June Scrapbook: first of the summer sun
It's a busy month so here's a helpful cheat sheet.
June. It’s one of my very favourite months. The nights are long – it didn’t get dark, like dark dark, until 10 PM last night. But it’s also a month that’s colourful and exciting. Summer is basically here and it’s finally the moment to pull out those un-sun-kissed legs for the first wear of some short shorts. Ah, that feeling. It’s also busy with lots of good happenings for the diary. So in this month’s scrapbook, I’ll be rounding up the best things to keep an eye on in the Cotswolds, plus, I’ve got some house news. Keep reading.
There’s an opening date for THE PIG-and The Village Pub, June 14th. Boy, that’s soon. I know the hotel takeover is taking a little bit longer (looking like September) but expect a few beautiful rooms at the pub to crash into after some Marmite mushrooms on toast and pork pies. Bookings are now live.
Elkstone Studios, the shiny workplace hub (that also has a Knead bakery, some concept shops, a co-working space, Padel tennis courts and so on) now has a fresh farmers market two times a month. The next one is June 16th.
Cutter Brooks – the super-smart and curated lifestyle shop in Stow – has partnered up with Chatsworth House (the Peak District palace) in a blue-and-white patterned collection. Inspired by the historic 1850s chintz, shop from placemats, tablecloths, lampshades and more that feature a delicately hand-blocked ivy motif. See here.
An extra one for good measure, Zonda Pizza – the pie-slinging food truck that’s normally parked up at Stow Rugby Club – will be opening up a new space in Chipping Norton in July. Watch this oven.
June – Going to keep this one loose as there are so many, and I mean SO many, open gardens this month. It’s a great opportunity for a proper snoop around a few beautiful gardens (and homes) in some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.
June 6th – 16th – Burford Festival. Lots of lovely things going on in this medieval market town: open gardens (yes, more), community theatre, live music, poetry, Pimm’s and cricket for days.
June 7th – Floral Fundamentals at Worton Kitchen Garden. Learn how to make your own flower meadow box with local florist Cotswold Botanical. Plus, they’re offering 20% off lunch directly after, and it really is (in my opinion) the best restaurant in the Cotswolds. Book here.
Also on this date: food writer Georgina Hayden will be at Thyme to talk all things Greek. Her new cookbook Greekish: Everyday Recipes with Greek Roots is one to cook up a storm in the kitchen with. Book here.
And one more for today: Good Gathers – the new out-in-the-field pop-up restaurant from cool catering company Ross & Ross opens for the summer season. They’ve taken over the old Pit Kitchen field on the Cornwell Estate for wood-fired pizzas and fire-flamed dishes. All proceeds go towards FarmEd too, so it’s a win-win.
June 8th – Head over to Chippy Flower Farm for a talk with pattern-happy Cath Kidston to hear about her love for pelargoniums and geraniums. On display will be her new skincare beauty brand C.Atherley. While this one is sold out, you can shop from her brand here.
June 15th – live music at The Fox in Broadwell. Let’s hope the sun is still shining.
June 18th – In conversation with Plum Sykes at Daylesford Farm. Hear all about her new book Wives Like Us, the behind-the-scenes look at some of the Cotswold’s most colourful characters. Tickets here.
June 21st – 23rd – Blenheim Palace Flower Show. This is one for those who missed Chelsea this year…
June 28th – Art lovers, Cheltenham-based artist Emma Howell is hosting a solo show titled ‘Soul’ at Sixteen Gallery. See here.
June 29th – Charlbury beer festival. One for beer drinkers, there are over 50 on draft.
June 30th – Quiz night at The Sherborne Arms in Northleach. I think that these are the best quiz nights in the area. Get your team together and call in to book.
The time has come: I am putting my new home, under the hammer. Our cute country cottage is in need of a little TLC and like most of the accounts I follow on Instagram, and the stories I love to frequently read, I’ve decided to do the same and spotlight the work I’m doing on my own home. So, in and amidst the travel tips, the trends I’m loving, and the Cotswold happenings, I will be starting a house decoration column that will shine a light on all the details – from the paints I’m sourcing, the fabrics I’m sampling, the carpet I’m feeling, the ups, the downs, the wonderful people doing wonderful things all inside the home. Watch this space.
Cover photograph by William Eggleston
Looking forward to seeing your plans with your home! We’re very very slowly doing ours, but we keep spending all our money on the garden instead