Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold is a town in the North Cotswolds in England.

Understand

The town is on a hill (highest point in the Cotswolds at 244 m) and back to Iron Ages times, the site was used as a fort. The first settlers were attracted to the nearby village of Maugersbury. However, once a market place was built at Stow nearer the crossroads roads, its commercial successes gradually established as the major town. Stow is at the meeting place of 6 roads helping the development of the market and thus the town; one of those roads being the famous Roman road – the Fosse Way.

During the English Civil War, in 1646 the Royalist Army was marching through the Cotswolds trying to reach Oxford to join the King's forces. However, they were met by the Parliamentary forces just outside Stow and The Battle of Stow-on-the-Wold took place 1 mile N of the town. The retreating Royalist forces moved back to the town and fought on through the streets of Stow before surrendering in the Market Place. The church was then turned into an emergency prison to hold the 1000 Royalist troops.

Weekly markets were granted in 1107 and the right to hold an annual (7 day) fair granted in 1330 (though that was changed to two 5 day fairs in 1476). The wool trade and sheep livestock used to play a major role in the fairs, but as the wool trade declined, so horse trading became more important and today the fairs have been moved from the Market Place to a field outside the village near Maugersbury. The fairs are very popular attracting large numbers of visitors, blocking roads in the area. The large number of visitors has not always been welcomed by locals and many shops and pubs in the area close during the fairs to avoid the risk of theft and vandalism.

Get in

By road

Driving from Cirencester, follow the A429 (the Fosseway) North, pass through Bourton-on-the-Water and you'll reach it (after another 3 mi (5 km)). There will be obvious signs saying you've entered the town. From the North, follow the A429 South towards Cirencester.

By train

The town's railway station was closed in 1948. The two nearest stations are:

Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station, Station Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AA (4½ miles N of Stow-on-the-Wold), 51.992°, -1.7°. Station managed and services operated by Great Western Railway. On the Cotswold Line running between Oxford-Hereford. 2017-06-20

By bus

Pulham Coaches Service 801 (dead link: December 2020) runs Moreton-in-Marsh – Stow-on-the-Wold – Bourton-on-the-Water – Northleach – Andoversford – Cheltenham Royal Well
Pulham Coaches Service 802 (dead link: December 2020) runs Bourton-on-the-Water – Great Rissington/Little Rissington – Upper Rissington – Stow-on-the-Wold – Kingham Railway Station
The Villages Community Bus (dead link: August 2020) runs occasional services through the town.

By bicycle

National Cycle Route 48. Lincoln to Exeter will run through the town; the route is still under construction, Cirencester-Northleach and Moreton-in-Marsh-Southam completed (10-mile section through Bourton-on-the-Water still under construction as of 2017) 2017-06-20
National Cycle Route 442. Passes 3 miles E of the town. 2017-06-20

Walkers would do well to avoid the busy A429 road.

Get around

On foot'/ is fine.

See

The town centre, whilst small, is extremely beautiful, focused around the large market square and the pretty little streets leading off it.

St Edward's Church, 51.93°, -1.724°. Medieval church with interesting doorway. 2017-01-05
Fosse Art Gallery, The Manor House, The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AF , 51.93114°, -1.72343°, +44 1451 831319, mail@fossegallery.com. 2017-06-22

Do

Foxholes (Woodland Reserve (23 hectare)), 51.881603°, -1.636758°. Spectacular spring bluebells & bird life. 2017-06-22

Buy

Cotswold Sweet Company, Crossway House, The Square, Stow on the Wold GL541AB , 51.93011°, -1.72273°, +44 1827 768106, info@cotswoldsweetcompany.co.uk. Oldy-Worldy sweet shop with massive choice of sweets and chocolates. Also really good if you want a bit of banter with one of the friendly staff. 2017-06-22
The Borzoi Bookshop, Church St, Stow on the Wold GL54 1BB , 51.92968°, -1.72357°, +44 1451 830268. M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM. 2017-06-22
The Baobab Tree (Gift Shop), Talbot House, The Square, Stow-in-the-Wold GL54 1AB , 51.93005°, -1.72314°, +44 7966 466557 (mobile), cotswoldbaobab@gmail.com. 2017-06-22
The Cotswold Chocolate Company (Artisan Chocolate Makers), France House, Digbeth St, Stow on the Wold GL54 1BN , 51.92974°, -1.72194°, +44 1451 798082, info@cotswoldchocolatecompany.com. 2017-06-22
Tesco (Spermarket), Fosse Way, Stow-On-The-Wold GL54 1BX , 51.9339°, -1.7223°, +44 345 677 9630. M-Sa 6AM-11PM, Su 10AM-4PM. 2017-06-22

Eat

Cotswold Baguettes (Sandwich Shop), Church St, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1BB , 51.92921°, -1.72381°, +44 1451 831362, cotswoldbaguettes@gmail.com. 2017-06-22
The Kings Arms (Pub, Restaurant & Hotel), Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AF , 51.92995°, -1.72222°, +44 1451 830364, info@kingsarmsstow.co.uk. 2017-06-22
The Hive (Restaurant), Fox House, Digbeth St, Stow on the Wold GL54 1BN , 51.92945°, -1.72144°, +44 1451 831087. 2017-06-22
Prince of India (Indan Restaurant), 5 Park St, Stow On The Wold GL54 1AQ , 51.92911°, -1.72018°, +44 1451 831198, manager@princeofindia.co.uk. Su-Th 6-11PM, F Sa 5:30-11:30PM. 2017-06-22
Old Butchers (Restaurant), Park St, Stow on the Wold GL54 1AQ , 51.92896°, -1.72010°, +44 1451 831700, info@theoldbutchers.com. M-F noon-2:30PM & 6:30-9:20PM, Sa noon-2:30PM & 6:30-10PM, Su noon-14:30PM & 7-9PM. 2017-06-22
The Fox at Oddington (Pub, Food & Rooms), High St, Lower Oddington GL56 0UR (3 miles E of Stow-on-the-Wold), 51.9317°, -1.6629°, +44 1451 870555, info@thefoxatoddington.com. 2017-06-23

Drink

The Talbot (Pub & Food), The Square, Stow on the Wold GL54 1BQ , 51.92980°, -1.72266°, +44 1451 870934. Bar: M-Tu 11AM-9PM, W-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 12:00-6PM; food: M-Tu noon-3PM, W-Th noon-3PM & 6-8:30PM, F Sa noon-3PM & 6-9PM, Su noon-4PM. 2017-06-22
Coach House (Coffee Shop), 1 Talbot Court, Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1BQ , 51.92979°, -1.72283°, +44 1451 870811, emily@coachhousecoffee-stow.com. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9:30AM-4PM. 2017-06-22
New England Coffee House, 1 Digbeth St, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1BN , 51.92974°, -1.72212°, +44 1451 831171, alison@newenglandcoffeehouse.co.uk. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM. 2017-06-22
{{drink | name=Treebus Tea Rooms | alt= | url=http://www.treebus.co.uk (dead link: December 2020) | email=bookings@treebus.co.uk | address=Digbeth St, Stow-On-The-Wold GL54 1BN | lat=51.92961 | long=-1.72160 | directions= | phone=+44 1451 870210 | tollfree= | fax= | hours=M-Sa 8:30AM-5PM, Su 9AM-5PM | price= | lastedit=2017-06-22 | content= }}
The Queen's Head (Pub, Food & Rooms), The Square, Stow on the Wold GL54 1AB , 51.93028°, -1.72318°, +44 1451 830563, info@thequeensheadstowonthewold.com. No breakfast with rooms. 2017-06-22
Lucy's Tea Rooms, The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AB , 51.93026°, -1.72314°, +44 1451 830000, cake@lucystearoomstow.com. Daily 10AM-4:30PM. 2017-06-22

Sleep

The Porch House (Hotel, Bar & Restaurant; formerly The Royalist Hotel), Digbeth Street, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1BN, 51.92933°, -1.72093°, +44 1451 870048, book@porch-house.co.uk. Also a historical landmark. Free Wi-Fi Double from £99 2017-06-22
Cotswold Gardens (Tea Rooms & B&B), Wells Cottage, Digbeth St, Stow-On-The-Wold GL54 1BN, 51.92953°, -1.72161°, +44 1451 870994. Tea rooms: May-Oct: 10AM-5PM; Oct-May: 10AM-4PM. 2017-06-22
Sheep on Sheep Street (Hotel, Restaurant & Bar), Sheep St, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AG, 51.92904°, -1.72106°, +44 1451 830344, book@thesheepstow.co.uk. Bar: M-Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 8AM-10PM; Food: daily 8-11AM & noon-9:30PM (Sa to 10PM). AA 4* 2017-06-22
The White Heart (Hotel, Restaurant & Bar), The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AF, 51.93045°, -1.72237°, +44 1451 830674, stay@thewhitehartstow.com. 2017-06-22
Stuart House (Boutique Bedrooms), Digbeth St, Stow on the Wold GL54 1BN, 51.92955°, -1.72161°, +44 1451 833669, stuarthouse@youngs.co.uk. 2017-06-22
Old Stocks Inn, The Square, Stow-On-The-Wold GL54 1AF, +44 1451 830666. 17th century pub with modern rooms and good dining. B&B double £130 2020-07-19
Victoria House (Boutique Rooms), Sheep St, Stow on the Wold GL54 1AA, 51.92918°, -1.72184°, +44 1451 832273, rooms@victoriahousestow.co.uk. Check-in: 4-9PM, check-out: by 10AM. No children under 12, no pets 2017-06-22
Lords of The Manor, Upper Slaughter GL54 2JD, 51.907°, -1.775°, +44 1451 820243. Splendid upscale hotel in a former rectory, dog-friendly. B&B double £170 2020-06-06
The Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote OX7 6SD, 51.882°, -1.673°, +44 1993 833030. Only four rooms at this country inn, but it's the cuisine that is outstanding. B&B double £300 2020-06-16
King's Head, The Green, Bledington OX7 6XQ, 51.903°, -1.648°, +44 1608 658365. Charming 16th C village pub with rooms, very cosy and welcoming, good dining. B&B double £120 2020-07-05

Connect

Post Office, The Square, Stow on The Wold GL54 1AB , 51.93017°, -1.72315°, +44 1451 830406, stow.ctn@gmail.com. M-Sa 5AM-5:30PM, Su 5AM-4:30PM. 2017-06-22

Go next

Bourton-on-the-Water 4 miles south-west
Moreton-in-Marsh 4½ miles north
Chipping Norton 9 miles east
Cheltenham 18 miles west
Cheltenham 19 miles south-west
Burford to miles south
Witney 18½ miles south-east
Oxford 30 miles south-east

Stow-on-the-Wold - town in Gloucestershire, England, UK