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There was a time when the pub was where Britain happened. Arguments were settled in the car park or over a game of darts and spilled beer, lifelong friendships were forged and local legends born. Yet, somewhere between lockdown number whatever and the first delivery of warm Sauvignon Blanc to your doorstep, you started gradually forgetting about that pub or bar that you once frequented every Friday or Saturday night. And that's it really, we've allowed the pub, the heartbeat of the town or village, the nation's living room to wither while we guzzle chicken wine in our pyjamas and half-watch the kind of telly that we used to go to the pub to avoid, while scrolling through TikTok and Instagram. It’s been happening for years, of course. The spreadsheets will tell you it's the rise in cost of living, or healthier lifestyles, or the price of beer, or the rise of Deliveroo. And they’re all a bit right, but none of them are quite it. The truth is, we let it happen quietly, politely, as only the British can by choosing convenience over community. And yet, somehow, when these places have truly gone, we feel it. That big aching space where life used to happen. And a pub, a real pub, is not about the drink. It never has been. It’s about people. It's the somewhere to go when you’ve nowhere else to be. It’s about knowing that the world still spins, that someone remembers how you like your pint, that someone will look up and nod when you walk in. But here's the twist. Things are starting to change. There’s a new kind of pub resurgence taking place. Not a PR campaign from the soulless arms of corporate chains who think that putting “Craft” in front of lager makes it a revolution, but in the hands of chefs and locals who get it. Yes, actual chefs. The ones who once did 90 hour weeks cooking rabbit saddle in Michelin-starred kitchens, now turning up in small villages and towns to bring the boozer back to life. Let's take The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power as an example. A racing hotspot. A local legend, in fact. A place where jockeys (on their days off), trainers, stable staff, gamblers, and gentry would stand side by side screaming at one of the two televisions showing the races. And then the lease changed and so did the pub. This was followed a big brewery not understanding its heritage and then in May, like so many pubs in the UK, it closed. A couple of months on it's back open, with top chefs Nathan Eades and Liam Goff at the helm, the duo responsible for bringing The Halfway in Kineton back to life in 2023 and more recently putting The Horse and Groom in Bourton on the Hill back on the culinary map with a Bib Gourmand in their first six months of opening. In fact it's just open, but singing, literally. There were over 400 locals there on the night of their "soft launch" last week enjoying the music from local heroes Andrew James and John Neild, the owner of Splash Of Ginge who has a lager named after him in the pub. And all it needed was someone to give a damn, not just about the pub but its heritage and locals too. The horse racing memorabilia, some saved from the skip, has been reinstated to the walls. The food is comforting but clever. The drinks are local but lush with Deya Steady Rolling Man, Hook Norton and North Cotswold ales on the taps and a bar you lean on like an old friend. There's a two-hour happy hour every day for the farmers and stable staff that finish work at 4pm in the winter or are rained off in the summer and a TV showing live sport. The Hollow Bottom isn’t just a comeback story. It’s a blueprint. Because the pub is not dead, it just needs people who care on both sides of the bar. Just in the last couple of weeks, Cheltenham has seen two new openings too. The Beehive, nestled into the pretty Montpellier quarter, was always a popular pub. It's where I, and many others who live far from Cornwall, discovered Rattler. Never again. And then it closed. Weeks later it flung its doors back open with new Executive Chef Tom Rains (formerly of The Daffodil and No.3 in town) and new General Manager Richard Shakeshaft (formerly of, oh, The Beehive and back for his second stint) and a bold new vision for what proper pub food should be. The Beehive isn’t reinventing the wheel. It’s about making sure the wheel has good tread, rolls smooth, and pairs beautifully with Chef Tom's Pie of the Day, mashed potato and gravy. They have kept the same previous soul with classics on the menu. Nothing too shouty or flashy, just a real kind of pub that feels like a pub, with hearty food, proper ales and decent wines. You go to The Beehive and remember why pubs matter. Because everyone’s there from young to old, professionals to trades persons, all mix well in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with a drink in hand. Away from pubs but something equally important is Parler, Cheltenham's new high-fidelity listening bar. There are no pork scratchings or dart boards, but it plays the same role with community, atmosphere and connection at its heart. Think turntables, vinyl and cocktails that feel like they've been stirred by Marvin Gaye himself. You walk in to Parler and the world goes quiet except for the music. It’s the kind of bar Tokyo has been perfecting for 30 years, and now we’ve now got one on our doorstep that offers beautiful beer brews from the awesome folk at Deya and flaky, golden pastries and small plates from La Boulangerie Artisan. And all of this matters. Because this isn’t just about pints, cocktails and "Chef Tom's" pies. It’s about community. It’s about having a place to go when you’re toasting another orbit around the sun, or celebrating a new job, or when you just want somewhere to sit quietly with a pint of Guinness and watch the rugby. It’s where you meet people you wouldn’t swipe right on. Where you talk to strangers. It's where life happens, unfiltered. Even Jeremy Clarkson, he of farming and petrol gets it. His Farmer's Dog pub has been open for nearly a year and has been heaving since day one. He’s not doing it for kicks, he’s doing it to create a community of people coming to his pub, to support the locals who contribute to his menu and to sell his own Hawkstone beer, of course. We need to support them. Not once a year for a Christmas pint. But regularly. We take friends. We try the new place. Rain or shine. And we don't complain about the prices like it's still 1995. Because these pubs and bars can’t exist on sentiment alone. They need us, and we need them. 
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Tucked away just off the familiar rhythms of Cheltenham’s town centre, Parler™ opens its doors on Monday 28th July and with it, ushers in something altogether more refined, more deliberate, and infinitely more soulful. It is a café, yes but also a bar, a listening room, and a quietly radical act of hospitality. The kind that doesn’t shout for your attention, but earns it the moment the needle hits the groove. Parler is the kind of place that feels both beautifully new and curiously familiar, as though it has always been there, waiting for you to stumble into it on a slow Tuesday morning or an amber-lit Friday night. A place where the coffee is as considered as the cocktails, and where the soundtrack isn’t just background noise, but part of the conversation. Born from the vision of friends with an eye for detail and an ear for music, Parler is a gentle collision of cultures and eras: vintage Parisian café charm meets classic cocktail bar elegance, filtered through the grit and casual cool of a modern urban taproom. Yet it doesn’t cling to nostalgia. There’s something resolutely contemporary about it- British in its understated confidence, but with knowing nods to the jazz kissas of post-war Tokyo, where records were revered and conversations soft. The interior is a quietly cinematic scene: mid-century furniture that looks lifted from a Milanese architect’s living room, tropical greenery breathing life into corners, and street art murals that give just the right amount of irreverence. It’s all bound together by craftsmanship; bespoke cabinetry made by local artisans and hand-thrown ceramics by Cheltenham’s own Megan Burridge, and a custom vinyl sound system built not to impress, but to seduce. And then there’s the menu, which reads like a greatest hits of independent excellence. Flaky, golden pastries and small plates from La Boulangerie Artisan are served alongside cult cocktails by Four Cats, with a micro taproom pouring fresh brews from local craft beer heroes Deya. Wines come courtesy of Hackney’s Modest Merchant, all natural, expressive, and refreshingly unpretentious, while the coffee from Elsewhere in Deptford arrives as single estate and roasted with a near-academic level of precision. But it’s not just the flavours that feel curated; it’s the ethos behind them. Parler doesn’t just source, it collaborates. It elevates the local, favours the sustainable, and always finds beauty in the well-made. Of course, what sets Parler apart most of all is the music. This isn’t a venue with a playlist; it’s a venue for the playlist. The kind of place where a rare Ethiopian jazz record might drift out of the speakers in the morning, followed by a touch of ambient soul at lunch, and deep, dubby grooves as the evening takes shape. DJs are present, but never performative and less about working the room, more about guiding its tempo. The first residency features Bristol’s More Soup DJs, whose sets blend lost soul, ambient jazz and the sort of vinyl treasures that haven’t seen the light of Spotify. It’s all part of a broader philosophy: that music is something to sit with, to taste, to remember. Not loud, not brash but just beautifully present. At its core, Parler is a social space designed for slowness. Not in a sleepy or smug way, but in a way that feels almost rebellious in 2025. The name itself “Parler,”, to speak, invites conversation, and the atmosphere makes room for it. It harks back to a time when cafés weren’t coworking spaces, bars weren’t battlegrounds for attention, and music was more than a backdrop. Parler isn’t chasing trends, nor is it trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it’s doing something much harder: creating a place you’ll want to return to, again and again, because it makes you feel something. When it opens on July 28th, Parler won’t be shouting about itself. It won’t need to. You’ll hear it in the music, taste it in the coffee, see it in the detail, and feel it in the air. And once you do, you’ll wonder how Cheltenham ever managed without it. FOLLOW PARLER ON INSTAGRAM 40 Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3NX
One of the Cotswolds’ most iconic racing pubs, The Hollow Bottom, is set to reopen its doors on Friday 25th July 2025, under the experienced stewardship of chefs Nathan Eades and Liam Goff. Situated just 25 minutes from Cheltenham Racecourse in the heart of the Cotswolds, The Hollow Bottom has long been a favourite among racing fans, locals, and visitors alike. Nestled within a few miles of the legendary stables of Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies and Jonjo and AJ O’Neill Racing, the pub’s strong horse racing heritage will continue to be celebrated at its core. Eades and Goff, who already run two acclaimed pubs - the Michelin recommend Halfway at Kineton and Horse and Groom in Bourton on the Hill that was awarded a coveted Bib Gourmand in 2025 - bring with them a passion for honest food, warm hospitality, and breathing new life into beloved village pubs. “We’re incredibly proud to be taking on such an important local institution,” said Nathan Eades. “The Hollow Bottom is more than just a pub, it’s a huge part of Guiting Power and the local farming and racing community, and we’re honoured to carry that legacy forward and give the village their much-loved pub back. It’s sadly lost its way in recent years and we very much want to take it back to its glory days of yesteryear.” Guests can expect daily-changing menus with some local favourites, drinks that pay homage to the pub’s heritage, cracking wines and a vibrant warm welcome. The kitchen will be headed up by Josh Murphy, who has worked in Michelin starred establishments, including Lucknam Park near Bath and Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham. He will be supported by Nathan and Liam’s long standing chef Felipe Escoda, formerly of The Cross at Kenilworth, The Ritz and, more locally, The Wild Rabbit. he pair, alongside Operations Director Silviu Dinu, have appointed Claudio Liquori as Restaurant Manager where they all worked together at The Wild Rabbit. Miles Partridge, who has worked in pubs locally in the last few years, will be assisting and ensuring the bar runs like clockwork. Eades added “We are just very excited to get going and welcome everyone back to ‘The Hollow’ to enjoy its unique atmosphere, outstanding hospitality, and rich heritage.” “Our main aim is to put the heart and soul back into this fantastic pub, with daily happy hours, racing and other on the TV, a buzzing garden and high-quality food on the plates” The pub will open its doors on Friday 25th July 2025. For reservations, please contact the restaurant at [email protected] www.thehollowbottom.com  One of Montpellier’s most iconic pubs is making its comeback, promising the same legendary vibe that has made it so popular over the last decade or more. The Beehive Montpellier has officially reopened with a brand-new kitchen, a bold food direction, and a powerhouse team at the helm. This isn’t just a reopening – it’s a complete reset. Leading the charge is a formidable duo. Tom Rains, Executive Chef at the acclaimed Fildes Restaurant at Montpellier Wine Bar, is now taking the reins across both venues – becoming Executive Chef for Fildes and The Beehive. With a background that includes kitchens like The Berkeley, Claridge’s, L’Escargot, and Gstaad Palace, Tom brings serious culinary firepower to Cheltenham’s pub scene. At The Beehive, he’s delivering elevated comfort food with real craft: handmade pies, stacked burgers, and scratch-made sauces — done properly, with no shortcuts.
Joining him is returning favourite Richard Shakeshaft, now back as General Manager after a much-loved run at The Beehive from 2016 to 2019. With 25 years in hospitality, a passion for real ale, and a CV packed with CAMRA-recognised pubs and standout independents, Richard brings warmth, precision, and personality to the front of house. “We’re not just back — we’re better,” says Shakeshaft. “We’ve kept the soul of The Beehive, but we’ve raised the bar. Proper pints, handcrafted food, and the same buzz locals love.” thebeehivemontpellier.com  Gloucester Rugby’s 2025/26 Gallagher PREM home fixture against Leicester Tigers will be held at Aston Villa’s stadium, Villa Park, on Saturday 28 March 2026. Kick-off 1pm. The Slater Cup, named after former Gloucester and Leicester lock Ed Slater who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in July 2022, is contested between the two teams every season across each home and away Gallagher PREM fixture. This season, Gloucester’s leg of The Slater Cup will take place at Villa Park, Birmingham, with a capacity of over 40,000. The Cherry & Whites will join Saracens and Bristol as Clubs who will host a fixture away from their home stadium, as part of the ‘Big Game’ weekend, during Round 12 in March 2026. The decision to take the game to the legendary stadium is threefold, as Gloucester Rugby CEO Alex Brown explains: “Like other Clubs, we want to create new, unmissable experiences for fans, and taking a game to another venue - and a world-class one in Villa Park - is a great opportunity to do so. The facilities available will enable us to create a truly memorable day out for our loyal fan base and for those new to the sport, ultimately expanding our reach and commercial potential. “We also announced last year that, following the creation of the Men’s Progressional Game Partnerships (MPGP), our Academy had been allocated a significantly expanded geographical area, including Birmingham. While that expansion is focused on identifying and nurturing more young talent into the game, we also want to bring the professional game, the Gallagher PREM, to a new audience as part of that new footprint. Villa Park was an obvious choice to make that happen. “Finally, and arguably most importantly, the potential to sell more tickets, to bring new fans into our sport and in doing so, raise awareness of the 4ED Foundation, and the devastating impact of MND, is priority. We know fans of both Clubs, as well as the wider rugby community, are deeply connected to Ed and will show their full support come Saturday 28 March 2026.” 2025/26 Club Members will be able to claim their ticket for The Slater Cup at Villa Park, included in their membership, as well as purchase additional tickets, from 14 August, before the general sale on 28 August. Club Members will be contacted with instructions ahead of 14 August. For FAQs regarding The Slater Cup at Villa Park, click here.  The Blindside is a prestigious, members-only hospitality offering, designed for those who are looking to elevate their matchday. Situated at the top of the Malvern Tyres Stand, The Blindside offers exclusive access to a stylish new lounge for every Gloucester Rugby home game for the upcoming season. Members will enjoy access to a private bar and a carefully curated menu of homemade tapas served both pre-match and post-match. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared by our team of in-house chefs using ingredients sourced within 40 miles of Kingsholm, showcasing the exceptional quality and flavour of Cotswolds produce. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
This new lounge redefines matchday hospitality, offering elevated pre-match entertainment, exceptional comfort, and contemporary style. Hosted by a legendary Cherry & White former player, the lounge delivers an unrivalled atmosphere and connection to the Club’s proud heritage. Membership also includes priority access to the England Rugby ticket ballot. Register interest here: www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/hospitality/blindside-membership   Get ready to pack your wellies and picnic blankets as Big Feastival 2025 is back, bigger and tastier than ever! Set against the backdrop of Alex James’ farm in Kingham from 22 - 24 August 2025, the weekend is a glorious mash-up of top-tier live music, dining experiences, family fun and, of course, incredible street food. If you're there for all three days or just one, here is some of the best food that you need to try. SMITHS OF BOURTONWe couldn't start with anyone else than our fellow Cotswoldians, Smiths of Bourton. Brothers Theo and Seb have been smashing awesome burgers in their parent's old tea room in Bourton on the Water since 2020, and will be appearing at Feastival for the first time. You can expect huge flavours in their hand-pressed beef burgers made with Aubrey Allen dry-aged beef, buns from Marks Cotswold Bakery, homemade sauces and a while lot of love. www.smithsofbourton.com 
Our favourites from last year's festival, Bab Haus specialise in Mexican Street Food with a focus on pure, bold flavours and fresh ingredients. Their food is a fresh mix of authentic Mexican recipes with strong influences from LA and the West Coast. Their loaded nachos are awesome, but the Birria Taco is next level and an absolute must. www.babhausmex.co.uk 
If wild game is your thing, then you need to visit Game and Flames. Created by Cai Ap Bryn, a renowned wild food chef, hunter, and outdoor cooking expert with a deep passion for field-to-fork cuisine, Game and Flames not only caters using wild game but also sources high-quality meat from across the British Isles, supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices. Combining culinary creativity with traditional skills, Cai and his team deliver unforgettable, flame-fired feasts that reconnect people with the origins of their food www.gameandflames.com 
At Banquet 1415, you can expect delicious Beef Short Ribs to Argentine Sausage, Pork Collar and mixed grill with the famous chimichurri that will have your taste buds dancing. Insta: @banquet1415 
These guys have been a staple of Feastival for a few years and are a must if you're going this summer. Serving classic New Orleans and Regional American flavours with their and Buttermilk Fried, don't be surprised if you venture back more than once! eatpoorboys.com 
That’s It Pancit is your go-to for bold Filipino BBQ, loaded noodle bowls, and crispy fries with a twist. They're all about big u, street food vibes, and sharing the love for pancit—Filipino-style stir-fried noodles—done right. Whether it’s juicy skewers fresh off the grill, saucy pancit packed with toppings, or fries drizzled with our signature sauces, we keep it simple, fun, and full of Filipino soul. 
Inspired by classic European bistros, neighbourhood bars and cafés that have influenced Australasian culinary duo Melanie Brown and Sami Harvey, The Laundry will be bringing their masterfully slow-cooked caramelised NZ spiced pork belly, a rich and creamy Mac'n'Cheese with smoked manuka and crispy Pangrattato, as well as a BBQ Brekky Bun to kick-start your day at Big Feastival. thelaundrybrixton.com 
If, like us, you love Mexican food, you will definitely love Elote Tacos. If you are a regular at Gloucester Food Dock, you will be familiar with these guys, and they will be bringing their flavour-packed authentic Mexican cuisine to the farm for the first time in 2025. elotetacos.com 
For anyone with a sweeter tooth, look no further than Blondies Kitchen. Founded in 2016 by two blonde foodies and professionally trained chefs, Kristelle and Chelsie, the girls became obsessed with American style cookies and have taken the cookie world by storm with their unique flavours and irresistible taste. Instagram: www.instagram.com/blondieskitchen 
We absolutely love Dumplings and these hand-crafted Himalayan ones are a thing of beauty. Their usual offering includes traditional pork and leek, signature beef and their vegan ones too. 
A restaurant in London for over a decade, Chick 'N' Sours have been taking their awesome fried chicken and flavours around the UK and is just another you should be trying at Big Feastival this August. www.chicknsours.co.uk 
 The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia promises to be a blockbuster series, reigniting one of rugby’s most storied rivalries. With the Lions returning to Australian soil for the first time since their thrilling 2-1 series win in 2013, anticipation is at fever pitch. The Wallabies, under new leadership and hungry to restore pride, will be determined to seize the opportunity on home turf. After heartbreak in South Africa in 2021, the Lions will be looking to get back to winning ways under new Head Coach Andy Farrell. Australia, meanwhile, has seen a resurgence in Super Rugby form and will lean on dynamic backs and a hardened forward pack to challenge the tourists. This series is more than just a tour, it’s a clash of hemispheres, cultures, and rugby ideologies. With national pride and legacy on the line, the 2025 Lions tour is set to deliver drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments. Here are the big ones: First Test: Saturday, July 19 – Brisbane - 11am (GMT) Second Test: Saturday, July 26 – Melbourne - 11am (GMT) Third Test: Saturday, August 2 – Sydney - 11AM (GMT) Naturally, many rugby clubs will be showing the games, but here are some more places where you can watch the games locally.
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