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With summer on the way – and Pimm’s at the ready for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations – 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.
1. Chase the cheese at Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling
One of Gloucestershire’s craziest traditions, the annual Cheese Rolling competition is returning to Cooper’s Hill on Sunday 5 June 2022, giving daring competitors the chance to peg it downhill after that coveted wheel of Double Gloucester.
Attracting hundreds of spectators and brave participants, who rarely manage to stay on their feet in pursuit of the cheese, the world-famous event is not to be missed as it makes its much-anticipated return after a two-year hiatus.
2. Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is getting ready for a long weekend of street parties, afternoon teas and royal revelries to mark the Queen’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne – with Jubilee celebrations taking place across the county from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June 2022.
Raise a glass of Pimm’s to Her Maj at the Everyman Theatre’s Bake Off-inspired tent; dine in royal carriages at Ellenborough Park; or travel back in time at Tewkesbury Vintage Jubilee Party.
The bank holiday weekend also sees the return of Gloucester’s hugely popular Tall Ships Festival, bringing sea shanties, historic ships and real-life pirates to port from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 June 2022.
3. Say cheers to Cattle Country’s big 30th birthday
Party like it’s 1992 and celebrate three whole decades of fantastic family days out at Cattle Country Farm Park, as the Berkeley attraction throws its big 30th birthday party on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June 2022.
As well as the usual farmyard fun, families can throw some shapes at a mini disco, take part in circus skills workshops and get their faces painted – with a special birthday menu to sample in the GRAZE café, too.
4. 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 15 June 2022.
The picture-perfect fields near Broadway will be bursting with colour until Sunday 7 August 2022, giving visitors plenty of time to enter Instagram heaven before the lavender is harvested.
5. Be the Change at Cheltenham Science Festival
Prepare to have your mind blown as Cheltenham Science Festival returns from Tuesday 7 to Sunday 12 June 2022, bringing hundreds of events to Imperial Gardens for its 20th anniversary year.
As well as talks with leading scientists and demonstrations covering everything from the secrets of Victorian magic to the science of the perfect pint, visitors can discover seven free interactive zones – including the brand-new Arcade, full of cryptic challenges to try.
6. See the Women’s Tour cycle through Gloucestershire
Cycling fans can see world-class champions hurtle through the county on Wednesday 8 June 2022, when Gloucestershire plays host to its first ever full stage of the prestigious cycling race, the Women’s Tour.
Promising rapid racing action, spectators can see the athletes set off from Tewkesbury, riding through the Forest of Dean before crossing the finish line at Gloucester Docks – with the sporting spectacle totally free to watch by the roadside.
7. Rock out at Westonbirt Arboretum for Forest Live
Bringing the likes of Rag’n’Bone Man and Madness to Westonbirt Arboretum for a spectacular summer showcase, Forest Live is the first big music festival in Gloucestershire’s calendar – with artists taking to the stage from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 June 2022.
Keen festivalgoers are in luck too, with tickets still available to see indie pop band, Keane, on Friday 10 June; and Scottish rock band, Texas, perform on Sunday 12 June 2022, at the time of publishing.
8. Tour Berkeley Castle’s blooming gardens
Fans of all things floral will have the opportunity to explore the impressive landscaped gardens at Berkeley Castle this June 2022, as the historic attraction hosts its first ever 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.
9. Browse Britain’s biggest choice of art at Fresh: Art Fair
Art lovers can admire the work of over 500 artists – including pieces from big names like Banksy, Henri Matisse and David Hockney – when Fresh: Art Fair returns to Cheltenham Racecourse.
Taking place from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 June 2022, the event will exhibit 6,000 original works, spanning paintings and prints to ceramics and sculptures, from some of the UK’s leading galleries, with something to suit every budget.
10. Take to the skies at Cheltenham Balloon Fiesta
Brightening up the sky from Friday 17 to Saturday 19 June 2022, the Cheltenham Balloon Fiesta is returning to Cheltenham Racecourse with sky-high spectacles, live arena entertainment and a giant funfair planned.
Kicking off with an epic firework display and glowing hot air balloons, there will also be local traders and plenty of food and drink stalls to discover over the weekend.
