Bringing with it brighter days and longer evenings, there’s even more time to enjoy everything Gloucestershire has to offer now that March — and spring! — is finally here.
From celebrating all the Race Week action to soaking up gorgeous spring colours at the county's best beauty spots, SoGlos's round up of the best things to do this month is packed with inspiration to keep you busy.
Celebrate Race Week in Cheltenham
Arguably the biggest event in Cheltenham’s calendar, the Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup is back, taking over the town from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 March 2025.
From watching the equestrian action unfold at Cheltenham Racecourse to celebrating big wins at the best restaurants and bars in town, racegoers can expect the revelry to start early and continue into the small hours. Get Race Week-ready with our pick of Cheltenham's best pre-race breakfasts.
Brew your own beer for International Women's Day
Saturday 8 March marks International Women's Day — and what better way to say 'cheers' than participating in a free, ladies-only brew day at Cheltenham craft beer bar, Brewhouse & Kitchen?
Women were, in fact, the first brewers in the world, so it's a unique opportunity to tap into the art, science and history of crafting beer, sampling different brews and learning all about the process throughout the day — with breakfast and lunch included, too.
See gorgeous spring colours in Gloucestershire
From blossoming cherry trees at Batsford Arboretum to thousands of native daffodils popping up in the Golden Triangle, nature lovers can start to see flora spring back to life across Gloucestershire’s woodlands, gardens and beauty spots, this March 2025.
Plus, with botanical collections from all over the world awakening, discover why spring is perhaps the most glorious time of year at the popular Cotswold attraction, Westonbirt Arboretum.
Go to an event at the Forest of Dean's homegrown arts festival
Bringing a packed programme of creative workshops and live performances to the Forest of Dean, FOD Fringe returns for another month-long celebration of art and culture this March.
With the theme 'Gathering' for 2025, the festival celebrates community and togetherness, with accessible, inclusive and free or low-cost activities for all. Don't miss the queer cabaret and free creative baking sessions!
Discover new music at Gloucester's biggest ever Underground Festival
Gloucester Guildhall’s annual celebration of new music is back on Saturday 29 March 2025, with more chances than ever before for local music fans to discover some of the UK's best new alternative artists, right here in the county.
Having previously hosted huge names like Bastille, Lower Than Atlantis and George Ezra, this year's Underground Festival brings top rock, metal and acoustic artists to venues — with the city's newest music venue, The Thirsty Pine, joining the lineup with a stage this year, too.
Walk the Daffodil Way
Thanks to accessibility improvements completed in March last year, the popular Daffodil Way walking route is now much easier for ramblers to navigate, for the chance to glimpse the Forest of Dean's Golden Triangle of wild daffodils in all their glory.
Meanwhile, the annual Kempley Daffodil Weekend, which takes place on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March 2025, attracts hundreds of walkers with guided walks into the daffodil meadows and yellow-carpeted woodland, as well as a free daff-and-ride bus for visitors to spot the spring blooms in comfort.
Take your mum out for Mother's Day in Gloucestershire
Help your parent to feel extra special this Mother's Day, with plenty of Gloucestershire offers to mark the occasion — from tucking into free curries at The Coconut Tree to exploring the Cotswolds' 'secret garden' Cerney House Gardens, with free entry for mums and step-mums on Sunday 30 March 2025.
Stack them up on Pancake Day
If you don't fancy flipping your own at home on Shrove Tuesday, there are plenty of places to enjoy pancakes in Gloucestershire — from fluffy stacks of American-style buttermilk pancakes at Cheltenham's Curious Café and Bistro to freshly-made crepes filled with sweet and savoury toppings at Spago in Gloucester.
For more inspiration for Pancake Day dining on Tuesday 4 March 2025, check out SoGlos's favourite places for flipping delicious pancakes.
Stroll around Gloucestershire's newest garden centre
Get spring ready at the brand-new Gloucester Garden Centre, taking over the former Dobbies site on Bath Road from Saturday 8 March 2025.
Shop for outdoor plants and all the gardening essentials, with an indoor soft play centre to keep kids entertained — and appearances from celebrity gardener and star of ITV's Love Your Garden, David Domoney, who'll be cutting the ribbon and dishing out free advice during launch weekend.
Get a taste of Alpine life in Cheltenham
Gloucestershire cheese lovers are in luck! This month, Brasserie Blanc is celebrating all things Alpine at its Cheltenham restaurant, with the return of its indulgent C'est Cheese event every Thursday, excluding Race Week, until 20 March 2025.
Gather your friends and get stuck into a four-cheese sharing fondue, paired with a charcuterie platter, fluffy potatoes, bread and cornichons for dipping; with individual raclette servings if you prefer not to share!
