Two visits, where we’re heading next, and what’s on this weekend

Hello Cotswolders,

Two places to write up this week, one that delivered exactly what it promised, and one that almost did.

Plus a weekend ahead with more going on than it first appears.

Last week we visited

Jolly Nice Farmshop, Frampton Mansell

Tucked into the Frome Valley between Cirencester and Stroud, Jolly Nice gets a lot right at first glance.

Open fire, butcher’s counter, self-pour milk station, fresh orange juice machine. All the signs of somewhere you could very easily imagine becoming a regular stop.

And yet.

Eight pounds for four brownies. Bacon baps served in burger boxes with no butter or condiments. Coffee in plain paper cups. A place that looks thoughtful, but does not always feel it.

We wanted to love it more than we did. It just needs to close the gap between the look and the experience.

Still worth a visit, especially if you are passing through. We’ll go back.

👉 Read More

Cirencester Spring FEASTival

If you missed it last weekend, Cirencester’s Market Place came properly alive.

Street food, stalls, brownies, live music from Thrown Together, and a crowd that seemed in absolutely no hurry to leave. People were not just passing through, they were settling in, eating slowly, chatting, dancing, and making an afternoon of it.

Free, family-friendly, and genuinely good. We would go again without hesitation.

👉 Read More

This weekend

Bourton-on-the-Water

We’re heading to Bourton-on-the-Water early doors this Sunday in the hope of catching it before the crowds do.

If you know the village well, where should we be stopping for breakfast? And are there any places in or around Bourton that are off the tourist track and worth visiting once we’ve had our quiet wander?

And because it’s Sunday, it feels only right that a farm shop should be involved somewhere along the way.

So which one? Where would you send us?

Reply and let us know.

This week’s events

Town Walk: Cirencester in the Civil War

📅 Friday 24 April · 11am–12:15pm
📍 Corinium Museum, Park Street
🎟 £9–£10

Local historian Ian Thomas leads a walk through the 1643 storming of Cirencester, taking in the town centre, Abbey Grounds, and Cirencester Park.

One for people who think they already know the town.

The Arabica Sessions: Jack James

📅 Friday 24 April · 7pm–midnight
📍 Coffee at Odd Socks, Cirencester
🎟 £9

An intimate late-night session of house, disco, funky piano and club classics in one of Cirencester’s best independents. Limited capacity, over 18s only.

Pop-Up Dress Agency at Sezincote

📅 Saturday 25 April · 10am–3pm
📍 Sezincote House & Garden, near Moreton-in-Marsh
🎟 £11.55

Pre-loved designer clothing, luxury handbags, shoes and accessories in the grounds of one of the Cotswolds’ most striking houses. Proceeds are split between four local charities. Advance tickets only.

Coming up

Alistair McGowan: 3 in 1

📅 Friday 1 May · 7:30pm
📍 Tetbury Goods Shed
🎟 £32.34

One evening, three acts: impressions, poetry and classical piano. A proper night out at one of the Cotswolds’ best small venues.

Shindig Festival

📅 21–24 May
📍 Charlton Park, near Malmesbury
🎟 Ticketed

Four days across six stages — indie, reggae, hip-hop and electronic, plus circus, cabaret, art installations and proper food.

One to get in the diary early.

This month’s competition

We’re giving away afternoon tea for two at The Swan at Bibury, one of the most beautiful spots in the Cotswolds.

Free to enter. Takes 30 seconds.

👉 https://cotswolddigest.com/competitions

Closes Wednesday 6 May

Join in

Where have you been visiting in the Cotswolds lately?

Why not head over to our Facebook page and share your favourite recent finds there for other locals to enjoy too.

And if you know of any upcoming events we should have on our radar, let us know at events@cotswolddigest.com.

We’re always on the lookout for places worth visiting, things worth doing, and local events that deserve a bit more attention.

Until next week,

Alex and the Cotswold Digest team