11 Best Performing Arts Venues in Bath and the Cotswolds, England

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We've compiled the best of the best in Bath and the Cotswolds - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Bath Festival

Fodor's choice

Held over 17 days in May, the Bath Festival is a multi-arts celebration of literature and music in and around the city. Events include classical, jazz, and world-music concerts, dance performances, literary talks, and exhibitions, many in the Assembly Rooms and Bath Abbey.

Literature Festival

Fodor's choice

The 10-day Literature Festival in October brings world-renowned authors, actors, and critics to Cheltenham for hundreds of readings, lectures, and other events.

Barn Theatre

One of the best theaters in the region, the Barn Theatre's state-of-the-art auditorium can accommodate 200 spectators. The program is a combination of professional productions and film showings, and the Téatro Bar & Restaurant is handy for pre- and post- theater dinners.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Bath Comedy Festival

Running for 10 days in March or April, the Bath Comedy Festival features comedy events at venues throughout the city. The festival is organized by the Bath Comedy Club, which also hosts additional events throughout the year.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Held over a week in late April and early May, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival presents noted musicians from around the world.

Everyman Theatre

The late-Victorian Everyman Theatre is an intimate venue for opera, dance, concerts, and plays. The interior is the work of Frank Matcham, a famed architect of English theaters and music halls. There's a varied program of events throughout the year in the Main House while the Irving Studio Theatre, a smaller, more intimate venue, often stages more unusual productions. If you are visiting Cheltenham around Christmas and the New Year, try and get tickets for the annual pantomime, a family-friendly tradition that will have you rolling with laughter at familiar fairytale characters. You can often catch pre– or post–West End productions here as well, at a fraction of big-city prices.

Festivals Box Office

For information on the town's ambitious lineup of festivals, contact the Festivals Box Office via phone from Tuesday to Friday.

Jane Austen Festival

Celebrating the great writer with films, plays, walks, and talks over nine days in mid-September, the Jane Austen Festival is a feast for Janeites.

Music Festival

Cheltenham's famous Music Festival, held over 10 days in early July, highlights new compositions, often conducted by the composers themselves, plus a wide variety of choral and instrumental classical pieces.

Science Festival

For five days in early June, the Science Festival attracts leading scientists and writers to Cheltenham.

Theatre Royal

A gemlike Regency playhouse from 1805, the Theatre Royal has a year-round program that often includes pre- or post-London tours. You must reserve the best seats well in advance, but you can line up for same-day standby seats or standing room. Take care with your seat location—sight lines can be poor.

Not finding what you're looking for?

We've got a few suggestions for nearby spots.
The West Country

Arnolfini11.5 miles away

16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, Bristol, BS1 4QA, England
We recommend 9 Performing Arts in The West Country
The West Country

Watershed11.6 miles away

1 Canon's Rd., Bristol, Bristol, BS1 5TX, England
We recommend 9 Performing Arts in The West Country
The West Country

St. George's11.9 miles away

Great George St., Bristol, Bristol, BS1 5RR, England
We recommend 9 Performing Arts in The West Country
The West Country

Glastonbury Festival18.7 miles away

Pilton, Somerset, BA4 4BY, England
We recommend 9 Performing Arts in The West Country
The West Country

Northcott Theatre68.4 miles away

Stocker Rd., Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QB, England
We recommend 9 Performing Arts in The West Country