Vicky's Guidebook
Food scene
Stroud is working market town, full of interesting independent shops and an award winning farmers market on Saturday mornings.
There are independent restaurants and cafes surrounded by a buzzing art/music scene.
There are some beautiful walks around the town and good bus/train routes to larger towns/cities.
There is a bowling alley and cinema in town along with a Borough Market style indoor market made up of an eclectic mix of fantastic local artisan traders.
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Stroud
Stroud is working market town, full of interesting independent shops and an award winning farmers market on Saturday mornings.
There are independent restaurants and cafes surrounded by a buzzing art/music scene.
There are some beautiful walks around the town and good bus/train routes to larger towns/cities.
There is a bowling alley and cinema in town along with a Borough Market style indoor market made up of an eclectic mix of fantastic local artisan traders.
Our local brewery is in walking distance (30/40mins) straight along the canal path at the bottom of our road.
It hosts arts and music and has a great selection of ales and serves food at lunch and dinner time.
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Stroud Brewery
London RoadOur local brewery is in walking distance (30/40mins) straight along the canal path at the bottom of our road.
It hosts arts and music and has a great selection of ales and serves food at lunch and dinner time.
Our favourite restaurant! literally a 8min walk from the Annex. It gets busy on the weekend so I would recommend booking.
The food is delicious and the bar area has a real buzz, open for lunch and dinner with good specials and fish dishes. Good veggie alternatives too, We've never had a bad meal there.
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The Corner House
6 London RdOur favourite restaurant! literally a 8min walk from the Annex. It gets busy on the weekend so I would recommend booking.
The food is delicious and the bar area has a real buzz, open for lunch and dinner with good specials and fish dishes. Good veggie alternatives too, We've never had a bad meal there.
If you fancy a walk around a working dock area and a spot of retail therapy then head to Glos Quays! 25min drive.
Loads of chain restaurants and bars mixed with a designer outlet shopping centre, there is also a big cinema complex.
Paddle boarding can be booked trough a local agent if you fancy it (it was great fun myself and son did it recently)
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Gloucester Quays
If you fancy a walk around a working dock area and a spot of retail therapy then head to Glos Quays! 25min drive.
Loads of chain restaurants and bars mixed with a designer outlet shopping centre, there is also a big cinema complex.
Paddle boarding can be booked trough a local agent if you fancy it (it was great fun myself and son did it recently)
Fat Toni's recently added a sit down restaurant to their fantastic pizza takeaway in town. A must if you like high quality woodfired pizza, if you order the large, oh my god its massive!
I love going there after the cinema next door.
Its a 10 min walk from the Annex go down from the Five Valleys Food Court and look for the Vue Cinema.
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Fat Toni's Pizzeria
Fat Toni's recently added a sit down restaurant to their fantastic pizza takeaway in town. A must if you like high quality woodfired pizza, if you order the large, oh my god its massive!
I love going there after the cinema next door.
Its a 10 min walk from the Annex go down from the Five Valleys Food Court and look for the Vue Cinema.
Great cafe in the Centre of town offering homemade cake, quiche and huge sandwiches!
If your looking for a special afternoon tea during your stay its lovely and plenty of it! you'll need to book in advance though.
There is plenty of seating upstairs and the staff and very friendly, my favourite cafe in town.
Little Ginger Deli and Cafe
Great cafe in the Centre of town offering homemade cake, quiche and huge sandwiches!
If your looking for a special afternoon tea during your stay its lovely and plenty of it! you'll need to book in advance though.
There is plenty of seating upstairs and the staff and very friendly, my favourite cafe in town.
Stroud’s very own Japanese restaurant, simple tasty food.
We went recently and I can highly recommend the chicken katsu curry!
Great vibe even on a Thursday evening.
Daikoku Ramen
Stroud’s very own Japanese restaurant, simple tasty food.
We went recently and I can highly recommend the chicken katsu curry!
Great vibe even on a Thursday evening.
Sightseeing
Just a short walk out of Stroud's centre you will find a beautiful oasis!
Stratford Park hosts 56 acres of park land including a lake, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, leisure centre and woodland walks.
The museum in the grounds is well worth a look around, its free and has a host of “days gone by” exhibits.
There is free parking if needed.
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Stratford Park Leisure Centre
Stratford RoadJust a short walk out of Stroud's centre you will find a beautiful oasis!
Stratford Park hosts 56 acres of park land including a lake, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, leisure centre and woodland walks.
The museum in the grounds is well worth a look around, its free and has a host of “days gone by” exhibits.
There is free parking if needed.
A 40 min drive from Stroud will take you to the most beautiful ancient woodland best seen in autumn.
The new tree top walk is a must and the woodland hosts lots of events throughout the year.
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Westonbirt, Het Nationale Arboretum
A 40 min drive from Stroud will take you to the most beautiful ancient woodland best seen in autumn.
The new tree top walk is a must and the woodland hosts lots of events throughout the year.
If you want to sample a truly "local" pint then take the short 10 min drive to Slad and head to the Woolpack pub.
The Slad Valley was made famous by the author Laurie Lee and his book "Cider with Rosie" the view and walks around this small village are lovely it can be a little tricky to park.
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Slad
If you want to sample a truly "local" pint then take the short 10 min drive to Slad and head to the Woolpack pub.
The Slad Valley was made famous by the author Laurie Lee and his book "Cider with Rosie" the view and walks around this small village are lovely it can be a little tricky to park.
Nestled in a wooded valley with parkland, lakes and pastures, Woodchester Park surrounds an unfinished Victorian mansion.
Great walks down to the mansion and either around the lakes or around the woodland. The mansion is only open certain days if you want to look inside.
The walk down is quite long and steep, not great if you are less mobile.
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Woodchester Park House
Nestled in a wooded valley with parkland, lakes and pastures, Woodchester Park surrounds an unfinished Victorian mansion.
Great walks down to the mansion and either around the lakes or around the woodland. The mansion is only open certain days if you want to look inside.
The walk down is quite long and steep, not great if you are less mobile.
A 30 min drive will take you the bustling town of Cirencester.
Lots of shops and cafes. Beautiful old church and nice flat walks around the park behind.
There is a food market on Friday mornings and parking is good.
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Cirencester
A 30 min drive will take you the bustling town of Cirencester.
Lots of shops and cafes. Beautiful old church and nice flat walks around the park behind.
There is a food market on Friday mornings and parking is good.
One of our most favourite day trips is to Purton Hulks. Discover the sunken ships hidden within the riverbank at Purton, the UK’s largest ship graveyard, a unique place to get up close to ships over 100 years old. You can walk through this well photo’d area and enjoy a pint in the near by pub. There is a small car park, warning it can be muddy during the winter months! use Purton GL13 9HU for the sat nav.
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Purton Ships Graveyard
One of our most favourite day trips is to Purton Hulks. Discover the sunken ships hidden within the riverbank at Purton, the UK’s largest ship graveyard, a unique place to get up close to ships over 100 years old. You can walk through this well photo’d area and enjoy a pint in the near by pub. There is a small car park, warning it can be muddy during the winter months! use Purton GL13 9HU for the sat nav.
We recently did the vine tasting and tour with optional lunch hamper and can safely say if you like a good glass of white wine your in for a treat! It’s a 58 acre site, single estate family owned vineyard, which produces award winning wine, which you can buy after the tour. A really friendly knowledgeable lady showed us around and then we tried 4 different wines, the sparkling was amazing but the Bacchus was my favourite, really dry with a gooseberry and elderflower flavour. We then had lunch hamper overlooking the vineyard with surrounding views. A real treat for a special occasion. Only a 10 minute drive from the Annex, booking is essential.
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Woodchester Valley Vineyard
Convent LaneWe recently did the vine tasting and tour with optional lunch hamper and can safely say if you like a good glass of white wine your in for a treat! It’s a 58 acre site, single estate family owned vineyard, which produces award winning wine, which you can buy after the tour. A really friendly knowledgeable lady showed us around and then we tried 4 different wines, the sparkling was amazing but the Bacchus was my favourite, really dry with a gooseberry and elderflower flavour. We then had lunch hamper overlooking the vineyard with surrounding views. A real treat for a special occasion. Only a 10 minute drive from the Annex, booking is essential.
The heart of Stroud providing a venue for music, talks, shows and the Christmas panto!
I've seen so many great acts here over the years, its a truly iconic building with a epic history.
Their website is a must if your coming to Stroud, your never know who is playing there! my favourite was the Levellers.
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Subscription Rooms
George StreetThe heart of Stroud providing a venue for music, talks, shows and the Christmas panto!
I've seen so many great acts here over the years, its a truly iconic building with a epic history.
Their website is a must if your coming to Stroud, your never know who is playing there! my favourite was the Levellers.
Neighbourhoods
Nailsworth is a village 15 min drive from Stroud that has its own great mix of independent shops and restaurants.
If you're looking for gifts this a great place to head.
If you want to ditch the car there is a good bus service from Stroud to Nailsworth on the No 93 bus or its one of the only places that does offer free parking in its centre so its well worth an afternoon visit.
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Nailsworth
Nailsworth is a village 15 min drive from Stroud that has its own great mix of independent shops and restaurants.
If you're looking for gifts this a great place to head.
If you want to ditch the car there is a good bus service from Stroud to Nailsworth on the No 93 bus or its one of the only places that does offer free parking in its centre so its well worth an afternoon visit.
If you like a good walk I would highly recommend a visit to Winstones Icecream on Rodborough Common.
It's a good 30 min hike from the Annex up some gorgeous countryside and you'll be rewarded with some stunning views and some great ice-cream! The Winstone family have been making ice-cream in Stroud since 1925 and now have 17 different flavours to enjoy, lactose free, celiac and vegan options are also available.
If you'd rather drive its a 5 min journey but parking can be tricky during summer months as well known and loved in Stroud.
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Rodborough Common
If you like a good walk I would highly recommend a visit to Winstones Icecream on Rodborough Common.
It's a good 30 min hike from the Annex up some gorgeous countryside and you'll be rewarded with some stunning views and some great ice-cream! The Winstone family have been making ice-cream in Stroud since 1925 and now have 17 different flavours to enjoy, lactose free, celiac and vegan options are also available.
If you'd rather drive its a 5 min journey but parking can be tricky during summer months as well known and loved in Stroud.
Cheltenham is an easy 40 min drive or you can take the train but the station there is out of town.
This will give you lots of high-street shops and a great theatre "The Everyman" which has lots of shows on offer.
The Montpellier area of the town is very chic and has some very nice restaurants if your looking for something special.
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Cheltenham
Cheltenham is an easy 40 min drive or you can take the train but the station there is out of town.
This will give you lots of high-street shops and a great theatre "The Everyman" which has lots of shows on offer.
The Montpellier area of the town is very chic and has some very nice restaurants if your looking for something special.