Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire

We’re so ready for you Autumn, but where to go to get the most fun out of the season? Try these for starters…







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture-fixes">CULTURE FIXES</h2>



Cheltenham is basically the Coachella of books in October. The <a href="https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/festivals/literature-festival?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22015873601&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADnQpFME0KorNtw0OuzeQYb_8p2F2&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p7GBhCjARIsAEhghZ0CJp6eL90z1TGBveUucZAGMnl--Youz8bE1pnjrplZPFl6mYxwN-AaAljNEALw_wcB">Cheltenham Literature Festiva</a><a>l</a> (10 &#8211; 19 Oct) returns with a line-up that always mixes A-list names with left-field stars, from Hollywood gossip one minute to TikTok authors and true-crime panels the next. 



This year looks phenomenal, with 500 speakers and 400+ events &#8211; some totally free &#8211; with celebrities such as Al Murray and Hugh Bonneville. Grab a flat white, a notebook, and pretend you’re plotting your own bestseller.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.charlie3-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74928" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.charlie3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.charlie3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.charlie3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.charlie3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Not to be outdone, <a href="https://cirencesterhistoryfestival.org/">Cirencester History Festival</a> (24 Oct &#8211; 02 Nov) brings together historians, writers and performers for talks, tours and costumed capers across the Roman capital of the Cotswolds. This year there&#8217;s also a new £5 ticket for under-22s across the entire talks programm. 



Expect hidden-cellar discoveries, candlelit concerts (hello Witch Night!) and a few juicy scandals from the past. See our <a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/festivals/10-cant-miss-tickets-at-cirencester-history-festival-gloucestershire/">10 hot ticket tips here</a> &#8211; including Glos favourite Charlie Cooper.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-amp-installations">ART &amp; INSTALLATIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.moon_-1000x667.jpg" alt="moon in a church" class="wp-image-75604" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.moon_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.moon_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.moon_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.moon_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk/themoon/">Tewkesbury Abbey’s Museum of the Moon</a> (16 Oct – 4 Nov). A spectacular, seven-metre glowing orb suspended under Gothic arches with DJ nights, yoga sessions and late-night openings. Book in for this awe-inspiring experience &#8211; the most atmospheric selfie spot of the season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-curtain-s-up">CURTAIN&#8217;S UP</h2>



<a href="https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/eddie-izzard-performs-shakespeares-hamlet/">Eddie Izzard Performs Shakespeare&#8217;s Hamlet</a> on 12 Oct at The Everyman Theatre. Akin to the original performances of Hamlet, Eddie will perform on the blank canvas of a bare stage, letting Shakespeare’s words and pure storytelling take the spotlight. 



See this fabulous one-off performance which as been nominated for New York’s Distinguished Performance Award and Outer Critic’s Circle Outstanding Solo Performance Award.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.eddie_-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75608" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.eddie_-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.eddie_-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.eddie_-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.eddie_-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.eddie_-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.eddie_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Drama meets disco at Malvern Theatres where the season launches with <a href="https://malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/the-night-sky-show/">The Night Sky Show</a> (4 Oct) &#8211; a cosmic mash-up of science, stargazing and theatrical visuals that feels more like Glasto than GCSE physics.



Later in the month, Austen’s <a href="https://malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/the-night-sky-show/">Emma </a>(13 &#8211; 18 Oct) gets a glossy stage treatment — all sass, schemes and Regency realness. If dark thrills are more your bag, head to Worcester’s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/greyfriars-house-and-garden/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Greyfriars House</a> on Halloween (31 Oct) where Edgar Allan Poe’s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/greyfriars-house-and-garden/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com">The Fall of the House of Usher</a> is performed by candlelight in a creaky Tudor house. Creepy chic.



Stroud keeps it indie with <a href="https://museuminthepark.org.uk/earth-fire-iron-alan-evans-and-the-new-iron-age">Earth Fire Iron</a> at the Museum in the Park (until 7 Nov) &#8211; giant sculptures, industrial vibes and a backdrop of autumn woodland. 







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BIG DAYS OUT</h2>



For some proper countryside swag, the <a>Malvern Autumn</a><a href="https://malvernautumn.co.uk/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22996637276&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBPm6B43Eu5JfsGuktmx61FFuCP4N&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p7GBhCjARIsAEhghZ1FVNF8BMB57m1UzMDIWT_F8hjpbsfy0YHWqdMs4CIv2l26QFDBN5saArQsEALw_wcB"> Show</a> (26 &#8211; 28 Sept) takes over the Three Counties Showground with giant veg, floral catwalks, artisan food and Insta-perfect pumpkin displays. 



Think Great British Bake Off meets harvest carnival &#8211; there’s even a World of Animals zone for the kids. Top chefs cooking up demos to enjoy include Candice Brown and Lizzier Acker, along with famous faces such as Matt Tebbutt and Monty Don.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/14malvernfrancis-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74779" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/14malvernfrancis-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/14malvernfrancis-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/14malvernfrancis-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/14malvernfrancis.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Then, swap your wellies for wedges in November, when the <a href="https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/">Cheltenham November Meeting</a> (14 – 16 Nov) gallops in as one of the most glamorous fixtures of the racing calendar. Expect high drama on the track, statement coats in the paddock, and plenty of champagne-fuelled après-racing vibes.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fantastic-fireworks">FANTASTIC FIREWORKS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.boom_-1-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75616" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.boom_-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.boom_-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.boom_-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.boom_-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.boom_-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/09/1.boom_-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Prepare to step beyond the veil of the ordinary and into an evening of spellbinding spectacle at <a href="https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/events/phantoms-fireworks">Fireworks &amp; Phantoms</a> at Sudeley Castle, Cheltenham on 31 Oct. This Halloween, Sudeley Castle opens its gates after dark for a brand-new night-time celebration that will transform the historic grounds into a spectacle of eerie delight.&nbsp;



As dusk falls, the castle will come alive with a mischievous Halloween funfair, and a trail leading you towards the heart of the evening &#8211; the Hop Field, with panoramic views of an illuminated Sudeley Castle and the Queen’s Garden. One not to miss.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FAMILY, BUT MAKE IT FUN</h2>



For young &#8216;uns the <a href="https://www.museumofgloucester.co.uk/events/moomins?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22363576505&amp;gbraid=0AAAAABYZ63eKgmY81Tuax8bi9HNEWR7kw&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p7GBhCjARIsAEhghZ3bA_pSZtAp5X3tPRCSC9FpnSNoQ_DfG2sXAxBhh7OwjtdDMPMP81oaAgLCEALw_wcB">M</a><a>oomin ABC</a> (until 5 Oct) exhibition at the Museum of Gloucester is cute but stylish &#8211; colourful design, storytelling corners and a dose of Nordic whimsy. 



For bigger kids (and adults who never grew up), <a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/heritage-open-days-go-behind-the-scenes-at-glos-worcs-hidden-gems/">Heritage Open Days </a>across September are basically free passes to snoop inside secret towers, cellars and rooftop views normally locked away.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-culture/festivals/10-cant-miss-tickets-at-cirencester-history-festival-gloucestershire/">10 can&#8217;t miss tickets at Cirencester History Festival</a></li>



<li><a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/gbbos-candice-brown-worcestershire/">Muddy meets: GBBO&#8217;s Candice Brown</a></li>



<li><a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/10-wellness-tips-youll-actually-want-to-do-no-5am-ice-baths-required/">10 autumn wellness tips from a top Glos expert</a></li>
</ul>

Autumn guide: 11 best arts & culture tickets you won’t want to miss

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