Mel Jones
12 May, 2025
News

Giffords Circus celebrates Its 25th anniversary year with a return to family hands

Giffords Circus is marking a meaningful new chapter in its 25th anniversary year, as the Gifford family returns to lead the beloved institution. Toti Gifford steps back in as Founder & Chairman to help guide the circus in its next phase. This transition comes as the next generation of Gifford children prepare to learn the ropes and carry forward the legacy begun by their parents a quarter-century ago.

Giffords Circus

Toti Gifford commented: “Giffords has always been about family—on stage and off—and it’s a joy to be coming back into the fold. My family and I are excited for the future of Giffords Circus and look forward to ensuring it remains true to its original spirit, ready for the next generation. We thank Guy for his long-standing commitment to Giffords, which under his leadership has gone from strength to strength. We’re pleased he will remain a valued part of the Giffords team.”

Far from reinventing the wheel, the Gifford family is focused on celebrating the circus’s founding values of ART, LOVE and KINDNESS, reinvigorating its origins as a village green circus alive with magic and bursting with the rowdy, raucous energy of its nomadic band of performers.

Giffords Circus
Giffords Circus Credit: Giffords Circus

The family joins this summer’s Laguna Bay tour, a vibrant 25th anniversary production set against the sun-soaked backdrop of 1950’s AmericaDirected by the internationally acclaimed Cal McCrystal, Laguna Bay captures the spirit of vintage beach culture with a distinctly Giffords twist, whisking audiences away to golden shores and the cool kitsch of the era. Adding to the family feel, Toti’s eldest daughter, Red Gifford, makes a special cameo appearance in the show.

Giffords Circus
Giffords Circus Credit: Giffords Circus

The tour is now visiting some of the most picturesque sites across the Cotswolds and South of England, including:

  • Sudeley Castle & Gardens in Gloucestershire (9th – 19th May)
  • Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire (22nd May – 2nd June)
  • Chiswick House & Gardens in London (5th – 22nd June)
  • Evenley Wood Garden in Northamptonshire (26th June – 7th July)
  • Stonor Park & Gardens in Oxfordshire (10th – 14th July)
  • Little Barrington in Oxfordshire (17th – 28th July)
  • Frampton Court Park in Gloucestershire (31st July – 4th August)
  • Minchinhampton Common in Gloucestershire (7th – 18th August)
  • Marlborough Common in Wiltshire (21st August – 1st September)
  • Stratton Meadows in Gloucestershire (4th – 15th September) before returning home to Fennells Farm in Stroud to close the season (18th – 28th September)
Giffords Circus
Giffords Circus Credit: Giffords Circus

Giffords Circus’ unique, critically-acclaimed travelling restaurant, Circus Sauce, will return to accompany the Laguna Bay tour, serving a rustic yet extravagant banquet style three-course feast on selected evenings following the last show of the day, created by a team of talented chefs using local, seasonal ingredients (pre-booking essential). The popular Circus Sauce Caféand Diner wagons will also accompany the tour, serving delicious dishes such as smash burgers, halloumi burgers, hot dogs, fries and vegan or vegetarian alternatives, some with an American twist along with a great choice of teas and coffees. Giffords Circus also has a fully licensed bar serving locally sourced alcoholic and soft drinks throughout show days and for dinner service in the restaurant.

Tickets for Giffords Circus Laguna Bay start from £10 for children and from £20 for adults. Tickets for Circus Sauce restaurant are £20 for children and £40 for adults (if booked before 16th April 2025). All tickets are on sale now and available to book at https://giffordscircus.com/