What's on across Cirencester and the Cotswolds: 18 to 31 May 2026
Right, that's me back on the road after a soggy first week of May, and the diary for the next fortnight has some proper character to it. The late May bank holiday's the centrepiece, with South Cerney really pulling out the stops for their Street Fair weekend, and a smattering of singing, music, markets and open gardens either side of it.
The first half of the fortnight is more of a warm-up. A friendly ladies' choir running an open rehearsal night on the Thursday, a Sue Ryder fundraising lecture at the Stratton House the same day (you may have seen Napoleon walking the streets the past few weeks, that's where he's been heading), and then on Friday night there's an ABBA tribute at the cricket club in South Cerney. The Cerney Community Collective always put on a good do, so book ahead if it's caught your eye.
Bank holiday weekend itself is South Cerney's. The Kermesse cycling races run Sunday afternoon, finishing outside Atkyns Manor, and then Monday the village turns out for the Street Fair and the famous duck race. Tickets for the ducks are online and the top prize is £100, which is enough to take the family out and still have change.
The second half of the fortnight thins out a bit, but in a nice way. A sound bath at Studio 24 on the Tuesday, a Saturday morning making jewellery over in Lechlade, and then the last weekend has Cotswold Farm opening their gardens for the National Garden Scheme on both days, plus the Bibury Antiques Fair on the Sunday. If you've never been to a Bibury fair, the drive there is half the day out.
If I've missed something obvious, drop me a line and I'll add it to the next one. And if any of this has you noticing a wobbly shelf, a sticky door or a tap that's started weeping, well, you know where I am.
This fortnight's highlights
A Splash of Red, Come and Sing open rehearsal
A friendly local ladies' choir running an open rehearsal night. No auditions, no pressure, just turn up and have a go. If you've ever fancied trying singing in a group, this is about as gentle a way in as you'll find.
More info →Love, Lust and Empire: an afternoon with Napoleon
A scandalous afternoon lecture and tea in aid of Sue Ryder Hospice at Leckhampton Court. You may have spotted Napoleon and Rose the Chimpanzee wandering through town raising the profile. Worth the ticket for the cause alone.
More info →Revival: the ABBA Tribute, supported by Pip and The Seed
Mama Mia, here we go again. Put on by Cerney Community Collective, which always means a good crowd and a proper village atmosphere. Book ahead, these ones do go.
More info →South Cerney Kermesse cycling races
Women's race at 11:00, men's at 14:00, all wrapped up by about 16:00. Part of the South Cerney Street Fair weekend, so the village will be properly buzzing.
More info →South Cerney Street Fair and Duck Race
The big one. Duck race tickets are online, top prize is £100, plus the usual stalls, food, music and a village in fine spirits. If the sun behaves, there's nowhere better to spend a bank holiday afternoon.
More info →Sound Bath at Studio 24
An hour of singing bowls, voice and other sound healing instruments. More relaxing than it sounds if you've never tried one, and Bethan is well thought of by the regulars.
More info →Seaglass and Silverware Jewellery Making
A morning making your own jewellery with seaglass and silver. Lovely Saturday out, and you come home with something you actually made yourself.
More info →Cotswold Farm: open garden for the NGS
An Arts and Crafts garden looking over a quiet valley, with terraces designed by Norman Jewson back in the 1930s. Open in aid of the National Garden Scheme, which means tea and homemade cake somewhere on the path. Always.
More info →Bibury Antiques and Vintage Fair
A small, well-run fair in one of the prettiest villages in the country. The drive over alone is worth the petrol money, and the dealers are usually a friendly lot.
More info →Got a job that's been on the list since Easter?
Long weekends are when little jobs catch your eye. A door that's started sticking, a shelf that's wandered off level, a fence panel leaning more than it used to. Drop me a line and I'll pop round when it suits you.
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