Things to do in Stroud: Stroud Farmers Market & Walks
Stroud is a small market town in the Cotswolds area of Gloucestershire, and there are lots of things to see and do nearby. I’m very familiar with the town and have done many hikes and other visits throughout the area. It is an ideal base camp for a local holiday, thanks to its facilities and nearby accommodation.
The town also has a mainline railway station, so it is very easy to reach from outside the county. This includes direct trains from London.
Things to Do In Stroud
Stroud is a picturesque town in the Cotswolds, with many places of interest. It is hilly to get about and sits where five stunning valleys meet, making it good for hiking. The town has many interesting independent shops, many of which are fun to browse.
Saturday is the day to visit, as the weekly farmers’ market takes place. You can buy some delicious local produce here, especially on a self-catering staycation. Pubs and restaurants are available, including some that are dog-friendly.
St Laurence’s Church
The town has many historic buildings, including a Grade II listed church. St Laurence’s Church has a 14th-century tower and spire, and it’s a lovely place to sit in the churchyard. You can also go inside.
Shambles Market & Old Town Hall
When exploring Stroud, a nice place to visit is the Old Town Hall at the Shambles Market. It’s a pretty neoclassical Grade II-listed building dating from 1596. They originally built it for use as a market hall. Nowadays, it’s a local government building that overlooks the weekly market on the streets outside.
Hiking & Walks
Many hiking trails start in town, including those in the hills or along the canals that meet in Stroud. A fantastic option is to walk from Painswick into Stroud. Rodborough and Minchinhampton Commons are also good starting points for walking downhill towards the town.
Independent shops.
The town has many unique independent shops. This includes some pretty cool vintage shops, bookshops, health food stores, and clothing stores.
One of the most popular is “Made in Stroud”, which sells handmade gifts from the Five Valleys. They also sell locally produced food and drink.
Stroud Subscription Rooms
A pleasant building in town is the Subscription Rooms. The Subscription Rooms are a Grade II-listed Cotswold stone building that dates from 1833. The stone columns and balcony are pretty special.
Stroud Subscription Rooms are an event venue and a popular place to visit. They host lots of live music concerts, and most famously, The Beatles played here in 1962. You can find out what’s on at the Subscription Rooms on their website.
Tour At Stroud Brewery
Stroud Brewery is one of the best organic breweries in the country. On the tour, you can learn about their ingredients and how they make their delicious beers. During the tour, you can also taste their beers. As a bonus after the brewery tour, you can book a table for a meal out or some more drinks. Tours run weekly, and you can book on their website.
Stroud Farmers’ Market
Stroud Farmers’ Market is an award-winning market. It is one of the biggest, busiest and most popular in the UK. It certainly is the most comprehensive I have visited in England. Market stalls selling a whole host of food products and more line the streets of this Cotswold town. These range from staples to some more luxurious items from artisan producers. You can also grab a bite from a variety of street food vendors or local eateries.
The farmers’ market lines many of the streets in the town, and you can pick up some delicious food or local booze to take home. I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the stalls and bought a few things I fancied.
The market was also popular with dogs out for a walk with their owners. Stroud Farmer’s Market was a great place to meet and greet. For my dog, it was a first to meet a basset hound for a sniff and play. There were water bowls outside the shops, including the Mountain Warehouse.
They base the Stroud Farmers’ Market around Cornhill Place and the side streets from there. The market is held every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm.
Stroud Farmers’ Market had many stalls; the market’s website has a full list of traders. Some of my favourites are Seb’s Cider, Selsley Chutney, Batch Farm Cheeses, and The Artisan Baker.
Other Nearby Things To Do
- Cotswold Craftsmen Gallery
- Woodchester Park
- Museum in the Park
- Explore the Thames & Severn Canal
- Nether Lypiatt Manor
- Gallery Pangolin
- Woodchester Mansion
- Stratford Park
Where to Stay?
Many independent hotels and holiday homes are available for rent locally. You can also find many other holiday cottage options in local villages if you want a quieter stay. You can find many places to stay in Stroud on the Booking.com website.
There are also a few campsites locally, including Thistledown in Stonehouse. They have a beautiful location with views of the local hills. As a bonus, they are dog-friendly and allow campfires using their fire pits.
Getting Here
Stroud is reachable by various forms of public transport, including the train. The railway station is on the main line between London and Cheltenham. Buses also run from Gloucester, Cheltenham and Cirencester.
Is Stroud Worth Visiting?
Stroud is a lovely place to visit, especially on market day, when it is food central. There is plenty to do in Stroud and the surrounding area. One of the top activities locally is walking in the Five Valleys. There are lots of walking trails, and the countryside is picturesque.