Bibury Duck Race on Boxing Day

This Boxing Day event takes place in the pretty village of Bibury.  The ducks can be sponsored or you can just watch the activities from the banks of the River Coln – there’s no charge for watching.  The winner selects the charity to receive the proceeds of the days event.

There is also usually some mulled wine and mince pies to enjoy whilst soaking up some festive spirit!

Thousands of plastic yellow ducks will race down the River Coln on Boxing Day in what has become a famous Gloucestershire tradition.

The banks of the river will be lined with thousands of spectators for the annual event organised by Bibury Cricket Club.

First started around 20 years ago, duck racing is now as much part of Gloucestershire’s calendar of madcap sports as cheese rolling, shin kicking and football in the river.

Club secretary Steve Turner remembers the first race.

“There were a couple of hundred people there.  So, to see what it has grown in to now is incredible,” he says.

“Last year’s event raised more than £1,000 for the club and over £2,200 for charity.”

Each yellow duck costs 50p to buy and that money goes to the club. Larger decoy ducks cost £10 each and that money goes to charity.

“The owner of the winning decoy duck gets to nominate which charity receives the funds,” Steve explains.

“Last year £1,700 went to Cotswold Care Hospice and £500 went to Bibury Village Hall.”

Ducks sell out fast on the day every year.  Steve said people should arrive by around 10am to snap one up for the 11.15am race.

“It’s a strange thing where we’re looking round in the morning each year worrying that nobody is going to turn up,” he said.

“Then suddenly coach loads arrive and you can hardly move for people.

“Duck racing is an essential event to keep the Cricket Club going and it’s become a real Gloucestershire tradition.”


Of course, Bibury is one of the truly unspoilt gems of the Cotswolds and is well worth a visit any time of the year.  But if you're up for a taste of what makes this part of England truly unique, a visit is highly recommended.  nearby Inns and pubs are, as always, outstanding.

Christmastime in The Cotswolds

Just thought I'd post some nice photos of The Cotswolds at Christmas- if you have some nice ones, please share on our Facebook page.

Christmas Cheer, Real Ale, and a Roaring Fire in Chipping Campden

Even though I'm not there at the moment, I can actually smell Christmas at The Ebrington Arms after having heard about it.

This outstanding village inn won North Cotswolds Pub of the Year this year from CAMRA and their chef is in this year's Good Food Guide.  It's a proper 17th century village pub just outside Chipping Campden, complete with open log fires, and even has three bedrooms in case you'd rather stay the night (and sample all their delicious local brews).  The inn also has beautiful views across the Cotswold hills.  My experience there has never been anything less than perfect and, maybe most important of all, the owners and staff are some of the nicest people around.

As for that Christmas smell... here's a little snippet, in their own words, about Christmas at their pub:

"The Cotswolds are stunning all year round but no time is quite as magical as Christmas and New Year...  With thatched cottages billowing smoke from their chimneys and the open countryside covered in a crystal-like frost, it is a beautiful time to explore the Cotswold villages. Even better when you return home to our welcoming pub to sample our delicious homecooking in front of our roaring log fires. Not to mention the odd pint of real ale (lovingly looked after by landlord Jim) or a homemade glass of spicy mulled wine...

The Ebrington Arms is the true hub of the village community at Christmas and New Year - with carol singing, impromptu live music and a fair bit of liquid celebration! It is indeed the most fun place to be during the festive season for miles and miles around – an you too could be part of it..."

I've already got my coat on...

Click here to find out more and experience The Ebrington Arms

Christmas Carols, Morris Men, a Cotswold Pub... What could be finer?

If you're ready to get in the Christmas spirit and would like a very traditional, fun and unique experience, there's a little event this December you might want to consider.

On Tuesday, December 15, from 7:45pm, there will be carols and seasonal songs performed by the Gloucestershire Morris Men at The Carpenter's Arms in Miserden.

Morris in The Cotswolds
Morris dancing has been traced all over the English Midlands and further North, but it is particularly associated with the Cotswold area, where the most evolved form of Morris was, and still is, to be found. Here it is performed generally by six men and a musician, accompanied in most cases by a fool and sometimes a beast. The men wear a colourful costume or "kit" often based upon white, the old sacred colour.


They also wear bells, wave hankies or sticks, some say to ward off evil spirits. It was invariably a men's dance with very strong ties to the Whitsun time of year with fertility and encouraging crops to growth very much in mind.


In the past, most Cotswold villages had their own individual dances and tunes, but by the end of Industrial Revolution the tradition had almost died out, as the Victorians had introduced many other pastimes and sports. Fortunately, there was a great revival of interest in Morris Dancing in the early years of this century, led by Cecil Sharp who was the person mainly responsible for collecting and noting the dances we perform today.

The Carperner's Arms
The following is an extract from a very recent review by Food & DrinkVenture deep into the Gloucestershire countryside and you’ll hopefully stumble across the idyllic Cotswold village of Miserden. Hidden in this leafy haven lies the rustic charm of the Carpenters A rms. A warm friendly welcome on arrival, coupled with a lively atmosphere makes this the perfect retreat whether you’re sheltering from the winter cold, or looking for refreshment during the searing summer heat.


Our visit coincided with colder climes so the sight of a roaring open fire was instantly met with approval. The eye is drawn from the flickering flames to the traditional oak beams that stretch across the lounge and dining area, beneath which, sit three conveniently placed blackboards. The blackboards, as you’d expect, are brimming with home-baked delights of the traditional village pub variety.


A varied and mouth watering array of starters, including breaded prawns and creamy garlic mushrooms, provide a p e rfect bed for the wholesome mains that are to follow. You will not be disappointed; home-made steak and Guiness pie, Gloucester sausage and mash, and home-baked ham are just a few of the traditional favourites that are offered here and should grace any country menu. Finally, if you’ve room, make sure you sample one of the scrumptious home-made puddings. The Carpenters Arms delivers everything you’d expect from a country pub and more.


Location: Miserden, Stroud, GL6 7JA
Phone: 0845 200 9275
Open: Mon-Thurs 11.30am- 3pm, 6.30pm-11pm; Fri & Sat 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-midnight; Sun noon-4pm, 7pm- 10.30pm

The Cotswolds by Air

Rambling and cycling are some great ways to see The Cotswolds.  But the idea of floating over them and taking in so much natural beauty at once is something I've always wanted to do.

Ballooning in the Cotgswolds has been popular for a while, and there are even a few events for enthusiasts, like the Ballooning Grand Prix at Sudeley Castle.  One of the more popular companies, Ballooning in the Cotswolds, offers a truly memorable experience- a Champagne flight over the rolling countryside.  Flights last about an hour and can reach heights of 3,000 feet.  That's more than twice the height of the Empire State Building.  Flights are about £135 per person, which is pretty reasonable given the experience.


Of course, this isn't a winter activity- they operate from April to October.  But if you're planning a trip to the area for next spring or summer, this should be on the list.  If you're interested, their website is http://www.ballooninginthecotswolds.co.uk/.


Happy Ballooning!

Spring in The Cotwolds

A very nice video of Springtime in The Cotswolds

I just found this video online and had to share it. It really does a nice job of capturing the simple, quiet beauty of the area.



I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

The Best Free Range & Organic Food in The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are home to some of Britain's best and most natural foods. Hundreds of square miles of pristine farmland and an extremely high standard for quality produce makes the area a food lovers dream.

If you live in the area or are planning a visit, it's well worth knowing where all the best farmer's markets, foodie shops, food and drink festivals, pubs, and all the rest are. Our friends over at FreeRangeReview.com have been busy building a wonderful online food community for England, and it's a great resource for Cotswold food.

All the businesses listed are rated and reviewed by the community, so you have a good idea of where the very best are. And you can contact all the businesses directly with any inquiries. We've used them for ages now, and the recommendations have always been spot on (one of our favourites, Martin's Meats, an outstanding organic butchery, is pictured here).

To go to the interactive Foodie Map of The Cotswolds, visit FreeRangeReview by clicking here and entering the postcode of your house or the hotel where you are staying. If you're not sure where you'll be, use 'GL52'- this is Cheltenham and will show most places in the area.

We hope you have as good a luck as we have, and happy eating!