May, beautiful May. It’s a week in and after all that hot air and sunshine, the wisteria in the garden is in full and wild bloom, the farm track I walk along is totally grown out, and the stringy lacey strands of cow parsley (now this really is my favourite) have come alive. Despite the happy and healthy landscapes around me, I have been going through it with a bad case of pneumonia for the past two weeks – a key takeaway, get your flu jab, even the simplest of chest infections can quickly migrate south. But in between the coughs and painful mid-riff, I’ve been feeling positive and excited about all the fun things coming up. Outdoor suppers, an overnighter to Paris, and I’ll be checking a new pizza spot in Bourton-on-the-Water. This month, I’m sticking to diary dates only and as always, here’s what to save for this month in the Cotswolds.
Christmas Court in Burford is all boarded up. Rumour has it that local Matthew Freud is taking it over and turning it into a spa. Here’s hoping it’ll be open to non-guests of Bull.
A new wood-fired pizza joint is open in Bourton-on-the-Water. Meet Oli Bonny. I’m getting the Devonci Code with artichoke, rocket, feta and olives.
The Painswick hotel in Painswick has a new restaurant. SAUCE is all about big sharing plates and feasting boards. One to check out.
Now – Kelmscott Manor, the country home of Arts-and-Crafts founder William Morris, has reopened for the summer season. Here’s how to visit the visionary’s home.
9th May – Belmond Le Manoir will be hosting a ‘Going Tastefully Floral for Spring’ creative workshop, which will see Le Manoir’s florists guide guests in designing a natural meadow arrangement, followed by a floral macaron-making demonstration. Top it all off with a Champagne afternoon tea. Yum. Book it in here.
Also starting today – Gifford’s Circus will be at Sudeley Castle until the 19th. It’s the 25th anniversary of the big top performance. The theme? Laguna Bay. A neon-lit ode to the sunny era of 1950s America. Tickets here.
10th May – sorry, this one isn’t in the Cotswolds but on the cusp. It’s the Green Man Festival in Bradford-on-Avon. I accidentally stumbled across this last year and had the most fun. Stop into Pipit Bakery for some sweet treats, then get in on the action.
Also on this day – big burger brand The Woozy Pig is opening their first standalone in Cheltenham. Bookings start from the 10th.
Plus – local, sustainable florist Cotswold Botanical is hosting a Floral Fundamentals workshop at Worton Kitchen Garden. A mandate from me: go for lunch after. Book here.
16th May – one of my favourite food writers, Letitia Clark, will be at Thyme to celebrate the launch of her new cookbook For the Love of Lemons. This will be a dreamy one. Tickets here, a two-course lunch is included in the price.
17th May – Cheltenham Pride. Don your most colourful kit.
Also on this day – It’s Barnsley’s Village Festival. Have a little snoop around the grounds of The Pig and Barnsley Park alongside Morris Dancers, craft stalls and lots of tea and cake.
Lastly, on the 17th – head over to Daylesford for a night of feasting, folk music and dance. Soil & Supper will take you around the farm, with a Fielden whisky in hand, before storytelling by the British Pilgrimage Trust. Secure your spot here.
18th May – Chloe’s in Charlbury is hosting their monthly flea market. Bring your wallet.
23rd May – Cath Kidston Padgham, Fibrex, and other guest sellers will be hosting ‘Pellymania’, a vibrant charity geranium sale hosted by Thyme. Discover stalls brimming with pelargonium plants and cuttings sourced from a variety of gardens. Proceeds go towards Horatio’s Garden, a charity working to nurture beautiful, restorative spaces for people with spinal injuries. Get your early bird ticket here.
24th May – for two days, it’s the Blenheim Palace Food Festival. Raymond Blanc, Thomas Straker and Melissa Helmsley will all be in the kitchen. Tickets here.
26th May – crazy traditionalists will be rolling down Cooper’s Hill chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester. Yep, the annual cheese chasing competition is back. Good for a ‘ooooh’ and an ‘aaah’. And a wince.
30th May – Cornerhouse is hosting a pop-up supper. Fingers crossed the sun will be shining so it can be alfresco. On the menu: mozzarella with slow-cooked courgettes, lamb koftas and a raspberry and hazelnut merengue mess.
Also on the 30th – go foraging with Bull chef Ben Chamberlain and Cotswolds forager Rob Gould for a hands-on, fire-cooked lunch. Start the day out in the field before heading back for a lunchtime feast. Get wild here.
Looking ahead – Oxford’s Ellie Deli will be closing in July, but reopening in September will be its sister Ollie’s Thai. Now I never made it here, but have had my hungry little eye on it for a while. It will reopen in its original East Oxford spot, but expect some new menu additions.
