10 unmissable things to do in Gloucestershire this March

From exclusive dining experiences to five-star Severn Bores, not forgetting the return of the Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup, discover SoGlos’s pick of 10 unmissable things to do in Gloucestershire in March 2024.

By Annabel Lammas  |  Published
Catch all the Cheltenham Festival action, see a five-star Severn Bore and soak up the first signs of spring in Gloucestershire, this March 2024.
In partnership with Cleevely Motors and Cleevely Electric Vehicles  |  cleevelymotors.co.uk
Cleevely Motors and Cleevely Electric Vehicles

Established in 1962, Cleevely Motors is a family-run garage on Cheltenham's Lansdown Industrial Estate, offering servicing and repair work for a range of domestic and commercial vehicles. Its sister business, Cleevely EV, was established in 2018 and specialises in selling, servicing and leasing electric and hybrid vehicles.

Cleevely Motors and Cleevely Electric Vehicles

Bringing with it brighter days and longer evenings, there’s even more time to enjoy everything Gloucestershire has to offer now that March — and spring! — is finally here.

From celebrating all the Race Week action to soaking up gorgeous spring colours at the county's best beauty spots, SoGlos's selection of 10 unmissable things to do this month is packed with inspiration to keep you busy.

Celebrate Race Week in Cheltenham

Arguably the BIGGEST event in Cheltenham’s calendar, the Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup is back, taking over the town from Tuesday 12 to Friday 15 March 2024.

From watching the equestrian action unfold at Cheltenham Racecourse to celebrating big wins at the best restaurants and bars in town, racegoers can expect the revelry to start early and continue into the small hours. Get Race Week-ready with our pick of Cheltenham's best pre-race breakfasts and must-hit party spots.

See a five-star Severn Bore!

Whether you're surfing or spectating, don't miss the chance to catch this year's only five-star Severn Bore on Tuesday 12 March 2024. 

One of Gloucestershire's most spectacular natural phenomena, the Severn Bore is an impressive tidal wave which surges up the Severn Estuary, attracting hundreds of spectators and extreme sport enthusiasts — with the largest and rarest five-star bores having an epic tidal range of 5.4 metres and above!

Have an egg-cellent Easter in Gloucestershire

From cracking egg hunts to fun family activity trails, there’s heaps to keep Gloucestershire’s little bunnies happy during the Easter holidays, from Saturday 23 March to Sunday 7 April 2024. SoGlos’s Easter guide covers all the highlights.

While for grown-ups, Gloucester Brewery's Easter Beer Festival promises a bank holiday weekend packed with street food, live entertainment and of course, beer! 

Dine at Berkeley Castle's brand-new Kitchen Garden restaurant

Expect daily-changing menus of seasonal dishes, set in a stunning walled garden, when Berkeley Castle unviels its new Kitchen Garden restaurant on Sunday 24 March 2024 — just as the historic Gloucestershire attraction re-opens for the 2024 season.

As well as catering for castle visitors with light lunches, home bakes and drinks, The Kitchen Garden has exciting plans for monthly Friday feasting nights, with the first of these foodie experiences arranged for Friday 29 March 2024.

Get a taste of Michelin star dining in the Cotswolds

Not-to-be-missed by Gloucestershire foodies, Cotswold pub The Feathered Nest is hosting an exclusive pop-up dining event with Ollie Dabbous, the chef behind London's Michelin star restaurant HIDE, on Wednesday 27 March 2024.

For one night only, diners can expect a creative six-course tasting menu, complete with wine pairings and dishes like venison saddle with white chocolate parsnip puree and grilled lobster with toasted peppercorns to look forward to.

See gorgeous spring colours in Gloucestershire

From blossoming cherry trees at Batsford Arboretum to thousands of native daffodils popping up in the Golden Triangle, nature lovers can start to see flora spring back to life across Gloucestershire’s woodlands, gardens and beauty spots, this March 2024.

Plus, with botanical collections from all over the world awakening, discover why spring is perhaps the most glorious time of year at the popular Cotswold attraction, Westonbirt Arboretum.

Walk the Daffodil Way

Thanks to new accessibility improvements along the popular Daffodil Way walking route, more people can see the Forest of Dean's Golden Triangle of wild daffodils in all their glory this March.

The annual Kempley Daffodil Weekend, which takes place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March 2024, attracts hundreds of walkers with guided walks into the daffodil meadows and yellow-carpeted woodland, as well as a free daff-and-ride bus for visitors to spot the spring blooms in comfort.

Take your mum out for Mother's Day in Gloucestershire

Help your parent to feel extra special this Mother's Day, with plenty of Gloucestershire offers to mark the occasion — from sipping free fizz at Gloucester Quay's Coal Kitchen to exploring the Cotswolds' 'secret garden' Cerney House Gardens, with free entry for mums and step-mums on Sunday 10 March 2024.

For even more ideas on how to spoil her rotten, check out SoGlos’s selection of 19 ways to treat your mum in Gloucestershire this Mother’s Day.

Catch a family flick at Gloucester's outdoor cinema

Alfresco cinema season starts this month, with outdoor screenings of two films at Gloucester's King's Walk Shopping Centre on Saturday 30 March 2024.

Grab a deckchair and sing along to smash hits from The Greatest Showman, or step inside The LEGO Movie universe — with these two crowd-pleasing movies bringing big laughs and heartfelt entertainment for the whole family.

Get a pint at Cheltenham's newest pub

It's great news for fans of popular Cheltenham watering hole, The Bottle of Sauce, as its new sister pub, The Airs and Graces, gears up to open on Prestbury Road this month. 

Taking over the former Sudeley Arms, the neighbourhood pub has been given a 'Dodo style revamp' by owners Dodo Pub Co, with plans to serve Neapolitan-style pizzas, bar snacks and a unique menu of topped garlic bread, too.

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