August is a beautiful time of year in Cheltenham with warm days and cool nights. There are plenty of events going on in over the month of August, so get out there and get busy!
Events for Art Lovers
The Everyman Theatre Summer School continues on through the early part of August, offering children and teenagers a chance to learn some theatrical skills. The two week event kicks off on Monday 27 July and finishes Friday 7 August, culminating in a performance by students. If you have a son or daughter interested in the arts, this event will keep them busy and entertained over the summer break.
The annual Cheltenham Dance Festival takes place Saturday 1 to Sunday 9 August at the Cheltenham town hall. The event features world-class dancers performing as well as many events for amateur dancers to learn more or just enjoy themselves on the dance floor.
The Hailes Abbey will host a night of Shakespeare on Sunday 14 August. Gloucestershire’s well-known Rain or Shine theatre group will be performing the popular Twelfth Night, which is sure to bring many laughs. The event kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets are £13.50 for adults, £11.50 for concessions, and £6.25 for children.
If the kind of art you enjoy is more along the arts & crafts side, check out the Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design, which kicks off on Saturday 22 August at the Cheltenham College. The nine-day event showcases hundreds of works including furniture, art, ceramics and jewellery. Many of the pieces will be available for purchase. The exhibition is open 10am to 4pm daily and tickets cost £6 for adults and £3 for people under 16.
The popular Richard III Medieval Weekend takes place at the Sudeley Castle and Gardens from Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 August (10am to 4pm). The event features a living history encampment, musicians, archers, dancers, knights and an appearance from Richard III himself! There will also be a reenactment of the Battle of Bosworth.
If you haven’t had your fill of Shakespeare this month, the Rain or Shine Theatre Company presents The Tempest at the Cheltenham Lido on Saturday 22 August. This open air event starts at 8:15pm and costs £13.50 for adults, £11.50 for concession holders and £6.25 for children.
Sanford Parks Lido will be the venue for a family friendly that performance by IKProductions on Saturday 29 August. The group will perform A Rip-Roaring Summer Adventure, which the children are sure to enjoy. The event kicks off at 7.45pm with tickets costing £10 for adults, £8 for concessions, £6 for children under six. Tickets can be bought in advance from the Everyman Theatre.
Events for Foodies
The Strand pub will be the venue of the 2015 Strand Gin Festival, which runs from Monday 3 August to Sunday 9 August. Local gin makers Sibling Distillery will be teaming up with Fever-Tree tonic to make the best gin and tonics you have ever tasted! Other distilleries at the event will include Burleighs, Jinzu and the Cotswold Distillery. There will also be entertainment and great food on offer. Entry is free.
If you appreciate a nice white wine, The Grape Escape will be the venue for the Summer of Riesling tasting on Monday 3 August. Showcasing one of the most popular grape varieties in the world, the event will offer diners fine food and high quality wine. The event kicks off at 6.30pm and tickets are £30.
Men who love to cook would enjoy the Men in the Kitchen Workshop at the Foodworks Cookery School from Thursday 13 August to Friday 25 September. This hands-on, one day workshop will help men improve their culinary skills from the basics to advanced techniques. The workshop runs from 9.30am to 3pm and costs £147.
Enjoy some fine dining at the Cowley Manor as it offers a series of special Saturday brunches between Saturday 22 August and Saturday 10 October. The Brunch Set events offers delicious food accompanied by cocktails and special musical guests. The musical guests on offer include The Black Feathers, Rainbow Girls and Raevennan Husbandes. The events run from 11.30am to 3.30pm and costs £25.
If you love fresh food, you can find plenty of it at the Winchcombe Country Show on Monday 31 August. In its 66th year, the event is a fun day out for the family, featuring food and entertainment. There will be a procession at 11.30am and the show officially commences at 12pm.
Events for Sports Fans
If you are more of the sporty type, you might enjoy the 2 Peaks 1 Pool Team Challenge at the Sanford Parks Lido on Sunday 16 August. The event involves teams running or walking around a rigorous course then performing a swim. People of all skill levels and ages are encouraged to join the event, which is raising money for the Sandford Lido Charitable Trust and Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust. Tickets are £9 for adults, £5 for children.
The monthly Prescott Shooting Have A Go Day will take place on Saturday 25 July. It gives participants a chance to try their hand at archery, shooting and air rifles. Expert instructors will be on site to teach people how to shoot or use a bow. The day kicks off at 10am.
Events for Animal Lovers
Paws in the Park takes place on Sunday 2 August at Pittville Park. Featuring children’s entertainment, dog shows, canine athletics and stalls, the show is extremely popular amongst animal lovers. This year there will be nine different classes including contests for “Most Handsome Dog,” “Waggiest tail” and “Golden oldies”. There will also be free microchipping and professional photographers taking pics of your furry friends to commemorate the day.