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 pick 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, Cheltenham Festival is back, taking over the town from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 March 2023.
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 continue into the small hours – with SoGlos's dedicated Cheltenham Festival section collating everything from this year's best pre-race breakfasts and must-hit party spots, to fashion and betting tips, for all the Race Week inspo you need.
Discover Michelin dining experiences
Cheltenham Festival-goers can also sample the first and only three Michelin star hospitality in sport, when Core on Course by Clare Smyth launches at Cheltenham Racecourse to coincide with the world-class equestrian event.
Plus, with this year's Michelin stars due to be announced on Monday 27 March 2023, get ahead of the foodie game and try The Fox at Oddington, which made the list of Michelin inspectors' favourite new restaurants in December 2022 – or wait to see if Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham keeps its one star for another year.
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 2023.
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.
Engage with contemporary culture at The Sub Rooms
Set to spark bright minds, Stroud's live music and performance venue The Sub Rooms is introducing a new series of pop-up events, bringing an inspirational line-up of musicians, writers and thought-provoking speakers to town from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 March 2023.
The Pop Up presents SubCulture event will see the likes of Happy Mondays legend Bez talking about his new book, Buzzin' and famed music producer Trevor Horn revealing how he became 'the man who invented the 80s' – with an entire rave sub-programme celebrating the free party scene of the late 80s and early 90s, too.
See Prue Leith live at the Everyman Theatre
Bake Off fans won't want to miss Prue Leith taking to the stage at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre for her first ever live show on Wednesday 15 March 2023.
With 'nothing off the menu', expect tell-all rants about her life in the restaurant trade, from feeding the rich, famous and royal to joining Paul Hollywood as a judge in The Great British Bake Off tent – with an interactive Q&A planned for the second half of the show, where she'll be answering the audience's burning questions.
Take your mum out for Mother's Day in Gloucestershire
Help your parent to feel extra special this Mother's Day with a gorgeous Gloucestershire day out, with plenty of 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 19 March 2023.
For even more ideas on how to spoil her rotten, check out SoGlos’s selection of 17 ways to treat your mum in Gloucestershire this Mother’s Day.
Get a smoothie bowl at Cheltenham's first wellness café
Whipping up healthy açai bowls that are almost too pretty to eat, Rainbowls is due to open its first wellness café in the UK on Cheltenham's Hewlett Road this month.
Locals can look forward to starting their day the right way, tucking into soulful food served with friendly Dutch hospitality – including juices and healthy bakes, as well as its colourful smoothie bowls topped with fresh fruit and crunchy granola.
Dine at James Martin's new restaurant in Broadway
Celebrity chef James Martin was in the Cotswolds last month, launching his brand-new restaurant GRILL at The Lygon Arms – and diners don't have long to wait to experience his second sought-after restaurant at the hotel either, with TAVERN set to open in March 2023.
Perfect for leisurely lunches paired with a pint, TAVERN offers a more relaxed dining experience than GRILL, with a menu of simple yet tasty fare including dishes like shepherd's pie and baked aubergine with tabbouleh.
Take a tour of King Charles III's gardens
Known for its exquisite grounds of colourful plantings – and for being the family home of King Charles III, of course – Highgrove is welcoming visitors back to its Tetbury gardens for exclusive tours this month.
Shake off the winter and admire carpets of sunny daffodils and elegant blossoms on one of its Spring Walks garden tours, taking place on selected dates from Wednesday 8 to Thursday 30 March 2023.
Get arty at Craft Festival Cheltenham
A dreamy day out for creative types, Craft Festival is returning to Cheltenham Town Hall from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 March 2023, welcoming over 100 designer-makers from across the UK.
From furniture and woodwork to precious jewellery, ticketholders can hunt for new treasures; take part in creative workshops, with free drop-in sessions for mini artists; and stop by live demonstrations to see the crafters at work.
