Looking for the best places to go when visiting the area? Here are some of my favourite local places!
The Bower House, Shipston-on-Stour
Our favourite restaurant in town serving delicious breakfasts, lunches, afternoon tea, and decadent dinners. We always enjoy the beautiful setting and atmosphere in the restaurant — they also have rooms for an indulgent local overnight stay.
Blue Bean Coffee Shop, Shipston-on-Stour
serves amazing coffee and is a great place for a bite to eat, a friendly natter, and information about the area. The brunches are absolutely delicious, especially the pancakes! Owners Sharon and Karl bring their bohemian Brighton style to their buzzing cafe.
Blockley Village Cafe, Blockley
is a great place for lunch (don’t miss the halloumi fries!) or for tea and fresh-baked scones after a walk around the beautiful village or in the local countryside. We often take visitors to the area here and it always delivers great food and service in a light and airy atmosphere. The small grocer next door is a convenient stop for the enticing selection of local produce for sale.
The Straw Kitchen at Whichford Pottery
is such a special place to visit. Set deep in the rolling countryside, the bohemian vibe cafe (open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) serves good coffee, veg from the kitchen garden, light meals, and cakes, and is a favourite of ours for Sunday brunch. Whichford Pottery is celebrating 45 years this year. On-site is a wonderful working pottery and shop, and lots of garden inspiration with stunning pots galore! Don’t miss Jim and Dominique Keeling’s beautiful pottery creations in the shop, perfect for gifts and serving beautiful food on.
Taste of the Country, Shipston-on-Stour
is a foodies paradise stocked full of local produce. I often pop in for local ingredients for my baking such as Matthews Cotswold flour, Pink Salt Shed pesto, and Netherend Farm butter. They also have great selection of hard-to-find cooking ingredients and excellent deli food, fresh bread, and cakes to take-away for an impromptu picnic.
Todenham Manor Farm, Todenham
We can do a circular walk from home to Todenham which is a favourite Saturday outing. Another great source of local produce such as Cackebean eggs, and ribeye steaks for a weekend treat – they even deliver! The butchers are friendly and helpful and the meat is exceptional, you can even visit the pigs on your way in.
The Cotswold Cheese Co., Moreton-In-Marsh
Smack in the middle of town, and the original location (others in Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford), this shop a must for cheese lovers. Stocking local (don’t miss the Rollright cheese from Kingstone), British, and European cheeses along with crackers, condiments, chutneys, and seasonal specialties, this cheesy haven is bound to become a favourite of yours too. You can even order a tiered cheese wedding cake!
The Old Butchers, Stow-on-the-Wold
Housed in a former butcher’s shop in the middle of town, The Old Butchers is fabulously run by the Robinson family. Do book ahead as the buzzing restaurant is popular and busy. Fresh fish is a specialty and the lobster roll with chips is divine – don’t miss the Frose, frozen rose wine!
Seven Tuns, Chedworth
Tucked away at the bottom of a winding road, from the outside this looks like an ordinary village pub. However the food and wine is far from ordinary! This is a great pub serving great food. The perfect stop after exploring nearby Chedworth Roman Villa and seeing the stunning mosaics said to date from the 5th Century. You can even walk to the pub from the Villa but be warned, the path can be muddy. Be sure to save room for pudding – they are to die for!
Bolthole Retreats
Beautiful self-catering properties in the Cotswolds. I can even come to you for a bespoke class at your holiday accommodation!
https://www.boltholeretreats.co.uk/
