Stroud Valleys Guide

Stroud and its surrounds are commonly referred to as The Five Valleys – a stunning landscape of rolling hills known historically for the wool trade of the 11th century and later clothing manufacture in the 1700’s. The valleys of Chalford, Nailsworth, Ruscombe, Slad and Painswick, as well as Stroud’s historic town centre itself, are each home to countless pubs, restaurants, boutique shops, walking routes and esoteric curiosities that make living and visiting the area an undeniable joy. 

In this guide, we’ve listed an ever-growing directory of our favourite spots. If there’s anything else specific you’re seeking, or wish to know more information about the area in general, please feel free to get in touch

A tall glass of sangria with ice and a green olive skewer. Two white plates with red rimmed borders labeled JULIET; one plate has an anchovy and green olive skewer, the other has a slice of bread topped with a creamy spread, chopped chives, and olive oil. The setting is on a wooden table.

Restaurants

Juliet - ‘the’ place to eat in Stroud - modern, classy and very fashionable
Williams Kitchen - longstanding fishmongers in Nailsworth with restaurant serving delicious fish meals
The Woolpack - famous pub with a brilliant menu and stunning outlook
Daikoku Ramen - relaxed Japanese food and izakaya style menu in Stroud
Five Valleys food court - food from around the world in a relaxed setting. Open later on Fridays/Saturdays.
Peanuts Deli - New York style smokehouse - the best burgers (2 for 1 on Thursdays)
Giuseppe’s  - small family run Italian restaurant and deli in Nailsworth
Wilder- featured in the Michelin guide
The Painswick Hotel - upmarket hotel restaurant
The Stroud Hotel  - great place opposite the station in Stroud

Cafes

Leola Bakery - amazing breakfast, bakery and croissants in Stroud centre.
Amberley Shop & Cafe - our local shop in the church.
The Coffee Lada - closest place for speciality coffee and delicious toasties (open weekends only). 
Willow & co in Nailsworth - excellent coffee spot
The Long Table - Famous Stroud institution - pay what you can for stunning food and coffee in a community run space with events/shopping and more
Henrys in Minchinhampton - picturesque cotswold cafe
Woodruffs in Stroud - Britains first fully organic cafe.
The Canteen in Nailsworth - good brunch/lunch spot in vintage setting
Caper - Brunches and mezze plates with a view of the glider club - great for kids.
Rough Hands Coffee - excellent coffee in Stroud town
Felt Cafe in Brimbscombe  -lovely riverside cafe

Jolly Nice  famous farmshop with bustling /cafe/events

Foodie Pubs

The Black Horse - burgers etc - the real winner here is the garden and its unbeatable view
The Ship Inn - the winner of best Sunday roast award from us. They also do themed food nights.
The Amberley Inn - our local spot for classic pub grub
The Old Lodge
- the pub right up on the common - gastro pub style menu with refined details
The Old Neighbourhood - in Chalford; great food and lovely garden
The Royal Oak Inn - old school pub which also serves a great Sunday Roast - meat is brought out on a trolly.
The Fostons Ash - a bit further afield but very classy pub food
The Bell at Selsley - seasonal focus on local produce
The Bell at Sapperton - classic pub menu with refined twist

Proper Pubs

The Prince Albert - a Stroud institution with music, events and the kind of community the town is famous for
The Crown & Sceptre - a little slice of Stroud and a longstanding favourite among those in the know
The Kings Head - Kingscourt, a secret gem with unmatched valley views and a huge kids playground
The Ram Inn - South Woodchester, everything you want in a cosy neighbourhood pub
The Black Horse - Amberley the real winner here is the garden and its unbeatable sunset view (plus its our local)
The Royal Oak Inn- North Woodchester, old school pub, great Sunday Roast - meat is brought out on a trolly

Food Trucks and Pop-ups to look out for

Musette - delicious sandwiches, bagels with a focus on seasonal ingredients served at the Coffee Lada
Midnight Pizza
Anotais Thai Street food
Vélo Bakery and Pizza
SALT Bakehouse Vans (they post a weekly schedule of where you’ll find them for fresh pastries and bread)

Places to drink

Woodchester Valley Wines - well respected english winery with beautiful tours and tastings available year round
Holy Water - Cocktail bar championing locally sourced ingredients - a bit like you are in a trendy European city
The Stroud Brewery - famous brewery on the canal with a booming events calendar, sunny pints and great pizzas
Fresh Standard Brew - hidden microbrewery on the cycle path. Regular food pop-ups, crisp beers and lovely people
The Wine Barn (Vinotopia) - Nailsworth wine shop and tasting space. Regular food pop ups and interesting wines
The Stroud Wine Company - regular tastings and events

Places to eat…

A cup of latte with latte art on a beige saucer, shadowed on a white surface next to a small vase with dried flowers, both casting shadows.
Hand holding a vanilla ice cream cone with a chocolate wafer stick, set against an open outdoor landscape with grass and rocks under a clear blue sky.

Places of interest

Winstones Ice Cream Factory - Classic ice cream since 1925
Woodchester Mansion and Park - historic unfinished mansion with many stories
Ruskin Mill Trout Farm - part of the Ruskin Mill trust we enjoy a visit to the cafe and a walk
Slimbridge Wetland Centre - wetland wildlife reserve near Slimbridge
Westonbirt Arboretum - The National Arboretum
Selsley Common - views over the River Severn towards Wales
Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons - views of the Valleys
Severn Bore - schedule for the tidal surge going up the river

A small photo of a green vintage vehicle parked under a tree with a white dog in front, placed on a green knitted sweater.
A cow grazing on a grassy hilltop with a scenic landscape of rolling hills and a cloudy sky in the background.
A person walking a dog along a dirt path in a park with vibrant fall foliage, including red and orange leaves on trees, under a clear blue sky.

Galleries

Interior display with two framed landscape paintings hanging on a white wall, a large beige clay jar with small handles and a narrow opening on top, a shallow round clay bowl, a black wooden bird sculpture, and a stack of books on a metal shelf.

Music and gig venues

Boutique Shopping

Domestic Science - the best emporium for stylish homewares, clothes and vintage furniture
The Malthouse Collective - huge vintage and second hand warehouse emporium in Stroud
Humphries and Begg - Stroud
Klang Tone Records - famous record shop in Stroud

Markets and Farm Shops

Stroud Farmers Market
Five Valleys Food Market
Nailsworth Friday Market
Jolly Nice 

Supermarkets

Waitrose, Stroud
Sainsbury’s, Stroud 
Aldi, Stroud
Morrisons, Nailsworth 

Shopping

Historic Sites

Curved row of Georgian-style terraced townhouses with symmetrical windows and columns, under a partly cloudy sky in Bath, England.

Bath - historic regency city with an abundance of fantastic shops, coffee and of course - the roman baths
Tetbury - quaint cotswold town famous for antique shops
Bibury - ‘the most picturesque village in england’
Cirencester - bustling market town with great independent shops and restaurants

Trips further afield