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All The Street Food at Big Feastival 2026

12/6/2026

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Big Feastival has built a reputation as having arguably the finest street food line-up of any festival in the UK. 

Among the returning stars for 2026 are Bab Haus, Killa Waffle, Bourton-on-the-Water burger specialists Smiths, New Orleans-inspired Poor Boys and cult fried chicken favourites Chick 'N' Sours.

There are some notable new arrivals too. Local barbecue heroes The Woozy Pig make their Big Feastival debut, while Hereford's award-winning burger royalty The Beefy Boys add even more class to an already stacked food line-up.

The festival returns to Alex James' farm in Kingham from 28th to 30th August, with Basement Jaxx, The Streets, Bastille and Rudimental leading the music line-up, while Anna Haugh, Emily English, Poppy O'Toole and Tom Barnes headline a stellar programme of chefs and live cooking demonstrations.

​bigfeastival.com

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All the street food at Big Feastival 2026

Anna Mae’s Mac n Cheese
Archie’s Toastie Shop
Bab Haus
Baba Side Fried
BBQ Dept
Beefy Boys
Blondies Kitchen
Burger and Beyond
Chick N Sours
Cotto
El Pollote
Game and Flames
Griddle Guys
Gully
Jolly Hog
Killa Waffles
Ko:te
Kolkati
KraPow!
​Kuyas Dumplings
Lil Watan
Los Churros Amigos
Made Of Dough
Mandala
Meat Market BBQ
MyCookieDough
Nanny Bill’s
Nonna’s Tacos
Oishī Don
Only Jerkin’
Otis & Belle
Paellaria
Pleese
Poor Boys
Project D
Sen Noods
Smashing Plates
Smiths of Bourton
Tagine and Grill
The Big Banh
The Dragon Flame
The Larder House
The Woozy Pig
Thyme & Tide
​Wholefood Heaven
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Eating Your Way Through the Cotswolds in 72 Hours

7/6/2026

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The best way to explore the Cotswolds is through its restaurants.

Not always the obvious choices, nor the places with the biggest Instagram following. These are the places locals quietly recommend when someone asks where they should eat.

So we've mapped out the ultimate summer food journey.

From exceptional breakfasts and seafood lunches to wood-fired cooking and unforgettable dinners, this is our 72-hour guide to eating well across the Cotswolds this summer.
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Day One

Breakfast: The Hive, Stow-on-the-Wold

Breakfast is often treated as little more than a warm-up act for lunch. The Hive makes a convincing argument that it deserves rather more respect than that.

Located in the heart of Stow on the Wold, it has become one of the most dependable breakfast spots in the North Cotswolds. 

The poached eggs and avocado on sourdough with chilli jam is the smart order. The chilli jam adds just enough heat to stop the dish becoming another forgettable avocado-on-toast cliché. However, we would never put you off the Full English. It's generous without becoming ridiculous and manages to feel indulgent without ruining the rest of the day's eating.

www.eatcotswolds.co.uk/the-hive

Also worth considering: 

The Straw Kitchen, Whichford Pottery
 
Part café, part destination in its own right, The Straw Kitchen feels like one of those recommendations that locals are slightly reluctant to share. Excellent coffee, naturally served in a Whichford Pottery mug made at the bottom of the garden, good eggs and bacon and a setting that encourages lingering far longer than intended.

www.whichfordpottery.com/visit/straw-kitchen

Lynwood & Co, Moreton-in-Marsh

A place that makes some of the best sourdough in the Cotswolds is naturally going to find excellent uses for it. The scrambled eggs on toast and breakfast sarnies are both superb.

www.lynwoodandco.com

Broadway Deli, Broadway

A firm favourite of ours. The nduja scrambled eggs are excellent, the baked eggs deserve attention and the deli itself provides plenty of temptation for later in the day.

broadwaydeli.co.uk


Lunch: Zonda at The Halfway, Kineton

A few months ago, nobody was driving to Kineton specifically for pizza.

The pub's transformation from a Michelin recommended classic dining pub into a pizza-led dining destination has been one of Cotswold food stories of 2026. Most importantly, it works because the food is genuinely excellent.

Start with the rare breed pork belly bites, courgette fritti and an order of cheesy garlic bread because self-restraint is entirely overrated on a food tour, before ordering the a pizza. Our choice would be the Nduja & hot honey ‘Diablo’, but they are all incredibly good.

The whole operation feels refreshingly free of pretension. Nobody is trying to reinvent dining. They're simply serving food people want to eat. And judging by how busy it has been since opening, they're getting it exactly right.

www.thehalfwayatkineton.com

Also worth considering:

Smiths of Bourton

Some burgers are designed for Instagram, the Béarnaise Bad Boy is designed for eating.

Juicy, unapologetically indulgent and exactly the sort of lunch that reminds you why burgers remain popular despite endless attempts to improve them.

www.smithsofbourton.com


Dinner: The Old Butchers, Stow-on-the-Wold

Ask enough local chefs and serious food lovers where they eat on their day off and The Old Butchers appears more than most.

For years, The Old Butchers has quietly maintained its reputation as one of the most consistently impressive restaurants in the North Cotswolds. 

Seafood, steak and good wine remain a particular strength, yet what makes The Old Butchers so good is its confidence. There is no sense of a restaurant trying to prove itself. It simply knows exactly what it is and exactly what it does well.

www.theoldbutchers.com

Also worth considering:

Moda, Broadway

Recently included in the Michelin Guide, Moda combines ambitious modern cooking with the sort of precision and confidence that marks out serious fine dining.

Led by Head Chef James Wilson, formerly of The Newt in Somerset, it's a restaurant quietly building a serious reputation.

www.houseofgeorge.uk

Pit Kitchen

Summer and cooking over fire feel like natural companions.

Pit Kitchen has built its following around exactly that idea. Expect exceptional flatbreads, smoke, flame and food designed to be shared. Relaxed, informal and packed with flavour, it's one of the most enjoyable summer dining experiences within the North Cotswolds.

www.pitkitchen.co.uk
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​Day Two

Breakfast: Eleven, Bibury

Some breakfasts are memorable because they're innovative. Others are memorable because they're executed flawlessly. Eleven belongs firmly in the second category.

Order the Eggs Royale. It's the standout dish and a fair reflection of Eleven itself; elegant without being fussy and indulgent without going overboard. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's influence is evident throughout the interiors, creating a space that feels a little more interesting than the average breakfast stop.

www.elevenbibury.com

Also worth considering:

The Twig, Bibury

Also in Bibury, The Twig offers excellent coffee, excellent pastries and a good excuse to visit the most beautiful village in England (William Morris' words, not mine) before the crowds arrive. 

www.bazfred.com/the-twig

The Kitchen, Calmsden

A beautiful space serving excellent local coffee, quality pastries, decent smoothies and croissants that consistently hit the mark. Perfect if four-legged company is joining the itinerary.


Lunch: New Wave Brasserie, Lechlade

The idea of outstanding seafood in the Cotswolds still surprises some people, and it really shouldn't.

New Wave Brasserie has become one of the best restaurants around, bringing the best of Cornwall, Devon and the Scottish coast to Lechlade. The menu changes according to availability, the fish is exceptional and the cooking has the confidence not to overcomplicate things.

newwavebrasserie.com

Also worth considering:

Lola & Co, Tetbury

I despise the term hidden gem, but Lola & Co is somewhere that needs to be discovered by everyone. Excellent tapas and a wine list to match, and the sort of place where lunch accidentally becomes dinner if you are not careful.

www.lolaandco.co.uk

Jolly Nice, Frampton Mansell

Part farm shop, part cafe, part roadside institution. The burgers remain excellent, the atmosphere refreshingly relaxed and the outdoor seating makes it a particularly strong summer stop.

jollynicefarmshop.com


Dinner: ​Juliet, Stroud

Created by the team behind The Woolpack, Juliet has quickly established itself as one of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds.

It's a calm, confident bistro that feels as if it has quietly decided Europe still knows best. The cooking is seasonal, restrained, and pointedly unfussy, drawing on France and Italy while leaning heavily on British and local produce, including their own Walled Garden at Lypiatt Park. Dishes arrive designed for sharing, moving from small, precise plates to grill-led larger ones, all underpinned by a sense that good ingredients, properly handled, are quite enough.

www.julietrestaurant.co.uk

Also worth considering:

Sam & Jak, Cirencester

For us, Sam & Jak is Cirencester's standout restaurant. The menu takes British food and reworks it with seasonal confidence, rooted firmly in the Cotswolds. The cooking is hearty, refined where it matters, and clearly driven by good sourcing rather than fuss.

www.samandjak.co.uk

Sauce at The Painswick

Elegant without becoming formal and refined without becoming intimidating, the team cook with a clear focus on seasonal, top-quality produce, turning it into a sharing-style menu that’s built for flavour rather than formality. It’s thoughtful cooking, but never fussy, letting the ingredients do the heavy lifting.

thepainswick.co.uk

The Rectory, Crudwell

The Rectory is all about relaxed evening dining: classic dishes given a light contemporary lift, served in an elegant dining room and its striking glasshouse. It feels polished without ever becoming formal with a menu designed for unhurried dining and food that’s straightforward, well-judged, and quietly confident.

therectoryhotel.com
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​Day Three

Breakfast: Quince and Clover, Great Tew

Quince and Clover is a relaxed and focusses on breakfast and brunch done properly. Seasonal, straightforward cooking built around good local produce, free-range eggs, sourdough, and the kind of ingredients that don’t need dressing up.

Alongside the classics, there’s a strong counter of homemade pastries and cakes if you’re there more for grazing than planning, all served in an easy, unhurried space that suits a slow morning as well as a late brunch.

quinceandclover.co.uk

Also worth considering:

Missing Bean, Charlbury

Opened in 2025, Missing Bean Charlbury brings a welcome outpost of its East Oxford originals to the Cotswolds.

It’s a simple equation done well with excellent coffee, freshly-made pastries, and a relaxed, welcoming space that turns a quick stop into the best possible start to the day.

www.themissingbean.co.uk

Bromley's, Chipping Norton

Bromley’s in Chipping Norton is built around a simple idea: great coffee, fresh local produce, and food made without unnecessary complication. It’s rooted in the Cotswolds and proudly so, working closely with nearby suppliers to keep things local and well sourced.

Excellent coffee sits alongside superb Cacklebean eggs, smoked salmon, and sourdough. A simple combination, executed perfectly.

bromleysofcotswolds.co.uk


Lunch: The Killingworth Castle

The Killingworth Castle is one of the Cotswolds’ standout food pubs with a 3 AA Rosette kitchen and a place in the 2026 Michelin Guide. 

The cooking is confident, seasonal, and rooted in quality produce, with thoughtful organic menus that make the most of wild and local ingredients from the surrounding countryside. It’s proper destination dining, but still feels like a pub; relaxed, welcoming, and entirely unpretentious about how good it is.

www.thekillingworthcastle.com

Also worth considering:

Thyme & Lovage, Burford

This is Burford’s only riverside cafe, where the cooking follows the seasons with quiet precision. Menus are built around what nature is offering at its peak, so every dish feels direct, fresh, and full of flavour.

There’s a clear commitment to local producers too, working closely with small farmers and growers around Burford and beyond. It’s simple, seasonal food in an easy setting.

thymeandlovage.com


Dinner: Wild at Bull Burford

Every great food tour deserves a memorable finale, and Wild delivers one of the most distinctive dining experiences currently available in the Cotswolds.

Wild at The Bull Burford is an intimate open-fire restaurant tucked into a sunken courtyard, where Chef Ben Chamberlain has created an 11-course tasting journey built around flame, smoke, theatre and the simple pleasure of people coming together. 

www.bullburford.com/explore-wild

Also worth considering:

Canteen Cotswolds, Gagingwell

Canteen arrives in the Cotswolds as one of the most exciting pop-ups of the summer; a London favourite brought countryside, without losing its rhythm or confidence.

The cooking is simple, Italian-leaning, and ingredient-led, changing with the week and built for easy, generous summer eating. Fresh pasta, pizza, seasonal plates.

www.canteen310.com/cotswolds
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​What makes these three days work is the rhythm of it: driving through some of the most beautiful parts of the Cotswolds, then sitting down to food that feels rooted in where you are, even when the ideas travel further. It’s not about discovery for its own sake, but about eating well in places that feel entirely of their setting.

By the end, it’s less a list of restaurants and more a map of experiences, each one adding something to a picture of the Cotswolds that’s quietly, consistently, eating very well indeed.
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First Look: The Tunnel House Reopens After Six Years

4/6/2026

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After standing empty since 2020, The Tunnel House near Cirencester has finally reopened its doors.

Over the past year, working alongside the Bathurst Estate, the team behind The Bell at Sapperton has been busy restoring one of the most distinctive pub locations in the Cotswolds. Set beside the Coates portal of the Sapperton Tunnel and the Thames & Severn Canal, it has long been a favourite stopping point for locals, walkers and visitors alike.

The aim is straightforward: to bring back a proper pub that serves good food and drink, employs local people and once again becomes a hub for the community.

As the sister pub to The Bell at Sapperton, connected by a wonderful walk through Hailey Wood and across the canal valley, The Tunnel House is ready to take its place among the region's best-loved pubs once again.

Provisional June opening hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm to 10pm, Friday from 5pm to 11pm, Saturday from 12pm to 11pm and Sunday from 12pm to 10pm. The Tunnel Fire Kitchen will be serving in the garden on Saturdays from 12pm to 8pm and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm.

You can find all the info on their website

www.tunnelhouseinn.co.uk
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London's Favourite Neighbourhood Restaurant Lands in the Cotswolds This Summer

1/6/2026

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One of London’s most well-regarded neighbourhood restaurants is bringing its relaxed approach to Italian cooking to the Cotswolds this summer, with the launch of a new seasonal pop-up at The Old Coal Yard in Gagingwell, near Chipping Norton.

Opening on Thursday 4th June, Canteen will take up residence for the summer, serving a menu built around fresh pasta, pizza and ingredient-led dishes that will change weekly. The concept is simple: excellent produce, generous cooking and a laid-back setting designed for long lunches, leisurely dinners and everything in between.

The kitchen will be led by Executive Chef Jessica Filbey and Head Chef Lorenzo Nigro, whose opening menu offers a flavour of what guests can expect. Early highlights include Carne Cruda with broad beans and Pecorino Sardo, Crab, Fennel & Chilli Risotto, Mortadella, Ricotta & Lemon Pizza, and Chicken with Sage & Milk. Desserts will include Chocolate Mousse and Apricot Frangipane Tart.

Alongside the food, Canteen’s drinks programme will showcase regional Italian wines from Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily, complemented by a selection of cocktails, digestifs and Italian beers.

The setting has been designed with summer dining in mind. An outdoor bar and fire pit will sit alongside Gozney ovens serving pizzas throughout the day, creating a relaxed atmosphere that extends beyond traditional lunch and dinner service.

Dinner will be served from Thursday to Sunday, with lunches available at weekends. Friday evenings will feature live music, while Saturdays will include games and activities for children, making the pop-up an appealing option for families as well as those looking for a more leisurely evening out.

Reservations are now open, with walk-ins also welcome throughout the season.

Canteen at The Old Coal Yard, Chipping Norton, OX7 4EF.

www.canteen310.com/cotswolds
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1 Comment

Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy: New Summer Dates Announced

20/5/2026

2 Comments

 
What began as a promising new night out has rather swiftly become something closer to a local institution: an after-hours, close-quarters, high-voltage live show that feels like a chat show that’s escaped the studio, had a few drinks, and started telling the truth.

Dom Joly’s SpeakeaZy is, in his own words, a “Cabaret of Curiosities”, though it’s less cabaret in the feathered sense, and more a thrilling, unpredictable collision of comedy, music, storytelling, and the occasional cultural hand grenade. It’s intimate, anarchic, and oddly elegant in its chaos. Like a dinner party where the guests are famous, the host is mischievous, and no one knows who’s coming until they arrive.

And that, of course, is the whole point.

The guest list remains strictly under lock and key, partly because it’s fun, partly because it’s maddening, and partly because if you announced it in advance you’d ruin the delicious, high-stakes gamble that audiences now seem addicted to. People come without knowing who they’ll see, and leave feeling faintly superior to everyone who stayed at home watching Netflix and pretending they enjoyed it.

"Curating this show in my hometown has honestly been one of the highlights of my career," says Dom "I love bringing together people I admire; musicians, comedians, writers, and total wildcards. The joy is that nobody knows what’s coming next including me half the time!"

Past nights have featured everyone from comedy heavyweights like Seann Walsh and Jenny Éclair, to musical favourites including James Walsh (Starsailor), Tom A Smith, Babybird, and The Bluetones. There have been moments of proper hilarity, unexpected tenderness, and the kind of off-script magic that only happens when nobody’s quite sure what’s coming next.

It is, in short, the sort of live entertainment that reminds you why live entertainment exists.

Here’s all you need to know.

New Dates: Thursday 2nd July | Thursday 6th August | Thursday 3rd September
Venue: The Steam & Whistle
Where: 247 Gloucester Road, Cheltenham GL51 8NW

Doors: 6.30pm
Show starts: 7.30pm
Seating: unreserved: arrive early for the best spots

Artisan pizzas & bar from 4pm
Last orders for whole pizzas: 6pm
Pizza slices available from 6pm

Tickets on sale now - domjoly.tv/dom-jolys-speakeazy
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Roof Down Through the Cotswolds: Five Pub Routes for the Perfect Summer Day

17/5/2026

1 Comment

 
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There’s a particular moment, about now, when the Cotswolds countryside stops posing for postcards and starts quietly insisting you get involved.

​The hedgerows thicken, the puddles dry out just enough to reveal the potholes they’ve been hiding all winter (mind those... your suspension will thank you), and pub gardens begin to fill in that wonderfully British way with no bookings, no agenda, just people turning up because the sun’s out and it would be rude not to.

So, we recommend you hop in the car and join them. Round up you friends. Jump in the car. Get the roof down if you’ve got one that comes down and it's not raining, windows open if you haven’t, a playlist that makes you feel faintly superior and nothing resembling a plan beyond the vague belief that lunch will happen at some point.

We’ve put together five routes where the pub isn’t a stop along the way. It’s the point. The drive is simply part of the pleasure.
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One small note of boring-but-important sense. Please don’t drink and drive. Fortunately, every decent pub worth its salt now does very drinkable alcohol-free beer, so you can still have the pint, keep your licence and enjoy the day as much as everyone else. 
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1. Woolpack to Wild Duck
Valleys, cider houses, and a day that quietly becomes night

You begin in Slad, where the road already feels like it has read Laurie Lee and decided to behave accordingly. The Woolpack is perched above the valley with spectacular views that do most of the work for you. It’s an easy place to lose track of time in the best possible way: lunch becomes afternoon without anyone formally deciding it should.

From there, the road drops gently into Frampton Mansell and The Crown, a 17th-century cider house that feels wonderfully steady, rooted, unbothered by modern life. It’s low-ceilinged, slightly uneven underfoot and doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is, which is a perfect village pub. 

A short drive and you reach The Bell at Sapperton. The garden feels designed for letting afternoons drift off-course, and the wine wall feels slightly smug, but in the right way like it knows you’re going to stay longer than you said you would.

By the time you reach The Wild Duck at Ewen, the structure of the day has already given up pretending. This is where you properly settle in and enjoy dinner on the beautiful terrace if the weather is on your side. This feels less like the final stop and more like the obvious conclusion to a day. 
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2. Double Red Duke to The Stump

Postcard villages, long lunches, and the slow disappearance of time

You begin at The Double Red Duke, where the garden feels like it was built for exactly this: groups of friends arriving slightly too early, ordering slightly too much, and deciding that the weather warrants some lunch too. It’s the kind of place that encourages the first drink to turn into something longer without ever saying so out loud.

From there the roads tighten and unwind into Langford and The Bell, where if you didn't grab lunch at the Double Red Duke, you probaly should here. The food quietly takes centre stage. Nothing theatrical, nothing over-explained, just plates that arrive with a kind of quiet certainty that this is exactly what you came for, even if you didn’t know it when you set off.

The landscape softens again as you reach The Victoria Inn in Eastleach, where the village itself does most of the work. Stone cottages, a slow-moving river nearby, and a pub that feels less placed in the village than grown out of it. Time behaves differently here. It stretches without apology and it's an ideal spot to walk off some of your lunch.

Further into the valley sits The New Inn at Coln, ivy climbing the walls, light falling softly through the windows, and a perfect stop for a pint that somehow turns into a second without any real negotiation.

Then on to The Village Pub in Barnsley, the penultimate stop on a summer afternoon that is already beginning to ease towards evening. It’s a lovely pub in the most quietly assured sense: oak-beamed ceilings, dimly lit corners made for lingering, and a low, easy hum that suggests nobody here is in any particular rush to be anywhere else.

The day eventually gathers itself at The Stump: pizza, energy, and that easy late afternoon atmosphere where everyone arrives on time and leaves slightly later than they meant to. A place made for settling in properly for the evening with a quiet acceptance that there’s nowhere better to be.
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​3. Hare to The Bull

Country roads, river bends, and an afternoon well spent

This is a driving route as much as a pub route. The roads matter as much as the stops.

You begin at The Hare in Milton-under-Wychwood, a village pub that doesn’t try to define your day for you. It simply feeds you well, pours a decent pint, and lets you get on with it. That’s more valuable than it sounds. 

From there, the road drops towards water and arrives at The Swan Swinbrook, sitting beside the river in a way that makes time feel optional. The garden draws people in and then quietly discourages them from leaving. It’s the sort of place where “we should head off soon” is said repeatedly without consequence.

Then on to The Three Horseshoes in Asthall, a charming village stop and a very good excuse to slow the pace. The garden is the main event here, and one of the best in the Cotswolds for soaking up a bit of sunshine with a drink in hand.

The climb out of the valley brings you to The Farmer’s Dog,  wide views and a confident lack of pretension. It has Clarkson’s name attached to it, but the appeal is more straightforward than that; cold beer, and British grub. It works because it doesn’t try to be clever.

From there, the tone settles again at The Royal Oak Ramsden, a village pub in a beautifully picturesque setting that barely needs introducing. There’s good beer, a grill garden doing proper work outside, and an easy rhythm to the place that makes it feel like the right pause in the day.

The day finishes at The Bull at Charlbury for dinner, a place that understands exactly what an evening should feel like without ever needing to explain it. It’s a great spot to spend a long, unhurried evening with friends, inside, where it’s all low light and easy conversation, or outside where the evening quietly extends itself.
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​4. Norman Knight to The King's Head

Winding roads, village greens, and a day that refuses to rush

You start at The Norman Knight in Whichford, recently reopened and already acting as though it has always been there. It’s a great place to start the day with a wonderful lunch; unhurried, quietly confident and the sense that it has quietly slipped back into village life as if it never left.

From there, the road takes you to The Red Lion in Long Compton, a near-perfect village pub with a garden that seems designed entirely around the simple pleasure of a pint in the sunshine. Nothing overly complicated, just a decent stop, in exactly the right place, doing exactly what it should.

The route winds down to The Fox at Oddington, where the garden does exactly what a good gardens should by quietly persuading you there’s time for one more, then probably another. It’s an easy place to lose a couple of hours in the sunshine with friends, cocktails coming a little too easily, and conversation drifting on without any need to land anywhere in particular.

Then on to Kingham, where you can park the car and simply walk between the Kingham Plough and the Wild Rabbit, taking a drink at each and letting the village do the rest. Together they give you exactly what you need at that point in the day: no big decisions, just the simple pleasure of moving a short distance for a very good reason to stop again.

From there, the route continues to The King’s Head in Bledington, where everything opens out onto the village green. It’s the sort of place where summer simply takes care of itself, time slips slightly out of view, and that easy sense of having arrived at exactly the right point in the day at one of the Cotswolds' favourite pubs.
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​5. The Fox to The Hollow Bottom

Picture-perfect villages, timeless pubs, and long evenings over pizza and a final drink

You begin at The Fox Broadwell, overlooking the green, where everything starts gently and has a habit of staying that way longer than it strictly needs to. Nothing pushes you on here, which is precisely the point. Lunch can be a snack from their blackboard or it's just a lovely spot to enjoy a pint, outside the front of the pub watching the world go by.

The road then lifts to The Horse & Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill. The garden with delightful views across the Evenlode Valley is made for letting the afternoon run on properly, glasses never quite empty, and the food has that quiet competence that doesn’t ask for attention but earns it anyway. 

Then onto the Snowshill Arms which is tucked into one of the Cotswolds’ most chocolate-box villages, where everything feels just a fraction removed from the modern world. It’s an old-world pub in the best sense, no airs and graces, and absolutely no attempt to reinterpret itself for anyone passing through. It simply exists as it always has, which is exactly why it works so well.

Some narrow roads then lead you to The Halfway at Kineton, which is exactly what it says on the tin and exactly where you end up staying longer than intended. The recent new home of Zonda, the incredible pizzas feel designed for sharing in the garden with a drink in hand, conversation loosening as the afternoon slips a little further out of view. 

And finally onto The Hollow Bottom, a pub brought back to its former glory and now comfortably re-established as it should be. It’s the perfect place for a final drink of the night; unforced, welcoming, and made for that last proper pause before heading home. A pint of something local in hand, named after a racehorse you half recognise, and the evening quietly sorts itself out in front of you, without any need for ceremony.
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These routes aren’t rules, they’re more a framework and a decent excuse to head out, take the long way through villages you’ve only ever driven past, and stitch together a few pubs you might not have bothered with otherwise.

The journeys between them aren’t long, and that’s exactly the point. Just enough road to build a bit of anticipation, and make that next pint or plate feel properly earned.

If you’re going to do it properly, book ahead. In summer especially, the better places quietly fill with people who had the same idea. And better still, make a night of it. Stay at the final stops, settle in, and let the evening run on without the need to move again.

Then all you have to do is turn the music up, keep the roof down, and let the Cotswolds do what it does best: feed you well and send you home slightly later than intended.

And of course, a brief and entirely unromantic reminder: pick your designated driver early, keep them well supplied with soft drinks and gratitude, and please don’t be tempted at any point to mix driving with anything stronger than common sense.
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The Cotswolds Gentleman’s Summer Guide: 25 Outdoor Events for 2026

16/5/2026

3 Comments

 
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Photograph: James Bridle

We are incredibly fortunate in the Cotswolds to have so many brilliant events right on our doorstep as summer arrives in full. From food festivals and flower shows to classic car gatherings, country fairs, circuses, and open-air cinema beneath the stars, the season offers endless excuses to step outside, gather with friends, and make the most of the long days and warm evenings.

​​Here are 25 events to help you make the most of the Cotswolds outdoors this summer.
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June

CHELTENHAM SCIENCE FESTIVAL
2 - 7 JUNE • VARIOUS LOCATIONS

In 2025, the Science Festival uncovered mind-blowing facts, from quantum tunnelling and the secrets of squid ink to the surprising truth that fish have legs and even what it takes to become a champion cheese chaser. We were joined by the likes of Brian Cox, Greg Foot, Maya Raichoora, Helen Czerski, Maddie Moate, Daze Aghaji, Robin Ince and more. 2026 is sure to be even bigger and better!

TICKETS + INFO

​THE CHURCHILL CAR SHOW

14 JUNE • CHURCHILL VILLAGE GREEN

A delightfully Cotswold affair, the Churchill Car Show returns to the village green of Churchill for a much-loved summer gathering of motoring charm and community spirit. From classic icons to modern supercars and one-off curiosities, the green becomes a living gallery of automotive design, set against the backdrop of an unhurried village day.

Alongside the displays, expect a relaxed atmosphere of food, drink, family entertainment and local fundraising in support of local charities.

TICKETS & INFO

​THE BLENHEIM PALACE FLOWER SHOW
19–21 JUNE • BLENHEIM PALACE, OXFORDSHIRE

A most elegant herald of the summer season, the Blenheim Palace Flower Show returns to the sweeping grounds of Britain’s grandest palace, where horticulture and heritage meet in suitably magnificent style. Across three days, the parkland is transformed into a world of colour and creativity, from the grandeur of the Floral Pavilion to the artistry of show gardens, specialist growers, and immersive displays that celebrate the very best of British gardening.

TICKETS & INFO

THE CHELTENHAM FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
19–21 JUNE • MONTPELLIER GARDENS, CHELTENHAM

The Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival returns to the elegant surrounds of Montpellier Gardens, where the town’s Georgian grace provides a fitting backdrop for three days devoted to flavour, craft, and indulgence. Across the weekend, acclaimed chefs and local producers gather to present live cookery demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings, and a rich programme of talks and masterclasses, all set within a lively open-air market of artisan food and drink.

From the aromas of street food drifting through the trees to the hum of the Festival Stage and the relaxed pleasure of sampling something new in good company, it is a celebration of the region’s culinary talent in its most generous form.

TICKETS & INFO

​FOREST LIVE

24 - 28 JUNE • WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM

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.

TICKETS + INFO

​BLENHEIM PALACE FESTIVAL

27 JUNE - 4 JULY • BLENHEIM PALACE

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.​

TICKETS + INFO

CHARLBURY BEER FESTIVAL
27 JUNE • CHARLBURY CRICKET CLUB

The Charlbury Beer Festival returns on Saturday 27th June 2026, transforming the grounds of Charlbury Cricket Club into a cheerful celebration of great drink, good music, and local tradition. Expect 60 cask ales, 20+ craft beers, plus ciders, perries, wine, gin and Pimm’s, alongside excellent food (including veggie and vegan options). Run entirely by volunteers, the festival proudly raises funds for local and overseas causes, with live entertainment and the ever-popular World Aunt Sally Singles Championship adding a wonderfully English flourish to the day.

TICKETS + INFO
TOM JONES
​28 JUNE  •  KINGHOLM STADIUM

A voice that has long since become part of the British summer fabric returns to Gloucester as Sir Tom Jones takes to Kingsholm Stadium for a headline evening of unmistakable charm and enduring showmanship. As part of the Kingsholm Summer Series, the Welsh icon brings a catalogue spanning more than six decades — from early rhythm and blues to the unmistakable hits that have defined generations.

TICKETS & INFO


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​July


​GIFFORDS CIRCUS

JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER • VARIOUS COTSWOLDS LOCATIONS

A travelling celebration of old-fashioned wonder and handcrafted spectacle, Giffords Circus brings its 2026 show Waterfield to the fields and parklands of England from spring through to early autumn. Under the big top you’ll find a blend of acrobats, jugglers, equestrian artistry, live music and comedy, all presented with a wonderfully English, village-green charm that feels both timeless and joyously alive. Founded on the idea of “a miniature village green circus” bursting with magic, character and warmth, this season’s tour pitches up in various locations around the Cotswolds this summer. 

TICKETS + INFO

​THE COTSWOLD SHOW & FOOD FESTIVAL
4–5 JULY • CIRENCESTER PARK

A fine Cotswold summer fixture, the Cotswold Show & Food Festival returns to the stately grounds of Cirencester Park for a weekend that blends rural tradition with a distinctly modern flourish. Expect a lively mix of arena spectacle, from country pursuits and livestock displays to high-octane entertainment, alongside a bustling food hall and artisan village showcasing the very best of local produce and craft. It is, in essence, the countryside on full display.

TICKETS + INFO

​2000 TREES

8 - 11 JULY • WITHINGTON, NR CHELTENHAM

2000 Trees returns this July, with Upcote Farm once again playing host to one of the UK’s most revered independent music celebrations; a weekend of raw energy, brilliant bands and unforgettable summer days and nights with friends. The 2026 line‑up is stacked with heavyweight names for fans of punk, indie and alternative rock, including Alkaline Trio, Pup, Superheaven, Glassjaw and Lambrini Girls, alongside raucous favourites like Cancer Bats, Bad Nerves, High Vis and Dinosaur Pile‑Up — plus a host of rising acts across multiple stages that make Trees a perfect showcase for both established and underground talent.

TICKETS & INFO

​THE RHS BADMINTON FLOWER SHOW
8–12 JULY • BADMINTON ESTATE

A striking new arrival on the horticultural calendar, the RHS Badminton Flower Show unfolds across the sweeping parkland of the Badminton Estate, where South Gloucestershire becomes, for a brief midsummer spell, a showcase of gardening at its most refined. From show gardens of real ambition to the immersive Floral Marquee, expect a procession of extraordinary planting, rare specimens, and designers and growers at the very top of their craft.

Beyond the blooms, the show takes on the character of a great country gathering with talks from leading horticultural voices, artisan food, and a sense of gentle discovery at every turn. 

TICKETS + INFO

THE CHARLBURY RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL
19–20 JULY • MILL FIELD, CHARLBURY

A rather splendid outpouring of community spirit, the Charlbury Riverside Festival returns to the Mill Field on the banks of the Evenlode, where for one summer weekend the watermeadows become a stage for music, mischief, and open-air merriment. Widely regarded as Oxfordshire’s largest free festival, it draws a lively mix of families, locals and wanderers for two days of live bands, multiple stages, and a distinctly easygoing charm.

Alongside the music, expect a generous spread of food stalls, a well-stocked beer tent, children’s entertainment, and the kind of unforced, riverside atmosphere that only Charlbury seems to do with such ease, all set just a short stroll from the station.

TICKETS & INFO

FOOL’S DELIGHT CIRCUS
23 JULY – 2 AUGUST • HAM COURT HOUSE, OXFORDSHIRE

A most curious and captivating summer interlude, Fool’s Delight Circus returns with its latest creation, Tyger, transforming the grounds of Ham Court House into a world of imagination, dining, and daring performance. Inspired by William Blake’s famous poem, this year’s show explores the “fearful symmetry” of the human condition through a series of spellbinding circus duos, where acrobatics and aerial artistry become a meditation on beauty, tension, and duality.

Alongside the main production, guests are invited to a refined three-course communal feast, with the season also expanding into daytime entertainments, including solo shows from legendary clown Tweedy, family-focused performances, and even two evenings of opera from Wild Arts beneath the Big Top. It is, in every sense, a richly layered cultural escape — part circus, part supper, part summer reverie.

TICKETS + INFO

​THE GUITING MUSIC FESTIVAL
24 JULY – 2 AUGUST • GUITING POWER

A quietly glorious fixture of the Cotswold summer, the Guiting Music Festival returns for ten days of intimate, world-class performance in the unspoilt village of Guiting Power. Set beneath canvas and open skies alike, the programme moves effortlessly from classical refinement to jazz and blues, drawing acclaimed musicians from across the UK and beyond into a setting that feels both personal and timeless. This year, you will find Mica Paris and Lindisfarne on the line-up.

TICKETS & INFO

WILDERNESS
30 JULY - 2 AUGUST • ​CORNBURY PARK

Wilderness returns to the magical parkland of Cornbury Park, inviting music lovers to lose themselves in a weekend of brilliant live performances, world‑class food experiences and the festival’s signature blend of creativity and culture. The 2026 line‑up features electrifying headline sets from iconic pop‑dance outfit Scissor Sisters, genre‑bending innovators The Last Dinner Party and legendary DJ‑producer Carl Cox, alongside acclaimed electronic duo Soulwax, indie favourite Saint Etienne and cult‑cool songwriter Baxter Dury, with dancefloor heat from Groove Armada and a host of eclectic acts across the stages.

Feasting is taken seriously too, with celebrated culinary names and creative food offerings ensuring that long afternoons are as delicious as they are musical, while talks, comedy and immersive arts experiences add extra colour to four unforgettable summer days under the trees.

TICKETS & INFO

​CHELTENHAM 7s FESTIVAL
31 JULY - 1 AUGUST • NEWLANDS PARK, CHELTENHAM

An explosive weekend of music, fun, and unforgettable experiences. Featuring a range of competitions for Rugby, Netball, Dodgeball, and much more during the festival, with a huge line up of talented artists, bands and DJs.

The combination of sport and music is a truly unique experience which is not to be missed. You don’t have to be taking part in the sport, to be a part of this unique event. This is not just a sports festival, it is an inclusive festival. Ideal for festivalgoers, sport lovers and families. Bringing people together through music and sport.

TICKETS + INFO

OUTDOOR CINEMA AT WESTONBIRT
31 JULY – 2 AUGUST • WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM

A rather enchanting escape, the Westonbirt Outdoor Cinema transforms the heart of the arboretum into a woodland theatre beneath the stars, where film and nature share the same gentle spotlight. Set among thousands of rare trees in one of Britain’s most beautiful botanical landscapes, guests are invited to settle with blankets and picnics as the sun slips through the canopy and the screen comes to life. Films include Dirty Dancing, Jurassic Park and a Sing-A-Long showing of Encanto for the younger viewers.

TICKETS & INFO


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​August


​CHELTENHAM CRICKET FESTIVAL
8 - 24 AUGUST • CHELTENHAM COLLEGE

A pillar of the English summer sporting calendar, the Cheltenham Cricket Festival returns to the elegant surrounds of Cheltenham College between Saturday 8th August to Friday 24 August, where it has been staged for generations on one of the country’s most historic cricket grounds. Dating back to 1872, it remains the oldest festival of its kind, pairing top-tier Gloucestershire cricket with a distinctly genteel sense of occasion.

Across the festival, expect a sunlit mix of County Championship and limited-overs fixtures, framed by traditional hospitality, lively marquees, and that unmistakable festival atmosphere where the boundary rope feels close enough to touch. 

TICKETS + INFO

THE BIG FEASTIVAL
28 - 30 AUGUST • KINGHAM

With the 2026 Big Feastival line-up now live, yet another unforgettable long weekend of music, food and fun awaits us on Alex James’ idyllic Cotswolds farm during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Across three days you’ll be treated to headline sets from dance-pioneers Basement Jaxx, UK rap-poet favourite The Streets and indie-pop hitmakers Bastille, alongside an eclectic mix of artists including RUDIM3NTAL, Perrie, Doves, White Lies, Freya Ridings, Mimi Webb and The Coral, ensuring there’s something for every musical taste.

But Big Feastival isn’t just about the beats, it’s a true celebration of flavour too, with acclaimed chefs and food experiences that have become just as legendary as the music. Expect chef demos, incredible street food and inventive culinary showcases that make grazing around the festival one of the highlights of the weekend.

Comedy lovers are also well-served, with live sets from names like Joel Dommett, Ivo Graham and Suzi Ruffell adding laughter to sun-soaked afternoons and balmy evenings

TICKETS & INFO



September


MORETON SHOW
5 SEPTEMBER • MORETON-IN-MARSH

A cornerstone of the Cotswold rural calendar, the Moreton Show returns for its celebrated one-day gathering in the heart of Moreton-in-Marsh, where the fields once again become a grand stage for British agriculture at its finest. Since 1949, it has championed the very best of farming, equestrian skill, and countryside tradition, drawing together livestock classes, arena displays, and over 300 trade stands in a lively yet unmistakably traditional spectacle.

From champion livestock parades to the thunder of arena attractions and the gentle bustle of the Home & Garden marquees, it is a day that distils the countryside into its purest form. For many, it remains the definitive late-summer gathering of rural England.

TICKETS & INFO

SALON PRIVE
2 - 6 SEPTEMBER • BLENHEIM PALACE

Get ready for five spectacular days of automotive excellence at Blenheim Palace. Following record‑breaking attendance in 2025, the 2026 edition will take place from Wednesday 2nd September to Sunday 6th September.

The Palace lawns will once again be transformed into a glamorous garden party, where extraordinary cars are showcased alongside fine dining, champagne bars and luxury shopping - creating an unforgettable celebration of style and innovation.

TICKETS + INFO

CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS
9 - 13 SEPTEMBER • CORNBURY PARK

An eventing experience set amongst the beautiful woodland of the Cotswolds’ most prestigious estate. Cornbury House Horse Trials is the ideal setting to see some of the the finest young horses and riders in the country competing in dressage, cross country and show jumping across five days in September.

TICKETS + INFO

​BLENHEIM PALACE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS
17 - 20 SEPTEMBER • BLENHEIM PALACE

Get ready for an unforgettable experience this year at Blenheim Palace! Experience four days of exhilarating eventing, including Dressage, Cross Country, and Showjumping, set against the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace – one of Britain’s most beautiful and historic venues.

TICKETS + INFO
3 Comments

Music Festival Guide 2026

28/3/2026

0 Comments

 
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With the first hints of longer days upon us, it’s impossible not to start looking ahead to summer. The season of golden evenings, open-air stages and weekends that blur into one unforgettable soundtrack is almost within reach. Think cocktails and sunset sing-a-longs with friends as world-class artists light up some of the most beautiful festival settings in the country. Summer 2026 is already shaping up to be a standout, and we honestly can't wait. 
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The Big Feastival
28 - 30 August 2026
​Kingham

With the 2026 Big Feastival line-up now live, yet another unforgettable long weekend of music, food and fun awaits us on Alex James’ idyllic Cotswolds farm during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Across three days you’ll be treated to headline sets from dance-pioneers Basement Jaxx, UK rap-poet favourite The Streets and indie-pop hitmakers Bastille, alongside an eclectic mix of artists including RUDIM3NTAL, Perrie, Doves, White Lies, Freya Ridings, Mimi Webb and The Coral, ensuring there’s something for every musical taste.

But Big Feastival isn’t just about the beats, it’s a true celebration of flavour too, with acclaimed chefs and food experiences that have become just as legendary as the music. Expect chef demos, incredible street food and inventive culinary showcases that make grazing around the festival one of the highlights of the weekend.

Comedy lovers are also well-served, with live sets from names like Joel Dommett, Ivo Graham and Suzi Ruffell adding laughter to sun-soaked afternoons and balmy evenings

bigfeastival.com
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​Blenheim Palace Festival

27 June - 4 July
​Woodstock

With the first-ever multi-day festival set to light up the Great Court at Blenheim Palace, summer in the Cotswolds just got a whole lot more exciting. On the music front, global superstars and beloved voices take centre stage, from the pop magic of Katy Perry and the smooth classics of Michael Bublé to the genre-defying sounds of Teddy Swims and the orchestral dance experience of Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, with Alanis Morissette bringing her anthemic catalogue to the stunning backdrop.

www.blenheimpalace.com
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​Wychwood Festival

29 - 31 May 2026
​Cheltenham

Wychwood Festival will once again kick off the summer season in style when it returns to Cheltenham Racecourse for its landmark 20th edition this May, and this year’s celebration promises a quality mix of music, comedy and family‑friendly fun. Over three glorious days you’ll find headline energy from Craig David presents TS5, indie favourites Kaiser Chiefs and folk‑rock icons Levellers, alongside a wonderfully eclectic roster that includes Sophie Ellis‑Bextor, Feeder, The Pigeon Detectives, Boney M, The Horne Section and Newton Faulkner, plus plenty more across multiple stages.

Wychwood has long been beloved for its welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, pairing great live performances with everything from comedy spots and creative workshops to chilled out spaces and activities for all ages, making it the perfect weekend for friends, families and music lovers alike to toast the start of summer together.

wychwoodfestival.com
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​Wilderness

30 July - 2 August
​Cornbury Park

Wilderness returns to the magical parkland of Cornbury Park, inviting music lovers to lose themselves in a weekend of brilliant live performances, world‑class food experiences and the festival’s signature blend of creativity and culture. The 2026 line‑up features electrifying headline sets from iconic pop‑dance outfit Scissor Sisters, genre‑bending innovators The Last Dinner Party and legendary DJ‑producer Carl Cox, alongside acclaimed electronic duo Soulwax, indie favourite Saint Etienne and cult‑cool songwriter Baxter Dury, with dancefloor heat from Groove Armada and a host of eclectic acts across the stages.

Feasting is taken seriously too, with celebrated culinary names and creative food offerings ensuring that long afternoons are as delicious as they are musical, while talks, comedy and immersive arts experiences add extra colour to four unforgettable summer days under the trees.

www.wildernessfestival.com
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​Cheltenham Jazz Festival

29 April – 4 May 2026
Cheltenham
​
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival returns to the heart of Cheltenham, celebrating three decades of bold music, brilliant performances and boundary‑crossing creativity, and this year’s line‑up is already sounding unforgettable. From stirring headline sets by Van Morrison, Jessie J and pop‑soul favourite Joss Stone and Jack Savoretti to the genre‑defying sounds of Lady Blackbird and jazz luminaries like Joshua Redman and Bill Frisell, the festival continues to blend world‑class talent with fresh voices and new collaborations. Alongside classic and contemporary jazz, you’ll find everything from orchestral tributes to Miles Davis to soulful UK jazz from artists such as Courtney Pine, Emma‑Jean Thackray and Blue Lab Beats, giving you six days of music that run the gamut from timeless to trailblazing.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/festivals/jazz-festival
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​Forest Live

24 - 28 June 2026
Westonbirt Arboretum

As summer unfolds across the Cotswolds and the woodlands of Westonbirt Arboretum come alive with greenery, Forest Live 2026 offers a magical way to enjoy long summer evenings with friends, music, food and laughter beneath the trees. This beloved outdoor series brings big‑name acts to one of England’s most beautiful natural stages, starting with dance‑floor legend Fatboy Slim and continuing with timeless anthems from Deacon Blue (with Lightning Seeds), reggae favourites UB40 feat. Ali Campbell (with Bitty McLean & Reggae Roast), pop icon Rick Astley (with The Lottery Winners) and closing with Richard Ashcroft alongside Tom Meighan & Apollo Junction, a line‑up that spans genres and generations under the canopy.

www.forestlive.com/westonbirtarboretum
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2000 Trees
8 - 11 July 2026
Withington, Nr Cheltenham

2000 Trees returns this July, with Upcote Farm once again playing host to one of the UK’s most revered independent music celebrations; a weekend of raw energy, brilliant bands and unforgettable summer days and nights with friends. The 2026 line‑up is stacked with heavyweight names for fans of punk, indie and alternative rock, including Alkaline Trio, Pup, Superheaven, Glassjaw and Lambrini Girls, alongside raucous favourites like Cancer Bats, Bad Nerves, High Vis and Dinosaur Pile‑Up — plus a host of rising acts across multiple stages that make Trees a perfect showcase for both established and underground talent.

2000trees.co.uk
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Shindig
21 - 24 May 2026
Malmesbury
​
As the May Bank Holiday approaches, Shindig Festival 2026 returns to the idyllic Charlton Park Estate with a vibrant and eclectic line‑up set to kickstart the UK festival season in style. Across multiple stages tucked into beautiful woodland and fields, expect sun‑soaked afternoons and late‑night grooves from standout names like punk‑funk crew Fat Dog, politically charge British punk rap duo Bob Vylan, genre‑blending innovators War, and heavyweight soundsystem favourites Mungo’s Hi‑Fi, MY BABY and Snapped Ankles, plus DJ‑led energy from the likes of Pola & Bryson, Stanton Warriors and Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy.

shindigfestival.co.uk
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0 Comments

Big Feastival Announce Full Line-Up

29/1/2026

0 Comments

 
The Big Feastival have announced their full line-up ahead of a weekend full of music, food and good times at Alex James' Farm in Kingham over the August Bank.

Rudimental, Perrie, Red Rum Club, Freya Ridings, The Coral, White Lies and Ms Dynamite are just some of the acts joining the earlier announced headliners, Basement Jaxx, The Streets and Bastille. 

On the food front, you will find Anna Haugh, Emily English, Poppy O'Toole and Tom Barnes + many more in The Big Kitchen.

Laughs will be supplied by Ciara O'Connor, Harriet Kemsley and The Scummy Mummies and Scott Bennett, with a huge list of entainment including the brilliant Barrioke with Shaun Williamson, Taskmaster Club and closer to home, Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park.

The festival takes place from 28-30 August, 2026. 

You can find all the info and tickets here  - bigfeastival.com
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0 Comments

Looking Forward: The Music Set to Light Up the Cotswolds in 2026

1/12/2025

0 Comments

 
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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Kaiser Chiefs Announced for Wychwood Festival 2026

13/10/2025

0 Comments

 
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
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Birria Tacos + Britpop Strings: Big Feastival 2025

28/8/2025

1 Comment

 
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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
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Poor Boys mixed box courtesy of Big Eats Global
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The Bab House Birria Tacos courtesy of Big Eats Global
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Image courtesy of Matt Higgs
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Salon Privé 2025: A Week of Style, Speed and Splendour at Blenheim Palace

5/8/2025

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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
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BRITPOP TO BBQ: FIVE BIG FEASTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2025

4/8/2025

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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.
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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.
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​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.
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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. 
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One of our highlights from last year was Woody Cook who returns again to The Cheese Hub on the Sunday. 
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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.
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​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
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ALL THE STREET FOOD YOU NEED TO TRY AT BIG FEASTIVAL 2025

12/7/2025

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Get ready to pack your wellies and picnic blankets as Big Feastival 2025 is back, bigger and tastier than ever!

Set against the backdrop of Alex James’ farm in Kingham from 22 - 24 August 2025, the weekend is a glorious mash-up of top-tier live music, dining experiences, family fun and, of course, incredible street food.

If you're there for all three days or just one, here is some of the best food that you need to try.
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SMITHS OF BOURTON

We couldn't start with anyone else than our fellow Cotswoldians, Smiths of Bourton.

Brothers Theo and Seb have been smashing awesome burgers in their parent's old tea room in Bourton on the Water since 2020, and will be appearing at Feastival for the first time. 

You can expect huge flavours in their hand-pressed beef burgers made with Aubrey Allen dry-aged beef, buns from Marks Cotswold Bakery, homemade sauces and a while lot of love.

www.smithsofbourton.com
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​BAB HAUS

Our favourites from last year's festival, Bab Haus specialise in Mexican Street Food with a focus on pure, bold flavours and fresh ingredients. Their food is a fresh mix of authentic Mexican recipes with strong influences from LA and the West Coast. 

Their loaded nachos are awesome, but the Birria Taco is next level and an absolute must.

www.babhausmex.co.uk
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​​GAME AND FLAMES

If wild game is your thing, then you need to visit Game and Flames. 

Created by Cai Ap Bryn, a renowned wild food chef, hunter, and outdoor cooking expert with a deep passion for field-to-fork cuisine, Game and Flames not only caters using wild game but also sources high-quality meat from across the British Isles, supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices. Combining culinary creativity with traditional skills, Cai and his team deliver unforgettable, flame-fired feasts that reconnect people with the origins of their food

www.gameandflames.com
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BANQUET 1415

​At Banquet 1415, you can expect delicious Beef Short Ribs to Argentine Sausage, Pork Collar and mixed grill with the famous chimichurri that will have your taste buds dancing. 

Insta: @banquet1415
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POOR BOYS

These guys have been a staple of Feastival for a few years and are a must if you're going this summer. 

Serving classic New Orleans and Regional American flavours with their and Buttermilk Fried, don't be surprised if you venture back more than once!

eatpoorboys.com
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THAT'S IT PANCIT

That’s It Pancit is your go-to for bold Filipino BBQ, loaded noodle bowls, and crispy fries with a twist.

​They're all about big u, street food vibes, and sharing the love for pancit—Filipino-style stir-fried noodles—done right. Whether it’s juicy skewers fresh off the grill, saucy pancit packed with toppings, or fries drizzled with our signature sauces, we keep it simple, fun, and full of Filipino soul. 
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THE LAUNDRY

Inspired by classic European bistros, neighbourhood bars and cafés that have influenced Australasian culinary duo Melanie Brown and Sami Harvey, The Laundry will be bringing their masterfully slow-cooked caramelised NZ spiced pork belly, a rich and creamy Mac'n'Cheese with smoked manuka and crispy Pangrattato, as well as a BBQ Brekky Bun to kick-start your day at Big Feastival.

thelaundrybrixton.com
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​ELOTE TACOS

If, like us, you love Mexican food, you will definitely love Elote Tacos. 

If you are a regular at Gloucester Food Dock, you will be familiar with these guys, and they will be bringing their flavour-packed authentic Mexican cuisine to the farm for the first time in 2025.

elotetacos.com
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​BLONDIES KITCHEN

For anyone with a sweeter tooth, look no further than Blondies Kitchen. Founded in 2016 by two blonde foodies and professionally trained chefs, Kristelle and Chelsie, the girls became obsessed with American style cookies and have taken the cookie world by storm with their unique flavours and irresistible taste. 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/blondieskitchen
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MANDALA

We absolutely love Dumplings and these hand-crafted Himalayan ones are a thing of beauty. Their usual offering includes traditional pork and leek, signature beef and their vegan ones too.
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CHICK 'N' SOURS

​A restaurant in London for over a decade, Chick 'N' Sours have been taking their awesome fried chicken and flavours around the UK and is just another you should be trying at Big Feastival this August.

www.chicknsours.co.uk
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FEASTIVAL TICKETS

bigfeastival.com
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BIG FEASTIVAL ANNOUNCE 2025 LINE-UP

5/2/2025

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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
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SHED SEVEN, DOVES AND SCOUTING FOR GIRLS JOIN JAMES ON WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL LINE-UP

13/12/2024

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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
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PHOTO COURTESY OF WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL
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FESTIVAL AND GIG GUIDE 2025: VOLUME ONE

6/12/2024

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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!
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FOREST LIVE

Let'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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​NOCTURNE LIVE

We then move onto Nocturne Live at Blenheim Palace. Again, this is a stunning place to watch music. 

It takes place from 18th – 22nd June 2025 with Richard Ashcroft (supported by Lightning Seeds and The Zutons) and Gary Barlow already being announced.
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nocturnelive.com


​CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival is a magic event that takes place across various venues around the town from 30 April – 5 May.

A couple of weeks ago, they unveiled the first artists lined up to perform at next year’s event which include the brilliant David Gray who will perform tracks from his highly anticipated new album Dear Life alongside classics from his extensive back catalogue, which includes 1998’s record-breaking, 7-million-selling White Ladder.

Also announced was multi-GRAMMY-award-winning singer Corinne Bailey Rae, Nubya Garcia and Jools Holland.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.org
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​2000 TREES

If you're looking for something louder then 2000 Trees is what you need. 

The 2025 line-up is already looking awesome with the likes of Alexisonfire, Taking Back Sunday and Kneecap already announced.

The festival takes place at Upcote Farm in Withington (just outside Cheltenham) from 9th - 12th July 2025.

2000trees.co.uk
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​WILDERNESS

Located in Cornbury Park, Wilderness is one of the most popular festivals in the UK,

Hailed as a four-day party like no other and weekend of escapism, high jinks, and wholesome hedonism, the festival takes place from 31st July - 3rd August 2025

Basement Jaxx have already been announced as one of the headliners for 2025.

www.wildernessfestival.com
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​WYCHWOOD

Taking place from 30th May - 1st June 2025, Wychwood brings some great bands and a wonderful family friendly weekend to Cheltenham Racecourse.

They recently announced that the iconic, and much-loved, James will be headlining the Saturday night. 

wychwoodfestival.com
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​STROUD SUB ROOMS

If you're a Britpop fan from the nineties, Walkaway by Cast was probably on your cassette compilation. 

On Thursday 3rd April 2025, John Power will explore his extraordinary career in an acoustic-based show featuring hits alongside tales of the band's wild and successful years.

thesubrooms.co.uk

​We will keep you updated with further announcements from the festivals above and, of course, Big Feastival that will hopefully be revealing the first names on their line-up for 2025 very soon.
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RICHARD ASHCROFT TO PLAY BLENHEIM PALACE IN JUNE 2025

23/10/2024

 
Richard Ashcroft is announced as the first headliner for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series, which returns to the 10,000-capacity UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from June 18th - 22nd 2025.

​Ashcroft will headline on Thursday June 19th 2025 with support from Lightning Seeds and The Zutons.

As the mercurial frontman of ‘90s rock band The Verve, Ashcroft carved a reputation as one of his generation’s most iconic performers. The group’s breakthrough album Urban Hymns, which spawned hit singles Bitter Sweet Symphony, Lucky Man, and The Drugs Don’t Work, became one of the defining releases of the ‘90s and remains one of the best-selling albums in UK history.

Since The Verve disbanded in 1999, Ashcroft has enjoyed a thriving solo career with the release of seven UK Top Five albums and a string of hit singles including A Song For The Lovers from 2000’s Alone With Everybody, and Break The Night With Colour from 2006’s Keys To The World. Ashcroft has received Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to British Music.
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Support for Richard Ashcroft at Blenheim Palace comes from Lightning Seeds and The Zutons. With lead singer and songwriter Ian Broudie at the helm, Lightning Seeds became one of the most successful acts of the ‘90s thanks to hits including The Life of Riley, Pure, Lucky You and their enduring 1996 smash Three Lions. They perform at Blenheim Palace in celebration of their 35th anniversary. The Zutons are a multi-platinum-selling Liverpool band famed for their smash hit singles Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love? and Valerie - a huge international hit which reached even greater heights when covered by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse.  The band recently released The Big Decider, their first new album in 16 years which was produced by Nile Rodgers and the band’s original producer Ian Broudie, and charted in the UK Top 10.

​Nocturne Live transforms Blenheim Palace’s Great Court into a spectacular 10,000-capacity open-air concert venue and since its inception in 2015 has gone on to become one of the UK’s most popular stately home concert experiences. Over the years the series has presented shows from a host of huge international stars including the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Lauryn Hill, Noel Gallagher, Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, Tears for Fears, Gladys Knight, Elvis Costello, Simple Minds and Ennio Morricone amongst many others.

Nocturne Live 2025 runs from Wednesday June 18th - Sunday June 22nd.

nocturnelive.com
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BIG FEASTIVAL 2025 TICKETS ON SALE NOW

5/9/2024

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After the incredible three days across the August bank holiday weekend, camping and weekend tickets for Big Feastival 2025 are now available. 

This year, the festival welcomed a record-breaking sell-out crowd on the farm, with spectacular headlining performances from Becky Hill, Ministry of Sound Classical, and Snow Patrol. The lineup also featured the awesome Scouting For Girls, Natasha Bedingfield, Ash, Johnny Marr, Cat Burns, Kate Nash, and more. Culinary stars like Andi & Miquita Oliver and Simon Rogan led a fantastic array of chefs whilst the nation’s best street food vendors offered a diverse selection of delicious dishes throughout the weekend.

Weekend and camping tickets for Big Feastival 2025 are now available, as well as the highly coveted campervan pitches. Stay tuned for day passes and the 2025 line-up.

The August bank holiday wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the farm!

You can find all the info here - thebigfeastival.com/tickets
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ALL THE STREET FOOD YOU NEED TO EAT AT THE BIG FEASTIVAL

15/8/2024

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August Bank Holiday is a little over a week away which means that The Big Feastival is just around the corner.

We all know how good the music is all weekend with the likes of Snow Patrol, Becky Hill, CMAT, Scouting For Girls and Natasha Bedingfield all performing, but the Street Food on show is just as big.

From incredible fried chicken, burgers, steak, noodles, wings and everything else you can think of, the food on offer is arguably the best at any festival in the UK.

So, with that said, here are the 10 we think you should try over the Feastival weekend.

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​​Baba Side Fried


When it comes to collaborations, this is one of the biggest. Baba G and Other Side Fried are teaming up for the first time to bring some epic food to The Big Feastival.

Think fried chicken, keema lamb and lots more wrapped in naan bread, covered in sauce!
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​​Black Bear Burgers

This London crew are finally making their Feastival debut in 2024 and will be bringing their incredible burgers, sides and sauces for three days in the Cotswolds.
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Sen Noods

If you love a bowl of noodle soup, you will absolutely love these guys who are bringing the flavours of East Asian to Feastival once again in 2024.
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Poor Boys

As firm Feastival favourites, Poor Boys are a staple of the weekend.

Their food pays homage to the Famous New Orleans Po Boy sandwich and the Shrimp and Buttermilk Chicken is a must if you're going this year.
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Sireli

If you've never tasted Armenian inspired food, then make sure you head to Sireli over the weekend for their incredible flatbreads.
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Temper

Renowned for their open fire pits, Temper is the place to go for your smoked meat and BBQ fix at the Big Feastval this year. They will be located in The Smokery.
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Wholesome Junkies

If meat isn't your thing, then Wholesome Junkies will definitely satisfy your cravings. This vegan street food haven is bringing mouthwatering, 100% plant-based junk food that’s big on flavour to Feastival '24
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Ginger Wings

Founded by Jack Blumenthal and Leigh Jones in 2022, Ginger Wings has quickly risen to become one of the talk of their hometown of Marlow and will be bring their multi award-winning wings, strips, burgers and sides to Alex James' Farm this year.
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 We Are Melt

A cheese toastie might not be your first choice of festival food, but then you probably haven't tried We Are Melt. 

With their artisan bread, tasty dips and fillings like fried chicken, bbq brisket and nduja these toasties are truly incredible and a great way to start the day if you're camping for the weekend.

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Bab Haus

Last, but by no means least, the brilliant Bab Haus will be serving up their signature Birria Quesa Tacos, alongside Chipotle and maple BBQ pork belly, peanut salsa macha tacos on the BBQ, smoked sweet potato tostadas on the grill and their incredible loaded "Haus" nachos. 
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The Big Feastival takes place on Alex James' Farm in Kingham from Friday 23 - Sunday 25 August 2024.

There are literally just a few tickets remaining for Friday and Saturday!

thebigfeastival.com
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MICHELIN STARRED CARTERS MOVES TO WESTLANDS FOR THE SUMMER

5/7/2023

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​Brad Carter has announced that Carters will be moving to Westlands UK, one of the restaurant’s key suppliers, in Evesham for the summer of 2023.

The Michelin starred restaurant will move its entire team and experience to Evesham for a minimum of 3 months, where they will be supported by Gusborne, the award-winning sparkling wine producer.

Surrounded by living herbs, flowers and fauna, guests will be able to enjoy a unique 9 servings inspired by the area’s natural bounty and Carter’s ethos of ‘ultra-British seasonality’ from from Wednesday 19 July until September 2023. 

Brad Carter, said, “I’m thrilled to announce we are taking Carters to an incredible location over the Summer at one of my key suppliers, Westlands UK Evesham.

We’ve always flirted with the idea of building a restaurant at Westlands UK with Director Will Boers. Every time we visited for inspiration days at Westlands UK, it always crossed my mind how good it would be to take Carters there, and now it’s a reality. 

Having worked with Will and his family for over 13 years, showcasing all of their amazing produce and helping develop some of the products along the way - it seems so right to take the restaurant to them and create something completely unique and unmissable.

Westlands UK are committed to sustainability so our responsibility is to support their ongoing mission of work - the menu sits at around 75% of produce grown in and around the dining space.

For us, it’s a chance to be creative, think outside the box and take our plates to source - the menu here is complete sustainability - inspired by the herbs, flowers and plants of Westlands UK - in our usual style of complete circle, recycled cooking we will use whole shellfish, whole animals and seasonal fruits to create one-off unique dishes for our time in the glasshouse.

Think of the warmth in the tomatoes plucked from the vines and the intoxicating smell in the greenhouse they produce. Expect edible flowers, herbs and plants picked and harvested by hand within minutes of eating them, experiencing the optimum texture, flavour and peak freshness of the products in the environment they grow.”

As a family-owned, multi-generational business headed up by Managing Director Martin Boers, Westlands UK operate as a team, with a thoughtful approach at every step of the growing process.

Will Boers said, "We're so proud to welcome the highly-regarded Carters of Moseley on-site here at Westlands UK. Brad and I have worked closely together for a number of years and feel this collaboration is an epic match; combining sustainably-grown produce with talented chefs in an inspiring setting can only result in amazing, innovative dishes."

Bookings are open at wearecarters.co.uk

Carters at Westlands UK has been designed by 2G Design and Build​
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