Insider's Guide

Insider’s Guide with Lil Rice

23rd July 2024

We are delighted to be joined by Fools Delight Circus founder, Cyr wheel artist and singer Lil Rice.

From a young age, under the watchful eye of her aunt, circus founder and ring mistress Nell Gifford, Lil would assist at Giffords Circus, eventually going on to perform under the big top. It wasn’t until a chance encounter with world renowned clown, Sam Goodburn, that Fools Delight Circus was created. Along with Lil’s husband, Head Chef Dave Cross, the trio create and perform magical and theatrical shows hosted in between delicious food courses.

As Fools Delight returns to Ham Court, Bampton for its summer production this August, Lil takes time away from the final preparations to share her favourite spots, watering holes and foodie recommendations.

How long you have visited and or lived in the Cotswolds?

Since 2018.

My favourite spot is…

The Heavens in Stroud.

Image
Image
My favourite view of the Cotswolds is…

The view from Minchinhampton Common.

My favourite place to escape in nature is…

The lakes at Woodchester Park.

The best place to go early in the morning is…

Any river in the Cotswolds!

Image
Image
Something only locals know is…

… but that would be telling!

My cultural fix is…

Any of the old burial mounds; Wayland’s Smithy in Ashbury and nearby Uffington White Horse, the oldest chalk-cut hill figure in Britain.

My foodie go-to is…

Giffords Circus Sauce restaurant or our Fools Delight Circus dinner, obviously.

My nighttime escape is…

The Morris Clown in Bampton!

Image
Image
A misconception about the Cotswolds would be…

That it is always full of tourists – there are so many more secret lovely places to discover.

Three words to describe the Cotswolds…

Rolling, green, rivers.

Image
Image
Image
Image

All imagery is kindly shared by Lil, you can see her along with the rest of the Fools Delight Circus in SPINSTER, from 3rd to 18th August at Ham Court, Bampton, Oxfordshire.

Related Articles

View All
Coachman’s House Country Pursuits

Interview

Coachman’s House Country Pursuits

26th March 2025

Introducing Coachman’s House, an idyllic Cotswold getaway through the eyes of a visiting group of friends.

Spring Lamb Shoulder with Hasselback Potatoes Recipe

Recipes

Spring Lamb Shoulder with Hasselback Potatoes Recipe

26th March 2025

Though it may look as though this recipe requires a number of steps, it is actually incredibly easy and light on the washing up.

Insider’s Guide with Alex Dilling

Insider's Guide

Insider’s Guide with Alex Dilling

4th March 2025

Alex is an award-winning chef. His namesake restaurant, in five-star Hotel Café Royal in London, broke records by achieving two Michelin stars just six months after opening in 2023.  Alex prides himself with cooking some of the most imaginative dishes…...