2026 is the 60th year of the Cotswolds National Landscape as a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and we’re celebrating!
Throughout this year, there’ll be a range of opportunities for people to celebrate with us:
- Schools’ film tour
- Cotswolds: Field & Folk screenings tour
- Summer celebration event
- Themed guided walks
Central to our party plans is showcasing the Cotswolds: Field & Folk documentary. We have been working behind the scenes with Leaping Fox Films since late 2023 to bring the film to life. To make the film, the Leaping Fox film crew has travelled the length and breadth of the Cotswolds, speaking to farmers, conservationists, educators, ecologists and more. The film explores the deep connections between people, farming, and the natural environment in the Cotswolds – highlighting how generations of land management, community traditions and agricultural practices have shaped the landscape we see today. The film amplifies the voices of those who work the land every day, exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Schools’ Tour Month
We’ve already almost finished our schools’ tour with the film. Throughout March, we’ve visited the Cotswold School, Bredon Hill Academy, Chipping Campden School, and Burford School – sharing a specially-made ‘mini-doc’ version of the film, tailored for a schools audience. Each school has been different, with different year groups coming to watch the film, and engage with our Q&A panel to discuss the themes in the mini-doc and future outdoor and creative careers. We’ve been bowled over by the questions from students for our Q&A panelists. At each school, the students have asked thought-provoking, considered, and insightful questions – they’ve kept our panel members on their toes, and really impressed all of us with their enthusiasm. One stop left for the tour – at High School Leckhampton, as part of their Eco Day – and we can’t wait!
Film screenings tour
This summer, we’ll be sharing Cotswolds: Field & Folk across the Cotswolds with a small venues screening tour. From the north to the south of the Cotswolds, and a fair few places in between, you’ll be able to watch the documentary and, in some venues, participate in Q&A sessions with people featured in the film as well as the Leaping Fox Films crew. Tickets will be available soon – please check www.cotswoldsfilm.co.uk for full details.
- 3rd July – Malmesbury, Old Bell Hotel (press premiere)
- 9th July – Royal Agricultural University
- 10th July – FarmEd
- 16th July – Tetbury Goods Shed
- 17th July – Isbourne Arts, Winchcombe
- 23rd July – Stroud Brewery
- 24th July – Pound Arts Centre, Corsham
- 7th August – Sherston Village Hall
- 15th August – Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham
- 20th August – Stroud Brewery
Summer celebration event – 15th August, Cheltenham
We’ll be hosting a celebration event marking 60 years of the Cotswolds National Landscape on 15th August, at Parabola Arts Centre in Cheltenham. With a film screening, a Q&A panel session hosted by Jo Durrant, a photographic exhibition, lots of participation, and even a bottle bar and a little live music, the event invites everyone to come along for the afternoon and celebrate our collective connection to this magnificent landscape. More details and tickets to be released soon.
CNL60 Guided Walks
One of the best ways to enjoy the Cotswolds landscape is to get out into it, breathe the fresh air, and let your senses take it all in. With that in mind, our Cotswolds Voluntary Wardens are running a series of themed CNL60 guided walks all year, and across the whole landscape. This walk series aims to connect people with hands-on opportunities to explore and understand the Special Qualities of the landscape, which are integral to its protected status. From ‘shorter and steadier’ walks; to long rambles; to routes that take in natural history, heritage, wildflowers, folklore and more – these walks are a wonderful way to meet people, and spend a little time in nature.
Browse our Guided Routes page in the Walking and Exploring section, and search ‘CNL60’ to find themed routes. More routes are being added all the time, so bookmark that page! And don’t forget to search for the new ‘Riders and Striders’ routes too – open to everyone, whether striding or wheeling along.
More celebrations will be developed and added to our programme all year – so please do keep checking the website, and we look forward to welcoming you!
