What’s on in Stroud this week: 28 April – 4 May
It’s May Day this week, the sun is due to be out, and a long weekend is on the cards.
The result is Stroud at its seasonal best with May Day at the top of Painswick Beacon, beer festivals at the Prince Albert in Rodborough and the Hog in Horsley, and a special bank holiday weekend event at Woodchester Mansion.
Plus music at the Sub Rooms from Sam Lee as part of the NeoAncients Festival, an exhibition of rugs at Ruskin Mill and jazz on the patio at Burleigh Court hotel.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district. To suggest an event for inclusion, use this form.
Regular and one off events
- Celebrate May Morn on Painswick Beacon – Thu 1 May, 5:39am
Set the alarm clock for an ungodly hour and make your way up to Painswick Beacon to watch three local Morris Dancing sides bring in the season. All being well, Stroud Morris Dancers, Gloucestershire Morris and Tattered Court should emerge from the half light around dawn for a hop. Listen out for bells to help you locate them.
- See Sam Lee at the Sub Rooms – Thu 1 May, 8pm
Mercury-prize-nominated singer, folk artist, conservationist, and nightingale-listener Sam Lee comes to the Sub Rooms for one night only as the opening night of this weekend’s NeoAncients Festival. Expect an exploration of music from Lee’s critically-acclaimed fourth studio album Songdreaming, and also hopefully plenty more from the first few.
- Attend the Prince Albert Beer & Music Festival – Thu 1 – Mon 5 May – Opening hours
Head to the best pub at the top of a fairly steep hill in Stroud for a bank holiday celebration with beer, cider and perry flowing in the yard from Thursday to Monday, and pizzas and burgers from the kitchen. Plus, music from Count Bobo on Friday, the Ramonas on Saturday, Abba Trois, Ragstone and Pebble Daisy on Sunday and the Bagelites on Monday.
- Visit Woodchester Mansion for May Day weekend – Sun 4 – Mon 5 May, 11am – 5pm
Join the Woodchester Mansion team and Steampunks of Gloucestershire for a special sort of May Day weekend event, featuring maypole dancing, food and drink, cheese rolling and hobby horse show jumping. Plus craft stalls and reduced-priced entry to the mansion itself.
- Attend Hogfest – Fri 2 – Mon 5 May, 12 noon – close
Horsley’s biggest beer festival returns for its spring celebration, with more than 50 beers and ciders, live music every day and a range of activities from facepainting to cigar box guitar building. Plus food from Sri-Licious, Miniyaki’s Japanese and others.
- Enjoy a jazz Sunday lunch at Burleigh Court – Sun 4 May, 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Burleigh Court hotel’s Sunday Jazz Lunches return for the summer with live jazz performances from talented local musicians, and al fresco dining on the back patio. We are promised a seasonal Sunday lunch menu, expertly prepared by Burleigh Court’s on-site chefs with fresh kitchen garden vegetables and indulgent desserts.
Starting this week
- See Jesse James’ tufted rugs – Thu 1 May- Sun 25 May
Stroudie rug maker Jessie James – aka Studio Tuft – brings a special exhibition of her hand tufted rugs to the gallery at Ruskin Mill. Expect plenty of vibrant rugs created in James’ custom-built studio at the end of her garden in Stonehouse.
Further afield
- Celebrate Beltane in Glastonbury – 1 May, from 5am
If you’re looking for a fully immersive May Day experience, Glastonbury goes all out with celebrations throughout the day to mark Beltane, one of the eight pagan seasonal festivals. The day begins before dawn atop Glastonbury Tor and continues into the afternoon with dancing, dragons, druids, drumming and the celebration of the May Queen.
For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper.
