Stroud Valleys Guide Book
Local Towns
Our local town has an unmissable, award winning Farmer's Market (every Saturday, 10am-2pm), lots of independent shops and an alternative vibe. Check out Stroud Valleys, the Borough Market style market hall which is a foodie's delight.
130 locals recommend
Stroud
Our local town has an unmissable, award winning Farmer's Market (every Saturday, 10am-2pm), lots of independent shops and an alternative vibe. Check out Stroud Valleys, the Borough Market style market hall which is a foodie's delight.
Cirencester is a very handsome market town, dating back to the Romans (Corinium). It has a magnificent church and Cirencester Park (the grounds of the Earl Balfour's house) is a lovely place to walk.
373 locals recommend
Cirencester
Cirencester is a very handsome market town, dating back to the Romans (Corinium). It has a magnificent church and Cirencester Park (the grounds of the Earl Balfour's house) is a lovely place to walk.
A market town brimming with antique shops and cafes. Check out Artique, a palace of the orient, selling kilims and fabrics.
204 locals recommend
Tetbury
A market town brimming with antique shops and cafes. Check out Artique, a palace of the orient, selling kilims and fabrics.
Delightful hilly market town with a great bakery (Hobbs), butchers and book shop.
69 locals recommend
Nailsworth
Delightful hilly market town with a great bakery (Hobbs), butchers and book shop.
Activities
A charming heated lido with a dramatic backdrop. A place to swim in style!
45 locals recommend
Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool
A charming heated lido with a dramatic backdrop. A place to swim in style!
Excellent riding centre offering lessons, day camps and hacks in the local countryside.
16 locals recommend
Barton End Equestrian Centre
Excellent riding centre offering lessons, day camps and hacks in the local countryside.
A ruined mansion, a hidden valley and lakes which are a wild swimmer's favourite make this National Trust land a magical spot.
South Woodchester
A ruined mansion, a hidden valley and lakes which are a wild swimmer's favourite make this National Trust land a magical spot.
if you fancy massages, treatments and pampering and money is no object, this is the place to go.
42 locals recommend
Calcot Spa
if you fancy massages, treatments and pampering and money is no object, this is the place to go.
This club welcomes visitors and is a lovely spot for a round of golf on a large common with far-reaching views.
20 locals recommend
Minchinhampton Golf Club
This club welcomes visitors and is a lovely spot for a round of golf on a large common with far-reaching views.
Great mountain biking trails for all abilities in the Forest of Dean approx 1 hour's drive away. Bike hire available and parking.
48 locals recommend
Cannop Cycle Centre
New RoadGreat mountain biking trails for all abilities in the Forest of Dean approx 1 hour's drive away. Bike hire available and parking.
Sightseeing
A first class Roman museum in Cirencester, with marvelllous mosaics and interactive displays that kids enjoy.
80 locals recommend
Corinium Museum
Park StreetA first class Roman museum in Cirencester, with marvelllous mosaics and interactive displays that kids enjoy.
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre is set within 800 acres of wild reserve. The centre consists of a collection of birds, mammals, amphibians, play areas, restaurant, gift shop and several interactive conservation exhibits including a walk through aviary, theatre, museum and accommodation. There is a nature reserve and for keen bird watchers there are several bird hides including the accessible Estuary Tower with stunning views across the Severn Estuary.
98 locals recommend
WWT Slimbridge
BowditchWWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre is set within 800 acres of wild reserve. The centre consists of a collection of birds, mammals, amphibians, play areas, restaurant, gift shop and several interactive conservation exhibits including a walk through aviary, theatre, museum and accommodation. There is a nature reserve and for keen bird watchers there are several bird hides including the accessible Estuary Tower with stunning views across the Severn Estuary.
A wonderful arboretum with trees from all over the world and a lovely place to have a walk and a family picnic.
340 locals recommend
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
A wonderful arboretum with trees from all over the world and a lovely place to have a walk and a family picnic.
A magnficent cathedral with ornate cloisters that featured in the Harry Potter films.
180 locals recommend
Gloucester Cathedral
12 College GrnA magnficent cathedral with ornate cloisters that featured in the Harry Potter films.
Walking Trails
Magnificent ancient beech woodland protected by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust - 5 minutes walk down the lane.
Three Groves Wood
Magnificent ancient beech woodland protected by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust - 5 minutes walk down the lane.
A charming little limestone valley at the far end of Three Groves Wood (15 minutes' walk from the house).
Dimmel's Dale Nature Reserve
A charming little limestone valley at the far end of Three Groves Wood (15 minutes' walk from the house).
Local hilltop with stunning views over the Slad Valley and the Severn Vale.
Swift's Hill nature reserve
Knapp LaneLocal hilltop with stunning views over the Slad Valley and the Severn Vale.
This local estate has a fine garden and nursery and miles of paved paths making it ideal for walkers with buggies.
22 locals recommend
Miserden Estate
This local estate has a fine garden and nursery and miles of paved paths making it ideal for walkers with buggies.
Food scene
Nice local cafe in Chalford offering tasty lunches, cakes and coffees. An easy 30 minute walk away.
38 locals recommend
Lavender Bakehouse & Coffee Shop
20 London RdNice local cafe in Chalford offering tasty lunches, cakes and coffees. An easy 30 minute walk away.
A great organic cafe in Stroud with delicious homemade lunches and coffees.
21 locals recommend
Woodruffs Organic Cafe
24 High StA great organic cafe in Stroud with delicious homemade lunches and coffees.
The home of Stroud Organic beer is a fun place for a drink and does decent pizzas and burgers.
64 locals recommend
Stroud Brewery
London RoadThe home of Stroud Organic beer is a fun place for a drink and does decent pizzas and burgers.
Great little Japanese restaurant in Stroud offering sushi, ramen and beers in a laid back atmosphere.
7 locals recommend
Tomari-gi
16 George StGreat little Japanese restaurant in Stroud offering sushi, ramen and beers in a laid back atmosphere.
A deli, butcher, fruit and veg and wine shop, with a great drive through serving burgers, ice creams and shakes. Nice, but pricey.
84 locals recommend
Jolly Nice
A deli, butcher, fruit and veg and wine shop, with a great drive through serving burgers, ice creams and shakes. Nice, but pricey.
An elegant manor house with a great restuarant in one of the region's prettiest villages.
43 locals recommend
The Painswick Hotel & Restaurant
Kemps LaneAn elegant manor house with a great restuarant in one of the region's prettiest villages.
Cafe serving excellent and original vegetarian food in a relaxed atmosphere.
18 locals recommend
The Star Anise Arts Cafe
1 Gloucester StCafe serving excellent and original vegetarian food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Best local shops
A great village shop and post office in Oakridge straight across the valley selling just about everything including fine food, newspapers and provisions.
Ollie's Shop
A great village shop and post office in Oakridge straight across the valley selling just about everything including fine food, newspapers and provisions.
The Greenshop just on the far side of Bisley doubles up as a petrol station and local store offering excellent local produce (fresh bread Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), green household products, cards and gifts.
The Greenshop
Calf WayThe Greenshop just on the far side of Bisley doubles up as a petrol station and local store offering excellent local produce (fresh bread Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), green household products, cards and gifts.
Best local pubs
Atmospheric old pub in Frampton Mansell with good food and valley views. A family favourite. You can walk to the pub in about 45 minutes.
39 locals recommend
The Crown Inn
63 Bristol RdAtmospheric old pub in Frampton Mansell with good food and valley views. A family favourite. You can walk to the pub in about 45 minutes.
This tiny local clinging to the hillside in France Lynch is full of charm and is our closest pub - only 10 minutes' walk away. At the lane turn left, then follow the lane until the right turn towards France Lynch. Turn left down the lane opposite the King's Head sign.
8 locals recommend
The Kings Head
Lynch RoadThis tiny local clinging to the hillside in France Lynch is full of charm and is our closest pub - only 10 minutes' walk away. At the lane turn left, then follow the lane until the right turn towards France Lynch. Turn left down the lane opposite the King's Head sign.
The Bell at Sapperton
Great old pub with fine food in a lovely hillside village.
Small old pub nestling in the Sapperton valley which can be reached on foot along the RIver Frome footpath. Approx 1 hour, 15 minutes walk.
21 locals recommend
The Daneway Inn
Dane LaneSmall old pub nestling in the Sapperton valley which can be reached on foot along the RIver Frome footpath. Approx 1 hour, 15 minutes walk.
Legendary drinking hole of writer Laurie Lee in the lovely Slad valley offering great food in cosy surroundings.
67 locals recommend
The Woolpack Inn
Slad RoadLegendary drinking hole of writer Laurie Lee in the lovely Slad valley offering great food in cosy surroundings.