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, fill your diary 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 4 to Sunday 9 June 2024, bringing some of the world's brightest minds to Imperial Gardens — including real-life astronaut, Tim Peake, and award-winning physicist, Brian Cox.
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 Friday 14 June 2024.
The picture-perfect fields near Broadway will be bursting with colour until Sunday 4 August 2024, giving visitors plenty of time to enter Instagram heaven before the lavender is harvested.
Get a round in at THE PIG's new Cotswold pub
The Village Pub in Barnsley reopens under its new owners, THE PIG, on Friday 14 June 2024, promising cosy Cotswold vibes and a fresh take on nostalgic pub grub, with traditional ales, English wines and local brewers on tap.
It's the first ever pub for THE PIG group, which owns a collection of eight boutique restaurants-with-rooms across the UK — including the neighbouring Barnsley House, which is being transformed into a PIG hotel for a September 2024 launch.
Tour Berkeley Castle’s blooming gardens
Fans of all things floral can explore the impressive landscaped gardens at Berkeley Castle this month, as the attraction brings its Historic Garden Tours back for June 2024.
Led by a knowledgeable guide, visitors can soak up the summer blooms on the exclusive tour, which is sure to provide some gorgeous photo opportunities. Don't miss the chance to try the brand-new Kitchen Garden restaurant, which opened at the start of Berkeley Castle's 2024 season, too.
Treat dad to an unforgettable Father's Day in Gloucestershire
Whether it's making DIY Beefy Boys' burgers at home or feasting on a free Father's Day lunch at Sudeley Castle, there are plenty of ways to spoil your dad and spend quality time together on Sunday 16 June 2024.
SoGlos rounds up 17 of our favourite Gloucestershire-based ways to make him feel special, including a trip to The Kings Head Hotel spa for a papa pamper day and sipping local real ales during Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's Steam and Ale Festival.
Celebrate Stroud Brewery's 18th birthday
Stroud Brewery turns 18 this year — and everyone is invited to raise a glass at its three-day birthday bash, Malty Story Festival. Best of all, it's free!
Taking over the taproom from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June 2024, there's bands on stage, DJ sets, children's entertainment, live graffiti and more, with over 40 acts performing across the weekend — not to mention specially brewed beer, from Stroud Brewery's best-selling favourites over the years to some brand-new offerings.
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 2024 season kicking off on Sunday 16 June, theatregoers can immerse themselves in Richard Wagner's magical world of gods, dwarves and giants, as Longborough presents a stand-alone series of events to fit around the Ring Cycle; or see a family-friendly adaptation of Gaetono Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore at the Cidermill Theatre.
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 8 June 2024 to take on the 22-mile trek, raising money for Gloucestershire-based charity, Aim Up.
See a Game of Thrones actor perform at Painswick Rococo Garden
Game of Thrones fans will recognise him as Qyburn, but this month, Anton Lesser takes on the role of Laurie Lee, Gloucestershire's very own literary icon, in an immersive theatrical performance at Painswick Rococo Garden.
With two alfresco performances taking place on Saturday 22 June 2024, against the backdrop of Laurie Lee's beloved Slad Valley, Red Sky at Sunrise follows his story from his childhood in post-war Slad to fighting in the Spanish Civil War, accompanied by a live orchestra.
Join a mystery road trip through the Cotswolds
There's a unique opportunity to join a secret rally around the Cotswolds on Sunday 30 June 2024, discovering hidden beauty spots on four wheels as Gloucestershire Community Foundation hosts its second annual Great Escape, in collaboration with Oasis Events.
With a navigational quiz to help drivers find their way, the mystery route will be revealed along the drive — but participants can expect a special pit stop at Jeremy Clarkson's brewery, Hawkstone, with VIP access! All money raised goes to support GCF's Poverty Hurts Appeal, too.
