To celebrate the 400 year anniversary of the bard's death, head to five star boutique inn, the Old Swan & Minster Mill in the Cotswolds for some 'Shakespeare-on-wheels' theatre. This June and July, the inn will host two alfresco theatre productions of Richard III and Romeo and Juliet in its stunning gardens. The shows will be put on by The HandleBards, an alternative theatre troupe renowned for enacting Shakespeare's plays on bike.  Overnight stays at the Old Swan start from £175 including breakfast and Handlebards tickets are £12 for adults and £6 for concessions.  

The cast of four will perform the two plays at the inn whilst riding bicycles to power various surprises and contraptions on-stage. The set has an eclectic design as all the props used on stage are recycled items collected from camp-sites. The four actors will play all of the parts in each play. Gates to the event open at 6pm and guests are invited to join the pre-performance revelry complete with Pimms and a hog roast, which can be bought at stalls on the day.  The Richard III performance takes place on 12th June and Romeo and Juliet on 14th July.

Located in the historic village of Old Minster, the fifteenth century Old Swan & Minster Mill is set in 70 acres of restored gardens and wild-flower meadows, and has over a mile of the River Windrush running through its grounds, providing the perfect setting for an alfresco theatre production. The Old Swan boasts 15 characterful beamed guestrooms and the adjoining Minster Mill boasts 37 contemporary bedrooms.

For more information on the Old Swan & Minster Mill, please visit www.oldswnaandminstermill.com or for further information on other de Savary properties please visit: www.desavary.com

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For more information please contact Minty Woolgar, Amelia Astley Birwistle or Arwen Sellick at desavaryhotels@brightergroup.com or call 020 7326 9880.

About the Old Swan & Minster Mill

Privately owned by the de Savary Family, the boutique 5 star hotel and inn is situated in the characterful and historical Cotswold village of Old Minster between Witney and Burford (just outside of Oxford), on the banks of the River Windrush. The Old Swan captures the charm of bygone years, with the laid-back atmosphere of the gastro-inn inspired dining with log fires and cosy snugs.  The inn is set in 70 acres of its own grounds and prize-winning gardens, with over a mile of river. There are independent reception and events areas through the grounds. With a history spanning almost 600 years, the Old Swan & Minster Mill is quintessentially English, offering the perfect spot to escape the city and explore the Cotswolds. With 53 bedrooms/suites and a charming 3 bedroom cottage.

For more information please visit http://oldswanandminstermill.com/