A Midsummer Escape to the Cotswolds
As June unfurls across the Cotswold hills, a golden hush settles over the countryside. Villages bask in soft light, wild roses tumble over garden walls, and the fields ripple with early summer green. This is the Cotswolds at its most cinematic — a living postcard where every footpath leads to a new discovery. From intimate music festivals to hidden artisan spots, June offers the perfect blend of tranquillity and excitement.
Wilderness Echoes: A Musical Journey
Tucked away in the serene landscape of Longborough, the Longborough Festival Opera returns in June. It’s not just an opera — it’s a total experience. A marquee on the lawn, champagne in hand, picnic hampers under parasols, and soaring arias against a backdrop of sheep-dotted hills. Whether you're an opera aficionado or a curious first-timer, the festival's magical atmosphere is unforgettable. Performances this month include reimaginings of classics — dramatic, beautiful, and deeply rooted in place.
Discovering 'Hid the Jam' – The Local’s Local
In a quiet corner of Cheltenham lies something you won’t find on TripAdvisor's top ten: 'Hid the Jam', a tucked-away, locally loved independent café and bakery. The name is a wink — quirky, nostalgic, and unmistakably Cotswold. It’s a place where locals meet for slow breakfasts, where the jam really is hidden inside freshly baked doughnuts, and the coffee is brewed strong and served with a smile. Visit in June to try their elderflower scones or homemade gooseberry jam — flavours that capture the season.
Between festival evenings and café mornings, lace up your walking shoes and step into the quiet charm of the countryside. A circular walk from Winchcombe to the village of Guiting Power passes through sleepy stone hamlets and fields brushed with oxeye daisies. The longer days of June mean more time to wander, linger by streams, or pause at a tucked-away pub like The Halfway House.
June in the Cotswolds is about balance — culture and calm, tradition and spontaneity. It’s opera under the stars and breakfast in hidden bakeries. It’s local music, early lavender, wildflower meadows, and the promise of stories you’ll tell long after you’ve returned home.
**Come for the beauty. Stay for the moments in between**