Best Cotswold Tours

LOCAL COTSWOLD PRODUCE

There are many good food outlets in the Cotswolds, whose farming traditions go back centuries. The Cotswolds has a well-deserved reputation with specialties such as Gloucester Old Spot pigs, Gloucester Cattle, Gloucester Cheese, Bibury Trout and locally produced bread from The Bakery at Bourton on the Water. Some of the finest vegetables are grown locally too, in particular, Asparagus from The Vale of Evesham. Pubs restaurants and cafes are plentiful with many using the wealth of produce from the doorstep. There is an enormous choice of local seasonal and organic food that is all produced in the Cotswolds

FARM SHOPS

Selling direct to the consumer at the Farm Gate has become very popular in recent years. Farm shops are a great way to buy high-quality produce straight from the source. The Cotswolds are fortunate to have a number of Farm shops that genuinely sell their own produce, Meat, Lamb, Fruit vegetables, Bread, Ice Cream, Cheese. The most notable is Daylesford, at Kingham, Jolly Nice near Cirencester, Newton Farm shop near Bath, and Butts near S.Cerney.

FARMERS MARKETS

Due to the region’s history for the wool and cloth trades, the Cotswolds have a long tradition of markets. There are farmers markets all over the Cotswolds on a weekly basis. For example, there is one Sunday in the month at Bourton on the Water, and once a month in Stow on the Wold. Stroud’s (Saturdays) is one of the largest in the country and has featured on many television programmes. Cirencester second and fourth saturdays of the month. 

WOODCHESTER VINEYARD

Woodchester Valley is a family owned boutique vineyard and winery in the South Cotswolds, with 45 acres across three sites in the Stroud valleys. Growing ten different grape varieties, they produce a range of award-winning still white, rosé and sparkling wines.  Offering Tours; Tastings year round, where you can learn about English wine-making, Woodchester Valley provides a most memorable experience in the most idyllic setting.        

SNOWSHILL LAVENDER

Cotswold Lavender now have 35 different varieties, with some 140 miles of rows and over 500,000 plants in total.   At the peak of summers sunshine (July) the lavender is harvested and distilled by traditional methods and the oil is aged for a year before use. Produce can be bought at the shop.

DISTILLERY/BREWERIES

Cotswold Distillery, established in 2014produces Cotswolds Single Malt Whiskey and Cotswold Gin. Cotswold Brewery in Bourton on the Water produces a lager similar to a Bavarian lager. Guided tours can be booked to either. However, it is not possible to tour  Donnington Mill (Brewery)   perhaps one of the Mills of Broadwell Manor, which dated back to 1291. In the 16th century, it was used as a Cloth Mill which the Lord of the Manor of Donnington rebuilt and converted into two Corn Mills circa 1580. Today the brewery has 17 pubs.

COTSWOLD FARM PARK

The Cotswold Farm Park was founded in 1971 by Adam Henson, the owner’s father. The Farm Park helps to protect rare breeds of all farm animals. Adam is also an arable farmer and is dedicated to delivering all the best of British Farming, through a sustainable and authentic approach. The Farm Park is the perfect venue to visit with over 50 different types of rare breed animals on display. Visitors of all ages can interact closely with the animals and learn about farming past and present.    

BEST COTSWOLD TOUR PICNIC

BAKERY ON THE WATER

This is a small family run bakery located by the River Windrush in the middle of Bourton on the Water. The bread is made using traditional methods giving the dough a long fermentation. Using locally sourced ingredients, cakes, scones, rolls as well as bread and all things
delicious are made on site.

BROADWAY DELI

Broadway Deli, located in the middle of Broadway, is a food haven sourcing a wide range of fresh, local and organic produce. From basic produce like fruit and vegetables to pastries, baguettes and cakes can all be purchased for a delicious picnic. 

DAYLESFORD ORGANIC FARM

Daylesford Farms produce Organic Beef, Lamb, Vegetables, Cheese, poultry fruit  on their farm at Daylesford for their Award-Winning Shops in Daylesford in the Cotswolds and Marylebone in London.  Other produce is sourced from artisan organic suppliers.

D'AMBROSI DELI

D’ Ambrosi produces restaurant-style gourmet salads and meat to take away. Committed to using locally sourced ingredients all the meats are free-range.  From running, Michelin starred restaurants in New York, Stow on the Wold is lucky to have, and welcomes Andrew & Jess to Digbeth Street.