RURAL HOTSPOT
DISCOVER ANCIENT HEDGEROWS, COTSWOLD COTTAGES AND A GOOD DOSE OF EARTHINESS
Surrounded by glorious Gloucestershire countryside, here are a few reasons why we’d love to move to Stroud
With its history steeped in the woollen trade, Stroud sits at the meeting point of five valleys, amid glorious Gloucestershire countryside. One of these valleys, Slad, was immortalised by writer Laurie Lee in his earthy evocation of childhood, Cider with Rosie. Drop down into town and there is a charming jumble of food markets and haberdasheries, stone facades and cheap takeaways. All that bustle is one reason the Cotswold town was named ‘Best Place to Live in the UK 2021’ by the Sunday
Times. A strong sense of identity unites the 32,000 residents – ‘Stroud and Proud’ is a phrase oft repeated. IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S WINDOW
Demand for properties is breaking all records, according to Amy Seager of Whitaker Seager estate agency. ‘Many, if not most, vendors are receiving multiple bids,’ she says. Most sought-after are idyllic villages such as Amberley, Chalford and Bisley, while Butterrow and
Old Stroud do well, being within walking distance of the centre. A typical starter home is £200,000, while a four-bed detached runs from £450,000 to £650,000. BUTCHERS, BAKERS & COFFEE MAKERS It is easy to eat like a king in this fertile county with no need to stoop to supermarket shopping.
The weekly farmers’ market, one of the UK’S largest and busiest, is a good place to start. The UK’S first organic café, Woodruffs, is still going strong in the prime high street corner house it has occupied since 1998. And relative newcomer Stroud Micro Dairy sells delicious raw milk and grass-fed beef. COUNTRY LIFE & CULTURE
The walled garden at the Museum in the Park is a gem. Kids congregate at the ramps near here or head to indoor skatepark Rush. There is a lively social calendar, including the curious (past life regression) and the sublime (foraging walks). The greatest show has to be Stroudbased Giffords Circus. For walks,
Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons are filled with wildflowers and have far-reaching views.
SCHOOLS Of the multitude of primaries the majority are rated ‘good’. Grammars Marling and
The High School are ‘outstanding’. Secondary Thomas Keble is ‘good’, while the popular Steiner School Wynstone’s has recently reopened.
GET AROUND London Paddington is a direct 90-minute train ride away, while it takes just over two hours by road, via the M4. For air travel, Bristol Airport is an hour’s drive.
IN THE AREA Ramble to Slad, finishing up at Laurie Lee’s local, The Woolpack, or watch open-air theatre at The Rococo Gardens.