The Cotswolds has long been loved for its honey-stone villages, rolling hills and beautiful country houses, but some of its greatest treasures are found behind shop doors. From family-run farm shops and destination garden centres to independent bookshops, antiques dealers, makers’ studios and beautifully curated homeware stores, this is a region where independent shopping still reigns supreme.
We asked a handful of Cotswolds insiders, designers, makers, creatives and locals with a finely tuned eye, to share the independent shops, nurseries and food destinations they return to again and again. These are the places worth having on your radar.
Burford Garden Centre, Burford
Few Cotswolds destinations are quite as beloved as Burford Garden Centre. Expansive in scale but proudly independent, it is far more than a place to pick up plants. It is also a year-round destination for interiors, gifts, food, flowers and garden inspiration, with the kind of browsing potential that can easily turn a quick visit into an afternoon.
Interior designer Olivia Emery particularly loves it at Christmas: "It transforms into a festive wonderland, with its own forest of trees and decorations sparkling at every turn."
Haynes Hanson & Clark, Stow-on-the-Wold
Recommended by designer Penelope Chilvers is Haynes Hanson & Clark in Stow-on-the-Wold, an independent wine merchant with an exceptional selection.
It is the sort of shop where advice matters as much as the bottles on the shelves, whether you are choosing something for dinner, a present or a special celebration. "We always bring in the New Year with their Pierre Vaudon Brut Champagne," says Penelope.
Exedra Nursery, Painswick
Cath Kidston Padgham recommends a visit to Painswick Rococo Garden, which dates back to the 1740s and is the UK’s only surviving rococo garden. With its follies, romantic planting and sense of theatrical charm, it is one of the most distinctive gardens in the Cotswolds.
Also based there is Exedra Nursery, a lovely independent garden shop that makes the visit even more worthwhile - ideal for anyone who wants to take a little of that Rococo garden magic home with them.
Stroud Farmers’ Market, Stroud
According to Anselm Guise, owner of Elmore Court, Saturdays in Stroud are best spent at Stroud Farmers’ Market: "It's one of the biggest and best in the UK." The market is a brilliant showcase for the region’s food culture, bringing together growers, bakers, cheesemakers, brewers, butchers, florists and independent producers.
It is also one of the best ways to experience the creative, community-minded energy of Stroud itself. Particular standouts include Frog Lane Flower Farm, whose posies in tin cans are designed to slot into a cup holder for easy takeaway; Malcolm Allison’s wild and whimsical hardy plants; and Pompidou Pies’ hearty fare. To fuel your shopping, stop off at Raclette Raclette for a serving of bubbling tartiflette, a rich, cheesy serving of potatoes, bacon and gherkins.
Gloucester Services, near the M5
Anselm also recommends Gloucester Services, a family-owned stop just off the M5 that has redefined what a motorway service station can be.
Rather than the usual chains, it champions locally produced food and drink, making it a surprisingly excellent place to stock up on Cotswolds produce while travelling through the region. For visitors arriving by road, it is a practical and pleasurable first taste of the area.
D’Ambrosi Fine Foods
Penelope also suggests a visit to D'Ambrosi Fine Foods. "It's such a delightful spot offering beautifully prepared and seasonal food-to-go plus artisanal produce – when it’s in season, the asparagus tart is a must!"
The Curated Store, Stow-on-the-Wold
Rebecca Aird and Peter Thwaite, the duo behind textile company Rapture & Wright, recommend The Curated Store in Stow-on-the-Wold as a great spot for discovering new brands.
"Six different designers and makers take over the space each month, so there’s always something fresh to see," says Rebecca. That rotating line-up makes it a particularly good stop for anyone looking for those pieces that you won't find anywhere else.
Jolly Nice, near Frampton Mansell
For Caroline Smiley, founder of British fashion brand Moloh, Jolly Nice near Frampton Mansell is the perfect farm shop. Family-run, warm and welcoming, it combines excellent local produce and organic groceries with a brilliant selection of homeware and gifts.
It is the kind of place that understands the pleasure of everyday luxuries: a really good loaf, seasonal vegetables, a thoughtful present, something beautiful for the kitchen. And then there is the ice cream, which Caroline rates as the best.
Lorfords Antiques, Tetbury
Caroline also recommends Lorfords Antiques in Tetbury, describing it as one of the most extraordinary antiques destinations in Europe.
Set across impressive showrooms, Lorfords is a magnet for interior designers, collectors and anyone who loves the thrill of finding something unique. Every visit brings a different discovery, from statement furniture and architectural pieces to lighting, textiles and decorative objects.
Beehive Home and Lifestyle, Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton resident and managing director of Good Housekeeping, Liz Settle recommends Beehive Home and Lifestyle. "It's the only remaining gift shop in Chipping Norton that can legitimately be described as GORGEOUS."
The shop specialises in homewares, including ethically sourced Indian fabrics, felt, wool and ceramics, alongside plenty of scent-scaping treats. But for Liz, the real highlight is the stationery. "Beehive stocks greeting cards you do not see everywhere else, including the letterpress “Greetings from Chipping Norton” card, which has become something of a local legend, as well as neon embroidered bookmarks shaped like kitchenalia and garden tools."
Union Street artists and makers, Stroud
For textile artist Clemency Calkin, Union Street in Stroud is the place to find some of the town’s finest artists and makers. Textiles, sculpture, pottery, print, painting and more can all be found here, reflecting Stroud’s reputation as one of the Cotswolds’ most creative hubs. “The jewellery of Heidi Hockenjos is particularly special,” says Clemency, “as are the playful ceramics of Lorraine Robbins.”
Domestic Science, Tetbury, Stowe & Nailsworth
Domestic Science is another name that belongs on any design-lover’s Cotswolds list. Known for its characterful approach to interiors, with an abundance of one-off vintage finds and decorative pieces.
Country Living's commissioning editor Cara Laskaris finds it endlessly inspiring: "With shops in Tetbury, Nailsworth and Stowe, Domestic Science calls itself a 'mini department store'. It's the only department store I've been in with such beautifully curated displays of homeware, accessories and vintage finds from small makers and up-and-coming brands. Don't miss the walled-garden cafe at the Tetbury store too, in case (like me), you are prone to shopping until you drop."
Jaffé and Neale, Chipping Norton
Another favourite of Liz Settle, Jaffé and Neale is a much-loved independent bookshop and café. It is a proper local institution: the sort of place to browse slowly, ask for recommendations and leave with something you did not know you needed. For book lovers visiting the north Cotswolds, it is an essential stop, especially when paired with coffee, cake and a wander around the town.
Daylesford Farm, near Kingham
While not exactly a hidden gem, Daylesford Farm remains one of the Cotswolds’ best food and lifestyle destinations. It sells fantastic organic food, from fresh produce and bakery goods to pantry staples and beautifully prepared dishes.
For Penelope Chilvers, the appeal lies not only in the quality of what is on offer, but in founder Carole Bamford’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. "She’s been a pioneer in organic farming and ethical sourcing," says Penelope. That ethos runs through every part of Daylesford, from its farm shop and café to its homeware and garden spaces.
Daisy Bendall is the Houses Editor at Country Living and House Beautiful, where she spends her days sourcing some of the most inspiring homes across the country. Prior to specialising in real homes, Daisy worked for Good Housekeeping, Red, Elle Decoration and Prima, styling shoots, covering the latest decorating trends and hunting down the best buys for your home.
