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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. 
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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.  IMAGE CREDIT: NomadUK
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 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   Image: Matt Higgs There are weekends that pass without incident, and then there are weekends that feel like they ought to be chiselled into the walls of the Cheese Hub as a reminder of why we endure the long English winter. The Big Feastival, once again, delivered the latter. Under skies that behaved themselves with uncharacteristic good manners, Alex James' farm became a sun-dappled playground for music, food, drink, and more happy faces than one field should reasonably contain. Quite simply, it was the best weekend of the year. Friday got off to a start that was both nostalgic and effervescent. Scouting For Girls bounded onto the stage with the sort of energy that made you forget that their heyday had supposedly passed. They had the crowd onside instantly, and by the time Rizzle Kicks took over, the field was bouncing like it was 2011 all over again. The duo reminded us what pop-rap sounds like when it’s fun, cheeky, and completely unpretentious. It was a perfect opening salvo; big smiles, bigger choruses, and the first hint that this weekend was going to be special. Saturday leaned into pure indie nostalgia. The Pigeon Detectives transported us back to 2007, when jeans were tighter, haircuts were sharper, and indie disco ruled the night. Their set was a joyful reminder that guitars, when deployed with enough northern swagger, are still capable of lifting a crowd to euphoric heights. Tom Walker followed, and if the Pigeons were all youthful abandon, Walker brought heart and heft. His voice soaring over the farm, rich and gravelly, commanding the sort of hushed reverence that only a proper singer-songwriter can conjure. Then came The Wombats, who brought chaos, colour, and choruses sharp enough to slice the night in two. It was the sort of set that demanded you dance, sing, and then immediately Google when they’re next touring. Faithless’ headline set was electric and was beautifully capped by a poignant tribute to maxi Jazz during “Insomnia” that turned the field into a mid-nineties dancefloor. In among all of this, over in the Cheese Hub, James Buckley, Simon Pegg, and Woody Smith spun awesome DJ sets that felt like the ultimate afterparty in the middle of the day, chaotic and brilliant in equal measure. The final day included Caity Baser, the rising star of pop, who brought a breezy confidence that felt perfectly pitched for a Sunday afternoon. Then, as the sun dipped low over the Cotswold hills, Travis took to the stage. There are moments at festivals that transcend the ordinary, and this was one of them. As Fran Healy’s voice floated across the fields with "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?", the irony was not lost, we’d been gifted pretty much flawless weather all weekend. It was spine-tingling, communal, and utterly unforgettable. To close, Alex James’ Britpop Classical wrapped the weekend with sweeping strings, guest appearances from some stars of the time, including a trip back in time with Parklife and Phil Daniels, and a celebration of the genre that made him famous. It was both tongue-in-cheek and grandiose, a fitting curtain call on a festival that understands how to end with style. Of course, The Big Feastival is as much about food as it is music, and 2025 did not disappoint. Poor Boys’ shrimp and chicken mixed box was an unashamed crowd-pleaser among our group: smoky, spicy, crunchy, and entirely addictive. The Bab House won many a heart with their birria tacos, a messy, glorious indulgence which we waited all weekend to enjoy. Banquet 1415 brought a piece Argentina to the Cotswolds with their grilled meats, smoky and succulent in a way that would make a gaucho weep with pride. And then there were the burgers from local boys Smiths; juicy, towering creations that proved once again that simple can be incredibly delicious. The drinks side of things was equally well covered. The Cotswolds Distillery kept us cool and just the right side of merry with their gin slushies. Cold, sharp, and refreshing, they were the unofficial currency of the weekend, clutched in both hands as we meandered back and forth to the main stage and street food stalls. It was the kind of drink that made you wonder why anyone ever bothers with lager. But beyond the music, the food, and the drink, what really makes The Big Feastival the highlight of the year is its atmosphere. It is, quite simply, for everyone. Toddlers danced in ear defenders, parents swayed with gin in hand, teenagers screamed the words to songs that their parents had introduced them to last week, and the veterans of Glastonbury past nodded approvingly at how civilised the whole affair has become. It is joy distilled into a weekend, with the added bonus that it’s just ten minutes down the road for those of us lucky enough to call this part of the world home. And that luck is not to be underestimated. For all the talk of acts and eats, the quiet hero of the weekend is Alex James himself. To open his farm, year after year, to tens of thousands of revellers, and to curate an event that manages to be both a world-class festival and a neighbourly gathering, is no small feat. We should be grateful, not just for the music and the food, but for the spirit of generosity and community that underpins it all. Without him, our August bank holiday would be infinitely poorer. So, what can be said of The Big Feastival 2025? That it was sunlit, spirited, and satisfying in every possible way. That it reminded us why festivals matter: because they bring us together, make us dance, feed us well, and send us home happier than when we arrived. It was, in short, everything you’d hope for from the best weekend of the year. And until next August rolls around, we’ll all be quietly humming Wombats choruses, craving birria tacos, and wondering if gin slushies can be made at home. Early Bird tickets for Big Feastival 2026 are on sale now - bigfeastival.com
 Image courtesy of Matt Higgs  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  As British institutions go, few embody the spirit of refined celebration quite like Salon Privé. With its unique blend of motoring heritage, luxury lifestyle, and sartorial distinction, the event has come to define the modern English garden party with an immaculate blend of classic cars, cutting-edge supercars, Champagne flutes, silk pocket squares and plenty of good conversation. Returning from 27–31 August 2025, the UK’s most prestigious five-day automotive gathering will mark its 20th anniversary within the resplendent grounds of Blenheim Palace in characteristically spectacular fashion. This year’s event promises the most dazzling edition yet. Expect everything from pre-war grand tourers to the latest hypercars, alongside world-class brands like Boodles, Pommery, Qatar Executive and Gatineau. The newly introduced Salon Privé Gallery, a refined atrium-style pavilion overlooking the lawns, will offer guests a shaded, luxurious vantage point without losing the party’s famously relaxed elegance. The Week at a Glance Wednesday 27 August The Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients opens the show with a parade of the rare and remarkable. From grand tourers to Le Mans legends, each car is meticulously judged by an international panel. Thursday 28 August Concours day two sees the presentation of awards, the Concours Parade and an air of quiet prestige. It’s the perfect setting for collectors and casual admirers alike to get up close with automotive masterpieces — all while enjoying a glass of something cold and a view of something beautiful. Friday 29 August One of the most anticipated days of the Season. Ladies’ Day brings elegance centre stage, as guests step out in summer finery for a chic garden party unlike any other. The Boodles Best Hat competition adds a touch of playful glamour, while a 20-year celebration of the Bugatti Veyron, a showcase of contemporary supercars and highlights from the Blenheim GT Tour ensure the cars remain just as eye-catching as the attire. Saturday 30 August With more than 1,500 sports, super and hyper cars descending on Blenheim’s grounds, the Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton is a celebration of passion, engineering and private motoring enthusiasm at its most vibrant. The family-friendly atmosphere offers something for every generation — whether you're into carbon fibre or chrome bumpers. Sunday 31 August New for 2025, Supercar Lifestyle Club Day caps off the week in suitable splendour. Mixed-marque and single-marque clubs alike display their best alongside the debut of the Concours de Vente, a judged exhibition where every car is for sale. For collectors, it’s an opportunity. For the rest of us, it’s a dream in polished metal. Whether you come for one day or all five, Salon Privé offers an experience tailored to your taste. Tickets start from £55, with luxury hospitality options available up to £645 for those seeking the full five-star experience. To purchase tickets to Salon Privé visit www.salonpriveconcours.com or to enter your vehicle into the Concours, complete an application at www.salonpriveconcours.com/apply-to-enter  Each summer, Big Feastival transforms Alex James's Cotswold farm into a heady weekend of live music, incredible food, and family-friendly mischief. But this year, it’s not just back, it’s back with strings attached. Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or just someone who enjoys cheese with your dancefloor, here are five unmissable highlights at this year’s Big Feastival.  ALEX JAMES' BRITPOP CLASSICAL For the uninitiated, imagine the swagger of the ‘90s Britpop era reimagined with the cinematic flourish of a full orchestra. Add a dash of eccentric English charm and a roll-call of cultural icons and you begin to understand what’s in store. Blur’s very own Alex James will take centre stage alongside a glittering line-up including Phil Daniels, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Stringer of Reef, and Fran Healy & Dougie Payne of Travis. This all-star symphonic spectacular promises orchestral takes on era-defining anthems like Girls and Boys, Place Your Hands and Bittersweet Symphony. Quite the crescendo to cap off the weekend.  WOODLAND DINNERS AND FIRE PIT FEASTS Dining is a serious affair here. The Big Kitchen plays host to culinary royalty, with Raymond Blanc (Friday), Simon Rimmer (Saturday) and Si King (Sunday) cooking up a storm in front of live audiences. For those in search of more immersive indulgence, Fire Pit Feasts and Lazy Lunches by Ben Quinn promise four-course revelry under canvas, with smoke, fire and finesse in equal measure. Thursday’s Woodland Feasts will see intimate gatherings amidst the trees, serving up Cotswold-reared beef and James’ own Blue Monday cheese, a nod to terroir and tradition alike. Meanwhile, a brand-new BBQ Cook School invites budding firemasters to get hands-on with the grill, while Little Cooks with Prept keeps younger chefs entertained, informed and very well fed.  THE CHEESE HUB As dusk falls, the party continues. What began as a quirky tent filled with Alex James’ cheeses has become one of the festival’s hottest nightspots. The Cheese Hub returns with a DJ line-up that’s equal parts nostalgic and wildly entertaining: Simon Pegg, James Buckley, Chris Stark, Edith Bowman and more. One of our highlights from last year was Woody Cook who returns again to The Cheese Hub on the Sunday.  STREET FOOD, OBVIOUSLY We don't know another music festival where the food as just as popular as the music, but Feastival absolutely nails both. What sets Big Feastival’s street food scene apart is not just the quantity, but the quality. Whether you're craving something charred, spiced, slow-smoked or plant-based, there’s something for every palate and enough variety to make even the most indecisive eater deeply content. From bao to brisket, ramen to roti, it's a global tour of bold flavours without having to leave the farm.  THE BIG TOP
The Big Top returns as the beating heart of Big Feastival’s family fun and a vibrant hub packed with entertainment and activities for younger festivalgoers. It's the place ypu will find Barrioke, an hour-long sing-a-long with Eastenders star Shaun Williamson. Highlights for 2025 include School of Beatbox, Mad Science Live, Little Yogi Festival Flow and Ninja Masters, promising music, movement and interactive learning. New for 2025, kids will also get to enjoy the world’s biggest bouncy castle, which will be on site for the first time. Across the weekend, families can enjoy live shows from favourites like MC Grammar, Evie Pickerill, The Marvellous Myth Hunters and Bubblemania. Big Feastival will also welcome back children’s TV legend Justin Fletcher, Strictly star Oti Mabuse, and introduce the daring thrills of Chris Bullzini’s High Wire – a jaw-dropping spectacle high above the festival fields. This year also sees the biggest comedy line-up in the festival’s history including Lucy Beamont, Lou Sanders & Bridget Christie to name a few. The Big Feastival takes place on Alex James' Farm in Kingham from Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August 2025. bigfeastival.com 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
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.  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  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.  
 Multi-award-winning comedian, and Cheltenham resident, Dom Joly has created an awesome new night in town. Dom’s first Cabaret of Curiosities will take place aton Thursday 3rd April at The Steam and Whistle Pub (opposite Chetenham Spa railway station) and have a late-night chat show vibe with guests, music & comedy. Dom wants to provide a unique, off-beat experience. The idea is to have an evening that incorporates all of Joly’s interests- music, comedy, a bit of culture and a smattering of current affairs. It aims to be a monthly affair, taking place on the first Thursday of every month, and the evenings will be recorded for a podcast of the same name which he promises that it will not be your usual podcast. Joly wants to not only shine a light of local talent in his curiosity show, he has persuaded bands he loves to do unplugged sets and promises a series of top mystery guests that, with the help of the audience, he will interview on stage. These could be musicians, comedians, writers, politicians…anybody who Dom feels might be interesting and are foolish enough to accept his invitation. 2025 is already a huge year with the 25th anniversary of global smash hit Trigger Happy TV, and a tour being announced this week. You can find all the information of the Speakeazy HERE.  Lulu, Tom Walker, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lisa Stansfield, David Gray, Roger Daltrey, Curtis Stigers, Macy Gray and Katie Melua are just a few of the names that will descend on Cheltenham Jazz Festival that takes place in the town from Wednesday 30 April – Monday 5 May 2025. Since launching in 1996, Cheltenham Jazz Festival has built a reputation for hosting world class acts spanning jazz, blues, pop, soul and beyond, and will this year present globally celebrated performers. Taking place in the Festival Village in the town’s central Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025 presents an array of special one-off performances, free events, group workshops, family-orientated shows, late-night jams and more. The Festival is also set to pop-up across the town, incorporating several additional venues including Cheltenham Town Hall, Parabola Arts Centre, Dunkerton's and late-night jazz jams held at Hotel Du Vin. Marking a special milestone as part of Cheltenham Festivals’ 80th anniversary – the charity behind four world renowned Jazz, Literature, Music and Science Festivals and talent and outreach programmes – the Jazz Festival will run across six days with a programme that once again reflects the far-reaching jazz landscape, offering music from a broad spectrum of styles and celebrating sounds from all corners of the globe. You can find all information here - www.cheltenhamfestivals.org  The Big Feastival have today announce their line-up for this year's festival in August. Travis, Nelly Futado, The Wombats, Faithless, Tom Walker and Sophie Ellis-Bextor will all play across the Bank Holiday weekend at Alex James' Farm in Kingham. The Pigeon Detectives, Rizzle Kicks, Maximo Park and Scouting For Girls will also be playing. The festival takes place from the 22nd-24th August 2025. For the full line up, visit bigfeastival.com  Wychwood Festival announced more bands that will join them in 2025. Shed Seven, Doves, The Lottery Winners, Scouting For Girls, The Magic Numbers and The Zutons are just a few of the bands that will be playing across the weekend on 30th May - 1st June 2025 at Cheltenham Racecourse. The three-day festival has won numerous awards for being the best Family Festival in the UK, and next year looks like it will be the best yet. Day and Weekend tickets are on sale now. wychwoodfestival.com  PHOTO COURTESY OF WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL  While it's cold, wet and miserable outside, you'd be forgiven to be dreaming of singing, drinking and soaking up sunshine next summer. And looking at all of the music announcements coming through, summer 2025 is going to absolutely awesome! FOREST LIVELet's start with Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum which boasts six nights of great music from 17th - 22nd June 2025. If you've never been to Forest Live, it's a wonderful concert experience taking place in beautiful natural woodland arenas every summer, with a relaxed atmosphere. 17th June: Snow Patrol 18th June: Sting 19th June: Elbow (+ The Coral and Billie Marten) 20th June: Paul Heaton and special guest singer Rianne Downey ( + Billy Bragg) 21st June: McFly (+ Twin Atlantic and Devon) 22nd June: The Script (+ Tom Walker) www.forestlive.com
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