As winter tightens its grip on the Cotswolds and festive lights flicker to life, our thoughts can't help but drift forward to gentler and warmer days. For all of us summer-loving folk, there is quiet optimism in the promise of a summer filled with long afternoons, cold drinks and sun-soaked fields.  Summer 2026 is already taking shape with an exceptional line-up of artists already confirmed across some of our favourite festivals and magical open-air venues.

Over in Kingham, Big Feastival prepares to turn Alex James’ farm into a vibrant tapestry of flavour, family, and song. This year’s early announcements land with a satisfying thud with The Streets and Bastille set to headline. Imagine the poetry of Mike Skinner drifting over the fields at dusk, each lyric a wry smile shared with the crowd, while Bastille’s soaring choruses rise like warm thermals into the late-August air. 

Among the towering bark-clad giants of Westonbirt Arboretum, the beloved Forest Live series once again promises nights that feel half concert, half woodland enchantment. Richard Ashcroft will bring a voice shaped for open skies; Fatboy Slim will transform the forest floor into a glowing celebration; UB40 will drape the evening in reggae warmth; and Deacon Blue will add their blend of melody and melancholy. To hear such iconic artists beneath Westonbirt’s ancient canopy is not merely to attend a gig, it is to step into a shared moment suspended between leaves and stars.

A new jewel joins the summer crown with the inaugural Blenheim Palace Festival, and it arrives with regal ambition. Neil Young, a master of songcraft whose music feels carved from wind and time, will stand before the palace’s grand façade. Alongside him, pop luminary Katy Perry brings technicolour spectacle, Pete Tong with his sun-soaked rhythms of Ibiza Classics, while Teddy Swims adds the velvet depth of a voice that seems to wrap itself around you. Global icon Alanis Morissette is the latest to be announced and will be joined by special guests Skunk Anansie for a summer evening destined to linger in the warm night air long after the final chord fades. Blenheim has long been a place for history; in 2026, it becomes a place for harmony too.

Cheltenham’s Wychwood Festival stirs up its usual magic on the racecourse, with the Kaiser Chiefs poised to deliver their trademark riot of energy. Few bands ignite a field quite like they do—big choruses, bigger smiles, and a feeling that summer has truly begun.

And in May, Meadow Fest heads to Cornbury Park with a line-up that reads like a love letter to British farming and golden-era indie with Cast, The Fratellis, Sleeper, and Reef filling the early-season air with riffs, nostalgia, and the kind of anthems best sung with friends under an open sky.

So while winter may be settled in around us, take heart. Music, glorious, sun-drenched, heart-thumping music, is already on the horizon, ready to fill the our fields and forests with song, sunshine, and celebration. Even on the coldest December day, that promise is enough to warm the soul.

The November Meeting descends upon Cheltenham from Friday 14 - Sunday 16 November. Three days of passion, tradition, and unforgettable racing.

This is not merely a race meeting, but a rite of autumn. It's where the season truly finds its voice. The air is sharp with anticipation, the horses are fit, the trainers keen, and the talk on every tongue is of the battles to come. This is the first great skirmish of the campaign, the moment when the curtain rises on a new chapter of dreams, deeds, and destinies.

For those who know, there is no better weekend in racing. Three glorious days when Prestbury Park becomes the beating heart of the sport. It is a meeting steeped in spirit and substance, where champions are unearthed, stories are written, and the Cotswold hills themselves seem to lean in to listen.

Billed as Racing’s ultimate weekender, the curtain rises with Countryside Day, honouring rural life and the traditions that bind sport and countryside together. Then comes Super Saturday, the roaring crescendo of competition and celebration. The biggest day of the season so far, when talent meets theatre and the air fizzes with that unmistakable Cheltenham magic. Finally, Carnival Sunday brings warmth, laughter, and community with a softer rhythm to close a grand symphony.


Friday: Countryside Day

The weekend opens in true Cheltenham style, where rural tradition meets top-class sport. It is a celebration of the fields and fences that shaped this nation, of the people and pursuits that keep those roots alive.

Arrive early to the music of hounds and horn as local packs parade before racing, a stirring prelude to the action ahead. Then join the Preview Show live from the Winner’s Enclosure, where racing legends and sharp-eyed pundits share their thoughts, their tips, and a little inside knowledge on the afternoon’s runners.

Live Music on Friday

In the Guinness Village, Cheltenham favourites LAMPA return to lift the rafters; Irish tunes, anthems, and good cheer ringing out from first race to last. As the shadows lengthen, the celebrations continue with an hour of post-racing music, the perfect encore to a day at Jump racing’s spiritual home.

In The Centaur, Tommy and The Fuse provide a softer close; an hour of acoustic tunes, mellow and reflective, perfect for easing into the evening with good company and a glass in hand.


Super Saturday

If Friday is a nod to tradition, Saturday is a roar to the heavens. Super Saturday is the beating heart of the meeting, when the sport reaches its peak and the grand amphitheatre of Cheltenham thrums with life. The Paddy Power Gold Cup takes centre stage, the biggest race of the season so far, steeped in history and local pride. Claimed many a time by the shrewd hands of Cotswold trainers, this year could well see another local champion emerge.

Before the racing begins, the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Parade graces the Parade Ring, a moment of quiet dignity amid the anticipation. Here, former champions return not in competition, but in celebration of life after racing. Last year’s parade featured the likes of Bristol De Mai, Coneygree, and Pineau de Re, each one a name etched into racing folklore, each now thriving in a new arena.

Live Music on Super Saturday

As the light fades and the final cheers drift over the course, the celebration continues. The Guinness Village comes alive once more with LAMPA.

You can catch Richard James in the Tattersalls Sales Arena Bar between races and post racing. The latter set will sure to raise the roof.

Over in The Centaur, the afterparty continues with an hour of feel-good acoustic tunes that’ll have you swaying along and soaking up the last bits of what is sure to be a fantastic day.
​

Carnival Sunday

After the fire and frenzy of Saturday, Carnival Sunday arrives with a softer step but no less joy. 

Offering top-class racing in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, the day features six thrilling races, Shetland pony racing, and a lively mascot race, a programme designed to delight racegoers of every age. It is a true celebration of Cheltenham, the perfect finale to a weekend alive with sport and spirit.

The Shetland Pony Race

Tiny, spirited, and full of energy, the Shetland Pony Race returns at 12:10 on Sunday. A beloved highlight of The November Meeting, it thrills both children and adults alike. Ridden by promising young talent, each pint-sized competitor dashes for glory, and onlookers may just witness a future champion make their very first mark on Cheltenham’s turf.

Sue Ryder Mascot Race

Returning for 2025, the Sue Ryder Mascot Race brings Gloucestershire’s most spirited two-legged athletes together in a lively, good-hearted contest. Each mascot aims to raise £1,000 for the Sue Ryder Charity, supporting their vital hospice care and grief services. Who will claim the 2025 Mascot Cup and take the spoils in this fun, fiercely contested highlight of Carnival Sunday?

‘The Cadbury Family Fun Zone’

Cheltenham have teamed up with Cadburys for ‘The Cadbury Family Fun Zone’ and the fun includes:

• Stage shows from Fool's Delight Circus
  
• Flower crown and feather headdress making
  
• Face painting and glitter tattoos
  
• Party Peeps interactive shows and end-of-day disco
  
• Inflatables
  
• Walking pet balloons
  
• Arts and crafts
  
• Character meet and greet - meet the Minions, Freddo frog and The Sour Patch Kids

Live Music

Around the course, the festivities continue. Gather in the Guinness Village with a pint of Guinness, where traditional Irish melodies fill the air. While in the Tattersalls Sales Arena, Luke Gittins and Ash Smith lift the crowd with uplifting favourites, the soundtrack to a day that brims with life, laughter, and racing magic.
​

Under 18s Go Free

For younger racegoers, the welcome is generous with Under 18s going free. Children’s tickets can be reserved via the ticketing page, giving the next generation a chance to experience the thrill of a Cheltenham weekend alive with life, tradition, and exhilarating racing.

For tickets and any further information, please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-november-meeting

Elevate your day in The Mandarin Restaurant

The Mandarin has an easy warmth about it. It’s styled more country pub than a corporate hospitality suite; relaxed, comfortable, and pleasingly unpretentious. There are tables for singles or couples, larger ones for groups and booths for a slightly more private get together. Once seated, that table is yours for the whole day and you can come and go as you please. Wander out and about to watch the horses in the Parade Ring (literally just outside the door), drift around the course watching the races from the rails, or simply stay put with a glass of wine in hand and watch the races unfold on one of the screens around the restaurant or from its own outside viewing area. And the real magic? The three courses of lunch arriving precisely when you desire, allowing the afternoon to linger at your own pace.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Cheltenham has always had a rich cultural pulse, but over the past year, one event has quietly become the town’s must-see secret: Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy. Equal parts cabaret, chat show, and late-night adventure, it’s an evening where music, comedy, and conversation collid, and where nothing is quite what you expect.

After a spectacular 2025, Dom Joly is back with the first SpeakeaZy dates of 2026: Thursday 15th January, Thursday 5th February, and Thursday 5th March at The Steam & Whistle. Tickets for these are on sale now.

Unlike most shows that chase the capital, SpeakeaZy was created in Cheltenham, for Cheltenham. “Curating this show in my hometown has been an absolute joy,” Joly says. “It’s thrilling to invite friends, artists, and heroes I admire to perform. I wanted to add something fresh to the town’s entertainment scene—and judging by the reaction, it’s worked!”

Every night is unique. SpeakeaZy blends tales from Dom’s three decades in showbusiness with live performances that range from the hilarious to the heartfelt. Previous guests have included stand-up icons Seann Walsh and Jenny Éclair, music from Babybird, The Bluetones, and Leisure Society, and rising stars like Tom A Smith, whom Elton John hailed as “a massive star for the future.” Local talent, too, shines on the SpeakeaZy stage, with artists such as Saint Senara bringing a distinctly Cotswolds flavour.

The show’s charm lies in its unpredictability. October’s edition featured The Rt. Hon. Alex Chalk KC, former Lord Chancellor and Cheltenham MP, delivering an unusually candid political tête-à-tête with a spirited audience. And Dom hints that 2026 will hold surprises for sports fans as well—analysis and stories you’ll never see on TV.

The venue, The Steam & Whistle, adds to the evening’s charm. Doors open at 4pm for artisan pizzas and drinks, with pizza slices available from 6pm, before the 7.30pm show. With a relaxed interval and a bar that stays open for post-show drinks, it’s the perfect night out for locals and visitors alike.

SpeakeaZy isn’t just a show, it’s a celebration of Cheltenham itself: intimate, exhilarating, and just a little bit mischievous. Whether you’re there for the music, the comedy, or just to see what might happen next, Dom Joly promises evenings you won’t forget.

Tickets for the January, February, and March dates are available HERE.

Whether in October’s gold or March’s first green, there's always something special about a day at Cheltenham. The air has that unmistakable energy, a hum of excitement and murmur of anticipation before the first race that seems to roll off Cleeve Hill itself. 

A crisp wind sweeps the course, bringing tweed back into fashion, and the faint threat of rain makes our booked hospitality in The Mandarin Restaurant feel all the more inviting.

The Mandarin has an easy warmth about it. It’s styled more country pub than a corporate hospitality suite; relaxed, comfortable, and pleasingly unpretentious. There are tables for singles or couples, larger ones for groups and booths for a slightly more private get together. Once seated, that table is yours for the whole day and you can come and go as you please. Wander out and about to watch the horses in the Parade Ring (literally just outside the door), drift around the course watching the races from the rails, or simply stay put with a glass of wine in hand and watch the races unfold on one of the screens around the restaurant or from its own outside viewing area. And the real magic? The three courses of lunch arriving precisely when you desire, allowing the afternoon to linger at your own pace.

​Lunch began with our chosen starters, Salt and Pepper Squid and the Martell Double Gloucester Cheese Soufflé. 

The squid arrived looking far smarter than squid really has any right to, laid out on a little bed of leaves, golden and glistening in all the right places. The coating was thin, crisp, and gave way to the tender flesh beneath. A few curls of pickled red chilli brought the right flicker of heat, just enough to wake it up without becoming too shouty. It was as close to impressive as a plate of squid ever gets.

The soufflé, meanwhile, was a triumph, both in look and taste. Light, airy, and beautifully soft, it carried the rich flavour of the cheese with effortless charm. The Stowford Press cider apple chutney lent a gentle sweetness that sang in harmony, while the toasted honey seeds offered a subtle crunch.

​After taking in a race from the rails opposite the final hurdle, we strolled back to the restaurant for our mains.

The Supreme of English Chicken took us a little by surprise and quietly stole the show. The meat was perfectly tender, the tender stem broccoli made us feel better about ourselves and the potato dauphinoise added just the right creamy richness without feeling heavy. A Glastonbury Tor goat’s cheese bonbon offered a gentle tang, while the chimichurri brought a fresh lift that pulled it all together.

The 28-day aged Rib-Eye was equally impressive; bold, confident, and cooked rare, though you can, of course, request it more done if you prefer. Full of flavour, it was paired with thick-cut chips that were crisp, fluffy, and some of the best we’ve ever tasted. The onion rings were self-assured circles of crunch and the tomato added a gentle sweetness. But let’s be honest, the meat and chips were the stars here.

Throughout the afternoon, the restaurant carried an easy rhythm. Guests drifted in and out between races, there were cheers and groans from those watching the screens, and the sound of the Cheltenham crowd floated in from outside. 

We shared a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (priced at £34.50 which we didn't think was actually too horrendous) that was bright, crisp, and perfectly pleasant. We're not entirely sure why The Mandarin doesn’t serve wine by the glass, but in the spirit of the day, the bottle was hardly a problem. 

Dessert made a perfectly polite exit from the meal, but in the best possible way. The Selection of British Cheeses was just right with no huffing, puffing, or pretence, just cheese behaving exactly as it should. The Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding, meanwhile, was the sort of warm, gently sweet thing that makes you sigh in approval. The apple added a touch of balance, the honeycomb crisp added a different texture and a scoop of salted caramel ice cream melted lazily and eventually feel off its tower into the sauce.

All told, a lunch at The Mandarin is the sort of thing that quietly transforms a day at the races. You’re not just watching horses, you’re settling in, eating well, drinking something decent, and drifting in and out of the action without ever feeling hurried. It’s a clever way of elevating your raceday and the sort of indulgence that makes a day at Cheltenham even more enjoyable and entirely worth doing.

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/hospitality/restaurant-packages/the-mandarin-restaurant

After only just waving goodbye to the warmer days of 2025, summer 2026 is already shaping up nicely with Wychwood Festival dropping its first big name.

Indie legends Kaiser Chiefs will headline Saturday night, 30th May, bringing their riotous energy (pun very much intended) to Cheltenham Racecourse for the festival’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

After its biggest-ever year in 2025, Wychwood is well and truly cemented as the Cotswolds’ ultimate summer curtain-raiser. Each year, thousands flock to the Racecourse for three glorious days of music, comedy, family fun and a few pints under the sun, and 2026 looks set to raise the bar yet again.

Headlining in the shadows of Cleeve Hill, the Kaiser Chiefs will belt out all the big ones; ‘Ruby’, ‘I Predict a Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ and ‘Never Miss a Beat’. Expect frontman Ricky Wilson to charm the crowd with his trademark energy and quick wit, as one of Britain’s best-loved live bands take centre stage once more.

It’s a fitting choice for a festival that knows exactly how to get a field full of families, friends and free spirits singing together. Following a record-breaking 2025 featuring Doves, James, Shed Seven and more, Wychwood has proved itself to be the little festival that punches well above its weight.

Festival Director Graeme Merifield couldn’t be more excited:

“After such an incredible milestone year in 2025, we wanted to come back with something really special. Kaiser Chiefs know how to unite a crowd and bring pure joy to a festival field — it’s going to be a moment to remember.”

With half of all camping tickets already snapped up, under-10s going free, and unbeatable weekend ticket prices, it’s clear the Wychwood faithful are ready for another unforgettable weekend.

So, dust off your wellies, gather the gang and prepare to raise a glass to 20 years of one of the friendliest, most feel-good festivals in the country.

Wychwood Festival 2026 takes place 29th–31st May at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Priority tickets are available from 10am, Thursday 16th October, before the general sale at 10am Friday 17th October.

www.wychwoodfestival.com/buy-tickets

Cheltenham’s dining scene continues to evolve, and its latest addition brings something altogether new. COALHOUSE, a smokehouse and taproom created by chef-restaurateur Lewis Spencer and co-owned by Jay Rahman of Prithvi, promises to add depth, warmth and a touch of smoke to the town’s food landscape.

At its heart lies the philosophy of “Brew & Que”- the simple but irresistible idea of live-fire cooking paired with excellent local brews. The inspiration draws from the fire pits of the United States and the bold flavours of Mexico, but the execution will feel firmly rooted in Cheltenham.

Expect dishes led by the smoker; slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork, flame-charred vegetables, each imbued with that unmistakable smokiness which only time and wood can achieve. This is food designed for sharing, generous in both flavour and spirit, with the emphasis on comfort rather than ceremony.

Alongside the food sits an equally important element: the taproom. The bar champions craft beers and ciders from local breweries, with a rotating selection designed to complement the food. A hoppy pale ale with ribs, perhaps, or a crisp cider to cut through the richness of tacos, each pairing is considered, without being overthought.

The atmosphere is intended to be lively and welcoming; less formal restaurant, more gathering place. Music, conversation and the comforting aroma of smoke will define the experience, creating somewhere to settle in for an evening with friends as much as to enjoy a quick bite and a pint.

With Spencer’s expertise in live-fire cooking and Rahman’s proven eye for creating standout dining destinations, COALHOUSE is set to become a distinctive new fixture in Cheltenham. A place where the focus is on flavour, sociability and craft – all the right ingredients for a restaurant the town will quickly make its own.

Where & when:
​32-34 Clarence St, Cheltenham GL50 3NX
17.10.2025

There are few spectacles in sport that can match Cheltenham in March. The Cheltenham Roar, the finest jump horses on earth, and enough tweed to upholster the Cotswolds twice over. Yet even the Home of Jump Racing knows that greatness isn’t achieved by standing still.

​For 2025/26, Cheltenham Racecourse is sharpening its act once more, with a series of enhancements designed to ensure The Festival remains as memorable as it is magnificent.

“This is about evolution, not revolution,” says Chief Executive Guy Lavender, who has wasted no time in stamping his vision on Prestbury Park. “Our goal is simple: world-class racing at a world-class venue.”

Breathing Room, Not Bustling Crowds
This year’s Festival will welcome fewer racegoers each day – a deliberate reduction from 68,500 to 66,000. It may not sound dramatic, but anyone who has ever tried to elbow their way through a soggy bottleneck in Tattersalls will appreciate the difference. Space, after all, is a luxury.

Pints and Prosecco
In news guaranteed to bring a cheer almost as loud as the roar itself, the price of Guinness is going down. Yes, back to £7.50 a pint – a rare case of racing history repeating itself in the punter’s favour. Spirits follow suit with reductions of their own, and Prosecco joins the line-up for the first time for those looking to toast their winners in sparkling style.

Removal of Drinks Restrictions
After a successful trial run last season, Cheltenham has done the decent thing and lifted the final drinks restrictions in the Club Enclosure for 2025/26. In short, you may now wander the course pint in hand without fear of being corralled. The change not only makes for a more civilised flow of racegoers (and shorter queues at the bar), but also restores a sense of freedom that pairs rather well with a Guinness. The only corners of the course where a glass remains unwelcome are those reserved for Officials​.

New Homes for Old Favourites
Hospitality also gets a lift. The Tented Village will boast a new covered food court, while the Cottage Rake and Mill House bars are reborn as the stylish Prestbury View. The Green Grazer food hall will champion local produce – a nod to both sustainability and the Cotswolds’ rich culinary heritage.

Sharper Sound, Smarter Screens
Gone are the days of muffled commentary or squinting at the big screen. A state-of-the-art PA system promises crystal-clear race calls, while upgraded Racecourse TV will deliver more data, more insight, and more drama straight to your eyes and ears.

Ladies Day Returns
Wednesday of The Festival sees the return of Ladies Day for the first time since 2019. Think £10,000 in Style Awards prizes, fashion partnerships with Debenhams and Holland Cooper, and the sort of glamour that turns Cheltenham’s enclosures into catwalks with a soundtrack of hooves.

Value, From Ticket to Pillow
Cheltenham is also taking the sting out of logistics. Tickets once again start from £35 if booked early enough, with extended discount windows to keep costs sensible. The “Room to Race” initiative expands, working with more hotels to tackle the notorious Festival price hike.

Cheltenham is already the sport’s crown jewel. But Lavender’s direction makes clear that it intends to sparkle a little brighter each year. More space, sharper facilities, a cheaper pint, and the return of Ladies Day.

After all, The Festival isn’t just about four days of racing. It’s about four days of being part of something utterly, unmistakably special.

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival

There is something about the turning of the leaves in the Cotswolds that makes a racing person’s pulse quicken. The mornings grow sharper, the gallops glisten with dew, and from every stable yard drifts that intoxicating mixture of steam, sweat and hope.

The Cotswolds has always been more than a backdrop: it is the very heartbeat of jump racing. Wander the lanes around Naunton or Guiting Power and you may well be passing future champions in the making, ears pricked against the autumn breeze. The names of past heroes are written into the very soil and on the walls at The Hollow Bottom, but the real joy is that each fresh season arrives bearing its own mysteries, its own cast of characters waiting to burst from unknowns to festival hopefuls. And how lucky we are that the Cotswolds, with its trainers of genius and horses of great promise, remains the stage upon which this marvellous old drama continues to unfold.

The wonderful Paul Ferguson has once again given us his 10 horses from local Cotswold yards to follow for the 2025/26 season. 

​Now in its 19th year of publication, Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow is an essential guide for any racing enthusiast and available to purchase now. It includes leading prospects for the season ahead, a focus on Irish contenders, views from leading jockeys and lots more. And most importantly, multiple winners are identified. 
​
​

​This year’s list is a little O’Neill-heavy, with five of the 10 selections trained by Jonjo & A J. I make no apologies, however, as I expect the training duo to enjoy a fruitful campaign and this Grade 2-winning novice hurdler can be expected to improve for the switch to fences this winter. A winner at Carlisle and in Sandown’s Winter Novices’ Hurdle, he started last season with a flourish and should develop into a Graded-class performer over fences. Whilst he is likely to start off over an intermediate trip, I would expect him to be back up to 3m or thereabouts before too long. He remains exciting and whilst testing ground might not be essential to him, he copes with it when others can’t.
​
​

​Down on numbers in recent seasons, it is pleasing to see Tom George with another exciting prospect on his hands, in the shape of this imposing Walk In The Park mare. An impressive 9½-length maiden Point winner, she cost her current connections £280,000 at Cheltenham last December and duly started to repay that hefty sum when winning a Newbury bumper in fine style. A three-parts sister to former Welsh Champion Hurdle and Betfair Hurdle winner Glory And Fortune, the five-year-old looks capable of making her presence felt at a decent level in the mares’ novice hurdle division.
​
​

​The first of three Point-to-Point recruits to have joined the Jackdaws Castle team, this five-year-old was actually in training with the O’Neills during the second half of last season but didn’t make it to the track due to drying ground in the spring. Runner-up to Clay Pigeons at Boulta last December on his second start (fell on debut), the winner went on to win a Point-to-Point bumper at Cork and this full-brother to Blue Baloo (winner of a bumper and over hurdles for Sandy Thomson) will carry the silks of Dan Walker (owner of Bill Joyce). Given that he is now five, I would expect him to go straight over hurdles.

​

​A four-year-old who made a winning debut in a maiden at Loughbrickland in March, he is by one of the sires of the moment in Poet’s Word and was bought for £305,000 at Aintree, on the back of a 2-length success. He moved well through that race and the front two pulled a long way clear in a quick time. He is now in the ownership of JP McManus.
​
​

​Won three times over hurdles last season for Ben Pauling and JP McManus, before finishing a close-up third in the EBF Final at Sandown, having looked the most likely winner when taking over on the run to the final flight. Up 5lb to a mark of 133 for that reversal, the five-year-old can be expected to make a big impact in the novice chase division. Pauling won Grade 1 novice chases with both The Jukebox Man and Handstands last season and whilst it would be asking a lot for the Watar gelding to reach those lofty heights, he can be expected to continue his upward trajectory after just four starts under Rules.
​

​A dual bumper winner the season before last, he made the perfect start to his hurdling career at Aintree last November, winning in a canter over 2m4f. Forced to miss the majority of the season, he returned to action at the Grand National meeting and despite a 146-day ​lay-off and his undoubted inexperience, he ran a huge race in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, looking all over the winner as he cruised to the front two out. A mistake at the last didn’t help but he tired quickly on the run-in, suggesting that the interrupted preparation might have caught up with him. With that in mind, I was a little surprised to see him take his chance at Perth just 19 days later and having never travelled, I would be happy to put a line through that performance. Now rated 136, he will be of interest in either staying handicap hurdles to begin with, or if he is sent straight over fences, as he remains a high-class prospect, capable of winning at a Graded level at some stage.
​
​

​Disappointed in the Baring Bingham at the Cheltenham Festival, he had earlier looked hugely promising when winning at Leicester and Huntingdon, before completing the hat-trick – at the expense of Potters Charm (another bright prospect from the area) – in the Classic Novices’ Hurdle on trials day. The six-year-old son of Affinisea finished runner-up in an Irish Point before joining Ben Pauling (moved to Fergal O’Brien last summer) and won a Sandown bumper impressively on his Rules debut back in February of last year. Set to go novice chasing, he looks to be another exciting recruit to the division and although he should stay 3m, I would expect him to start off over an intermediate trip.
​
​

​A winner at the second attempt between the flags in Ireland, he created a really good impression when winning a Market Rasen bumper on decent ground, scampering right away from Espresso Milan, who wasn’t disgraced at the Punchestown Festival on his next start. The Twiston-Davies team resisted the temptation of running the five-year-old in Grade 2 company at Aintree and the son of Muhtathir can be expected to develop into a very nice novice hurdler this season. Given that the stable tends to hit the ground running, he could be one to note in the early part of the season.
​
​

Another winning Irish Pointer, the son of Kayf Tara beat just two finishers at Tallow in February but did so in devastating fashion and recorded a very quick time in the process (fully 36 seconds quicker than Hitintheheadlines who won the four-year-old maiden on the same card and is now in the care of Dan Skelton). Already five, he is another who could embark on a hurdling campaign straight away and forms what appears to be a very strong team of exciting young horses at Jackdaws Castle.
​
​

​Another for the novice chase division, he is rated just 128 at present so is likely to reappear in a novices’ handicap. Pulled-up when last seen – in the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso – he had earlier looked exciting in beating George’s Lad (won next time and now also rated 128) and Rubber Ball (won his next two and again, now rated 128) at Huntingdon, before defying a penalty in a weaker race at Ludlow. Still quite green last season, he will hopefully mature with experience and remains a horse of considerable potential.

The nights draw in over Prestbury Park with a sense of anticipation that would warm the bones of the coldest soul. As the shadows lengthen across Cleeve Hill and the first breath of autumn mist curls over the paddocks, it can only mean one thing: the jumpers are back, and Cheltenham once more takes its place as the beating heart of the National Hunt game.

No other place stirs the spirit in quite the same way. Flat racing may have its silks and splendour, but the raw honesty of Cheltenham, the thunder of the hooves, muddy goggles, steam rising off a chaser’s flanks and the roar of a crowd is something that gets into the blood. The course is a theatre, and the drama played out upon its famous turf is nothing short of life itself: triumph, despair, courage, and above all, the sheer nobility of the horses.

This season promises all the ingredients that makes Cheltenham the Mecca of our winter game. Old warriors return, new pretenders lie in wait, and the whispers from the gallops are enough to stir that delicious mixture of hope and doubt that keeps us coming back year after year.

The Showcase is the unfurling of the first page in Cheltenham’s great winter tale, the raising of the curtain on a season that will carry us from the mellow fruits of autumn through to the bursting daffodils of spring. On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October 2025, the Home of Jump Racing will once more echo to the rolling percussion of galloping feet, the skipped heartbeats at the last obstacle and that unmistakable hum which only Cheltenham can conjure.

For many, this is less a return to a racecourse than a pilgrimage home. A mingling of fresh expectation and the fond familiarity of old friends reunited make The Showcase a tonic for the soul. Seven fiercely contested races on each day ensure the atmosphere is set ablaze from the first fall of the starter’s flag. This is the first sip of the vintage to come, and it tastes all the sweeter for having been missed all summer.

Friday is the true start of Cheltenham’s grand campaign, a day when form and anticipation walk arm in arm. It is a chance to reacquaint oneself with the greats of the sport, both equine and human, spot the seedlings of future stars, and enjoy that first tantalising glimpse of the narratives that will carry us through the season ahead. The form book may remain light, but the air itself feels heavy with promise.

Another seven races await us on Saturday, each offering not only fierce competition but early clues as to who might flourish throughout the winter months. These are the first brushstrokes on the season’s canvas, painted in mud, muscle, and courage

When the last race is run, The Centaur awaits, where the band Mojo will bring proceedings to a rousing close with songs that lift the heart and loosen the voice, ensuring the day ends in full chorus.

Younger race-goers can enjoy a fun activation zone, where they'll have the chance to ride around the home of jump racing with the ultimate VR experience and have their photograph taken with the Gold Cup, and as is now a Cheltenham tradition outside of the Festival, under-18s race free.

The Showcase is no mere meeting. It is the ignition spark, the rekindling of the old flame and the long-awaited fanfare that announces: the jumpers are back, and all roads now lead to March. It is about more than just winners and losers, it's the thrill of the horses, the roar of the crowd and the clink of glasses among old friends. The curtain lifts, the play begins anew, and the great drama of another Cheltenham season is ready to be written.

BUY TICKETS FOR THE SHOWCASE

Cheltenham has never been short of cultural offerings, but every now and again something new comes along that immediately feels like it belongs. Since its launch in April, Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy has become one of the town’s most sought-after nights out. Part cabaret, part comedy, part live music, the monthly show has sold out every date so far, creating a buzz that has spread well beyond Gloucestershire.

Now, with summer behind us, Joly has confirmed the final three dates for 2025; Thursday 2nd October, Thursday 6th November, and Thursday 4th December, each hosted at The Steam & Whistle, Cheltenham’s newly refurbished Victorian pub by the station. 

A Homegrown Hit

SpeakeaZy is very much Joly’s love letter to his hometown. Known nationally for the outrageous stunts of Trigger Happy TV, here he offers something more personal: an evening that blends sharp humour with live performances and candid conversations. Each night feels spontaneous and unrepeatable, with stories from Joly’s thirty years in showbusiness woven together with appearances from an eclectic line-up of guests.

The format is fluid. A typical show might feature Joly sharing tales from his travels, chatting with a guest about their own journey, then handing the stage over to a stand-up comic or a rising musician. The result is a night that feels intimate, informal, and brimming with character.

A Guest List Full of Surprises

The mystery surrounding the performers is part of the thrill. Audiences have already been treated to the anarchic humour of Seann Walsh, the sharp wit of Jenny Éclair, and the raw talent of Tom A. Smith, hailed by Elton John as a future star. Beyond that, the names remain under wraps, keeping anticipation high and speculation even higher.

The Steam & Whistle

The choice of venue has been central to the show’s success. The Steam & Whistle, a short walk from Cheltenham Spa station, offers an ideal backdrop with its atmospheric basement space for 200 guests. Intimate yet vibrant, it allows the audience to feel part of the action. The courtyard provides a place to gather before the show, while the artisan pizzas and excellent drinks menu have quickly become part of the experience.

Independent venues like this are rare, and SpeakeaZy makes full use of everything it has to offer. It is live entertainment at its most unfiltered, supported by a team who understand the value of keeping things local and distinctive.

Trigger Happy turns 25

2025 also marks the 25th anniversary of Trigger Happy TV, the hidden-camera series that first propelled Joly into the spotlight. To celebrate, he is taking a new Trigger Happy show on tour across the UK, with dates in London, Birmingham, and beyond.

Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy: Final 2025 Dates

Thursday 2nd October
Thursday 6th November
Thursday 4th December at

The Steam & Whistle, Cheltenham

TICKETS: https://www.domjoly.tv/dom-jolys-speakeazy

Artisan pizzas & bar from 5pm last pizza orders 6.50pm, show starts 7.30pm, bars stay open after the show. Please note seating is SpeakeaZy style, first come first serve so arrive early

As the Cotswolds dons its autumnal cloak, Cheltenham Racecourse readies itself for a season of thrills, spills and unforgettable drama.

The crisp air carries the patter of hooves and the roars of well-heeled spectators, with every meeting offering the perfect balance of excitement and emotion, where silks flash across the turf and every finish tells a story.

THE SHOWCASE
​24-25 OCTOBER 2025

THE NOVEMBER MEETING
14-16 NOVEMBER 2025

THE CHRISTMAS MEETING
12-13 DECEMBER 2025

NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 JANUARY 2026

FESTIVAL TRIAL'S DAY
24 JANUARY 2026

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
10-13 MARCH 2026

THE APRIL MEETING
15-16 APRIL 2026

RACE NIGHT
1 MAY 2026

You can find information and tickets for each race meeting HERE.

This autumn, Cheltenham will once again become the beating heart of the literary world as The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival returns from 10 - 19 October. For ten days, more than four hundred events will fill the Regency town with the voices of celebrated novelists, poets, historians, political thinkers, chefs, comedians, actors and musicians, alongside the most exciting new talent in publishing. Now in its eighth decade, the Festival remains the world’s longest-running celebration of the written and spoken word. This year continues its Read the World theme, bringing together international voices both in person and online to explore some of the most pressing issues of our time, from the reach of big tech and the fate of free press in Afghanistan to breakthroughs in longevity research and the shifting boundaries between sickness and health.

Familiar literary greats will share the stage with fresh and trailblazing voices. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will receive The Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence and discuss her decade-in-the-making novel Dream Count. Ian McEwan will present his speculative new work What We Can Know, and audiences will hear from celebrated international authors including Sayaka Murata, Bora Chung and Andrew Walden. Closer to home, Richard Osman returns with the fifth instalment of The Thursday Murder Club, Mick Herron delivers another twist-laden spy story, and Jojo Moyes explores the chaos of family life in We All Live Here. The relaunch of the much-loved Big Read will unite book lovers around British-Cambodian author Kaliane Bradley’s acclaimed debut The Ministry of Time, while the Festival’s New Voices programme introduces this year’s most talked-about debuts and the ever-popular proof parties offer a tantalising preview of next year’s literary stars.

The Festival has always been about more than books, and this year is no exception. The Nook on Five, Cheltenham’s rooftop restaurant, will host dining experiences with Nigel Slater and Matt Tebbutt and an afternoon with The Times food critic and columnist Giles Coren and Esther Walker who will be doing a live recording of their hit podcast Giles Coren Has No Idea. Dunkertons Taproom will provide a lively mix of spoken word, music, tastings and debates. Art lovers can look forward to Martin Parr in conversation, David Shrigley’s singular take on creativity, and Andrew Graham-Dixon’s fresh insights into Vermeer. History enthusiasts can immerse themselves in Tudor intrigue with Tracy Borman, explore the legacy of D-Day with Max Hastings, or reflect on the Silk Roads with Peter Frankopan. The Times food critic and columist Giles Coren and Esther Walker will be doing a live recording of their hit podcast Giles Coren Has No Idea, where audiences can watch the couple's hilarious kitchen routine unfold.

For families, the Return to Wonderland programme will enchant visitors with free storytelling, arts and crafts and the chance to meet the Mad Hatter in celebration of 160 years of Alice in Wonderland. Comic workshops, a new Comic Corner and the youth-focused VOICEBOX stage, offering a free programme for audiences aged 18 to 30, reflect the Festival’s commitment to accessibility and inspiration across generations. Meanwhile, conversations on current affairs promise to be as lively as ever, with Nick Clegg, Jens Stoltenberg, Cass Sunstein and Saad Mohseni among those addressing AI, geopolitics, ageing, masculinity and media manipulation. The 10th anniversary of Brexit will be marked with reflections on the forces that shaped it, while debates on democracy, identity politics and the shifting global order will offer fresh perspectives.

Classic literature will be celebrated with events marking Jane Austen’s 250th birthday and reappraisals of D.H. Lawrence, while Michael Morpurgo reflects on a lifetime of storytelling. Amy Jeffs will blend live music, illustration and myth in a reimagining of British ballads. Food and drink will be woven throughout the programme, from Tim Siadatan’s Tuscan-inspired dinner with Amber Guinness to Julia Bradbury’s health-focused dining event, and from Indian culinary explorations with Roopa Gulati and Romy Gill to an artisan cheese and cider pairing with Michael Finnerty and Dunkertons’ Alistair Duncan.

Lifestyle events will see Katie Piper and Caroline Hirons discuss redefining beauty standards, Mary Portas share her retail revolution, and Carol Klein offer gardening wisdom. Sporting legends Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins, Mike Atherton and Ebony Rainford-Brent will reflect on their careers, while travel tales will come from Michael Palin’s journey through Venezuela and Sophie Elmhirst’s true story of love, shipwreck and survival. Memoir will be well represented, with Sebastian Faulks’ reflections on post-war Britain, Jung Chang’s long-awaited sequel to Wild Swans, and candid accounts from Penny Lancaster and Tulisa Contostavlos. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason and her children will discuss music and identity, and Ed Davey will shed light on the realities of caregiving.

Science and nature will also have their moment, with Sir Tim Berners-Lee telling the story of the World Wide Web, Tim Spector exploring the benefits of fermented foods, and Lara Lewington and Charlotte Blease examining AI’s potential in healthcare. Nature lovers can enjoy Hamza Yassin’s wildlife adventures, Chloe Dalton’s lyrical Raising Hare, and Tristan Gooley’s guide to reading the natural world. Poetry will be celebrated through Simon Armitage’s first major collection in eight years, Billy Collins’ evening of wit and tenderness, and Antony Szmierek’s blend of spoken word and music. Entertainment will include live podcasts, comedy sets and music events, from Mark Kermode’s deep dive into film scores to punk retrospectives.

The town itself will transform during the Festival. Beyond ticketed events, over 30% of the programme is free, including locally sourced bookshop crawls, drop-in family activities in The Wild Wood, and live Times Radio broadcasts from the Festival Village. Visitors can browse the BBC Audiobooks tent, discover charitable initiatives in the Benefact Group Lounge, or simply soak up the atmosphere among fellow lovers of words. The Festival’s impact extends far beyond October, with its Literature for Schools programme inspiring over 12,000 pupils each year and a special 80th anniversary campaign aiming to bring cultural joy to 80,000 children, a target already halfway met.

Booking for the Festival opens to Cheltenham Festivals Members on Thursday 28th August and public booking opens on Thursday 4th September.  

www.cheltenhamfestivals.org
​
​Read The Digital Brochure HERE

Taking place from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th November, The November Meeting at Cheltenham is one of the best weekends in the racing calendar. 

This year, and with a bit of a rebrand from The Jockey Club naming the meeting "Racing's Ultimate Weekender", the unmissable three-day festival offers a thrilling mix of top-class racing, unscripted drama and an electric atmosphere.

A relaxed but competitive opener to the meeting, Countryside Day sets the tone with a blend of smart handicaps, a testing Grade 2novice hurdle, the unique spectacle of cross-country racing and the Grade 2 Shloer Chase.

After racing, head to The Guinness Village to round off a fantastic day in style.

The meeting’s crown jewel and now named Super Saturday, this is the day where Festival dreams begin. The Paddy Power Gold Cup (Grade 3) takes centre stage. A fiercely competitive 2m4½f handicap chase that often produces future Grade 1 winners. Last year’s running saw a strong field and a thrilling finish and we expect the same again this time around.

Post-racing, the racecourse comes alive with three entertainment zones. Enjoy greatest hits in The Guinness Village, crowd favourites in Tattersalls Sales Arena or a relaxed sing-along in The Centaur.

The final day also has a new name, Carnival Sunday. With six exhilarating races, Shetland pony racing and a mascot race - there's something for everyone to enjoy. It’s the perfect day to inspire the next generation of racing fans, with plenty of action both trackside and off the track. It's a celebration of all things Cheltenham and the perfect way to round off a brilliant weekend of racing.

The Greatwood Hurdle (Grade 3) is a top-tier handicap over 2m, and regularly a stepping stone to the Champion Hurdle.

Tickets start from as low as just £13 for the Best Mate and £29.50 for Club tickets. You can find the November Meeting pricing table below. As always outside of The Cheltenham Festival, under 18’s race free and must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18).

You can find all the information and tickets HERE.

​In partnership with Cheltenham Racecourse and The Jockey Club
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham

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.

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

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.

Head to The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse for an unforgettable live stream event of The British & Irish Lions first test match against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium. The superb duo of Luke & Ash will be playing through the day with a variety of musical delights. There will be a bar and food onsite so you can enjoy a hearty breakfast before the test match and finally, we'll be joined by a mystery Lions Legend on the day for an interactive Q&A session!

This is a Lions Rugby Club event. It's to become a member and entry to this event is free, although spaces are limited. 

You can find all the information here - www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

If you have been to Dunkertons before, you will know how good it is. They will be showing all the games so round up your mates, grab a pint of Guinness (or a morning coffee) and enjoy a awesome Woozy Pig breakfast in a brilliant atmosphere.

It's completely free, and you can secure tickets here  - www.dunkertonscider.co.uk/products/british-irish-lions-tour-2025

It's never too early for a pint of Deya Rolling Man, is it? If the answer is yes to that then there will be coffee from their neighbours at Ritual and breakfast/brunch from the guys at Pit Kitchen.

All the Lions' games will be show in their taproom.

www.deyabrewing.com/pages/events

If you are a 25/26 Club Member or 1873 Member at Gloucester Rugby, check your inbox for an invite to the exclusive British & Irish Lions Watch Party at Kingsholm on July 19th. Big screen, big atmosphere - don’t miss it!

www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

Located in the heart of Cheltenham, Tailors has 17 screens dotted around the pub making it a great place to enjoy the best sport on TV.

Breakfast will be served from 10:30am - 11:30am and includes breakfast baps, a full English and a a veggie full English.

tailorscheltenham.co.uk

Situated on Bath Road in Cheltenham, The Brown Jug has made a name for itself for showing all major sporting events in the pub.

​Breakfast will be served from 10am.

thebrownjugcheltenham.co.uk

After three sell out shows since Dom Joly’s Speakeazy started in April this year, the next two Speakeazy dates with a Dom Joly exclusive for Cheltenham have been announced at The Steam and Whistle Pub.

Not only will there be some incredible guests appearing, but ahead of Dom’s 25th Anniversary Trigger Happy Live Nation UK tour later this year, Dom thought it would be fun to give Cheltenham a very special sneak peak of Trigger Happy, a trip down memory lane and some exclusive content from the forthcoming UK tour. 

FRIDAY 8th August 
THURSDAY 11th September

What started off as a whimsical idea has come true

Dom Joly’s Speakeazy appears to have been a massive success with Cheltonians, and he couldn’t be happier. The opportunity to curate a regular mystery night out in his hometown has been both amazing fun and an incredible privilege for him.

“I set out to curate Dom Joly’s Speakeazy to host big name guests like Jenny Éclair alongside emerging new talent like the extraordinary Tom A Smith whom Elton John described as “a massive star for the future.” Dom is also keen to support local talent and is on the look-out for interesting Cheltonian artists. “I want to support a wide range of acts, both in content and in age and across the whole spectrum of show business.

The feedback has been fantastic with all the shows sold out so far and demand for future ones off the charts.

Dom and the team have listened to regulars of the show and have slightly decreased the ticket capacity to make the experience more enjoyable. SpeakeaZy is driven by Dom’s wicked sense of fun along with his impeccable music taste. He adores curating the evenings so that SpeakeaZers never know what’s coming next. This Cabaret of Curiosities ranges from Dom’s tales of thirty extraordinary years stumbling through showbusiness, outrageous comedy characters, incredible music and of course, surprises…lots of surprises.

August & September exclusive

“What with this being the 25th anniversary of Trigger Happy TV, it’s a massively busy year for me, but for the next couple of shows prior to my UK tour I thought it might be fun to to give Cheltenham at our SpeakeaZy a very special sneak peak of Trigger Happy, a trip down memory lane and some exclusive content from the forthcoming shows on my 25th Anniversary Trigger Happy UK tour.

So, the August and September Speakeazys will have a decidedly Trigger Happy TV theme to them and as news builds outside of Cheltenham about this incredibly popular night more names are set to join me on stage. We’ve moved the August date from a usual Thursday to a Friday to fit in with a particular name! But as always, you’ll have to wait to find out on the night!

Tickets are on sale now - www.domjoly.tv/dom-jolys-speakeazy

Radio 2 DJ and all-round music legend Jo Whiley will be bringing her 90s Anthems to Dunkertons on Saturday 20th September.

She will bring you all the best tracks from the greatest decade for music. Think Blur vs Oasis, Fatboy Slim, Primal Scream, The Verve, The Chemical Brothers, Faithless, The Prodigy and a whole lot more.

Jo Whiley is quite simply the ultimate authority on British music – and the voice and face of a generation. Jo is headed your way with a dazzling new show as she rummages through her record bag to dig out the very best of 90s Anthems.

No-one knows the 90s like Jo – she was right there on the cutting-edge, leading the charge as Britpop blew up, dance music exploded and indie went wild.

Now you can relive those magical memories on a dancefloor once again with the queen of the 90's. Let Jo take you on a personal tour of her finest musical memories of the decade that defined them all.

You can find all the info and tickets HERE.

There are lots of places where I go to eat and don't write about, however, I feel a bit of a need to shout about the lunch we had this weekend at BAO + BBQ in Cheltenham.

We're already in a good mood when we arrive. The sun is shining, although not as warm as it has been in previous days, the town is buzzing with the Jazz Festival in full swing and we're off to watch David Gray in the evening. It's a pretty good day.

After getting a seat downstairs in the corner by the window, it dawned on me that it must have been three years since I last came here which is utterly ridiculous. It was my wife's first time. 

We browsed the menu over a Marg (hers) and a Asahi (mine) and picked some of the things we wanted and some of the things we definitely didn't. 

The dreaded second "are you ready to order" after asking for another few minutes came, and you feel obliged to decide. However, this time was different. The waiter asked how many dishes we were thinking (five to six?) and whether we wanted them to choose for us. We told him what we didn't want; chicken wings (too messy), anything tofu (I imagine these guys can make it taste nice) and the Sticky BBQ Pork Ribs (for the same reason as the wings. You just can't take that risk in a white t-shirt). 

First to arrive were the Longhorn Brisket and Cornflake Chicken bao buns. The brisket was smoked with a sake BBQ sauce, chillies and pickles. The chicken and a panko and cornflake crumb (hence the name), Korean hot sauce, pickled chilli and cucumber. It was seriously good and quite possibly both of our favourite dish of the meal.

Next to arrive before we had taken a mouthful of the buns were the Gochu-glazed King Prawns in a sesame yogurt and three Wagyu beef sliders, both of which looked potentially very messy. 

We'd have never had ordered the sliders, but these were awesome with juicy little brisket patties, BBQ mushrooms, pickled cucumber, chillies and caramelised onions. And the prawns? We would go back for these alone they were that good, and the yogurt became the dipping sauce for everything else on the table. 

Some courtesy greens arrived in the shape of scorched sprouting broccoli, cashew miso butter, garlic ginger and lemon (if I'm going to have to eat broccoli, this is the way to do it) and some kicky kale + cucumber salad, followed by a smoked brisket rice bowl with a cured duck egg and beef bone broth and the glazed pork belly in the most incredible blueberry hoisin sauce with crispy cabbage and pickled veg.

We probably didn't need the rice bowl but we gave it a good go. In hindsight, maybe, six dishes was too many, but YOLO and all that!

The pork was one of the best plates I have eaten for a long time. It was the cherry on the cake dish, at the end of a gruelling (in the loosest sense of the word) 90 minutes of eating. I had genuinely forgotten just how good this place is. 
​
baobbq.co.uk

If you have ever experienced the Woozy Pig food, you will probably be as excited as we are about their brand-new restaurant on Suffolk Road in Cheltenham.

Opening its doors of Friday 9th May, the restaurant will offer their classic burgers, sides and tater tots, as well as an awesome brunch menu on a Sunday including the Woozy full English, waffles and, of course, brunch burgers.

You will find local brewers Deya on the taps with a quality selection of cans and bottles from the fridge, alongside a few cocktails including a Spicy Mango Marg, Spiced & Stormy and a Woozy Groni.

You can check out the restaurant here www.woozypig.co.uk.

Illustrations: Punkross
Tables: Barebones
Photos: The Same Grain

After a dramatic year in National Hunt racing, the curtain comes down at Prestbury Park with their one and only evening meeting of the season on Friday 2 May.

Amateur riders and trainers will be taking centre stage, all with the dream of winning at Cheltenham.

The evening will bursting with energy, excitement, and great entertainment. Cheltenham favourite Richard James returns to the Tattersalls Sales Arena from 16:45 for the final time this season, delivering a feel-good soundtrack guaranteed to set the tone for a great night. Don’t miss local legends The Chip Shop Boys in a spectacular post racing finale, where they'll bringing the season to a close with an extended live performance.

Gates open at 3:30pm with the first race going off at 4:35pm.

Groups of 6 plus get 10% off at checkout. 

Under 18’s race free and must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 21).

All tickets and further info can be found here - www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/race-night

​​​In partnership with Cheltenham Racecourse and The Jockey Club
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham

One of our favourite things at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival is the incredible free "around town" events that take place across various venues in the town.

This dynamic programme showcases an exciting mix of performances, from intimate pop-up shows in pubs and bars to vibrant acts in unexpected spaces around town. With 70+ artists, it’s your chance to discover fresh talent, support emerging artists and maybe even catch a future headliner.

The venues include The Free Stage on the festival site, Bottle of Sauce, Smokey Joes, The Queens, Hotel du Vin, The Tavern, The Brewery Quarter, John Lewis, and the Imperial Garden Bar.

For the full day-to-day line-ups, visit www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/our-projects/around-town/cheltenham-jazz-festival-around-town

​In partnership with Visit Cheltenham
www.visitcheltenham.com

After a sell-out first Cabaret of Curiosities last week, multi-award-winning comedian, and Cheltenham resident, Dom Joly has added some new dates at The Steam and Whistle Pub in Cheltenham

The next dates are:

Thursday 1st May

Thursday 5th June

Thursday 3rd July

The 230 deep crowd enjoyed a performance from the "You're Gorgeous" famed 90s rockers Babybird and the brilliantly funny French comedian Marcel Lucont.

The Speakeazy is recorded for a podcast, with a mission to not only shine a light of local talent but invite bands he loves to do unplugged sets as well as a series of top mystery guests that, with the help of the audience, he will interview on stage. 

You can find all the information and ticket links HERE and photos from the first show below.