Hobbit House in the Cotswolds

A while ago I posted about this very unusual 'hobbit house' in a secret location in the Cotswolds. Although no one has yet been able to pinpoint the location, I thought people might enjoy some more news on the house.



If you know where it is, please share- I'm sure there are some well-mannered ramblers here that would love a look!

An update on "The Beast of Stroud"

There have been two very contradictory pieces of news regarding the so-called Beast of Stroud this past week.  Firstly, the DNA that was taken at the site of the deer killings has been analysed and was revealed to be that of a fox (see the article here).  Surprising as it may seem, fox have been known to attack and eat deer (and, hey, why not a wallabe?).

At the same time, a video has turned up in The Sun (certainly the least credible paper in the UK), showing two scientists viewing a "big cat" caught on tape, then verifying that it is indeed some much-larger-than-normal feline.  The video is here.... you be the judge!

The Wildcat of Woodchester

For those of you who enjoy tales of the supernatural, or just the bloody weird, read on.  You may recall the old story of The Beast of Gloucester, a legendary big cat that roamed the Cotswolds killing big game (deer, cattle, etc.).  There is a good thread about the Beast here:  http://tinyurl.com/747on65  Anyways, it seems there could be a new big cat stalking the wolds, now being referred to as either The Wildcat of Woodchester or The Beast of Stroud.

 I’m sure these reports should be taken with a grain of salt, but they do make interesting reading.  The past week there have been articles filling up many UK papers about a host of attacks in the Cotswolds that are being attributed to a big cat.  Along with a series of deer kills, there was an incident where three wallabies (held in a private farm) were eaten, despite being kept behind a seven foot fence.  DNA tests are being carried out right now to confirm whether the killer was a cat, so watch this space.

Big cat sightings in the area are rather common, with over 75 sightings being logged by local police between 2005 and 2011 in the areas between Stroud Common and Woodchester (see the list here http://tinyurl.com/73pco5x)  A full article in the Daily Mail is here: http://tinyurl.com/7vyyh8b

The suspicion, as with most big cat stories, is that some fool illegally bought a panther, jaguar, or similar as a pet and then let it loose, or it escaped.  If you have any stories of sightings, theories, etc., please do share them!

Enchanted Woodland Christmas at Westonbrit

The Enchanted Christmas will return this year with a new children's winter wonderland, the magical illuminated trail route through the Old Arboretum and gifts and festive fare.

Pre-book now!

Book in advance online or call 03000 680400 (booking fee applies). You can also buy tickets on site from the Forest Shop.

The Enchanted Christmas takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 25 November - 18 December 2011.
5.00 - 8.30pm (last entry at 7.15pm). Adults £9, concessions £8, children £5.

Meet Father Christmas and his real reindeer at the big switch-on, Friday 25 November at 4.45pm!

Meet Westonbirt Arboretum's special Father Christmas, his helpers and real reindeer at our launch event.
You have the chance to become one of Father Christmas' helpers by entering our Christmas poster competition - find out more here.

Taking the trail

The illuminated trail is approximately one mile long and follows the hard paths of the Old Arboretum. These paths are accessible for buggies, wheelchairs and electric scooters which can be booked in advance by calling 01666 881218.
Sorry, dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed on the trail because it is in the Old Arboretum, our dog free zone.

NEW Children's winter wonderland

The Education Centre will be transformed into a wintry delight with snow, icicles and festive decorations. Take part in Christmas crafts, find out about winter customs, learn about the history of Christmas trees.

Courtyard

Here you can find all the caterers serving food ranging from BBQ, burgers and chips, mulled wine and mince pies. We will also have a children's carousel, a traditional sweet stall and hot roasted chestnuts. Every evening, you will find a choir singing, you will also be able to meet our special Father Christmas and our Christmas stilt walker. 

Friends' Friday admission offer

On Fridays, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum members will receive a 50% discount on the full ticket price. Children (under 19s) accompanying parent/ guardian members go free.

Discounted entry for pre-booked groups

Special admission rates for groups of over 10 people apply. Visit ourgroup travel pages, call 01666 881200 or e-mailhelen.d.daniels@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Christmas tree sales

Real Christmas trees and wreaths are for sale from the opening night of the Enchanted Christmas event. Available from the Westonbirt Plant Centre(01666 880544).

Christmas gifts

Discover great gift ideas in the Christmas Market and Forest Shop. Both stay open until 8.30pm each evening.

Eat, drink and be merry

Extend the festivities by booking a two-course Christmas Carvery at Maples Restaurant.
- £16.95 for adults and children aged 8 years and above
- £8.95 for children under 7 years
- under 3s eat free
Served between 5.30pm-7.30pm. Advance booking required, call 01666 880064.
Caterers will also be available in the Courtyard Café area, selling hog roast, BBQ plus hot and cold drinks.

NEW for 2011 - Christmas Carvery and trail ticket package

Pre-book our Maples Carvery festive package and receive a discount on your Enchanted Christmas illuminated trail ticket!
- Adult £23.95 (save £2)
- Concession £22.95 (save £1)
- Child 8-16 £20.95 (save £1)
- Child 5-7 £12.95 (save £1)
- Child 3-4 £8.95 (paying for meal only)
- Child 0-2 Free
Booking of the trail and meal package is only available via the Box Office on 03000 680400. This special package rate has limited availability and is not applicable with the half price Friends tickets on Fridays. See the terms and conditions for more details.

Christmas choirs

Local choirs gather visitors in festive spirit, singing well known classics and modern Christmas carols.

4th North Cotswold Beer Festival!

The is coming Friday and Saturday (23rd & 24th September 2011) promises to be a banner weekend.... provided you make it down to the North Cotswold Beer Festival, compliments of the good people at  North Cotswolds CAMRA.


The Festival takes place at the Moreton-in-Marsh Cricket Club.


At your service are over 50 Real Ales and Ciders.  Food, including breakfast, will be served, there will be live entertainment Friday night and Saturday, and camping is available.  The current list of ales and ciders planned for the festival is here.


Friday's performance will be by renowned folk rock artists The Roving Crows, and some of the band members will also play during the day on Saturday.  Saturday night will feature local Gloucestershire rock/pop cover band Zool.


The Festival runs 6pm - 11pm on Friday and Noon -  11pm on Saturday, and admission is £3 + £2 for your souvenir pint glass.  CAMRA members enter for free.


To gain free entry as a CAMRA member you must be in possession of a valid membership card.

On payment of the entry cost, a souvenir glass will be required for an additional £2. If you return your glass a refund of £1 will be given (The other £1 goes towards washing the glass etc before it can be re-used), You will also need to purchase Beer Tokens. (No cash sales at the bar). Any unused tokens can be exchanged back for cash, or donated to charity.

Car parking £1 per car (Free for staff pass holders).

Camping cost will be £4 per night, and £6 per caravan or Mobile Home (Free for helpers).

Showers will be available in the pavilion from 10 am to 11:30 am for men, 11:30 am till 2 pm for ladies.

There will be a Saturday late bus departing the Festival going to Cheltenham. Departing 8 pm & 10 pm.  To book your seat, contact Martyn Herbert.

Hope you can make it & Happy Drinking!

The 2011 Cotswold Festival

The Festival

This is the third Cotswold Festival since 2007, and this year it is bigger and better than ever before. 

The Theme for the 2011 Festival is "See Life in 17th Century Stow" which promises to provide lots of family fun & entertainment for all, as we celebrate Cotswold life, crafts and history. We hope as many people as possible will wear period costume, which is available to buy or hire. 

We hope to attract many local visitors and tourists to an exciting event providing family fun & entertainment for all. As well as the many special activities taking place during the Festival, we hope you will enjoy visiting our wonderful local shops. We expect that they will have many new visitors during the Festival, who will become regular customers having seen what excellent products and friendly service are on offer.

Proceeds from the Festival will support the following local charities:

• Stow Youth Club
• The Stow Branch of the Royal British Legion Welfare Fund
• North Cotswolds Voluntary Help Centre

The Festival will take place over three days:

• Antiques Day - Friday 16th
• SAT 17 Sept 9.30 - 17.00
• SUN 18 Sept 10.00 - 16.00

Please click on the links above to see details of the programme for each day.

Cotswold Festival Programmes will be available from the middle of August from Go-Stow, price £1.50. There will be a Lucky Programme number prize of £100 on both Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by Stow on the Wold Tescos.

English Civil War Re-enactment

The last battle of the first English Civil War took place near and in Stow in 1646. We are really excited about the Civil War Re-enactment which will take place on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Cricket Ground.

Tickets for the Sealed Knot display are £5 for Adults (over 16), £2.50 children (5-16) and free for under 5s. A family ticket for £15 will admit two adults and up to 4 children aged 5-16. Tickets in the form of wrist bands can be bought from the Go-Stow Information Stall in Stow Square during the Festival weekend

Activities around Stow's Town Square

On both days, in The Square, there will be a street market, a Living History Exhibition and an an arena with live music from Stiff Upper Lip, Short and Sweet, The Stow Baptist Church Group and the Cotswold School Band, the Silver Bough strolling players & Morris dancing

Treasure Hunt

A Treasure Hunt will take you on a stroll round the byways of Stow, where you can find many interesting shops and eateries. A draw for the winner of the Treasure Hunt will take place on both Saturday and Sunday. The winners will receive a family ticket to Cotswold Farm Park plus £25 spending money.

Crafts and Memorabilia

There will be demonstrations of traditional crafts in St. Edwards Church and in St. Edwards Hall, there will be an exhibition of Civil War memorabilia with expert knowledge provided by the Stow Civic Society.

Barn Dance

On Saturday evening there will be a Barn dance in The Square to the music of the Silver Bough band and caller.


For more details, visit their website at http://www.cotswoldfestival.com/index.php

Easter at Sudeley Castle in The Cotswolds

Easter Egg Trail

On Sunday 24th April Sudeley Castle will be holding an Easter Egg Trail for children with an Easter treat at the end. I've always loved events at this castle. The grounds are beautiful, there is tons to explore, and it is never too busy, which is great if you can't bear huge crowds and also if you have three small kids that will run off in three directions at once and all get lost- they are easier to find if there are fewer people.

At last, their Adventure Playground is open again and completely refurbished. Sudeley has the coolest playground ever- a huge wooden 'castle' frame with towers and hidey-holes, giant slide, zip wire and stunning views of the Cotswold Hills from the surrounding picnic benches.

The Easter Egg Trail will run from 10:30am until 2:30pm (on a first come first served basis).  Visit them at http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk/