Cheltenham Poetry Festival
Gear up for 14 days of fabulous poetic fun with the Cheltenham Poetry Festival. Alongside appearances from both emerging and big-name poets, there will be musicians, actors, writers and filmmakers. Highlights include a celebration of the revered Dymock Poets (which included Rupert Brooke and Edward Thomas), thought-provoking readings from Poetry and Settled Status for All, which explores the lives of refugees, and an appearance from award-winning poet Tim Relf who will be giving a sneak peek of his latest work. There will be workshops and open mics for budding poets too. Don’t miss the finale, which sees 12 spoken word artists go head to head.
10th-24th September. Various venues in Cheltenham. www.cheltenhampoetryfestival.co.uk
Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d at Everyman Theatre
It may be 60 years ago since Agatha Christie penned The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side – but the murder mystery has lost none of its punch. This brand-new production of Rachel Wagstaff’s (Birdsong, The Girl on the Train) highly-successful adaptation does the book (and Miss Marple) proud. With a cast including Susie Blake (Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV) as Miss Marple, Sophie Ward (A Very British Scandal) and Joe McFadden (Strictly Come Dancing winner), get ready for a gripping story of revenge and dark secrets as Miss Marple unravels a web of lies, tragedy and danger when the sleepy village of St Mary Mead is rocked by a series of vicious murders.
27th September-1st October. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573; everymantheatre.org.uk
Tim Peake: My Journey into Space at Cheltenham Town Hall
One of the world’s greatest living astronauts Tim Peake thrilled the UK when he became the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station to conduct a spacewalk (and run a marathon) while orbiting earth. And you can now hear all about his galactic adventure as he embarks on his sell-out tour around the country. With unprecedented access, breath-taking photographs and never-seen-before footage, it’s a fascinating insight into what it’s really like to be an astronaut, from training to launch to spacewalking to re-entry to earth. You will also learn the secrets, the science and everyday wonders of how and why humans journey into space.
10th September. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1QA. 01242 528764; www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
National Theatre Live: Much Ado about Nothing at Bacon Theatre
National Theatre Live is back at the Bacon Theatre and, once again, it’s a cracker. Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and John Heffernan (Dracula) lead the cast in Shakespeare's irresistible comedy Much Ado about Nothing, which will be broadcast live from the National Theatre stage. Find yourself transported to the legendary family-run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riviera, a favourite haunt of artists, celebrities and royalty alike. But when the owner's daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love. A string of scandalous deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.
8th September. Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002; www.bacontheatre.co.uk
New Terrain, a solo exhibition by Emma Howell, at Sixteen Gallery
Explore the emotive work of young Cotswolds artist Emma Howell at her solo show at Sixteen Gallery. Working on paper and canvas, Emma describes her work, which is dedicated to her late father, as the instinctive way she navigates life and nurtures her own sense of self. She explains: “Experiencing [my dad’s] loss was the genesis of my entire art practice – and continues to inform my work as a constant influence, and as a lens through which I experience my surroundings. My work is a progressive appreciation of the world around me, and through colour and form, the intention is to celebrate life and experience – and offer viewers a form of escapism.”
16th-29th September. Sixteen Gallery, Montpellier Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1SW. 01242 335545; www.sixteengallery.com
Three of the Best Gardens to Visit in the Cotswolds
Montpellier Gardens
One of Cheltenham’s most-loved parks, Montpellier is not only magnificent, it is an important part of the city’s Regency landscape. Indeed, many of the buildings surrounding the gardens are Grade I listed. Originally developed as pleasure gardens, the park is now a hive of activity. The northern section is perfect for walking, sitting, picnics and games. There is also an arboretum with an array of interesting and unusual trees. Then there’s the southern section with its toddlers’ play area, skate park, tennis courts and café – plus don’t miss the community art gallery and the bandstand which plays host to live concerts.
Montpellier Gardens, Montpellier Spa Road, Cheltenham GL50 1UL. 01242 262626; www.visitcheltenham.com
Colesbourne Gardens
While Colesbourne Gardens is a first-class place to see snowdrops in bloom in January and February (there are over 300 varieties), the gardens are also wonderful the rest of the year. This is thanks to the present owner Sir Henry Elwes’ great grandfather Henry John Elwes, an avid and eccentric Victorian plant-hunter, who filled the garden with the spoils of his travels. Fast forward to today and Colesbourne remains an absolute delight – particularly the meadows which are filled with rare trees. For the full experience, ask for a private guided tour, where Sir Henry, along with head gardener Joe Lloyd, will talk you through the gardens.
Colesbourne Gardens, Colesbourne, Near Cheltenham, GL53 9NP. 01242 870567; www.colesbournegardens.org.uk
Snowshill Manor & Gardens
The unconventional home of the eccentric Charles Wade, who delighted in creating a stage for his life and passions, Snowshill Manor is a feast for the eyes. This includes the garden which was designed by Wade and his friend, Arts and Crafts architect Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott. ‘Mystery is most valuable in design: never show all there is at once,’ Wade wrote in one notebook. He planned ‘enticing vistas with a hint of something beyond.’ Now owned by the National Trust, the result is a spectacular jigsaw of magical garden rooms, water features, overflowing borders and boldly-planted pots. Look out for the Venetian wellhead in Well Court – stunning.
Snowshill, near Broadway, WR12 7JU. 01386 85410; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshill-manor-and-garden