Stroud, Scumble goosie (shop) Nailsworth, Jolly nice (farm shop) Cirencester and Tetbury,
I am excited for you for picking this day out! This is one I do regularly, as I’m lucky enough that they are all within a 15 minute drive from my home. It’s a lovely mix of different towns and unique shops so you are in for a treat. It touches upon some of the places you may know but others you may not have realised wherein the Cotswolds or even existed!
This is my guide to a perfect day in the Cotswolds.
First stop, Stroud
I would suggest you start your day in Stroud, especially if you are visiting on a Saturday. For anyone who has never been before be prepared for a very unique, quirky town. Don’t be put off though, as on Saturday mornings the best and multi award winning farmers market comes to Stroud.
The market is based in Cornhill Market Place and some of the surrounding streets. There are the usual stools selling fruit and veg, baked goods, and flowers. To stalls selling pottery, vegetarian Indian food, and fresh milk. You will go home with so many wonderful bits that you will want to keep popping back every Saturday.
Shops
It also has some nice places for morning coffee and cake, unless you treat yourself to a bacon butty in the market, try; Woodruffs Organic Café, Upper Lock Café and the Cake Café.
Next is Scumble Goosie
This is such an adorable home shop to go to, it is somewhere I always take visiting friends and they always leave with something. From homemade wooden furniture to dreamy smelling candles, crockery, and more. There are many wonderful treasures to be found here.
For a real treat, I would drive up over Minchinhampton Common to get to Nailsworth. If you are on the common between May and October, you will be lucky enough to see the many hundred cows roaming the common, including my favorites, the Highland cows and if you are very fortunate, you may see the 5 horses and 2 donkeys as well.
There are many fabulous places to eat up on the common too so it’s definitely worth adding to your trip and taking a walk around the common. Head into the village of Minchinhampton for a look around to explore the area further too and why no treat yourself to a gin at The Crown Inn. If you decide to walk around the common you will have great views down the valley towards Nailsworth and Stroud.
Nailsworth
This is a very pretty market town, with many boutique home and clothes shops and great places to eat. If you want some food I would recommend Domestic Science, it’s a vintage and retro shop but Cotswold style, so definitely worth a look around but their food is always tasty!
Take some time to walk around the streets away from the shops too. Nailsworth is a town full of quirky houses from cosy cottages to modern wood and glasshouses, so it’s a great area to explore if you like being nosy like me. If you also head up and down the different streets you will be rewarded with some spectacular views across the valley too.
Jolly Nice
On your way to Cirencester, I would stop at Jolly Nice. Now this place would only work in the Cotswolds. It was an old filling station but in 2013 was turned into a farm shop and café. I always pop here for little gifts or hampers as they do a great selection of gin, chocolate, and chutneys.
All their food is local and as much as possible is grown on their own farm, their wildflowers are breath-taking, take away burgers well known, and homemade ice cream to die for. Even If you don’t need anything it is such an individual place, it is worth a visit.
Cirencester
Now let’s get to Cirencester for some lunch! Cirencester is the biggest market town in the Cotswolds, which says a lot about how quaint the Cotswolds is. It also has a market on a Saturday morning so you may get there in time to sample some different delights but Stroud is still the best in my eyes. It has some high street shops and restaurants but has many independent places as well.
Food
Now you are probably hungry so let’s get food first. My go to is Jacks on Black Jack Street, their food and drinks are always tasty and they offer a lot more than just a sandwich ( it would be rude not to try a homemade cake too!)
I would also recommend:
- Made by Bob
- Temple Mama
- Luxe Cafe Bar (one for the instragrammers)
- The New Brewery Arts
More of a sweet tooth? Then He Says She Waffles is calling your name, they offer various sweet and Savoury Waffles so you are sure to find something that takes your fancy.
If you are there for dinner then the Thai Emerald is the place to go, they also offer takeaways but it is a really special place to eat in. I always like a cocktail before dinner and would recommend Somewhere Else, they normally have a 2-4-1 offer on and to be fair their food is pretty good as well. If you are looking for something a bit fancier then the Kings Head Hotel is for you. It is very beautiful inside and has many places to sit and enjoy a glass of fizz or two, in the summer they have a rooftop to sit on as well.
Shops
- French Grey
- M.A.D.E
- Sue Parkinson’s
- Octavia’s Bookshop (it’s the dreamiest place ever)
- The Cotswolds Company
If you fancy a walk I would recommend going into Cirencester Park. It’s a lovely drive going straight up the park, surrounded by lush green grass and trees.
Tetbury
Now to end your day we shall stop off in Tetbury. I always feel it has a French feel to it with the old buildings lining the main high street but that could just be me. If you are a fan of antique and vintage shops then you will really be spoilt for choice but don’t worry if not there are still many beautiful home, gift, and clothes shops to take your fancy to; French Grey, Overider, and Highgrove.
If you are looking for somewhere for a drink then I would either go to The Blue Zucchini for somewhere a bit more fun and interesting. The Close Hotel is great for all seasons as you can sit in their bar by a roaring fire in Winter or lounge in their garden at the back on a Summers’s day.
For more information about the Cotswolds check out the following blogs:
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