If you’re planning ahead – as most of us do – then your thoughts after the welcome Easter break will already be turning to making the most of the May Bank Holiday and where to celebrate May Day.
We’d like to invite you to join us here in our lovely part of the world, where there is plenty going on at the start of the merry month of May.
If you are planning a trip to Stroud and the Cotswolds valleys in magical May, don’t forget to include the Edgemoor Inn near Painswick in the itinerary – we’re ready to welcome you with the local brews and some hearty home cooking!
Here’s our pick of the local events happening around the May bank holiday that will really make it worth the trip:
Morris Dancing at Painswick Beacon
A traditional event that is really close to home for us is the kick off of the Gloucestershire Morris dancing season, which happens in delightful surroundings as the sun rises on Painswick Beacon (GL6 6SY), the highest point in the county, every May Day morning. The event starts at 6.30 am on Friday May 1 (it’s always on May 1 regardless of when the Bank Holiday falls). This ancient form of ritual dance is particularly associated with the Cotswolds villages, so this is the perfect place to discover what the wearing of the bells and waving of sticks and hankies is all about.
May Day Festival at Woodchester Mansion (May 3–4)
Set within the atmospheric grounds of Woodchester Park near the village of Nympsfield, about five miles south of Stroud, the May Day Festival at Woodchester Mansion is one of the most unique celebrations in the region.
Taking place across the Bank Holiday weekend (Sunday 3 and Monday 4 May), the event blends tradition, creativity and a touch of the unusual. Expect:
- The wonderfully eccentric Steampunks of Gloucestershire
- Traditional Maypole dancing
- Circus skills workshops and performances from the School of Larks
- A local take on the famous Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling
- Artisan stalls, food vendors, and family-friendly entertainment
The unfinished Gothic mansion provides a dramatic backdrop, making this a memorable day out for all ages.
Shambles Market, Stroud (May 4)
If you’re visiting on Bank Holiday Monday, don’t miss the special Vintage Shambles Market in Stroud. It’s open from 9am to 2pm in Stroud town centre and there’s plenty of parking available in the vicinity.
Browse a mix of vintage goods, antiques, crafts, and local produce. It’s a great way to experience Stroud’s famously independent spirit.
NeoAncients Festival (May 1-3)
If you want to explore something really different, check out the eclectic three-day cultural NeoAncients Festival, being held across multiple venues in Stroud, featuring performances, films and talks. It’s all about celebrating folkslore, music, art, ritual and weird local traditions, and has been described as “a beguiling weekend of all things folkloric. Expect things like a Beltane ritual gathering, Morris dancing, and workshops exploring mythology and ecology.
Find out more from The Sub Rooms in Stroud.
Amberley Cow Hunt (May 2 & 3)
Cake and cows make an irresistible combination at this popular family event which runs from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May. Start off with buying a ticket in aid of local charities for £2 at the gate at Amberley Parochial School, Amberley, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 5JG. Then you can explore Amberley village and Minchinhampton Common on a unique cow-themed trail, among dozens of life-sized wooden cows all imaginatively decorated by local school pupils. The big draw for many is the impressive number and array of delicious cakes available to fuel the hunt, all baked by locals – don’t miss the Cake Tent.
Hawkwood May Day Festival (May 4)
The Hawkwood Estate is a centre for creativity and innovation, connecting the arts and the environment, set on the Painswick Old Road near Stroud. Hawkwood’s May Day Festival, on May 4th between 10am and 5pm, is billed as a day filled with workshops, live music, talks, tours and joyful celebrations for all the family to enjoy. The programme for the day is based on creativity and the climate – find out more on the Hawkwood website.
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