Location: Stroud
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Stroud, United Kingdom (UK)
Stroud in United Kingdom (UK), from Europe region, is best know for Parks. Discover best things to do in Stroud with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Stroud
1. Woodchester Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By Karl M
Parking costs £3 per day but access to the forest and walks is free. The walks available are really relaxing, peaceful and provide access to the unfinished mansion (entrance fee £8). If you want to visit the mansion, however, be aware it is open only at weekends and last entry is 16:00.
2. Woodchester Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Woodchester Mansion is a 19th Century Victorian Gothic masterpiece mysteriously abandoned mid-construction in 1873. Hidden in a secluded Cotswold Valley, it is untouched by time and the modern world. This unique Grade 1 Listed Building has been saved from dereliction but it will never be completed, enabling visitors to view the secret building techniques of medieval Gothic builders. Special events are held throughout the year, but do check our open days and times before visiting.
Reviewed By philtraveller - Bristol UK
Well worth a visit.. interesting and unusual unfinished mansion house... a fascinating place. Pleasant circular walks around the park. BUT make sure you check out when the house itself is open, as it's limited timings. Wandering round the outside is great, but going when they are doing tours would add quite a lot to the visit. We felt the website was not clear about this .. it said the attraction was OPEN... but when we arrived we realised that meant you could walk round the grounds, but the house itself is only open at certain times. NOTE: They do have a shuttle bus SOMETIMES.. but not when we visited, so it's a decent walk down a long gravel driveway into the valley.. so brilliant for kids and dogs, not so much for wheelchairs or the infirm.
3. St Marys Painswick
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By dunadan - Lynnwood, WA
My wife and I ended our Cotswolds Way walk in Painswick (we only did the northern half), and after dinner at a local pub, enjoyed a wonderful stroll through the beautiful graveyard around St. Mary's. The steeple glowed in the late-day sun, and the warmth of the day made for a pleasant evening walk amongst the famous yew trees--although we swore we found the 100th tree, unmarked.
If you are in town overnight, or just passing through, please take 15 minutes out of your day to walk through these beautiful grounds and appreciate the architecture of the church, the lovingly-maintained trees, and the beautifully-carved lychgate.
4. Minchinhampton Common
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By johnwalton4 - Stroud, United Kingdom
I may be biased having lived near here for most of my life, but I can think of very places where access is completely free, you can walk for miles without fences and walls, take in wonderful views across the Severn Vale to Wales beyond and enjoy clean air blowing in, often on a stiff breeze. At some 600 feet above sea level on the edge of the Cotswold Escarpment it is a wonderful place to fly kites, or model aircraft, play ball or walk your dog. Cows are allowed out during the summer months to graze on the grass and golfers can be seen most days playing on "the old course". There is a public house in the middle of the common and nearby Minchinhampton offers several fine cafes.
5. Gardens at Miserden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
This lovely timeless garden, with spectacular views over the rolling Cotswold hills, created in 17th Century retains a wonderful sense of peace and tranquillity.
Reviewed By Pinkertonx - Hereford, United Kingdom
I just cannot understand how we've not found Miserden Gardens before! This is an absolute hidden gem of an English landscape garden set perfectly around a stately house. The flower Gardens are mainly in the large walled garden, with a huge (200ft?) double herbaceous border on the main axis running down to a terraced garden complete with rill, Fountain and Doric temple (summer house). Then there are the productive areas with peaches, figs, apples and pears on the walls and raised beds with vegetables. Beyond the walled garden is a small arboretum, lawns and other garden areas. Even in August the borders were bursting with vibrant colour from herbaceous shrubs, trees and plants such as cannas and dahlias. These Gardens are well cared for yet relaxed and tranquil, set high on the Cotswolds overlooking the Golden Valley.
I must mention the extensive and well-stocked nursery with a wide range of plants at sensible prices (half that of NT) all on a Victorian glasshouse site. Finally there is the new cafe, serving at the moment the most wonderful cakes. We had a lavender, orange and almond cake, which was just fantastic!
So, in conclusion, avoid Hidcot which is over-priced, teaming with visitors and roped off areas, and come to Miserden, a tranquil well cared for and beautiful garden instead
6. Thistledown Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Peaceful, tranquil and unspoilt green camping with superb views. A night or more at Thistledown gives you much more than just a campsite. Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lies Thistledown Farm: 4 miles of maintained paths and sculpture trails wind their way through 70 acres of meadow, pasture and woodland. Educational boards around the site provide information on a host of environmental and agricultural subjects. Friendly pigs, goats and cattle are always happy to greet visitors. Fire pits are provided and wood is available to be bought. Numbers are strictly limited and booking is essential - please see our website for online booking.
Reviewed By Dursley_Demon - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
Really enjoyed my birthday meal here today with my wife and my daughter. A good selection of food on the menu and a lovely location. Plenty of Seating and lots of room. Dog-friendly too. Our Jack Russell Terrier enjoyed her visit. Staff all very friendly and service very efficient. Good choice of vegan options. Great cakes and puddings. Good coffee. Highly recommend. We shall certainly return.
7. Painswick Rococo Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 573 reviews
Painswick Rococo Garden is a unique 18th century garden set in a hidden valley with lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Painswick Rococo Garden was designed in the 1740s as an English country gentleman's pleasure garden, a place for holding intimate garden parties. Laid out in a hidden valley around Painswick House, the Garden is now the country's only complete surviving rococo garden. Since 1984, an ambitious restoration programme has transformed the Garden from a woodland Wilderness into a stunning place to escape the busy world. Enjoy beautifully-framed views or snuggle in one of the fanciful garden buildings. Battle to find the centre of the unusual maze and enjoy homemade food in the cafe afterwards. The Garden is famous for its snowdrop displays in winter, usually February
Reviewed By Alan1704 - Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
A very different place to the peaceful garden I used to visit years ago.
Far too many people - it was like Christmas shopping at times.
I counted two people sneaking in without paying due to chaos at the till.
Investment in the garden is obvious to me but the addition of rope barriers to restrict freedom of movement is really sad.
The kids play area however was a massive and welcome surprise. Loved the bridge over the swamp and fairy tale castle.
8. Museum in the Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
The Museum in the Park is set in the beautiful grounds of Stratford Park in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Situated in a Grade II listed 17th Century wool merchant’s house; our collection tells the fascinating story of the Stroud District’s rich and diverse history. With over 4,000 objects on display, including dinosaur bones, historical paintings and even one of the world’s first lawnmowers, there is something to spark the interest of all of our visitors! In addition to the main displays in the mansion house, we have our modern extension which houses a small gift shop and café area, alongside a modern, purpose-built art gallery showing a varied programme of Exhibitions. Behind this is Stroud’s ‘secret garden’ - a contemporary Walled Garden that will amaze and may well cause you to say 'wow'!
Reviewed By Neatham - UK
The exhibits in the museum are a mixture of archaeology, local history, art and social history. You're bound to find something you like! The staff are very approachable and extremely knowledgeable, not only about the exhibits but also about the history of Stratford Park and Stroud.
9. Painswick Beacon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Mr_Spock56 - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
We drove here for a picnic in order to take advantage of the viewpoint. You can see 360 degrees and the views towards the Severn estuary overlooking the M5 are exceptional. The only downside is the access road is very narrow with poorly maintained passing places and as its very popular at weekends (when we went) it makes getting their a problem. At least it has quite a lot of parking available and for walkers its also on the Cotswold Way.
10. Stratford Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Fns1978
We recently moved here and having just adopted a pooch, visit this park all the time. There is a kids play area, skate ramps, a small wood, a field, Gardens, cafe, bandstand and wooded park area. There are also tennis courts and an outdoor pool (open in the summer) which are attached to the sports centre. It's great for kids, dogs, & the whole family. It's clean and well looked after. There is a large car park and wc's too!
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