational violinist Alina Ibragimova and The ‘Rush Hour’ series of concerts.

‘Musically you’ll be spoilt for choice,’ says Festival Director Meurig Bowen. ‘There aren’t many festivals around where you can hear top-rank classical musicians like Imogen Cooper, Steven Isserlis, Sarah Connolly and the Philharmonia alongside jazzers Jan Garbarek and Gwilym Simcock, prog-rock legend Robert Fripp, cabaret queens Fascinating Aida and some chanting Tibetan monks’.

The festival takes place between Friday 2nd – Saturday 17th July.  Venues are across a wide range of beautiful locations including the Pittville Pump room, Gloucester Cathedral and the brand new Parabola Arts Centre at the Cheltenham Ladies College.

For further details visit the Cheltenham International Music Festival website.

We have th following properties available around the area:

• Montpellier Villa in Cheltenham (Sleeps 10)
• The Granary in Southam, near Cheltenham (Sleeps 4)
• Top Cottage in Upper Oddington (Sleeps 7)
• The High Room in Tetbury (Sleeps 2)
• The Gatehouse in Blockley (Sleeps 2)

Click here to view all of our cottages in the Cotswolds

Each week until July 18th Imperial Gardens plays host to around 30 different local artists, featuring both contemporary and traditional styles.

During the 41st open air art exhibition visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite screen, artist or painting and at weekends there is often a band to be heard whilst relaxing in the beautiful gardens.

The exhibition is open daily from 10am – 8pm and is free to view.

We have the following proeprties nearby:

• Montpellier Villa in Cheltenham (Sleeps 10)
• The Granary in Southam, near Cheltenham (Sleeps 4)
• Elgin in Gretton Fields (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)
• Pinnock Lodge, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5 and welcomes dogs)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

Enjoy the opportunity to see Hidcote in a different light whilst the garden and shop remain open until 10pm.  Bring your own picnic food and enjoy the atmosphere or alternatively the Garden Restaurant is open until 9pm.  The plant sales centre also remains open until 9pm.

Monday 21st – Sunday 27th June
Last admission 9pm

Go to the Hidcote Manor website for more details

We have the following proeprties available this week:

• Wolds End House in Chipping Campden (Sleeps 8)
• Pinnock Lodge near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5 and welcomes dogs)
• Cleeveley Cottage near Burford (Sleeps 4 (+2))

Click here to view all of our cottages in the Cotswolds

An evening of engaging entertainment awaits those that watch the classic comedy of manners, morals and mortality at one of the following locations:

9th July – Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham – 8.15pm

10th July – Poulton House, Cirencester – 8pm

Hailes Abbey, Winchcombe – 13th July – 7.30pm

The Tuckwell Theatre, Cheltenham – 21st July – 7.30pm

Slimbridge WWT – 8th August – 7.30pm

Lodge Park, Gloucestershire – 12th August – 7pm

Tickets are between £6 and £12.  For further details see The Rain or Shine Theatre Company website

La Vie en Bleu – 29th – 30th May
Celebrate fine French automobiles at the prestigious Prescott Speed Hill Climb on Sunday.  The highlight is an appearance by the Bugatti Veyron – the fastest road car the world has ever seen – boasting a phenomenal 978bp and an unbelievable top speed of 252mph. There will also be Daleks on the hill for Doctor Who fans and the skies will come alive thanks to an aerial display by The Breitling Wingwalkers.

GWSR Festival of Steam – 29th May – 6th June
Join in the fun as the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway celebrate it’s 175th anniversary by taking it’s first visitors over the recently re-opened Stanway Bridge for the first time in three decades.  Train enthusiasts will be excited by their biggest ever display of steam locomotives, but all are sure to be impressed with the views from this viaduct.

Sotheby’s Design exhibition at Sudeley Castle – 28th May – 11th June
Sudeley Castle have teamed up with the prestigious auction house Sotheby’s to host an exciting outdoor art event this summer.  Opening this fortnight, be one of the first to view

Tetbury Woolsack Races – 31st May
A rather unique annual British event, competitors run up a steep hill in the town centre with a weighty woolsack on their back.  That’s it…I challenge you to find a more macho event this bank holiday!

Food and Farming Fun Day in Cirencester – 31st May
A fun, free day out for all the family with a farmers market, beer festival, live music, cookery demonstrations and learn from the Gloucestershire bee keepers.

If you have any time left after fitting all of these events in, an afternoon stroll finished off at one of the many fantastic country pubs in the Cotswolds with a local ale or if you’re anything like me, you can sense Pimms O’clock already!

We still have a couple of properties available over the bank holiday weekend and beyond, into the half term week:

• Top Cottage near Stow on the Wold (Sleeps 7)
• The Granary in Southam (Sleeps 4)

Click her to view all of our Cotswold cottages

The Cheltenham Operatic & Dramatic Society proudly presents the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage version of the iconic 1939 MGM classic The Wizard of Oz which originally stared the virtually unknown Judy Garland.

Tickets are available now from the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre.

Performances run from Wednesday 2nd until Saturday 5th June at the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre.  Tickets cost between £11 and £17.

We have the following properties in Cheltenham or nearby:

• The Granary in Southam (Sleeps 4)
• Montpellier Villa in Cheltenham (Sleeps 10)
• Elgin in Gretton Fields, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)
• Pinnock Lodge, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5 and welcomes dogs)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

The museum is set in the Regency townhouse where Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets was born in 1874.  The museum houses a number of mementoes, including the piano on which Holst composed The Planets, as well as pictures, books, some letters and manscripts.

As well as discovering the life and music of Holst, this fine period house illustrates the ‘upstairs – downstairs’ way of Victorian life with working kitchen and laundry, elegant Regency drawing room and charming Edwardian nursery.

Event Details:

Holst Birthplace Museum, 4 Clarence Road, Cheltenham

Friday 14th May – 6pm – 8pm

FREE

Go to the Holst Birthplace Museum website for more details

We have the following properties in Cheltenham or nearby:

• The Granary in Southam (Sleeps 4)
• Montpellier Villa in Cheltenham (Sleeps 10)
• Elgin in Gretton Fields, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)
• Pinnock Lodge, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5 and welcomes dogs)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

Full of music, comedy, cinema and workshops everyone can have a great time.  On the music front there’s plenty to choose from including:

Happy Mondays
The South (previously The Beautiful South)
The Levellers

‘You can go to festivals all over the world, but none will be quite as homely as Wychwood’. – The Independent.

Adult tickets are available from £35 for a day pass and children from £20, with under 10s free.

Go to the Wychwood Festival website for more information and to book your tickets!

The following properties are close to the Cheltenham Racecourse where the event takes place:

• The Granary in Southam (Sleeps 4)
• Montpellier Villas in Cheltenham (Sleeps 10)
• Elgin in Gretton Fields, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)
• Pinncok Lodge, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5 and welcomes dogs)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

The event will launch in Lechlade on Sunday 2nd May.  Supported by Kate Moss the Lechlade event includes jugglers and other circus acts from the brilliant Giffords Circus, live music and a commemorative church service.

The Cotswold Chef, Rob Rees will be presenting a cookery demonstration at the Fairfod event on Sunday 6th June, using produce from the stall holders.

Take advantage of a host of promotions and events running at the numerous restaurants, pubs and cafes in both Fairford and Lechlade throughout the Festival, including the critically acclaimed ‘Allium’ in Fairford, led by former OXO tower and ‘Le Manoir’ chef James Graham and the CAMRA award-winning microbrewery at the Crown Inn in Lechlade.

The 8th May sees The Trout Inn in Lechlade hosting a Traditional Country Fayre.  Support local charities and enjoying the atmosphere on the banks of the river.

For more details of the promotions and events happening throughout the festival, visit the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club website.

We have the following properties available close by to the festival:

• Yew Tree Farmhouse, near Lechlade (Sleeps 14 (+3) and welcomes dogs)
• Lodge 4, Cotswold Water Park (Sleeps 8)
• Wishbone Cottage in Fairford (Sleeps 4 (+1))
• The High Room in Tetbury (Sleeps 2)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages