The Cotswolds

Stroud and the surrounding area is in the heart of the undiscovered Cotswolds, away from the hustle and bustle of urban living.

Here, you will find quaint towns and villages immersed in picturesque pastures of the thriving agricultural heritage. If beautiful landscapes are what you care for, Uley Bury offers magnificent views, comprising lush, green farm land and the protruding giants of the Malverns.

The views from Coaley picnic site are also breathtaking, thought of as one of the most picturesque panoramas in the UK. For a scenic stroll, the canal path walks from Sharpness to Gloucester present stunning views of the Severn estuary, Malvern and one of England's few lasting ancient woodlands: Forest of Dean.

The town of Stroud and the surrounding area comprise concealed valleys and commons ideal for a breath of fresh air or an ice cream from the award winning Winstones factory. The town itself offers the 'Farmers Market of the Year 2008', one of the busiest and most popular markets in the UK providing mouth-watering organic and local produce.

For those with an urge to shop, the spa towns of Cheltenham and Bath provide a vast array of high street stores and exclusive boutiques, catering for all divergent tastes. Appetites can also be fulfilled, with a huge range of restaurants and cafes satisfying taste-buds on all budgets. What’s more, in Bath, one can experience the UK’s only natural thermal spa, as the Celts and Romans made use of over 2,000 years ago.

Tetbury and Cirencester also provide visitors with an extensive selection of establishments, in a smaller and quainter setting. In Cirencester, visit the Cotswold Water Park which consists of over 140 lakes, in which one can partake in activities ranging from golf to wakeboarding.

As for where to satisfy one's thirst, nestled within the charming villages and towns, quiet country pubs are located providing an extensive selection of tipples. In particular The Old Spot in Dursley, located on the Cotswold Way, is a popular watering-hole for ramblers, named Real Ale Pub of the Year 2007, due to the extensive selection of Real ales changed monthly.

The history of this area is extensive, with many National Trust and English Heritage sites to visit. Berkeley and Sudeley Castle are open to the public where one can experience a 'Rumbustious Medieval Romp' with jousting and archery displays. This area is also home to two surviving Saxon churches steeped in history, Deerhurst and Leonard Stanley. The latter is located on a working dairy farm, described as one of the most evocative historical sites in the country, where two holiday cottages are situated.

For ghost hunters, this monastic site has been noted as being home to a hooded monk who paces the grounds at midnight. If your appetite has been wetted by the descriptions of good food, scenery and history that this area can offer, a break to this area is thoroughly recommended and guaranteed to be enjoyed.
David Pullin, Priory Farm Cottages©
Photo: The Cottages