The Cotswolds is in a league of its own when it comes to events in England.

Not only does it boast four amazing air shows, but the Cotswolds is home to some of the strangest and most bizarre traditions and events you’ll find in the world!

© Randwick cheeserolling

• Where else can you find pieces of cheese being rolled anti-clockwise around a churchyard (see picture on right), or the mad, insane or plain stupid running down an incredibly steep hill (some say cliff!) after a lump of cheese?
• Where else can you see people kicking seven bales of straw out of each other’s shins?
• Where else can you see feats of strength and stamina with individuals and teams running up a street with a woolsack on their back?
• Where else can you see two football teams go head to head in a river?
• Where else can you witness deerhounds racing against a backdrop of a magnificent, historic countryside den of iniquity?

There’s only one place in the world that hosts all these fantastic events – The Cotswolds!

Events to look forward to in the Cotswolds in 2010...

January 2010

Snowdrops at Colesborne

The Cotswold calendar of events starts in January. In a small glade at Colesbourne, five miles east of Cheltenham on the A435, sees the very early stages of Spring emerge, with an amazing whitewash of snowdrops at Colesbourne Park. This great photograph courtesy of Claire McGrath captures the beautiful snowdrops and lake below.

February 2010

The snowdrops flower well into February and can be seen elsewhere all over the Cotswolds including Westonbirt Arboretum which on the 20 & 21 February has even more barks other than that of the numerous trees as it hosts a canine frenzy - 'Dog Days' - a must for all dog lovers.

March 2010

Adam Henson

Spring is well under way in March as lambing begins. Lambing on a large scale can be witnessed at the Cotswold Farm Park, home to ‘BBC Countryfile’ TV presenter Adam Henson (pictured here with a Cotswold Sheep). Many rare breeds can be seen here.

April 2010

Easter is early in April in 2010 and this sees the majority of seasonal visitor attractions in the Cotswolds opening their gates, with many of them starting the season with an array of Easter egg hunts and activities for children to enjoy. See Explore Gloucestershire’s list of the best Cotswolds visitor attractions...

May 2010

The month of May. Well this is the month where it all starts to get a bit lively!

The first air show takes please at Kemble Airport with the 2010 Great Vintage Flying Weekend, where a huge collection of vintage and classic aircraft take to the skies - but more things are flying on the Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday, as thrill seekers and cheeses will be literally flying off a cliff!

© www.cheese-rolling.co.uk

The death defying display of locals and entries from all four corners of the globe will be participating in the annual Cheeserolling at Coopers Hill near Gloucester. This ever growing in popularity traditional event is a must for thrill seeking individuals or as we see it – mad! There are several races where competitors line up at the top of a very steep hill and then on starters orders chase, run, roll or simply fall after a whole Double Gloucester cheese. There are injuries each year and it’s not for the faint hearted, so be warned!

Also during the Whit weekend is the annual Tetbury Woolsack races. Again this is for the heroic and normally involves fit (very fit) and rigorously trained (well mostly) individuals running up a street in Tetbury with a cumbersome woolsack on their backs. As well as individual races there are team events and it really is a great day for the family to enjoy.

June 2010

On the Friday after Whitsun Bank Holiday, the first week in June, sees the third madcap event in the Cotswolds. Yep – for the brave, stupid and determined only, or those out there who just like pain!

The 2010 Robert Dover Olympick Games are held each year at Dover Hill just outside the quintessential Cotswold market town of Chipping Campden. Each year local teams gather for an evening to participate in many races, fun and games. For those who you who remember ‘It’s a Knockout!’ from the 1970’s, it has similarities, but with a Cotswold flavour. The last event of the evening is the ‘shin-kicking’ contest. It’s quite simple really. Two opponents take hold of each other by the shoulders and proceed in kicking each others shins, with the only protection being that of straw which is stuck down or up the leg garments! There are injuries so again be warned! Afterwards everybody heads back down the hill to Chipping Campden for an evening of entertainment which might see a few flagons of cider and ale drunk! Somewhere in the madness of the evening's fun, a new 'queen' is chosen and paraded through the streets.

June also see the second of the air shows at Kemble Airport - the 2010 Cotswold Air Show. This Cotswold event on the weekend of 19 & 20 June, is just a great family occasion, especially as the second of the two days is held on Father’s day – so it’s a great treat for dads! It’s a very impressive 'in the air' and 'on the ground' event with many classic aircraft gracing the skies with the latest jet fighters.

July 2010

The 2010 Cotswold Show on 3 & 4 July, has grown in size and quality over the last few years, and sees a fine mixture of traditional Cotswold trades, farming, countryside pursuits alongside many other activities including motorcycle stunts and daredevil parachute displays. For the foodies, this is also a great chance to take a wander around the food tents and experience some local tastes – delicious!

It’s big! It’s loud! It’s back on the 17 & 18 July! The biggest military airshow in the world again welcomes a plethora of aircraft from numerous countries. The 2010 Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford is quite literally an awesome and spectacular airshow.

August 2010

The summer school holidays sees the numerous visitor attractions in the Cotswolds entertain during August with many activities and things to see and do, but on August Bank Holiday Monday get your waterproofs out!

Nope! – not because it’s going to rain, but in Bourton-on-the-Water a very unusual and thoroughly entertaining event takes place. The annual 'Football match in the River Windrush' is pure excellence even if you hate football. The local Bourton Rovers football club don their wetsuits and snorkels... ok they don’t really, but they split themselves into two teams and play a football match in the shallow waters of the Windrush in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water. Be FULLY prepared to get wet if you get too close!

We went along in 2009 and made a video - enjoy...

September 2010

In September get along to the National Trust property of Lodge Park for another great event for all the family to enjoy. The Deerhound Racing at Lodge Park begins with a traditional parade by the deerhounds and their owners, many of whom are dressed in traditional costume. This historic countryside estate acts as a grandstand for the event - when previously - once upon a time it was ‘the’ gambling venue of the aristocracy. The deerhound races continue throughout the day and it makes for a wonderful relaxing day spent in the heart of the Cotswolds.

At Kemble Airport on the weekend of 2 - 5 September is the 22nd Didmarton Blue Grass Festival. Didmarton has some of the finest international and home-grown Bluegrass bands performing, so if you haven’t experienced this style of music before then this is the festival to go to.

On the weekend of the 18 & 19 September is the third and final air show at Kemble Airport. The 2010 Battle of Britain Air Show is a very relaxing and enjoyable air show, where the old boys of the skies, including the Spitfire and Hurricane majestically entertain the crowds below. There is a lot to do throughout the weekend with many ground displays and activities, and it's a highly enjoyable event where you can unwind and appreciate the last of the summer weather.

October 2010

At the beginning of October, the Steam & Vintage Rally with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, sees a vast collection of traction engines, agricultural equipment, vintage vehicles, models, crafts. With ringside events and an array of bygone activities, this is a must see for any nostalgia lover.

At the end of October keep a sharp eye out for our special Halloween pages, where you'll find many spooky goings on in the Cotswolds at many tourist attractions.

Westonbirt by Vicki Davies

October of course is the start of Autumn and the Cotswolds is not only blessed with some of the most picturesque scenery in England, but boasts two amazing arboreta which capture the mood and colour of the trees as they start to transform. Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury in the South Cotswolds, and Batsford Arboretum located just outside Moreton-in-Marsh in the North Cotswolds, are definitely worth a visit during the autumn months.

November 2010

The magnificent autumn colours can be witnessed throughout the Cotswolds during November too.

December 2010

There are numerous Christmas activities at many visitor attractions in the Cotswolds including Santa Claus visiting Birdland Park & Gardens and there's an enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum. Prinknash Bird & Deer Park put on a great display of illuminations and create a magical Winter Wonderland. Christmas craft workshops take place at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester and there are many Christmas fayres at numerous towns and villages scattered around the Cotswolds.

Please check with the contact telephone numbers or websites before planning your visit. Sometimes events can be cancelled for various reasons and we wish you to enjoy your day out.