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What's new
There's so many exciting, new things, events and anniversaries to shout about, but here are just a few highlights of what’s new in the Cotswolds.
For a full list please download What’s New in the Cotswolds, 2024 and beyond! which also includes accommodation recently reopened.
A world-class climbing park called 270 Climbing with sports and adventure activities opened in a phased approach from spring 2023 and development continues now into 2024. With a range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and abilities, it’s set to become an exciting attraction for the local region and offer a vibrant facility for climbers as well as families, groups and clubs.
Treedwellers, Cornbury Park Estate near Chipping Norton
Set within the stunning Cornbury estate nestled in ancient woodland surrounded by nature, you will be able to escape the stress of day-to-day life in 7 unique individual tree houses. Opening in early 2024, the treehouses are ecocentricly planned and organically designed so they respectfully blend into a spectacular living landscape.
Hotel Indigo Gloucester – The Forum is expected to open later in 2024.
The property will include a one-of-a-kind restaurant focused on celebrating the local neighbourhood, and an exquisite rooftop cocktail bar with views onto a bespoke private courtyard. Guests will also have access to a gym, conferencing facilities and The Forum’s state-of-the-art digital innovation hub.
The 131-room Hotel Indigo Gloucester – The Forum will be located in The Forum development in the heart of the city centre, and in partnership with Gloucester City Council and the Reef Group. The property will include a one-of-a-kind restaurant focused on celebrating the local neighbourhood, and an exquisite rooftop cocktail bar with views onto a bespoke private courtyard. Guests will also have access to a gym, conferencing facilities and The Forum’s state-of-the-art digital innovation hub.
See link to announcement of the new hotel in Gloucester
In 2024 Newark Park will be celebrating 75 years in the care of the National Trust. Newark Park was originally built in 1550 as a hunting lodge by Sir Nicholas Poyntz, a key member of Henry VIII’s court. Since then, the estate has been shaped by the people who have lived here throughout its almost 500-year history. However, one thing that has never changed is Newark Park’s appeal: a tranquil spot where pleasure, entertainment and hospitality are prized. To mark the anniversary, visitors will have the opportunity to share their favourite things about the site and the memories they have made here. This will include a memory tree and an exhibition focusing on the conservation works that have taken place over the last 75 years.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/newark-park
Wyck Hill House Hotel just outside Stow on the Wold was sold to new owners in 2022 who have ambitious refurbishment plans that will build on this well-known and popular hotel. It is hoped the hotel will reopen in Spring 2024 once renovations are complete. Whilst retaining many of the original characters of this amazing building, the new Wyck Hill House will be an oasis of top class service, best in class food, drink and bedroom offerings and a host of sympathetically blended modern amenities www.wyckhillhousehotel.co.uk
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Refurbishment work started in Spring 23 on the old iconic Imperial Hotel located conveniently next to the railway station in the market town of Stroud. Now renamed The Stroud, when completed at the end of the year, the hotel will have 25 bedrooms including 2 family suites and 4 luxury suites with a restaurant and bar for you to get cosy in. The bar will be named The Bucknall Bar after the buildings architect Benjamin Bucknall. The Restaurant and Bar will hold 106 people for dining and there will be event space for 44 dining capacity.
Go Cotswolds a local family-run guided tour company launches a brand new 10th anniversary ‘Secret Cotswolds’ tour for 2024.
This exclusive new small group tour reveals some of the beautiful yet ‘secret’ spots in the Cotswolds that many visitors miss making it ideal for visitors who prefer to get a little off the usual tourist trail. It also offers a completely different itinerary to our best-selling ‘Cotswolds in a Day’ tour, so is perfect for repeat visitors who have taken this tour before, or who would like to enjoy a fantastic two-day itinerary.
The Calcot Collection’s flagship hotel, Calcot & Spa has a very exciting launch to add to their Cotswold playground. THE GRAIN STORE, which will be opening February 2024 is a brand new, purpose built membership club connecting mind, body and soul in a place for members to work, rest and play.
Nestled within Calcots' grounds is The Grain Store; a gym & fitness sanctuary for ultimate wellbeing. Here, you'll find a state-of-the-art gym with Technogym equipment, spin shed, holistic studio, an exercise studio hosting an extensive timetable of fitness classes, Grain Store café to work, relax and refuel in, all while being immersed in a Cotswold countryside setting that invites serenity and wellbeing.
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Recently opened is the new Highgrove Shop at the Coronation Pavilion and Barley Court also on the Highgrove estate, is a newly restored 17th-century Cotswolds farmhouse that contains textile studios, and Street Farm, a series of bespoke workshops that cater for furniture-making as well as stonemasonry and related crafts. Check out more information here
Designer Outlet Cotswolds – A new designer outlet planned for near the M5 in Gloucestershire will bring thousands of shoppers to the area and transform the region. The six acre new retail and leisure destination is being built just off the A46 near Ashchurch and the M5 Junction 9 for Tewkesbury. The first phase is planned to open in 2024.
The Cotswolds canal project Work continues to bring the Cotswold Canals to life with the Cotswold Canals Connected, (Phase 1B of the Cotswold Canals restoration project), marking the next exciting phase of canal restoration for the Cotswolds. It will link the Stroudwater Navigation canal with the Gloucester and Sharpness canal at Saul Junction. It will join our communities, towns and villages with the rest of the UK’s canal network, present new business opportunities and create a vibrant tourist destination in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Cheltenham Festival 2024 is celebrating 100 years of the Gold Cup across the week of racing.
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival/gold-cup-100/
Longborough Festival Opera is an ambitious annual summer festival, taking place in a 500-seat home-grown theatre in the North Cotswolds. 2024 sees a new production of Wagner’s Ring created especially for Longborough by Amy Lane, Artistic Director of Copenhagen Opera Festival, and Longborough’s Music Director and eminent Wagnerian Anthony Negus. Der Ring des Nibelungen (known as the Ring cycle) is a story of gods, giants and heroes, and their struggles for power. Wagner’s cycle is the most epic of tales, a monumental work of art with a score that is searing, desperate and sublime. The full cycle consists of four operas taking place across a week: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung and is the pinnacle for any opera lover to enjoy. Cycle I: 16 – 22 June 2024, Cycle II: 25 June – 30 June 2024, Cycle III: 4 – 9 July 2024 LFO.org.uk/ring
A brand-new history festival is coming to Cirencester, Capital of The Cotswolds, this October half term, 26th October–3rd November 2024.
The inaugural Cirencester History Festival will include an exciting programme of local, national and global history for all ages. Events will reflect on the past, challenge the present and explore the future via topics ranging from the Romans to revolutions, the Anglo-Saxons to archaeology and from the Tudors to today’s global challenges. Organised in association with the established Gloucester History Festival and Corinium Museum, there will be flagship talks from some of the country’s top historians, authors, thinkers & broadcasters alongside family events, including trails, feasts, cookery classes, workshops & storytelling – all with a historical theme! Instagram: @cirenhistoryfest
Blenheim Palace is hosting its biggest exhibition with a line-up of world-class designers, fashion houses, and labels that will feature in its Icons of British Fashion, opening in March 2024.
The blockbuster exhibition, running from 23rd March until 30th June, will showcase a creative curation of fashion clothing, accessories, archival materials, drawings, photography and patterns by an array of legendary designers - dramatically lit and displayed amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s own priceless collections. The exhibition will celebrate fashion from the past through to the present day, featuring bespoke designs and loans from a Who’s Who of the fashion world.
New walking trail launching March 24
The much-anticipated River Coln Trail is set to officially open, offering a picturesque journey from the river's source to its convergence with the mighty Thames, spanning thirty-three miles.
The River Coln Trail, a collaborative effort between the two ’Walkers are Welcome’ towns of Winchcombe and Fairford, together with Gloucester County Council Rights of Way, aims to promote sustainable tourism and environmental awareness. The project has been several years in the making, to provide an enjoyable and educational experience for trail-goers. A guidebook offering a route description and maps compliments the route. Along the route, walkers will discover scenic beauty as the trail winds through charming villages, lush meadows and woodlands as well as historical landmarks. Nature enthusiasts will be delighted by the diverse flora and fauna along the trail and the route is a haven for spotting many bird species too.
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The Old Rectory Restaurant & Sculpture Garden, Colesbourne has re-opened after a refurbishment by its new owners Jason and Michelle Aplin. After 15 years in New Zealand they have settled in the Cotswolds to present Michelle’s sculptures and the skills of Chef of the Year 2019 Dan Richards. Licensed and open 6 days a week with a supper club too. Booking is advised and Groups are welcome.
www.oldrectoryrestaurant.co.uk
