There's plenty going on in the Cotswolds' Stroud District during 2012, from the Olympic Torch Relay on 23rd May to the first ever Stroud on Water Festival from 2nd to 4th June 2012 and from the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park in July to the Frocester Beer Festival in August. Plan which Events and Festivals to attend for 2012 by clicking the What's On link below.

What`s on - What`s on

A Taste of Stroud at London Paddington

Stroud Special at Paddington Station

Come and visit Stroud at Paddington Station on Monday 21st May from 4 to 7pm. Enjoy a taste of our award-winning Farmers' Market and discover what Stroud and the Five Valleys has to offer by meeting our friendly Tourist Information staff, Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers and representatives from Stroud's independent shops and attractions and festivals across the district. Find out more about the Stroud Special ticket where you can board a train at Paddington and in 90 minutes be exploring this delightful Cotswolds town.You will also have the chance to win return First Class tickets to Stroud and vouchers to spend at the Saturday Farmers' Market.

Stroud Special - Special Train Service to Stroud

LATEST NEWS

Olympic torch 2012

The Olympic Torch Relay arrives in Stroud at around 4.15pm on Wednesday 23rd May and makes its way through the town centre, passing the new canal bridge, before travelling to Painswick 'Queen of the Cotswolds' arriving around 5pm. Get there early to enjoy the atmosphere of this historic occasion. Please click the link below for more information.

Stroud District Council - Olympic Torch Relay Information

Arts Festivals in Stroud

Festival Fever hits Stroud in May 2012
Not one, but two Contemporary Arts Festivals take place in the Stroud Valleys this May. Stroud International Textiles’ Pairings II exhibition runs from 28th April to 27th May 2012 at the Museum in the Park where designer makers push the boundaries of their craft. This is complemented by the Site Festival 2012 showcasing artist-led projects throughout the Stroud Valleys with an exciting programme of contemporary arts events. Two Open Studio Weekends give the opportunity to explore the valleys whilst stepping into the world of the artists. Details available from Stroud TIC 01453 760960.

Stroud International Textiles - Pairings II Exhibition

Stroud Valleys Artspace - Site Festival 2012

Cotswolds Photography Competition

Enter Our Photography Competition 2012
Cotswolds Tourism are on the lookout for some iconic images of our glorious Gloucestershire towns for a 2013 calendar of the area to be sold in Tourist Information Centres. The twelve categories include Stroud and Cotswolds View. Pick up an entry form from Stroud Tourist Information Centre (Subscription Rooms, Stroud) or visit www.cotswolds.com/competition for details on how to enter. Closing date for entry is 8th June 2012.

Cotswolds Tourism - Details of Photography Competition

Cotswolds Tourism Awards 2012

Cotswolds Tourism Awards 2012
Local B&Bs, visitor attractions and other tourism businesses have all been in the spotlight as the second annual Cotswold Tourism Awards are announced. B&B of the Year awards were won by Byfield House (Gold) and St Anne's (Silver), both in Painswick. Tudor Caravan Park in Slimbridge was awarded Silver for Caravan or Camping Site of the Year. Event of the Year Silver was won by Art in the Garden held annually at Painswick Rococo Garden. Treasure Trails who have put together some great trails in Stroud, Nailsworth and Wotton-under-Edge won overall Business of the Year and Slimbridge WWT won a Silver award for Website of the Year.

Electric biking at the Rococo Garden

BBC Countryfile came to the Stroud Valleys in spring 2012
BBC Countryfile came to the Stroud Valleys in March. Presenter Matt Baker rode an electric bike from Painswick's Rococo Garden to Bisley and Ellie Harrison investigated the local arts' scene as well as meeting the Chalford Donkey project.

Stinchcombe Hill

Walk of the Month: The Cotswolds Korean Friendship Trail - Stinchcombe Hill

The Cotswold Way has teamed up with South Korea’s Jeju Olle Trail to become one of the world’s first ‘friendship trails'. Follow this short walk around Stinchcombe Hill to experience one of the most beautiful meanderings of the Cotswold Way and discover a new world of walking on an island five thousand miles away.

Click on the link below and scroll to the bottom of the page to download the walk

Download walk - Stinchcombe Hill Circular walk

All aboard the Stroud Special!

All aboard the Stroud Special! Visitors can speed their way to the Five Valleys onboard an off-peak special train service from London and Reading (from £8 single). Your ticket entitles you to discounts in more than 45 shops and cafes in the colourful market town of Stroud. For more information, click below.

Stroud Special - Special Train Service to Stroud

DOWNLOAD OUR NEW VISITOR GUIDE

Cotswolds Visitor Guide 2012

Download or view the Cotswolds Visitor Guide 2012 from the link below or send for your free brochure by telephoning Stroud TIC on 01453 760 960 or email your request to: Stroud Visitor Information Centre

Visitor Guides - Visitor Guide

www.twitter.com/DiscoverStroud

We've joined Twitter! Follow us by clicking on the link below.

DiscoverStroud - Follow us on Twitter

Culture

The Cotswolds and Forest of Dean are staking a claim to be Britain's Rural Capital of Culture! The campaign aims to bring together art, performance, sport, food and events in the whole area.

Cotswolds.com - What to do in the Cotswolds

STROUD IN THE COTSWOLDS

The Cotswolds is renowned for being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is convenient to access famous points of interest such as Stratford upon Avon, Cotswold villages, Bristol, Bath and the Welsh Borders.

The Stroud district boasts an exciting and contemporary art scene, with the likes of Damien Hirst, Cleo Mussi and the Pangolin foundry in residence, making the area positively unique.

This least commercialised and unexplored area of the Cotswolds is presented among valleys, vales and wolds. This dramatic mix of landscape, coupled with unique heritage, unspoiled villages and market towns are all here waiting to be discovered.