South West Gloucestershire Area Guides

Why live here in South West Gloucestershire

This picturesque, largely rural area delights visitors of all ages. Its beautiful villages nestle in valleys and woodlands and its traditional Cotswold stone cottages pepper the hillsides and winding roads. With convenient transport links and excellent schools, South West Gloucestershire remains a highly desirable location for both commuters and families.

The landscape of South West Gloucestershire has long been an inspiration to artists and writers. It was made especially famous as the setting for Laurie Lee’s “Cider with Rosie”.

Commuters who choose to live in South West Gloucestershire are in easy reach of London, the Midlands, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Bristol. What’s more, the area provides excellent links to the North on the M5. Excellent schools make the area an ideal choice for families with children of all ages.


South West Gloucestershire is the home of...

History

Built on wool
Much of the wealth of the Cotswolds is based on the wool industry of the 17th and 18th centuries. During this time of prosperity, residents built a large number of houses, mostly using natural Cotswold limestone from quarries nearby. The stone used to build each village is slightly different in colour, giving each its own individual identity.

Refuge of the Roundheads
Painswick has a rich history and was caught up in the English Civil War when the Roundheads took refuge in the 11th century parish church of St Mary. The church is also famous for its churchyard, which is home to ninety-nine Yew trees. Legend has it that the Devil will not permit the growth of the hundredth tree.

Reach new highs
Painswick Beacon, which is on the north side of the village at its highest point, is 283 metres above sea level with breathtaking views of the Severn Estuary, Brecon Beacons and Malvern Hills. It houses an Iron Age Fort and has a rich variety of flora and butterflies on its limestone grassland. It has been the home of the Painswick Golf Club for more than a century.

Historic transport links
In 1779, Stroud was connected with the Severn river by the Stroudwater Canal. A decade later, the Thames and Severn Canal was also opened, allowing for the transport of cargo eastwards to the capital.

From cottage to mill
Employment in Stroud was traditionally based on the woollen cloth industry, sheep farming, and the manufacture of fine scarlet used for military uniforms. By the early 19th century, woollen cloth production had moved from its cottage-based origins into a complex of mills that lined the valleys, forming such a distinctive feature of Stroud's industrial landscape today. The 17th century was a boom period for Tetbury, but the town lost its specialist status and became a general market town as the woollen industry declined.

Keeping out the Welsh
Berkeley Castle is one of the March Castles, built to keep out the Welsh. It has been the home of the Berkeley family for over 850 years. Berkeley town itself is as old as the Castle, and evidence suggests that there may have been a mint here in Saxon times.


Property type
Properties in South West Gloucestershire range from traditional period Cotswold stone houses and cottages to Manor Houses and farms. The area also offers some Cotswold stone and brick built houses in the Stroud valleys, which typically have higher ceilings and larger windows.

Equestrian activities
The area is very popular for equestrian activities, being centrally located for several three-day event courses such as Badminton, Gatcombe Park and Blenheim. There is also a packed hunting schedule, with the VWH Hounds and The Duke of Beaufort’s Hounds.

Quotes

“Stroud is like Notting Hill with wellies.”
London Evening Standard.

“I love the Stroud area because of the mix of industry and country. Where I live it is very close to the centre of Stroud and the edge of unspoilt countryside.”
Jamie Vans

Places of interest

  • The five valleys that converge on Stroud, which offer innumerable footpaths, stunning views, quiet Cotswold villages and welcoming country pubs
  • The Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust on the River Severn
  • Painswick village, which is known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’, and is located in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • The town of Nailsworth, which offers an excellent range of independent shops and restaurants
  • Tetbury, which lies within the Cotswolds designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers a plethora of independent shops, restaurants and hotels, and was recently voted by the third most desirable town to live in by Country Life
 Getting to South West Gloucestershire

Kemble Railway Station (London Paddington one hour and 20 minutes)
Stroud Railway Station (Paddington one hour and 50 minutes)

Motorists have easy access to the M4 (Junction 18), M5 (Junctions 11, 11A, 12, 13 and 14) as well as the A417, A433, A419, A4135 and A46.

Flights to the Isle of Man, Jersey and Belfast leave from Gloucestershire Airport and Bristol Airport on the A38 provides access to a wide range of international locations.
Local councils:

Cotswold District Council
Trinity Road
Cirencester
Gloucestershire GL7 1PX
Tel: 01285 623000
Fax: 01285 623900
Email: cdc@cotswold.gov.uk

The Stroud District Council Offices
Ebley Mill
Westward Road
Stroud
Gloucestershire GL5 4UB
Tel: 01453 766321

Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall
Gloucester GL1 2TG
Tel: 01452 425000

Malmesbury Town Council
Malmesbury Town Hall
Cross Hayes
Malmesbury
Wiltshire SN16 9BZ
Tel: 01666 822143
Facsimile: 01666 826166
Email: malmesburytowncouncil@northwilts.gov.uk

North Wiltshire District Council
Monkton Park
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 1ER
Tel: 01249 706111
Fax: 01249 443158
Email: customerservices@northwilts.gov.uk

Where to go out in South West Gloucestershire

Hotels and Restaurants

Calcot Manor - 01666 890391
Tetbury

The Close - 01666 502272
Long Street
Tetbury

Williams Kitchen - 01453 835507
Nailsworth

The Bell
Sapperton - 01285 760298

The Gumstool - 01666 890931
Tetbury

Halfway House
Minchinhampton - 01453 832631

Kings Arms
Didmarton - 01454 238245

Old Passage Inn
Arlingham - 01452 740547

The Five Mile House
Duntisbourne Abbots - 01285 821432

The Priory Inn
Tetbury - 01666 502251

The Saladin
Little Somerford - 01666 824222

The White Horse
Frampton Mansell - 01285 760960

The Blue Zucchini
Tetbury - 01666 505852

The Hare & Hounds
Westonbirt - 01666 880233

The Snooty Fox
Tetbury - 01666 502436

Sport

Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt www.beauforthunt.com
Berkeley Hunt www.berkeleyhunt.co.uk
Cotswold Gliding Club, Aston Down - 01285 760415
Westonbirt Golf Club - 01666 880242
Ladys Wood Shooting School, Nr Chipping Sodbury - 01454 294546
Beaufort Polo Club - 01666 880510
Bowling International Stroud - 01453 762200
Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre - 01452 874842
Cotswold Gliding Club - 01285 760415
Kemble Flying Club - 01285 770077
Minchinhampton Golf Club, new course - 01453 833866
Minchinhampton Golf Club, old course - 01453 832642
Oaksey Park Golf & Leisure - 01666 577995
Westonbirt Golf Course - 01666 880242
Actiondrome, Wroughton (Go Karting) - 01793 814340
Barton End Stables, Nailsworth - 01453 834915

 

Leisure

Berkeley Castle - 01453 810332
Gloucester Cathedral - 01452 528095
Gloucester Docks - 01452 311190
Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley - 01453 810510
Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust - 01453 890333
Westonbirt Arboretum - 01666 880220
Tetbury Market Place
Stroud Apollo Cinema - 0871 220 6000
Theatre Royal Bath - 01225 448844
Calcot Spa, Tetbury - 01666 891232
Dyrham Park, Nr Bath - 01179 372501
Newark Park - 01453 842644
Owlpen Manor, Nr Uley - 01453 860261
Woodchester Park - 01452 814213
Chavenage House, Tetbury - 01666 502329
Painswick Rococo Garden - 01452 813204
Rodmarton Manor - 01285 841253
Trull House Gardens, Rodmarton - 01285 841255
Schools in South West Gloucestershire
Beaudesert Park School/strong>
01453 832072
Minchinhampton		 Querns Westonbirt School
01666 881390
Westonbirt		 Rosehill School
01453 843196
Wotton-under-Edge
Westonbirt
Amberley Parochial School
01453 873349		 Avening Primary School
01453 833191
Berkeley Primary School
01453 810254

Leighterton Primary School
01666 890273		 Miserden Primary School - 01285 821463
Minchinhampton School
01453 883273
Stroud High School
01453 764400		 Marling School
01453 762251
Wycliffe College
01453 822432
Grittleton House School
01249 782434		    
United Kingdom