Ross's Cotswold highlights!
Sightseeing
A charming bohemian town, renowned for creating the lawnmower, a coffee shop culture, independent shops, a rich industrial heritage and of course...the famous Saturday farmer's market. Londoner's call it 'Notting Hill with wellies'!
130 abantu bendawo batusa
Stroud
A charming bohemian town, renowned for creating the lawnmower, a coffee shop culture, independent shops, a rich industrial heritage and of course...the famous Saturday farmer's market. Londoner's call it 'Notting Hill with wellies'!
This is the life! A few minutes walk from my house will lead you up to the wilds of open parkland. Stunning views over to the Welsh mountains and Forest of Dean, cattle wonder freely and kites soar in the sky. Catching a Stroud sunset is a must!
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Rodborough Common
This is the life! A few minutes walk from my house will lead you up to the wilds of open parkland. Stunning views over to the Welsh mountains and Forest of Dean, cattle wonder freely and kites soar in the sky. Catching a Stroud sunset is a must!
Located just outside Stroud, you'll feel like you were in Scotland! (which is why it doubled for the Highlands in season 2 of The Crown.) There's a gothic haunted mansion, several lakes and rambling trails through beautiful woodland.
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Woodchester Park House
Located just outside Stroud, you'll feel like you were in Scotland! (which is why it doubled for the Highlands in season 2 of The Crown.) There's a gothic haunted mansion, several lakes and rambling trails through beautiful woodland.
It's not called 'The Queen of the Cotswolds' for nothing - a tiny town that features in TV shows with its beacon overlooking Gloucester, the famous Rococco Gardens, the haunted graveyard of 100 yew trees and the boutique Painswick Hotel.
58 abantu bendawo batusa
Painswick
It's not called 'The Queen of the Cotswolds' for nothing - a tiny town that features in TV shows with its beacon overlooking Gloucester, the famous Rococco Gardens, the haunted graveyard of 100 yew trees and the boutique Painswick Hotel.
Affording a different view to Rodborough Common, Selsley is more wild and windy. The view across the Alpine church is a classic Cotswold image.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Selsley Common
Affording a different view to Rodborough Common, Selsley is more wild and windy. The view across the Alpine church is a classic Cotswold image.
Within hiking distance of my house, this is the residence of one of the local Royals...Princess Anne. Expect horses, tea rooms, country pubs and the feeling of a bygone era.
30 abantu bendawo batusa
Munchinhampton
3 W EndWithin hiking distance of my house, this is the residence of one of the local Royals...Princess Anne. Expect horses, tea rooms, country pubs and the feeling of a bygone era.
My personal favourite Cotswold town. There's a mini Westminster Abbey, a long walk similar to Windsor, alleyways of interesting shops, a Roman museum and the double duo eateries of Keith's and Made by Bob!
373 abantu bendawo batusa
Cirencester
My personal favourite Cotswold town. There's a mini Westminster Abbey, a long walk similar to Windsor, alleyways of interesting shops, a Roman museum and the double duo eateries of Keith's and Made by Bob!
Yes, it's touristy. But it's arguably the prettiest village in England. So why not! (close to Cirencester)
198 abantu bendawo batusa
Bibury
Yes, it's touristy. But it's arguably the prettiest village in England. So why not! (close to Cirencester)
A 35-minute drive from my house (via the Roman roads) will take you to this world-famous city. The Baths and Pump Rooms are incredible, and you can't fail to be impressed by the architectural splendour of the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge.
721 abantu bendawo batusa
Bath
A 35-minute drive from my house (via the Roman roads) will take you to this world-famous city. The Baths and Pump Rooms are incredible, and you can't fail to be impressed by the architectural splendour of the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge.
A few minutes walk from the town centre is Stratford Park, with a mini arboretum, a lake and this charming museum and secret garden, set in a Georgian manor house. Learn about Stroud's colourful past in textures and cloth, and view the world's first lawnmower!
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Museum in the Park
Stratford RoadA few minutes walk from the town centre is Stratford Park, with a mini arboretum, a lake and this charming museum and secret garden, set in a Georgian manor house. Learn about Stroud's colourful past in textures and cloth, and view the world's first lawnmower!
Located between Stroud and Bath lies this picture-postcard perfect toy village. Movies such as Doctor Dolittle and Stardust were filmed here. There are 2 lovely pubs and the fantastic Manor House Hotel for afternoon tea.
214 abantu bendawo batusa
Castle Combe
Located between Stroud and Bath lies this picture-postcard perfect toy village. Movies such as Doctor Dolittle and Stardust were filmed here. There are 2 lovely pubs and the fantastic Manor House Hotel for afternoon tea.
If you have a car and have a full day to visit the North Cotswolds (allow 45 mins drive from mine), this is the 'romantic road' tour that I recommend:
Snowshill, Broadway, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower/Upper Slaughter (you can bolt on Bourton-on-the-Water at the end, but this is very touristy).
181 abantu bendawo batusa
Cotswolds
If you have a car and have a full day to visit the North Cotswolds (allow 45 mins drive from mine), this is the 'romantic road' tour that I recommend:
Snowshill, Broadway, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower/Upper Slaughter (you can bolt on Bourton-on-the-Water at the end, but this is very touristy).
Famed for having one of the largest naturalistic plantings of snowdrops in the country, the hidden valley which forms the Rococo Garden is unforgettably carpeted with white for a few weeks at the start of spring. The Observer recently named us as one of the top ten places to see snowdrops in the UK!
107 abantu bendawo batusa
Painswick Rococo Garden
Gloucester RoadFamed for having one of the largest naturalistic plantings of snowdrops in the country, the hidden valley which forms the Rococo Garden is unforgettably carpeted with white for a few weeks at the start of spring. The Observer recently named us as one of the top ten places to see snowdrops in the UK!
Food Scene
Every Saturday morning from the crack of dawn. Consistently voted 'Best Farmers Market' in the UK. You'll find Stroudies bumping wellies with celebrities. An essential part of your stay!
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning from the crack of dawn. Consistently voted 'Best Farmers Market' in the UK. You'll find Stroudies bumping wellies with celebrities. An essential part of your stay!
The oldest family-owned ice cream company is on my doorstep. It's open almost all year round and is divine. Treat yourself!
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Winstone's Ice Cream
The oldest family-owned ice cream company is on my doorstep. It's open almost all year round and is divine. Treat yourself!
An old hunting lodge of Henry VIII, you can't beat the epic setting. Choose from the pub garden, the snug nooks in the bar or the restaurant with full-length windows over the valley.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
The Old Lodge
MinchinhamptonAn old hunting lodge of Henry VIII, you can't beat the epic setting. Choose from the pub garden, the snug nooks in the bar or the restaurant with full-length windows over the valley.
A 10-minute drive from my house, this upscale farm shop has great coffee, a drive-through, bags of local produce, and a yurt for eating in colder months.
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Jolly Nice
A 10-minute drive from my house, this upscale farm shop has great coffee, a drive-through, bags of local produce, and a yurt for eating in colder months.
From the owners of the legendary Fat Toni's pizza takeaway in town, comes this fine dining Italian restaurant tucked away in a pretty part of Old Stroud ("top o'town" as us Stroudies say!
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Toni's Kitchen at Bisley House
Middle StreetFrom the owners of the legendary Fat Toni's pizza takeaway in town, comes this fine dining Italian restaurant tucked away in a pretty part of Old Stroud ("top o'town" as us Stroudies say!
One of the culinary capitals of the Cotswolds. My favourites include Hobbs House bakery (From TV's The Fabulous Baker Brothers), Egypt Mill with its bridge across the river and waterwheel restaurant, and William's Deli with its Champagne & Oyster bar, complete with glass floor!
69 abantu bendawo batusa
Nailsworth
One of the culinary capitals of the Cotswolds. My favourites include Hobbs House bakery (From TV's The Fabulous Baker Brothers), Egypt Mill with its bridge across the river and waterwheel restaurant, and William's Deli with its Champagne & Oyster bar, complete with glass floor!
Two Venezuelan sisters have transformed a former traditional pub into a contemporary and colourful space, offering delicious Latin American food. The tapas and cocktails make for a great night out!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Galgos Latino
Gloucester StreetTwo Venezuelan sisters have transformed a former traditional pub into a contemporary and colourful space, offering delicious Latin American food. The tapas and cocktails make for a great night out!
One of my local pubs, a 20-minute stroll across the common. It has a formal restaurant, a cosy bistro pub and a fabulous outdoor terrace bar (summer seasons only)
21 abantu bendawo batusa
The Bear of Rodborough
One of my local pubs, a 20-minute stroll across the common. It has a formal restaurant, a cosy bistro pub and a fabulous outdoor terrace bar (summer seasons only)
Birch Restaurant
6 Union StArguably the best restaurant in town; fine dining food at reasonable prices.
One of the best views you'll ever see from a pub garden! Simple home-cooked pub food in a wonderful traditional setting. I love to eat in the conservatory in the winter and watch the sun set across the valleys. It's a 30 minute walk from my house across the common.
26 abantu bendawo batusa
The Black Horse Inn
LittleworthOne of the best views you'll ever see from a pub garden! Simple home-cooked pub food in a wonderful traditional setting. I love to eat in the conservatory in the winter and watch the sun set across the valleys. It's a 30 minute walk from my house across the common.
Wes and his team have gutted a tired boozer and transformed it into a beautiful gastro pub that delivered excellent food and local ales. You can walk there from mine along the beautiful canal path.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
The Ship Inn
High StreetWes and his team have gutted a tired boozer and transformed it into a beautiful gastro pub that delivered excellent food and local ales. You can walk there from mine along the beautiful canal path.
Great food, cocktails and sharing platters. This restaurant is one of the top in town and always gets great reviews from my guests.
18 abantu bendawo batusa
The Corner House
6 London RdGreat food, cocktails and sharing platters. This restaurant is one of the top in town and always gets great reviews from my guests.
Simpsons was recently voted Best F&C shop in the country. You can collect or eat in and their range for veggies and vegans is fantastic!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Simpsons Fish and Chips Stroud
13 Bedford StSimpsons was recently voted Best F&C shop in the country. You can collect or eat in and their range for veggies and vegans is fantastic!
Shop
Visit the lovely Denise (and Miss Olive the doggy!) in this kitsch shop with the most hilarious collection of cards available to the human race...
Fourteen Lifestyle
14 Kendrick StreetVisit the lovely Denise (and Miss Olive the doggy!) in this kitsch shop with the most hilarious collection of cards available to the human race...
Pop in and see Clare and Ry - they have a wonderful array of local produce from ciders to bath oils, chutneys to wine. Their local pottery is divine.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Made In Stroud Ltd
104 Bath RdPop in and see Clare and Ry - they have a wonderful array of local produce from ciders to bath oils, chutneys to wine. Their local pottery is divine.
A recent multi-million pound development has given Stroud an indoor food hall (based on London Borough Market) and a fancy department store (Sandersons) as well as an assortment of great shops, Vue Cinema and bowling alley.
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Five Valleys Shopping Centre
King StreetA recent multi-million pound development has given Stroud an indoor food hall (based on London Borough Market) and a fancy department store (Sandersons) as well as an assortment of great shops, Vue Cinema and bowling alley.
Coffee shop
An absolute must for any visit to authentic Stroud. Located on the high street, this was the first proper organic cafe in the country. Try to bag a table outside on market day and watch the world go by!
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Woodruffs Organic Cafe
24 High StAn absolute must for any visit to authentic Stroud. Located on the high street, this was the first proper organic cafe in the country. Try to bag a table outside on market day and watch the world go by!
The other iconic Stroud cafe, tucked away down an alley off the high street with a charming courtyard and lovely fresh food and coffee.
Mills Cafe/Bar
55 High StThe other iconic Stroud cafe, tucked away down an alley off the high street with a charming courtyard and lovely fresh food and coffee.
Sam does some of the best coffee in the area - check it out! There is handy outdoor garden as well.
Rough Hands Coffee
Sam does some of the best coffee in the area - check it out! There is handy outdoor garden as well.
A charming rustic cafe located in the Chalford Valley (10 mins drive from my house or a 40-minute walk along the canal) with the river running through the gardens. Their food, cakes and coffee are all formidable.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Felt cafe
A charming rustic cafe located in the Chalford Valley (10 mins drive from my house or a 40-minute walk along the canal) with the river running through the gardens. Their food, cakes and coffee are all formidable.