Muddy Stilettos

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festivals-amp-music">Festivals &amp; music</h2>



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No need to get on a plane this summer, Ibiza is coming to you. <a href="https://www.summertimelive.co.uk/cheltenham">Summertime Live</a> brings its glow sticks to Cheltenham on 27 July turning the Racecourse into a giant party for one day. This year see Charlie Hedges, Shapeshifter and all the Ibiza classics, plus, 2024 has gone family-friendly, so you can bring the whole tribe too.



The super family-friendly <a href="https://wychwoodfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wychwood Festival</a> takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse from 31 May &#8211; 2 June. This year get to the front for Ocean Colour Scene, Lightning Seeds, Sister Sledge and Texas as well as as comedy, workshops and family activities. Children under 10 go free.



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<a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/music">Forest Live 2024 at</a> Westonbirt Arboretum from 4 – 12 July is peak Cotswolds fun. Set in this stunning arboretum, you get a guaranteed view and the atmosphere is chilled and friendly. This year’s line-up is really good. See Van Morrison, Nile Rodgers &amp; Chic, Anne-Marie, The Coors and Gregory Porter. Tickets start at £55, or treat yourself and upgrade to the Glade VIP ticket and get a load of VIP bonuses, such as a private bar – we’re in.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Wilderness_2023_Sarah_Louise_Bennett_03870-2.jpg" alt="WILDERNESS FESTIVAL" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wilderness</figcaption></figure>



Expect a fabulously wild party at <a href="https://www.wildernessfestival.com/">Wilderness Festival</a> in Cornbury Park, from 1 – 4 Aug (the one where David Cameron was famously spotted in the VIP tent). It’s the Soho Farmhouse of British festivals with prices to match, so if you can stomach shelling out for the gourmet F&amp;B, get set for a weekend of Cotswolds high-jinks c/o the likes of Alison Goldfrapp, Faithless and Jessie Ware before crashing out in a perfectly pitched luxury yurt. Pilates is one of many optional wellness extras, but fancy dress is compulsory. Theme tbc…



The Duke of Marlborough’s Oxfordshire seat at Blenheim Palace turns into a palatial open-air live music venue for <a href="https://nocturnelive.com/">Nocturne Live</a> from 13 – 16 June. Head to the Great Court for pop royalty: this year’s line-up includes the Sugababes, Mel C, Chaka Khan, Soft Cell and Sister Sledge. Be quick though – Sunday night (Crowded House and Sheryl Crow) has already sold out.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/04/7-6.jpg" alt="the sugababes" class="wp-image-59174" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: @sugababes Facebook</figcaption></figure>



The <a style="font-weight: bold" href="https://www.phoenix-festival.co.uk/">Phoenix Festival</a> in Cirencester is an amazing two days of music, great food and entertainment &#8211; and it&#8217;s totally free. Taking place from 26 – 27 Aug this boutique favourite takes place in the Abbey Grounds. This year&#8217;s headline acts are ‘Guns or Roses’ and (so they say) Take That tribute band &#8216;Rule the World’. On from 11am to 10pm.



<a href="https://witcombefestival.co.uk/line-up/">Witcombe Festival</a> on the edge of the Cotswolds is on from 23 – 25 Aug, this three-day festival has headlines Example on the Friday and the epic Razorlight on Saturday. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/04/7-5.jpg" alt="razorlight andy burrows" class="wp-image-59165" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: @razorlight Instagram</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://www.riversidefestival.charlbury.com/">Riverside Festival</a> in Oxfordshire&#8217;s Charlbury from 20 – 21 July is a wallet-friendly alternative to nearby Wilderness, and the county&#8217;s biggest free music festival. The bar tab (Pimms at £20 a jug and £5.50 for a pint of Cotswolds pale ale) won’t break the bank either. Muddy will raise a glass or five to that.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-an-opera">See an opera</h2>



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This is legit the least yawny opera you&#8217;ll ever see. <a href="https://lfo.org.uk/">Longborough Festival Opera</a> takes place in Moreton-in-Marsh from 16 June &#8211; 6 Aug and includes Wagner&#8217;s Ring Cycle and Puccini&#8217;s La Boheme. But no tedious warbling here (see below). Perfect for a balmy summer evening when you fancy some highbrow fun (but don’t worry there are subtitles). Order a picnic hamper and enjoy an alfresco feast with stunning views over the Cotswold hills.



Or book in to see the fantastic, modern <a href="https://www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/summer-theatre">Rogue Opera</a>, in glorious pub and hotel gardens around the Cotswolds this summer. See Carmen at the Manor House in Moreton-in-Marsh (21 July) and also at The Bear at Rodborough on Rodborough Common (13 Aug). With subtitles and live music you&#8217;ll be up close enough to see blood, sweat, tears and the vibrations in every note.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-amp-exhibitions">Art &amp; exhibitions</h2>



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The highly-anticipated <a href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/icons-of-british-fashion/">Icons of British Fashion</a> exhibition is on at Blenheim Palace until 30 June. It features a line-up of world-class designers and labels, with each fashion house taking over one of the grand rooms at Blenheim, with displays by Stella McCartney to the late Dame Vivienne Westwood. Possibly the coolest culture pitstop in the Cotswolds this summer, book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shows-amp-comedy">Shows &amp; comedy</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2018/03/Gemma-Hall-MS9-720x477.jpeg" alt="two women red velvet hats and jackets" class="wp-image-6617" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photography by Gemma Hall</figcaption></figure>



The sensational <a href="https://giffordscircus.com/book-tickets/">Giffords Circus</a> comes to towns all around the Cotswolds until late Sept. This summer&#8217;s show, AVALON by acclaimed director Cal McCrystal, has acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns from all over the world in a thoroughly family-friendly spectacle. Catch the Big Top action at Blenheim Palace (23 May &#8211; 3 June), Barrington nr Burford (25 July &#8211; 5 Aug), Minchinhampton Common (8 &#8211; 19 Aug), Stratton Meadows in Cirencester (5 &#8211; 16 Sep) and Fennells Farm, Stroud (19 &#8211; 29 Sep). There&#8217;s more clowning around c/o Tweedy&#8217;s Massive Circus (full disclosure, it&#8217;s tiny). Roll up, roll up for <a href="https://www.underbellytickets.com/tweedys-massive-circus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his July dates</a> in Cheltenham.



This one-women comedy show, all about the bonkers world of parenting, is a hoot. <a href="https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-funny-mummy/">The Funny Mummy</a> at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, from 19 &#8211; 21 Sep tackles pregnancy to playdates, WhatsApp groups to school runs. Alyssa Kyria, aka The Funny Mummy, is the co-creator of Bring Your Own Baby Comedy and performs comedy to audiences across the country. Her music videos and sketches have gone viral on Netmums and Facebook and she has starred on BBC, ITV and SKY.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foodie-festivals">Foodie festivals</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/04/1-70.jpg" alt="festival in cotswolds " class="wp-image-59262" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Feastival vibes</figcaption></figure>



Ever since Blur bassist Alex James bought a very big house in the country, he’s been throwing&nbsp;a lively annual festival for the Cotswolds crowd&nbsp;– Kate Moss is a regular. <a href="https://thebigfeastival.com/">The Big Feastival</a> in Kingham (23 – 25 Aug) is like Glastonbury but with better food. This August, expect Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons-worthy fare from Raymond Blanc’s local terroir served up with a side order of Snow Patrol.



Over in another idyllic Oxfordshire Cotswolds spot, there&#8217;s <a href="https://parkfair.uk/what-to-expect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Park Fair</a> on the Great Tew estate (21 -23 June). It&#8217;s a family friendly slice of gastro heaven with artisan street food stalls dotted among fairground rides, boutique shopping tents, a wellness village and live music. Dogs welcome too. They can hang out at the Puppuchino Bar (seriously).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoor-theatre-amp-cinema">Outdoor theatre &amp; cinema</h2>



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The Cotswolds was made for hazy evenings in a field, spritz in hand, as the curtain rises or the titles roll. 



The Alfresco Film Company has cinema screenings all over the AONB throughout the summer months. Bag a deckchair at <a href="https://www.ellenboroughpark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ellenborough Park</a>, and watch Mamma Mia! under the stars on the hotel’s picturesque South Lawn with great atmosphere,&nbsp;BBQ food and themed drinks (19 July).



For outdoor theatre-lovers, join the much-loved Handlebards at <a href="https://www.rococogarden.org.uk/news/handlebards-the-comedy-of-errors/">Painswick Rococo Garden</a> for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors like you’ve never seen before. On from 4 – 6 July, it&#8217;s a classic comedy with mistaken identity, music and manic costume changes. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather!



Want more of a Bard fix? The gardens at Broughton Castle nr Banbury (the film-set for Shakespeare in Love) will become the stage-set for <a href="https://www.broughtoncastle.com/shakespeare-in-the-garden-a-midsummer-nights-dream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream on 14 July</a> by the players at Durham Uni&#8217;s Castle Theatre Company. For Act III, Stunning Sudeley Castle is the backdrop for As You Like It, performed by <a href="https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/events/the-dukes-theatre-company-as-you-like-it">The Duke&#8217;s Theatre Company</a> on 18 August. Tickets start from just £11.55.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-quirky-amp-cool">The quirky &amp; cool</h2>



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Comic con in the Cotswolds? Yup, you heard us right. Sci-fi extravaganza <a href="https://fantasyforest.co.uk/">Fantasy Forest</a> returns for three epic days of fun from 19 – 21 July. Another summer big hitter for Sudeley Castle. It’s a weekend packed with entertainment, artisan food and drink and the craziest costumes. Festival goers can try their hand at craft workshops, dance to live music, chill out to captivating storytelling and explore the UK’s largest fantasy market.

The ultimate Cotswolds summer culture planner

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