Stunning views in Laurie Lee's Slad Valley

 Special offer - Summer 2009

Cooking at home

We hope you enjoy cooking at The Old Chapel. The kitchen is completely up to date, spacious and well-equipped with utensils, herbs and condiments (we provide essential cook's ingredients - we ask you to just replace any that are running low). The latest AEG ovens and induction hob, a large fridge freezer, dishwasher and plenty of preparation and storage space make it a joy to cater here. With Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Tesco just a couple of miles away, and Stroud's excellent farmer's market on Saturdays, stocking up is easy. 

However, if you would like a night off, or have a special occasion, why not arrange for a chef to cater for you. Local chefs Howe's about Chefs are tried and tested, though you should certainly plan this in advance as they do get booked up, especially at weekends.

How about a cookery lesson? The Cotswold Chef, Robert Rees will visit you at the Chapel and give your group a gastronomic experience to remember.


Pubs, gastro-pubs and bistros

The Woolpack  Slad (300 metres). Laurie Lee's old local – untouched by time or fashion, this cosy pub oozes charm and the outside terrace offers great views. A short but excellent menu of fresh, imaginatively cooked meals includes a fantastic fish and chips. Good wine list and draught Uley beers. Book to eat inside at weekends as there aren't many tables. Tel: 01452 813429.

Butchers Arms  Sheepscombe (1.5 miles). Cotswold Country pub of the year 2007, the menu offers interesting traditional, vegetarian and fish dishes. Sitting in the terraced gardens make this a lovely place to visit in the summer, though it does get crowded. Book to eat inside at weekends. Tel: 01452 812113.  

St Michaels Restaurant Painswick (2 miles). Stylish, friendly restaurant overlooking the churchyard, serving excellent British and European meals, at very reasonable prices. Run by a very nice couple who really care about good food. Tel: 01452 814555.

Pizza – you have a choice of; Casa Moja, in Russell Street, Stroud (2 miles), which also offers a Polish menu and good atmosphere, tel: 01453 766632; O’ Sole Mio in Nailsworth (7 miles) – a small, authentic Italian restaurant serving great pizzas and lasagne, tel: 01453 839191; or The Olive Tree, also in Nailsworth, with friendly staff and very popular, tel: 01453 834802. 

The Bear, Bisley. Located on the Stroud road, out of the heart of the old village of Bisley, this stone-built 16th Century pub is appropriately opposite the original village lock-up. Two quaint old style bars await, dominated by large original fireplaces. Highly recommended as an original Cotswolds Inn. Tel: 01452 770265.

Egypt Mill  Nailsworth (7 miles). A very picturesque old mill complete with working wheel and outside pond-side seating. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving rather conventional but freshly made pub grub. Tel: 01453 833449.

The Bell at Sapperton (11 miles). On the road to Cirencester is one of the finest gastro pubs in Gloucestershire, though more of a restaurant than a pub, serving locally sourced food in a stylish contemporary setting. Lovely garden and Mediterranean courtyard. Tel: 01285 760298.
 
Hotels and top-end restaurants

Barnsley House   Barnsley, Cirencester (20 miles) With its beautiful hotel, spa, restaurant and village pub, this mini Cotswolds empire has deserverdly earned a reputation for outstanding food and service. Tel: 01285 740000.

Cowley Manor  Cowley (9 miles). Contemporary country hotel set in stunning lakeside grounds. Relaxed atmosphere and good imaginative cooking. Great terrace for lunch on a summer’s day. Tel: 01242 870 900.

Whatley Manor  (20 miles)  This fine hotel has an elegant, Michelin starred Dining Room and a less formal (but still pricey) brasserie, Le Mazot, which hosts jazz Sunday lunches on occasions throughout the year. Tel: 01666 822 888.

 Calcot Manor  near Tetbury, (13 miles). Another fine Cotswold hotel with a choice between the light and airy Conservatory restaurant with its Mediterranean menu, and the Gumstool Inn, a cosy gastropub with open fires, offering good value contemporary meals.

 

 

Stylish self-catering in the Cotswolds. Luxury holiday let in Gloucestershire.

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