With summer on the way, June is shaping up to be an exciting month for Gloucestershire.
From seeing brain-fizzing experiments at Cheltenham Science Festival to Cotswold Lavender making a blooming beautiful comeback, get your diaries full with SoGlos’s top picks of unmissable things to do in Gloucestershire this month.
Be the Change at Cheltenham Science Festival
Prepare to have your mind blown as Cheltenham Science Festival returns from Tuesday 6 to Sunday 11 June 2023, bringing some of the world's brightest sparks to Imperial Gardens – including real-life astronaut, Tim Peake, and famous woodsman, Ray Mears.
As well as talks with leading scientists and demonstrations, visitors can get hands-on with science at the free interactive zones, from solving cryptic challenges in The Arcade to coding robots in MakerShack. And adults can come along on the Friday night for a child-free, over-18s experience!
Visit Cotswold Lavender near Broadway
It wouldn’t be summer in the Cotswolds without the return of Cotswold Lavender – and the fragrant fields are officially welcoming visitors back to enjoy the flowers in bloom from Wednesday 14 June 2023.
The picture-perfect fields near Broadway will be bursting with colour until Sunday 6 August 2023, giving visitors plenty of time to enter Instagram heaven before the lavender is harvested.
Make the most of the great Gloucestershire sunshine
With the sun finally making an appearance and more glorious weather on the way, June is the month to start celebrating summer in Gloucestershire.
Gather the family for an afternoon of strawberry picking at the county's juiciest pick-your-own fruit farms; make waves at one of Gloucestershire's historic lidos or family-friendly splash pools; make a beeline for a riverside pub for a relaxing pint in the sunshine; or pack an alfresco feast to enjoy at one of the county's most scenic picnic spots.
Rock out at Westonbirt Arboretum for Forest Live
Bringing the likes of Paul Weller, Tom Grennan and Jack Savoretti to Westonbirt Arboretum for a spectacular showcase, Forest Live is the first big music festival of the summer in Gloucestershire – with artists taking to the stage from Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 June 2023.
Keen festivalgoers are in luck too, with tickets still available to see all three artists, at the time of publishing.
Tour Berkeley Castle’s blooming gardens
Fans of all things floral have the opportunity to explore the impressive landscaped gardens at Berkeley Castle this June 2023, as the historic attraction hosts its annual Garden Month.
Led by a knowledgeable guide, visitors can soak up the summer blooms on the exclusive Historic Garden Tour – which is sure to provide some gorgeous photo opportunities, as well as an insight into how the magnificent landscaped areas came to be.
See Star Wars toys at the Museum of Gloucester
The force is strong in Gloucestershire this month, with one of the best collections of vintage Star Wars toys and memorabilia in the whole country coming to the Museum of Gloucester on Saturday 24 June 2023.
A must-visit for any Star Wars fan, May The Toys Be With You features everything from lightsabres and collectible action figures to original cinema posters from a galaxy far, far away... With special guests from Gloucestershire Troopers on opening day, too!
Treat dad to an unforgettable Father's Day in Gloucestershire
Whether it's making DIY Beefy Boys' burgers at home or feasting on Sunday lunch at The Speech House Hotel, there are plenty of ways to spoil your dad and spend quality time together this Father's Day.
SoGlos rounds up 14 of our favourite Gloucestershire-based ways to make him feel special, including a trip to see some walking and roaring dinosaurs at Berkeley Castle and sipping local real ales during Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's Steam and Ale Festival.
Catch a show at Longborough Festival Opera
Experience opera in an intimate setting at Longborough Festival Opera near Moreton-in-Marsh – a purpose-built, 500-seat theatre that overlooks the spectacular Cotswold countryside.
With the 2023 season kicking off in June, theatregoers can immerse themselves in Richard Wagner's magical world of gods, dwarves and giants as Götterdämmerung takes the stage or see a satirical comedy production of Gaetono Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore – making it extra special with a fine dining experience in the interval.
Visit The Glasshouse Inn in the Forest of Dean
After closing its doors in August last year, pubgoers will be delighted to hear that The Glasshouse Inn in Longhope is welcoming visitors back from Thursday 1 June 2023.
Sat on the slopes of May Hill, the popular pub oozes rustic charm with olde-worlde features and serves a menu of hearty grub made from local produce – including lamb, pork and eggs from the owners' own Gloucestershire farm.
Take on Cheltenham's very own Three Peak Challenge
Put your fitness to the test with a unique long-distance walking challenge, conquering the heights of Cheltenham's 'Three Peaks' – Cleeve Hill, Crickley Hill and Leckhampton Hill – all in one day.
Join fellow hikers on Saturday 10 June 2023 to take on the 22-mile trek, raising money for Gloucestershire-based charity, Aim Up.
