Whilst trying my best to stay cheerful through another miserable English Winter I have continued to revisit local towns that would feature on most tourists’ list when in the Cotswolds.
Swapping my viewpoint from one of being a local to that of a visitor, it’s interesting how differently you view what you often see as the “norm”. Come with me as I take you on a tour of this town, where I once went to High School, at the centre of “The Five Valleys.”
There is plenty of parking in Stroud, both long and short stay, but I chose to pay and display adjacent to the Shambles Market in Church Street as this then affords a nice circular walk around town. Leaving the car park behind, head along the cobbled street for your first stop – “Sunshine Health Food”.
For those of us who like to purchase seeds and nuts for breakfast or anything else healthy and/or organic this is a Stroud Mecca.
Established way back in 1927, in a bygone era before healthy living was even mentioned, families have relied on Sunshine Health to provide high quality health products and food with great service. With a rabbit’s warren of products to choose from, at prices usually lower than local supermarkets, it is a “must visit” every time we come to Stroud. Even the window display of fresh home baked bread will make your mouth water.
Just past Sunshine look out for the small lane on your right which will take you down to The Shambles Market, open 8am-3pm on Friday and Saturday.
In the shadow of St Lawrence’s Church, The Shambles is one of the oldest areas in Stroud. On the right is the Old Town Hall which dates from the late 1500s. The market stalls used to be housed in the arches under the Hall.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, preached from the butcher’s blocks outside the Church Hall on the left on 26th June 1742. There is a Blue Plaque to commemorate the event.
There was a chapel here in Saxon times but Stroud became its own parish, separate from Bisley in 1304 and the Church was rebuilt in the mid 1860’s, the only remaining part of the original building is the Church Tower with its spire.
Another great feature of beginning your exploration here is that you will find a series of History Boards giving more information on all these buildings. These will also take you around the town pointing out other historical and interesting parts of Stroud.
There has been a market here for centuries in one form or another. The original market benches can still be seen against the wall on the left, as you go into the Shambles.
They were originally further down but have been moved here to preserve them. It is a wonderfully atmospheric place to visit at any time, but on market days it is worth taking a minute to stand and absorb the history.
Picture times gone by when the sounds of women chatting, stall holders shouting their wares and children playing would have transformed this small street into a thriving, busy area.
On the left hand side of the current market you will find the entrance into the indoor section where local artists, craft makers and collectors display their goods for purchase.
As you exit the market onto the High Street, turn right and venture into Moonflower. This is the original gift shop with a second branch just down the street.
Moonflower started life in 1979 and has been trading as a family run business for 40 years, moving to the High Street in the heart of Stroud in 1986.
This beautiful shop is well worth browsing stocking a wide range of ladies clothes, shoes, accessories and jewellery. As a company they aim to buy carefully and responsibly so the customer can in turn feel good about what they buy. Ensuring there is a selection of ethically produced and / or vegan products available that leave less of an impact on our world they aim to support local communities where they are produced.
Walking on down the High Street take a left into Kendrick Street and make a stop at “Mosaic” and it’s fellow shop “Intrigue” which are opposite each other. These two great shops are packed with literally hundreds of unique items to buy from clothing to Far Eastern ornaments. Don’t miss the wonderful hat display in Mosaic! The two shops truly reflect the diversity of the town.
If you are in need of some sustenance then the Little Ginger Deli and Cafe, on your right, just before Intrigue is worth a visit. This family run, dog-friendly deli and café was established in December 2020 at the height of the pandemic, and has developed a loyal customer base not only for the great coffee, homemade cakes and quiches, the selection of salads, and mouth-wateringly good deli sandwiches; but also for it’s exceptional customer service and warm, welcoming atmosphere with a menu that caters to various dietary requirements.
If you wish to visit the famous Stroud Farmers Market you can take a left into Threadneedle Street where Walkers Bakery stands on the corner.
There has been a bakery here for over 100 years. This is a family run, independent bakery where you will find naturally fermented, hand moulded, vegan bread with no additives. For me this is where my Mum took me to buy Lardy cake on a Saturday!
This traditional English tea bread is made from plain bread dough, enriched with sticky sweet lard and sugar as well as dried fruit and mixed spices.The dough is rolled and folded several times, in a similar way to puff pastry, which gives a layered texture.
The memories I have of eating this warm sticky sweet cake like bread in front of the open fire on Saturday teatime will remain with me forever!
The Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning. You need to be here early if you want to find a parking space and not get caught up in the endless crowds of locals and tourists alike who venture here.
Launched in 1999 by Jasper Conrad and Isabella Blow the market has been featured in many magazines and TV programmes as well as winning awards including “Farmers Market of the Year” in 2001, 2007 and 2013.
If like me you are not in Stroud on a Saturday then follow Kendrick Street down to Sim’s Clock which stands proudly in the centre of the local road network. This was a popular meeting place when I was a teenager when the local cinema was just behind it on Russell Street. Alas it is gone now but this where I saw my first ever family movie “Half a Sixpence”! What can I say? My Mum loved Tommy Steele!
Returning to the clock and standing directly in front of it is one of the aforementioned history boards. This one encompasses the history of George’s Square including both the clock itself and the Subscription Rooms standing proudly on the corner of Kendrick Street and George Street. The Subscription Rooms were erected in 1833 with funding for the build being obtained through public subscription, hence its name. This Grade II listed building hosts a variety of entertainment including music, dance, theatre, visual arts, spoken word, exhibitions and workshops. On 31 March 1962 it hosted a little known band called The Beatles!
Heading down George Street with the Subscription Rooms on your right you will pass various other small independent Stroud shops before reaching the crossroads where George Street meets King Street. Opposite you to the right of the new Starbucks/Health Centre there is a pedestrian walkway that leads down into Five Valleys Shopping Centre. In addition to an array of shops from cheap to expensive, the highlight of this part of your tour of Stroud is the wonderful fairly new Indoor Food Court. This offers street food style stalls from Sushi to Pasta and Ice Cream to traditional Fish n Chips, with tables and chairs provided so you can take a break. Don’t forget to check out the mural which gives an insight to Stroud from a bygone era with the beautiful Cotswold Hills in the background.
If you exit the shopping centre up the second pedestrian walkway you will come back onto King Street with WH Smith opposite you. Turn left and then right and you are back onto the High Street where you can now make your way back up past some more shops to your starting point.
NB: This is the fourth of a series of posts about the wonderful “Cotswolds”. An area in the UK that you really shouldn’t miss out on visiting if you are coming to the UK. It’s full of olde world charm, history going back to the Roman era and beautiful architecture. Check out previous posts in this series plus more to come soon.
Please don’t forget to comment and/or like. I love to hear what my readers think. and also look forward to your recommendations of places to see in the Cotswolds for my future adventures Thank you
A Midlife Adventure 