The Folk of Gloucester

23/10/2026

Can you find eight friendly ghosts representing real people who used to live in The Folk of Gloucester's historic building? This Autumn half term, bring the kids along for a fun, free Halloween trail. We've also got a kids' activity room and a lovely cafe!

22/10/2026

Unfortunately, Gloucester Alternative Market this Saturday has been cancelled. To protect The Folk of Gloucester's historic buildings, the decision has been made to cancel the market for safety and insurance reasons. We apologise for any disappointment.

Please follow The Alternative Markets for information on other locations where the event is being held.

If you are a trader, please contact the Alternative Markets organiser directly at [email protected]

The Folk of Gloucester will be open as usual this Saturday, with volunteer-led tours and delicious freshly-prepared lunches, homemade cakes and hot and cold drinks in the café.

21/10/2026

In need of a chuckle this Friday? How about an hour of hilarious sketches in the style of a radio comedy show! Sit among the “live studio audience” as Severn Playwrights gather around old-fashioned microphones to capture crackling skits and timeless humour.

Severn Playwrights are no strangers to making people laugh, and their past shows (pictured below) have always gone with a bang. Come and support them this week!

Book your tickets for Severn Playwrights Present: You Must Be Joking! at https://www.ticketsource.com/gloucester-civic-trust/you-must-be-joking/e-mvjbdp

20/10/2026

We are now 100% Morris dancer free (apart from our Operations Manager). THANK YOU to everyone who came to Apple Day 2026 at The Folk of Gloucester and made it the wonderful success that it was! To all our musicians, stallholders, demonstrators, staff, volunteers, and of course the Morris dancers, we truly appreciate your hard work and enthusiasm, and we hope to see you again next year!

20/10/2026

18/10/2026

Halloween isn't just for kids - there's loads of spooky stuff for adults at The Folk of Gloucester this month, too! 🌙🕯🌕

🌙 Friday 30th & Saturday 31st October: Lady From the Deep by Second Draft Theatre
A new one-woman show of mystery and suspense by David James and starring Jasmine James. What is the ancient and powerful presence sleeping beneath the water?

🕷️ Saturday 31st October 10am - 12pm: Willow Workshop with Rosie
What could be more witchy than learning to weave your own wicker spider, flower or butterfly on Halloween morning? Led by instructor Rosie Hart.

🕯 Tuesday 20th October - Saturday 7th November: Festival of Witchcraft (free)
Look out for seasonal displays throughout our ancient building. Learn of historical representations and misrepresentations of healing women, and the traditional use of plants and herbs, spells, and protective symbols, some of which remain with us to this day.

Tickets and more information can be found on our website: https://gloucestercivictrust.org/the-folk-home/

Have a haunted Halloween! 👻

16/10/2026

Schedule for Apple Day 2026 at The Folk of Gloucester tomorrow:

Throughout the day:
Live historical music from Bygonz
Craft c***rs from Severn C***r
Pat and his ingenious pedal-powered Apple Bike
Frank the horse demonstrating the traditional c***r press

10:30am in the Ed Shed - Morris dancing workshop with Lassington Oak Morris (1 hour)
11am - 2pm - kids' crafts with local artist Ally Goff
11:30am in the courtyard: Morris dancing showcase with Lassington Oak Morris and workshop participants
11:45am - Morris dancers perform in front of The Folk before moving up to the Cross
12:00pm (courtyard / Ed Shed) - Gloucester District U3A folk group
12:45pm (courtyard / Ed Shed) - Carnival of Cryptids feral folk choir
1:30pm (courtyard / Ed Shed) - Gloucester Dementia Choir
2:15pm (courtyard / Ed Shed) - Gloucester folk Choir
3pm in the courtyard - Morris dancing
3:30pm (courtyard / Ed Shed) - folk music session until close
Doors close at 5pm

Hope to see you there!

Photos by Gareth Jayne and Paul Nicholls

15/10/2026

🎉 We've been chosen to benefit from Historic England's Heritage at Risk Capital Fund once again! This time, we've been awarded £380,000 - by far our biggest grant so far - to renovate the interior of our historic Pin Factory Annexe.

Once an 18th-century pin factory, these unused rooms will be converted into space for displays and exhibitions, workshops, community events and an upgraded bar!

Work will include stabilising the rear building, replacing connecting timber joists, creating seating areas and repairing and upgrading mechanical and electrical installations.

You can read more about the 23 the historic sites benefitting from this year's grants at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/heritage-at-risk/capital-fund-projects/2026/

Many thanks to Ross Campbell for the video footage!