John’s guidebook
Pubs and places to eat and drink nearby
There are some really great places to eat in the area - pubs, cafes, takeaways or just take a picnic on to one of the Commons around Stroud
They've really upgraded the garden so on a sunny day you can sit at one of the outside tables and order from the outside bar. You can take the dog inside too, and there's lots of walking around there on Rodborough Common with great views to Wales on a clear day. Burgers are good. Its about a 10-15 minute walk from the cottage so you don't have to drive.
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The Bear of Rodborough
They've really upgraded the garden so on a sunny day you can sit at one of the outside tables and order from the outside bar. You can take the dog inside too, and there's lots of walking around there on Rodborough Common with great views to Wales on a clear day. Burgers are good. Its about a 10-15 minute walk from the cottage so you don't have to drive.
Great food and coffee. Our daughter Carys used to work there and knows the Henry quite well! Yes, we're biased!
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Henry's
Market SquareGreat food and coffee. Our daughter Carys used to work there and knows the Henry quite well! Yes, we're biased!
We've known several owners of The Kitchen and they've all seemed to have kept the standards high. Great BLTs, sandwiches, and cakes and stuff. Perfect for brunch. You may even get to see Alfie Bowe, or Keith Allen, or even Zara and Mike wandering around Minchinhampton
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The Kitchen
7 High StWe've known several owners of The Kitchen and they've all seemed to have kept the standards high. Great BLTs, sandwiches, and cakes and stuff. Perfect for brunch. You may even get to see Alfie Bowe, or Keith Allen, or even Zara and Mike wandering around Minchinhampton
Right in the middle of Minchinhampton Common. Lots of tables outside, dogs ok and a big restaurant with views across the valley to Woodchester. Plenty of good beers and food is good.
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The Old Lodge
MinchinhamptonRight in the middle of Minchinhampton Common. Lots of tables outside, dogs ok and a big restaurant with views across the valley to Woodchester. Plenty of good beers and food is good.
This is a nice place on Minchinhampton Common on the left just before you go down the 'W' to Nailsworth. Used to be a pub but now a cafe owned and run (I think still) by the Cotswold Chine charity http://www.cotswold-chine.org.uk/. I've always found it quiet and a really nice place to chill
Halfway Cafe
Common RoadThis is a nice place on Minchinhampton Common on the left just before you go down the 'W' to Nailsworth. Used to be a pub but now a cafe owned and run (I think still) by the Cotswold Chine charity http://www.cotswold-chine.org.uk/. I've always found it quiet and a really nice place to chill
This really was a mill and has a lovely mill pond you can sit around and eat and drink with the ducks. The restaurant is pretty big inside and we've always had good service and food.
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Egypt Mill Hotel & Restaurant
Stroud RoadThis really was a mill and has a lovely mill pond you can sit around and eat and drink with the ducks. The restaurant is pretty big inside and we've always had good service and food.
Not a big pub inside but the views, especially at sunset, are awesome. A few years ago hosted a regional Spoofing championship. Nice locals pub (but then again most in the area are)
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The Black Horse Inn
LittleworthNot a big pub inside but the views, especially at sunset, are awesome. A few years ago hosted a regional Spoofing championship. Nice locals pub (but then again most in the area are)
Until very recently this was just a tent outside the brewery which served their own beer and pizzas with the occasional local musician strumming away. We had a great time when we went there with the dog. Now been completely rebuilt and relocated a few yards away next to the canal. I've not tried it in this form, but is proving very popular
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Stroud Brewery
London RoadUntil very recently this was just a tent outside the brewery which served their own beer and pizzas with the occasional local musician strumming away. We had a great time when we went there with the dog. Now been completely rebuilt and relocated a few yards away next to the canal. I've not tried it in this form, but is proving very popular
They put alot of money into this place a few years ago. Used to be a bit pokey but has been considerably extended. Very nice restaurant and garden.
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The Ragged Cot
Cirencester RoadThey put alot of money into this place a few years ago. Used to be a bit pokey but has been considerably extended. Very nice restaurant and garden.
Great food from a great bunch of guys. Bring your own wine and beer if you want to sit in. Otherwise great takeaways
Balti Nailsworth
George StreetGreat food from a great bunch of guys. Bring your own wine and beer if you want to sit in. Otherwise great takeaways
Bens Takeaway Nailsworth
5-6 Old MarketNot a huge fan of Chinese food but if we do get it Ben's is pretty good
Really really good pizza. I think they are brothers. Turned into a bit of a Stroud legend. Deserve it too
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Fat Toni's Pizzeria
Really really good pizza. I think they are brothers. Turned into a bit of a Stroud legend. Deserve it too
Refurbished since we first moved here may years ago. Went there for a pint the other day and is looking pretty nice. The Bavarian Night looks interesting!
9 lokalkjente anbefaler
The Ship Inn
High StreetRefurbished since we first moved here may years ago. Went there for a pint the other day and is looking pretty nice. The Bavarian Night looks interesting!
We had a really delicious meal here with our daughter recently so got to mention. Small and intimate, it's a really nice place to be with parking directly opposite in the Morrisons car park. The pizzas were terrific!
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The Olive Tree Mediterranean Restaurant & Pizzeria
28 George StWe had a really delicious meal here with our daughter recently so got to mention. Small and intimate, it's a really nice place to be with parking directly opposite in the Morrisons car park. The pizzas were terrific!
Here's an option for vegan guests. We've never been there but had good feedback, so maybe worth a try!
Karibu Vegan Bar & Kitchen @ no23 Stroud
Here's an option for vegan guests. We've never been there but had good feedback, so maybe worth a try!
Places to walk the dog
There are lots of places to take the dog and let them off the lead and run free. Bownham Common is where the cottage is, and is small but has beautiful views down the Golden Valley. Here are some of my other favourites.
There are lots of Commons in the Stroud Valleys - not all of them are listed here, but take a look at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/minchinhampton-and-rodborough-commons
Really popular because its fairly flat and the views are gorgeous. You can walk all the way around to The Bear
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Rodborough Common
Really popular because its fairly flat and the views are gorgeous. You can walk all the way around to The Bear
The one with the golf course on. Its a 5-10 minute walk from the cottage and extends across the main road to The Old Lodge and The Halfway Inn and to Holy Trinity Church in Minchinhampton. Some lovely views down The Golden Valley.
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Minchinhampton Common
The one with the golf course on. Its a 5-10 minute walk from the cottage and extends across the main road to The Old Lodge and The Halfway Inn and to Holy Trinity Church in Minchinhampton. Some lovely views down The Golden Valley.
An amazing building which never got finished. The grounds are great for walks, woods, lakes, and open fields. You can get into the grounds from several points.
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Woodchester Mansion Trust
B4066An amazing building which never got finished. The grounds are great for walks, woods, lakes, and open fields. You can get into the grounds from several points.
The cafe is great but the walk up the valley is idyllic, so if the café is closed its still a great to visit
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Ruskin Mill Cafe
The cafe is great but the walk up the valley is idyllic, so if the café is closed its still a great to visit
Lots of lovely walks along the canal, very accessible down the hill from the cottage (keep going down until you go under the railway bridge). They've put so much effort into restoring the canal over the last 20 years or so. You can walk all the way to the M5 junction at Eastington
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Cotswold Canals Trust
WallbridgeLots of lovely walks along the canal, very accessible down the hill from the cottage (keep going down until you go under the railway bridge). They've put so much effort into restoring the canal over the last 20 years or so. You can walk all the way to the M5 junction at Eastington
Places to Visit
Places to take the kids or just to go yourself. Here are a few of the places we've been to over the years
This has been a big success story for Stroud. Some great local producers. Keep an eye open for http://www.plentypies.co.uk/. I used to play badminton with Marc - you may get a discount (but don't count on it!). Some great cheeses, fish, vegetarian and vegan stalls, as well as some brilliant doughnuts.
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Farmers Market
This has been a big success story for Stroud. Some great local producers. Keep an eye open for http://www.plentypies.co.uk/. I used to play badminton with Marc - you may get a discount (but don't count on it!). Some great cheeses, fish, vegetarian and vegan stalls, as well as some brilliant doughnuts.
Very popular with younger children - lots of activities, parties and places to sit down! Leon and his Mum and Dad said it was the best they've been to!
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Cattle Country Farm Park
Very popular with younger children - lots of activities, parties and places to sit down! Leon and his Mum and Dad said it was the best they've been to!
This has to be the worst photo I've seen - looks like a tube station on the North Circular! Or worse. Anyway, its a decent size leisure centre, with an inside and outdoor pool (summer), a large hall for badminton and other sports, squash courts, a gym and a cafe. Actually set in nice grounds with a play area and woods to the rear.
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Stratford Park Leisure Centre
Stratford RoadThis has to be the worst photo I've seen - looks like a tube station on the North Circular! Or worse. Anyway, its a decent size leisure centre, with an inside and outdoor pool (summer), a large hall for badminton and other sports, squash courts, a gym and a cafe. Actually set in nice grounds with a play area and woods to the rear.
In the same building as the Fifth Dimension gym. Not sure but you may be able to drop the children off and then pop next door for a session on the weights. If you want a personal trainer for the week, ask for Jonathon Peacock - and please mention my name http://www.fifthdimension.org.uk/
Go Bananas
In the same building as the Fifth Dimension gym. Not sure but you may be able to drop the children off and then pop next door for a session on the weights. If you want a personal trainer for the week, ask for Jonathon Peacock - and please mention my name http://www.fifthdimension.org.uk/
If you're looking for a great Personal Trainer, ask for Jonathon Peacock. Otherwise its a nice friendly and not macho gym to keep things going while you're on holiday
The Fifth Dimension
MillIf you're looking for a great Personal Trainer, ask for Jonathon Peacock. Otherwise its a nice friendly and not macho gym to keep things going while you're on holiday
Haven't been for years but certainly somewhere to look out on a day when the kids need something different to do
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Cotswold Wildlife Park og hager
Haven't been for years but certainly somewhere to look out on a day when the kids need something different to do
World renowned conservation project, just a short trip the other side of Stroud down the A38. The countryside is quite different over there and if you want or cycle along the canal it is very flat(!)
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WWT Slimbridge
BowditchWorld renowned conservation project, just a short trip the other side of Stroud down the A38. The countryside is quite different over there and if you want or cycle along the canal it is very flat(!)
Corinium is the Latin name for Cirencester. If you take a look at the map, you can see the Roman roads like spoke in a wheel with Cirencester as the hub showing how important the town was. The museum is right in the centre so if you're not into visiting the shops (like me), its a great alternative
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Corinium Museum
Park StreetCorinium is the Latin name for Cirencester. If you take a look at the map, you can see the Roman roads like spoke in a wheel with Cirencester as the hub showing how important the town was. The museum is right in the centre so if you're not into visiting the shops (like me), its a great alternative
Particularly terrific in the Spring and Autumn, but just generally a lovely place to be. Also check out the events and concerts there. We've seen a couple of wrinklies there including Bryan Ferry and Rick Astley (under duress)
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Westonbirt Arboretum station
Particularly terrific in the Spring and Autumn, but just generally a lovely place to be. Also check out the events and concerts there. We've seen a couple of wrinklies there including Bryan Ferry and Rick Astley (under duress)
I haven't been to this one but did do the Go Ape in Kielder Forest with my daughter. Bit scary at times but great fun.
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Go Ape Forest of Dean (Mallards Pike - Treetop Challenge og Forest Segway)
I haven't been to this one but did do the Go Ape in Kielder Forest with my daughter. Bit scary at times but great fun.
Sorry, dont really know this myself but I think the kids have been! The area the other side of Cirencester is studded with lakes from the gravel pits, so there is plenty do do and see out there.
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The Butts Farm Rare Breeds, Farm Shop and Tea Room
Cricklade RoadSorry, dont really know this myself but I think the kids have been! The area the other side of Cirencester is studded with lakes from the gravel pits, so there is plenty do do and see out there.
There is more than the Castle here. If you're not that keen on historic buildings, there are really nice walks, a big wooden play area for the children, and Sudeley itself is a beautiful and historic village
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Sudeley Castle
There is more than the Castle here. If you're not that keen on historic buildings, there are really nice walks, a big wooden play area for the children, and Sudeley itself is a beautiful and historic village
My daughter said this was a really good place to go - she's been twice! Say no more
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Dampmuseum
Fire Fly AvenueMy daughter said this was a really good place to go - she's been twice! Say no more
Julia recommended this place for an elegant and relaxing visit in the grounds of Berkeley Castle
Butterfly House
High StreetJulia recommended this place for an elegant and relaxing visit in the grounds of Berkeley Castle
Great place to visit and lots of history. We saw a very good amateur version of Richard III - very appropriate given the history of the castle
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Berkeley Castle
Great place to visit and lots of history. We saw a very good amateur version of Richard III - very appropriate given the history of the castle
Nearby Towns
Stroud is well placed for a number of nice places to visit
Nailsworth has a variety of individual little shops, two supermarkets (Co-op and Morrisons), a pharmacy, a family friendly pub (The Britannia) and is only a ten minute drive away. There’s also Egypt’s Mill, a restaurant with beautiful garden views of the lake and waterfall. Coco, is the perfect sweet shop and White buffalo doing lovely little children’s clothes, and Joya and Fandango offering fantastic smelling soaps and prettily designed scarves. Perfect for a little shopping trip, with something for everyone!
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Nailsworth
Nailsworth has a variety of individual little shops, two supermarkets (Co-op and Morrisons), a pharmacy, a family friendly pub (The Britannia) and is only a ten minute drive away. There’s also Egypt’s Mill, a restaurant with beautiful garden views of the lake and waterfall. Coco, is the perfect sweet shop and White buffalo doing lovely little children’s clothes, and Joya and Fandango offering fantastic smelling soaps and prettily designed scarves. Perfect for a little shopping trip, with something for everyone!
Stroud has a bohemian vibe and an enviable array of independent shops, and offers a unique shopping experience unrivalled by any town or city in the locality. Brimming with character and standing amidst the dramatic backdrop of the Five Valleys, Stroud has an eclectic mix of shops in the most beautiful of settings. Where else would you find a specialist fairy store as you shopped for your weekly groceries, or stumble across a fossil shop as you sauntered through the streets? Proud of its green credentials, Stroud also boasts Britain’s first organic café, Woodruffs, among its wide variety of restaurants and eateries. Boasting not one but two independent record shops – a rare occurrence even in cities – and a whole host of wonderful shops you won’t find anywhere else, Stroud really does have something for everyone. From books to cricket bats, fine wine and fashion, Stroud has it all. With the sub rooms, a lovely amateur theatre, and Waitrose and Tesco’s, the main supermarkets.
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Stroud
Stroud has a bohemian vibe and an enviable array of independent shops, and offers a unique shopping experience unrivalled by any town or city in the locality. Brimming with character and standing amidst the dramatic backdrop of the Five Valleys, Stroud has an eclectic mix of shops in the most beautiful of settings. Where else would you find a specialist fairy store as you shopped for your weekly groceries, or stumble across a fossil shop as you sauntered through the streets? Proud of its green credentials, Stroud also boasts Britain’s first organic café, Woodruffs, among its wide variety of restaurants and eateries. Boasting not one but two independent record shops – a rare occurrence even in cities – and a whole host of wonderful shops you won’t find anywhere else, Stroud really does have something for everyone. From books to cricket bats, fine wine and fashion, Stroud has it all. With the sub rooms, a lovely amateur theatre, and Waitrose and Tesco’s, the main supermarkets.
Cirencester has the well-known high street shops such as New Look, Accessorize, Argos and Blockbuster but, also boasts the stunning architecture of the Abbey and the beautiful scenery of the Abbey Grounds. Café Nero and Costa are also there to provide with a coffee or cake with the Cornish Pasty Company there to help you get a different t but fantastic tasting lunch. Just on the outskirts of Cirencester is Dobbies, a popular garden centre, selling clothes, perfect little garden accessories and delicious food and cakes.
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Cirencester
Cirencester has the well-known high street shops such as New Look, Accessorize, Argos and Blockbuster but, also boasts the stunning architecture of the Abbey and the beautiful scenery of the Abbey Grounds. Café Nero and Costa are also there to provide with a coffee or cake with the Cornish Pasty Company there to help you get a different t but fantastic tasting lunch. Just on the outskirts of Cirencester is Dobbies, a popular garden centre, selling clothes, perfect little garden accessories and delicious food and cakes.
Tetbury is famous for being home to Highgrove, the home of HRH Prince Charles. There’s a lovely shop that provides all the products grown in the Highgrove grounds such as, candles, cushions and jam. Tetbury also has a variety of individual shops plus a big Tesco’s!
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Tetbury
Tetbury is famous for being home to Highgrove, the home of HRH Prince Charles. There’s a lovely shop that provides all the products grown in the Highgrove grounds such as, candles, cushions and jam. Tetbury also has a variety of individual shops plus a big Tesco’s!
Cheltenham, the spa town is 30-40 minutes drive away and has a Jack Wills, Cath Kidston and a Joules. It has an arcade as well with other high street shops. Also housing the Cheltenham racecourse, the Cheltenham Festival of Music and Literature! Cheltenham also won awards for their prized gardens! You could also go see a show at the Everyman Theatre!
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Cheltenham
Cheltenham, the spa town is 30-40 minutes drive away and has a Jack Wills, Cath Kidston and a Joules. It has an arcade as well with other high street shops. Also housing the Cheltenham racecourse, the Cheltenham Festival of Music and Literature! Cheltenham also won awards for their prized gardens! You could also go see a show at the Everyman Theatre!
Bath, the biggest place nearby with the Romans Baths, the Georgian crescents and cobbled streets with occasional statues done by budding artists. There’s a fashion museum and a stunning abbey with the unusual individual shop and the main department stores as well. You can also experience Jane Austen’s Bath, as the museum of Jane Austen is based in the centre. Longleat is a fantastic place for a day out with the family as is spending a day canoeing by the Bath Boating Station. As a lovely way to end the day check out what’s showing at The Egg, a small child friendly theatre.
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Bath
Bath, the biggest place nearby with the Romans Baths, the Georgian crescents and cobbled streets with occasional statues done by budding artists. There’s a fashion museum and a stunning abbey with the unusual individual shop and the main department stores as well. You can also experience Jane Austen’s Bath, as the museum of Jane Austen is based in the centre. Longleat is a fantastic place for a day out with the family as is spending a day canoeing by the Bath Boating Station. As a lovely way to end the day check out what’s showing at The Egg, a small child friendly theatre.