Your guide to what’s on in the Cotswolds, March 2024
FAMILY
The Cheltenham Observation Wheel
Hosted by Cheltenham BID and operated by The Giant Wheel Company, this is your chance to enjoy a bird’s-eye view over Regency Cheltenham. Tickets: £8 adults; £6 children; £25 family.
until March 3, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1QA, visitcheltenham.com
EXHIBITION
The Stockroom
A diverse and exciting exhibition displaying a vibrant range of works from Pangolin’s collection, amassed over their 40-year history.
until March 16, Gallery Pangolin, Chalford, GL6 8NT, gallery-pangolin.com
EXHIBITION
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Natural History Museum’s globally renowned annual competition and exhibition, highlighting the unique and beautiful relationship between photography, science and art, returns to Wallsworth Hall. This year’s competition attracted an astounding 49,957 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 95 countries.
until April 7, Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, Main A38, Twigworth, Gloucester, GL2 9PA, natureinart.org.uk
EXHIBITION
Clay is My Canvas
An exhibition exploring a snapshot of different techniques used across ceramics that have their roots in painting and illustrations, by a select group of contemporary artists, including Nehal Aamir, Jesse Albrecht, Rafaela de Ascanio, Claire Curneed, and Emily Gibbard.
until April 7, New Brewery Arts, Cirencester, GL7 1JH, newbreweryarts.org.uk
HEALTH
Yoga & Wellbeing Retreat
A three-day retreat set on the idyllic 1,500-acre private Notgrove Estate, designed to nourish, awaken, heal and renew. £525 per person (£425 if sharing a room).
March 1-3, 9am-8.30pm, Notgrove, near Cheltenham, GL54 3BT, notgroveholidays.com
TALK
An Audience with Michael Bartlett: From Plays to Novels – 50 years of professional writing
Meet the author of My Village in the Valley and Hunting the Hornets, and hear him talk about his long career as a writer for BBC Radio Drama, Radio 4, theatre and more. £4.
Saturday, March 2, 11am, Crumps Barn Studio, 2 The Waterloo, Cirencester, crumpsbarnstudio.co.uk
EXHIBITION
Woven Imaginings: New Weavescapes by Julia Engelhardt
Julia Engelhardt works from the premise that the warp is the canvas, as she weaves beautiful abstract pieces from a plethora of materials – both conventional, such as silk and cotton, but also unconventional, like paper, steel and fique.
March 2-28, Zuleika Gallery, Woodstock, OX20 1SP, zuleikagallery.com
TALK
Alice Roberts: Crypt
Professor Alice Roberts launches the final instalment of her highly acclaimed trilogy exploring life, death, and disease in the Middle Ages and beyond, looking at the impact of incurable epidemics sweeping through Europe.
Tuesday, March 5, Cheltenham Town Hall, GL50 1QA, cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
THEATRE
Murder in the Dark
A thrilling new ghost story, starring TV and stage favourite Tom Chambers, that will have you on the edge of your seat until the final chilling twist.
March 5-9, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ, everymantheatre.org.uk
CRAFT
Linoprinting Inspired by Nature
Spend the day cutting and printing an A5 lino block, both with and without a relief printing press. Experiment with different colours, and create a small edition of your work. £75 per person (to include admission to the Centre, tools, and a £5 refreshments voucher).
Wednesday, March 6, 10am-4pm, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, GL2 7BT, wwt.org.uk
GARDENS
Garden Lecture Day
Held in historic Rodmarton Manor, the lectures will feature Troy Scott-Smith and Harris Bugg Studio, and will include a delicious two-course lunch, afternoon tea with homemade cake, and an exploration of the garden. £135.
Thursday, March 7, 10.30am-4pm, Rodmarton Manor, thegenerousgardener.co.uk
CRAFT
Craft Festival Cheltenham
Returning for its sixth year, the festival is your opportunity to buy directly from 100 of the finest designer makers from across the UK, working in jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture, glass and more.
March 8-10, Cheltenham Town Hall, GL50 1QA, craftfestival.co.uk/Cheltenham
FAMILY
Mark Thompson Spectacular Science Show
Prepare to be dazzled by a fusion of entertainment and education as the renowned astronomer and presenter brings his critically acclaimed show to the Cotswolds. Tickets £15-£17.
Saturday, March 9, 2pm, Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HU, cidermilltheatre.com
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Spring Flowers Workshop
An immersive workshop with master florist Emily Hepworth, of Persephone Violet. Enjoy a glass of bubbly before the class, followed by an afternoon tea buffet. Cost £90 per person.
Sunday, March 10, 2-5pm, Whatley Manor, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, SN16 0RB, whatleymanor.com
CHORAL
Beethoven Mass in C
One of Beethoven’s most moving works, together with a performance of Richard Blackford’s breathtaking cantata, Mirror of Perfection, performed by the 140 voices of Worcester Festival Choral Society, with a 33-piece orchestra and outstanding soloists, accompanied by Meridian Sinfonia orchestra and conducted by Samuel Hudson. Tickets £15-£27.
Saturday, March 16, 7.30pm, Worcester Cathedral, tel: 0333 666 3366, wfcs.online
ARTS
An Introduction to Botanical Illustration
Produce a beautiful botanical painting with artist Debbie Devauden. Aimed at students of all levels, from absolute beginners to more experienced artists.
Saturday, March 16, 10am-4pm, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, GL2 7BT, wwt.org.uk
TALK
More Than Just Stuff – Why Life is Better Shared with Objects
As part of Victoria Works Studios’ Words at the Works, independent curator Brian Kennedy, and ceramic and product designer and gallerist Peter Ting will be discussing their collecting lives. Tickets £10.
Thursday, March 21, 6.30-7.30pm, Victoria Works Studios, Chalford, GL6 8HN, victoriaworksstudios.co.uk
EXHIBITION
Reflection on Light
Bringing together 12 female artists, working in various disciplines, who respond to light in their practice.
March 21-April 24, Gothic House, Charlbury, OX7 3PP, branch-arts.com
GARDENS
Specialist Plant Fair and Open Garden
Held within seven acres of wild and ornamental gardens, you will have the opportunity to buy interesting and unusual plants from selected nurseries, all experts in their fields and able to offer plenty of growing advice. Sales are in aid of The Simon Rivett-Carnac Trust for mental health, and refreshments are available.
Friday, March 22, 10am-2pm, Charlton Farm, near Malmesbury, SN16 9DS, thegenerousgardener.co.uk
CRAFT
Easter Illustration Workshop
Learn key techniques to create your own watercolour illustration on this course for beginners and intermediates, with Ellie Hooi. £125.
Friday, March 22, 10am-1pm, Daylesford Farmshop & Café, GL56 0YG, daylesford.com
CHORAL
Haydn’s Creation
Burford Singers with Cotswold Chamber Orchestra will be performing Joseph Haydn’s oratorio masterpiece, The Creation, conducted by Will Dawes. Tickets £10-£25.
Sunday, March 24, 7.30pm, Church of St John the Baptist, Burford, OX18 4RY, burfordsingers.org.uk
THEATRE
Tess
A groundbreaking, feminist adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles, from award-winning circus theatre company Ockham’s Razor. Tickets from £14.
Tuesday, March 26, Oxford Playhouse, OX1 2LW, oxfordplayhouse.com
EXHIBITION
Nature’s Tapestry: Botanical Embroidery
An exhibition of work by botanical and embroidery artist Olga Prinku, combining dried and preserved flowers and other natural materials with tulle fabric.
March 29-September 30, Hidcote, near Chipping Campden, GL55 6LR, nationaltrust.org.uk
