Wartime in the Cotswolds (Winchcombe)

Step back in time at our Wartime in the Cotswolds weekend

Join us 28 – 29  April for a nostalgic town centre experience – 1940s’ style.

The bunting will be up, the ‘40s music playing as Winchcombe’s shopkeepers, pubs, cafe-owners and local people get into the wartime spirit as part of this amazing experience – now an annual event.

The Winchcombe Wartime weekend is run in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, who encourage visitors to get in the spirit and don period dress, British or US military or civilian. (Please note: German, Nazi or SS uniforms, or displays of swastikas or insignia are NOT permitted on the GWSR sites at Toddington or Winchcombe.)

Take a steam train from Toddington to Winchcombe, then catch a bus into the town centre. At designated times over the weekend King George and ‘Monty’ – Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery – will give rousing wartime speeches on Abbey Terrace, accompanied by military jeeps, motorbikes, military staff and supporters.

Or travel on a train between Cheltenham Race Course Station and Broadway on a beautiful heritage railway line, stopping to look at the exhibits and entertainment on offer at Gotherington, Winchcombe and Toddington stations.

If you weren’t around to experience the ‘40s and the wartime spirit – don’t miss this magnificent step back in time.

This event gets larger each year with ever increasing numbers of re-enactors attending. 

"King George V1", "General Montgomery" and "Winston Churchill" will all be present throughout the weekend. On Saturday afternoon we are pleased to announce they will deliver speeches in the centre of Winchcombe. A bus will be available to transfer visitors from Winchcombe Station into the centre of the town.

On the Sunday, and new for this year, our three special guests will travel to Broadway village by Rolls Royce with motor cycle escort to deliver speeches on the Green. We are delighted to report that following the opening of the railway extension to Broadway, villagers and local businesses will be  entering into the spirit of the occasion with many of them specially dressing for the occasion. Liz Eyre, District Councillor and Chairman of Wychavon District Council and also Chairman of Cotswolds Conservation Board, will greet the King's party on the Sunday afternoon with a welcome speech.There will also be a display of vehicles from the period by the War Memorial. A bus will be available to  transport passengers from the station to the village centre. We also understand there will be  a competition for the best dressed window display.

See full details of the events taking place at GWSR.