A plant-based guide to The Cotswolds
THE COTSWOLDS is a classic English destination for roaming around ‘chocolate box’ towns, long walks in the fresh country air, endless cups of tea, cosy fires and a quintessentially British experience. This is the land of fantastic produce but also hunting, fishing and all things countryside so it can be a little more challenging than you may think to find decent plant-based destinations. This guide is here to make it easy for you to explore this adorable destination.
Written and reviewed by Plant Academy Founder Lauren Lovatt
COOL COFFEE
Fire and flow is a relatively new spot with fantastic quality coffee, a great selection of purely vegan cakes and they also have pop up food residencies where the menu always includes some vegan options.
HIGH VIBE HAVEN
Cacao House Stroud is set up by the creators of Coco Caravan Chocolate. Visit on Saturday to enjoy the famous stroud farmers market (buy a vegan pistachio croissant from the artisan baker stall - a cult fave) then go for a tasty hot chocolate, pure cacao and other treats surrounded by art in their laid back setting.
LUNCH GOALS
The Organic Farmshop is a Mecca for top quality organic food. With a fantastic farm shop selling many homeware, homegrown products and only the best brands as well as their cafe which serves organic lunches using produce from the garden from 12 - 2:30 from Tuesday - Sunday. Their salad bar and daily specials provide the most satiating lunches in all the land and it is a real must visit in the area.
AFTERNOON DELIGHTS
Baked by Beth is a fantastic vegan cakery and cafe in Nailsworth offering raw and baked sweet treats alongside a selection of drinks and savoury lunch options. Known for using good ingredients in a conscious way, which is actually quite hard to come by in this area!
CROWD PLEASERS
Blue Zucchini in Tetbury is an eclectic and inviting cafe in the heart of Tetbury offering a good selection of breakfast and lunch options then in Stroud Woodruffs is a popular vegetarian and organic coffee with tasty cakes, salads and savoury options that will please all of the family.
SHOP LOCAL
There are many aesthetic treasure-troves around the cotswolds ideal for stocking up on somewhere and beautiful kitchen equipment. Some of my absolute must visits are : Domestic science for their covetable collection of lifestyle objects and clothes that you will want to explore, Artique for stunning homewares and treasures from India and Jolly nice farm shop a mini empire set up in an old petrol station that does drive through coffee, has a cafe in a yurt and sells foodie products (including some great vegan tiffin) are my ultimate destinations.
LET’S DO DINNER
Although not technically in The Cotswolds, it is quite limited here for really great (foodie well sourced balanced and delicious) dinner options (if you know of any feel free to share them!) I love to drive 40 minutes to bath to the BEST vegan dining experience for miles at OAK, set up by Richard Buckley who teaches on many of our courses.
SLEEP, STRETCH REPEAT
One of the most popular places to stay in the area are Calcot Manor and spa, you’ve also got lakes by You and lower mill estate which are all in pretty good locations. For the best places to stretch check out Warrior and Wild Yoga and Tetbury Pilates all with excellent instructors in tranquil settings.