Giffords Circus, based near Stroud, gives performances on village greens around the Cotswolds from May to September. The circus is in a tent that seats about 400 and has acts with jugglers, fire eaters, acrobats, horses, dogs and even a duck! Leading the events is the wonderful Tweedy the Clown. This is not your usual circus - it is theater using circus acts to tell a story. The story changes each year. The first time we saw the circus, in 2011, the story was War and Peace! The last one we saw, in 2019, was Xanadu, the Summer of Love. We haven't missed a year since the first time we went.
If you are in the Cotswolds in the summer, don't miss this circus!
The circus takes place on village greens or in fields near the village.
Parking is always plentiful and well organized. Some people come early and have a tail-gate picnic or picnic in the fields.
Purchase tickets online and pickup your tickets at the box office when you arrive.
Open seating. The seating is wood benches, with cushions. In earlier years you had to bring your own cushions, but they have upgraded the tent.
Arrive at least 30 minutes ahead to look at the booths outside and then claim your seats. Things go on in the ring well before the official start time.
Snacks are sold in the performance area. Tea and cake is available at intermission. Usually pizza is available too.
Each year an Emma Bridgewater cup is available for that year's theme. I have one for each show we have been to (that's how much I love this circus).
Website: Giffords Circus
Note that Nell Gifford, who started the circus in 2000 and was fully involved in all the shows, died in 2019. I will miss seeing her ride a horse around the ring, or take part in the performances. Read more about her, and the circus, on their website.
Lining up to get into the tent for the show. Summer 2017.
The circus grounds where you can buy food before the show or at intermission. Summer 2018.
Steve and Shannon before the show. Summer 2019.
Tweedy the Clown starts the show and you will see him again in the show. The best clown! Summer 2018.
Performance with a turkey. Some years it is a goose (Brian the goose). Summer 2018.
Incredible juggling! Summer 2019.
Summer 2018.
Summer 2012.
Summer 2012.
If you are in the Cotswolds in the summer, don't miss this circus!
Location: England - Gloucestershire and surrounding countiesThe circus takes place on village greens or in fields near the village.
Parking is always plentiful and well organized. Some people come early and have a tail-gate picnic or picnic in the fields.
Purchase tickets online and pickup your tickets at the box office when you arrive.
Open seating. The seating is wood benches, with cushions. In earlier years you had to bring your own cushions, but they have upgraded the tent.
Arrive at least 30 minutes ahead to look at the booths outside and then claim your seats. Things go on in the ring well before the official start time.
Snacks are sold in the performance area. Tea and cake is available at intermission. Usually pizza is available too.
Each year an Emma Bridgewater cup is available for that year's theme. I have one for each show we have been to (that's how much I love this circus).
Website: Giffords Circus
Note that Nell Gifford, who started the circus in 2000 and was fully involved in all the shows, died in 2019. I will miss seeing her ride a horse around the ring, or take part in the performances. Read more about her, and the circus, on their website.
Lining up to get into the tent for the show. Summer 2017.
The circus grounds where you can buy food before the show or at intermission. Summer 2018.
Steve and Shannon before the show. Summer 2019.
Tweedy the Clown starts the show and you will see him again in the show. The best clown! Summer 2018.
Performance with a turkey. Some years it is a goose (Brian the goose). Summer 2018.
Incredible juggling! Summer 2019.
Summer 2018.
Summer 2012.
Summer 2012.
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