For the town in Oklahoma Frontier Country see Stroud (Oklahoma).
Stroud is at the heart of the Five Valleys in the Cotswolds. It is in Gloucestershire, England.
There's many fine, beautiful and interesting things to see but it's not "pretty" in the way that similar sized towns in the Cotswolds or Gloucestershire are. It's a fairly "alternative" place with organic/biodynamic food and a long history of campaigning to save local facilities and landmarks. For many years, local people opposed letting McDonald’s build a restaurant.
The area around the town is known as the Five Valleys consisting of the valleys of Chalford, Nailsworth, Ruscombe, Slad and Painswick. There are a number of small towns and villages in the area, such as Minchinhampton and Stonehouse.
The town and nearby has been an industrial area for hundreds of years so there are many fine old stone mills, weavers cottages, a canal. Little of this has been given serious "heritage" treatment but it doesn't spoil the often beautiful setting in wooded valleys.
- Uley Long Barrow, Crawley Hill, Dursley, GL11 5AR, +44 370 333 1181. Neolithic burial mound. Free.
- Owlpen Manor, Uley, Dursley, GL11 5BZ, +44 1453 860261. Tudor manor house.
- St George's Church, Church St, Nailsworth, GL6 0BP, +44 1453 836536.
- Market House, 1-2 Market Square, Minchinhampton, +44 1453 883369. 17th-century.
- Doverow Hill, Stonehouse.
- Stonehouse Manor, Stonehouse.
- Woodchester House, Woodchester Park, B4066, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, GL10 3TS, +44 1453 861541. An unfinished Victorian manor house that is apparently haunted.
Uley Long Barrow, Crawley Hill, Dursley, GL11 5AR, +44 370 333 1181. Neolithic burial mound. Free.
Owlpen Manor, Uley, Dursley, GL11 5BZ, +44 1453 860261. Tudor manor house.
St George's Church, Church St, Nailsworth, GL6 0BP, +44 1453 836536.
Market House, 1-2 Market Square, Minchinhampton, +44 1453 883369. 17th-century.
Doverow Hill, Stonehouse.
Stonehouse Manor, Stonehouse.
Woodchester House, Woodchester Park, B4066, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, GL10 3TS, +44 1453 861541. An unfinished Victorian manor house that is apparently haunted.
- Cinema,
- The Space. Theatre and music happen here.
- Subscription Rooms has a large attractive upstairs and puts on concerts, dances and exhibitions.
- Out and About: although Stroud itself has few attractions, fans of walking and hiking, or if you just want to take the dog for a walk should visit the local information office for popular walking routes, or just take foot and find your own! The Valleys around Stroud offer spectacular views, and if you don't mind a longer walk, a White Chalk Horse can be found.
- Mountain biking: Stroud has extensive public bridleways that you can legitimately ride on
- Sports and activities: If you more of a golfer, be sure to check out Rodborough and Minchinhampton common, a large expansive grass land with a full golfing course set out for free. Nearby Minchinhampton Golf club can also accommodate you with an internationally recognised 18 holes and driving range.
Next to the Stroud College of Art and Design is the Leisure Centre, with several Tennis/Squash and badminton courts as well as a swimming pool and various 'different' activities from Trampolining to Akido.
- The Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament St, GL5 1LW (in Parliament Street, Stroud, about 400 yards up the hill from the Police Station. Theatre owned by the Cotswold Players.
- Stroud's unique ‘Mayor on a Bench’, sessions, where local residents can voice their concerns to the Town Council, are held most Wednesdays in Kendrick Street from 11:30AM-12:30PM.
- Country Market, every fourth Saturday morning in Mortimer Garden, Nailsworth.
- Nailsworth Food Festival, mid September.
- Goodwill evening, Nailsworth, last Friday in November.
Cinema,
The Space. Theatre and music happen here.
Subscription Rooms has a large attractive upstairs and puts on concerts, dances and exhibitions.
Out and About: although Stroud itself has few attractions, fans of walking and hiking, or if you just want to take the dog for a walk should visit the local information office for popular walking routes, or just take foot and find your own! The Valleys around Stroud offer spectacular views, and if you don't mind a longer walk, a White Chalk Horse can be found.
Mountain biking: Stroud has extensive public bridleways that you can legitimately ride on
Sports and activities: If you more of a golfer, be sure to check out Rodborough and Minchinhampton common, a large expansive grass land with a full golfing course set out for free. Nearby Minchinhampton Golf club can also accommodate you with an internationally recognised 18 holes and driving range.
The Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament St, GL5 1LW (in Parliament Street, Stroud, about 400 yards up the hill from the Police Station. Theatre owned by the Cotswold Players.
Stroud's unique ‘Mayor on a Bench’, sessions, where local residents can voice their concerns to the Town Council, are held most Wednesdays in Kendrick Street from 11:30AM-12:30PM.
Loads of shops along the pedestrian high street. Many non-chain shops too!
- Stroud Farmers Market, Cornhill Market Place, GL5 2HH (North side of town, halfway up road(?), +44 1453 758060. Sa 9AM-2PM. Dozens of stalls selling cheese, meats, plates, honey, jam, spices, vegetables, cooked food, etc. Very busy and interesting. Often has a 'performing chef!'
- Shambles Market, The Shambles, High St, GL5 1AP. Half-way up the steep High Street near the church every Friday and Saturday. Stalls selling organic fruit and vegetables, cheese, fish, bric-a-brac, etc.
Stroud Farmers Market, Cornhill Market Place, GL5 2HH (North side of town, halfway up road(?), +44 1453 758060. Sa 9AM-2PM. Dozens of stalls selling cheese, meats, plates, honey, jam, spices, vegetables, cooked food, etc. Very busy and interesting. Often has a 'performing chef!'
Shambles Market, The Shambles, High St, GL5 1AP. Half-way up the steep High Street near the church every Friday and Saturday. Stalls selling organic fruit and vegetables, cheese, fish, bric-a-brac, etc.
There are various fast food outlets in Stroud (including Subway, McDonald's and Burger Star) despite opposition from locals. Other cafés:
- Woodruff's. Organic café at the top of the high street, offering home-made food and lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Lunchtime meal £8-12.
- Mill's café. Down a (nice) alleyway towards the top of the high street. Two different meals each day, generous and delicious. Wide selection of home-made cakes. Lunchtime meal £6-10.
- Spuds. In the Merrywalk's precinct. Cheap baked potatoes and baguettes to go, though you can sit if you wish. Relatively cheap (roughly £3 per potato or baguette)
- Mother nature. Middle of the high street, down an alleyway. Fresh made-to-order sandwiches, baps, baguettes and paninis to go.
- Hobbs House Bakery, 4 George Street,Nailsworth.
- Mark @ Street, Market Street,Nailsworth.
- William's Foodhall, Fountain Street,Nailsworth. Great oysters.
- Sophie's Restaurant, 20 High Street, Minchinhampton, +44 1453 885188. Tu-F 9AM-2PM coffee and lunch, Sa 9:30AM-12:30PM coffee and patisserie. Selected Saturday evenings, restaurant in the centre of town.
- The Kitchen, 7 High Street, Minchinhampton (40 yards down hill from the Crown Inn, town centre, +44 1453 882655. Taste of the West Gold Award winning Cafe, Best cafe and tea room in Gloucestershire 2008 & 2009.
- The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton (West of Minchinhampton, middle of the common, +44 1453 832047. pub with good beer, reports suggest good food
- The Black Horse, Littleworth, Amberly (located just on the edge of the common, +44 1453 872556. Very popular pub with fantastic panoramic views over the Nailsworth Valley. Excellent range of beers and ciders, with a great menu and good service.
Woodruff's. Organic café at the top of the high street, offering home-made food and lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Lunchtime meal £8-12.
Mill's café. Down a (nice) alleyway towards the top of the high street. Two different meals each day, generous and delicious. Wide selection of home-made cakes. Lunchtime meal £6-10.
Spuds. In the Merrywalk's precinct. Cheap baked potatoes and baguettes to go, though you can sit if you wish. Relatively cheap (roughly £3 per potato or baguette)
Mother nature. Middle of the high street, down an alleyway. Fresh made-to-order sandwiches, baps, baguettes and paninis to go.
Hobbs House Bakery, 4 George Street,Nailsworth.
Mark @ Street, Market Street,Nailsworth.
William's Foodhall, Fountain Street,Nailsworth. Great oysters.
Sophie's Restaurant, 20 High Street, Minchinhampton, +44 1453 885188. Tu-F 9AM-2PM coffee and lunch, Sa 9:30AM-12:30PM coffee and patisserie. Selected Saturday evenings, restaurant in the centre of town.
The Kitchen, 7 High Street, Minchinhampton (40 yards down hill from the Crown Inn, town centre, +44 1453 882655. Taste of the West Gold Award winning Cafe, Best cafe and tea room in Gloucestershire 2008 & 2009.
The Old Lodge, Minchinhampton (West of Minchinhampton, middle of the common, +44 1453 832047. pub with good beer, reports suggest good food
The Black Horse, Littleworth, Amberly (located just on the edge of the common, +44 1453 872556. Very popular pub with fantastic panoramic views over the Nailsworth Valley. Excellent range of beers and ciders, with a great menu and good service.
There are various cafés and coffee shops in Stroud, including Mother nature, Woodruff's and Mill's mentioned above, which serve freshly-baked cakes and tarts. There is a Costa Coffee at the top of the high street.
The main club in town is the Warehouse, only open on Saturday nights and costing £6 to get in (£3 before 11:30PM). A newer, less popular club, Junction 13, is at the top of town. It's open Friday and Saturday nights and costs £4 to get in (before 11PM it's free). These clubs aren't great, though, and Stroud can get quite nasty at night. Nearby Cheltenham is much better for evening entertainment.
- Golden Fleece, Nelson St, GL5 2HN, +44 1453 764850. Pub with nice atmosphere, locals' preference (check out the quote of the day on the black board outside). Part of a group of pubs including Tipputs and Brittanica (in nearby Nailsworth). Serves fantastic, restaurant-style meals and particularly nice garlic bread.
- The Black Horse Inn, Littleworth, Amberley, GL5 5AL. Pub and restaurant.
- The George Inn, Higher Newmarket Rd, Nailsworth, GL6 0RF, +44 1453 833228.
Golden Fleece, Nelson St, GL5 2HN, +44 1453 764850. Pub with nice atmosphere, locals' preference (check out the quote of the day on the black board outside). Part of a group of pubs including Tipputs and Brittanica (in nearby Nailsworth). Serves fantastic, restaurant-style meals and particularly nice garlic bread.
The Black Horse Inn, Littleworth, Amberley, GL5 5AL. Pub and restaurant.
The George Inn, Higher Newmarket Rd, Nailsworth, GL6 0RF, +44 1453 833228.