Shopping in the Cotswolds

There are so many options when shopping in the Cotswolds, its hard to know where to begin. Here's our guide to shopping in the main towns and villages in the Cotswolds and surrounding areas:

Bourton on the Water

Bourton's most famous shopping experience is the Victorian Evening, held in December, with late night shopping and the Christmas Tree lit up in the River Windrush. Following the Christmas theme, the Christmas Corner Shop is open year round for all your Christmas needs (even in April...). Craft and gift shops, such as the Laurel Tree Shop, offer choices for souvenirs of your stay in the Cotswolds.

Cheltenham

The chic Continental atmosphere of Cheltenham's tree-lined avenues, colourful gardens and pavement cafes, is the perfect setting for retail indulgence! For a town so relatively small it surprisingly comprises several very different shopping areas, each with their own individual character.
The Promenade - This is one of the finest shopping thoroughfares in the country. A short stroll from the long established Cavendish House to the very hip L K Bennett, may tempt you in to such emporiums of style as Jaeger, Karen Millen, Hobbs, Jigsaw, Russell & Bromley or, for more casual swagger, Fat Face, Gap, and many more top fashion names. Quality jewellery and gift shops, bookstores and Space NK, a mecca for sought-after makeup brands, are all here too.
The High Street - Around the High Street there is a huge choice of nationally-known shops and stores, both on the street itself and in the Beechwood Shopping Centre and the Regent Arcade. Childish delight is guaranteed under the famous "Wishing Fish Clock" designed by Kit Williams in the Regent Arcade: every half hour the magical performance of the bubble blowing clock brings young and old alike to a fascinated standstill. Weighing over three tons and taking over a year to design, manufacture and erect, the clock has a working mechanism of over 45 feet high, said to be the tallest in the world.
The Brewery - Cheltenham's stylish, premier destination for eating out, leisure and retail. It offers an exciting mixture of bar, restaurants, shops, gym and cinema, bringing a new dimension to family entertainment and dining at the heart of Cheltenham.
Montpellier - Beyond Imperial Gardens, is the area for smaller, very distinctive shops - a haven for browsing and indulgence... In the Montpellier quarter are specialist boutiques: couture designer, Caroline Charles has a shop here as do many local 'names' with a wide reputation for their special occasion collections, evening wear, lingerie and antique jewellery. To complement these are health and beauty specialists including Neal's Yard Remedies. On a more practical front there are bathroom and kitchen designers, contemporary furniture shops, kitchen suppliers and art galleries and - for refreshment - a choice of pavement cafes and wine bars
The Suffolks - Tucked away behind Montpellier Terrace, is a rapidly expanding 'village' area. Traditionally noted for its antiques and collectables, there is now a growing number of small specialist shops: artists, jewellers, clothes and accessories, interiors, rugs and prints. On a more practical level Cheltonians themselves head for the Bath Road, the 'local' shopping area with an excellent choice of organic and local produce.

Chipping Campden

Another Cotswold town with an excellent range of independent shops. Frankie Doodle (a shop specialising in interiors and accessories), The Attic (described as a dressing up box for the grown up lady) and Garden Gadgets (for beautiful accessories for your garden) are all examples of the quality shops to be found in the town. Highly recommended is the Campden Bookshop - perfect for browsing and passing the time. The Market Hall was built in 1627 by Sir Baptist Hicks to provide shelter for the market and is now owned by the National Trust.

Cirencester

Cirencester has the usual chain stores, but much more interesting are the independently owned stores that attract many people to Cirencester to shop.
Head up Dyer Street towards The Woolmarket, a lovely area with a number of independent businesses including Crocodile Toy Shop and Café Mosaic. Don't miss the sculpture by Jill Tweed - The Ram. Continue on to the redeveloped Corn Hall, housing a number of stores including Made By Bob Deli/Restaurant, Puffin Bay & Peony. Wednesdays is the Home & Garden Bazaar, Thursdays is the Food & Drink Market, Friday sees the Antiques Market & Saturday is the Craft Market.
Cricklade Street is home to many of the chain stores, whilst Black Jack Street has many small shops & courtyards to explore.

Gloucester

Shopping is one of the biggest draws for any city and Gloucester is no exception. Whether you make Gloucester shopping centres the star of the show for a day trip or include some shopping time as part of a longer stay you won't leave empty handed.
Dedicated shoppers and souvenir hunting day-trippers alike won't fail to enjoy walking around the Westgate Quarter, under the striking shadow of Gloucester Cathedral. Amongst a range of eclectic independent shops, you'll find designer labels, old fashioned sweets and an abundance of local crafts and produce.
The other 'gate streets' The Mall and King's Walk Shopping Centre are home to the best in high street brands; from BHS to Debenhams, and Marks and Spencer to H&M - perfect for those looking to flex their plastic!
Gloucester Quays, the city's newest attraction offers shoppers the chance to pick up the best designer brands at discounted prices, as well as exploring the adjacent Gloucester Antiques Centre with its three floors of antiques and collectables.

Moreton in Marsh

Moreton in Marsh's attractive high street houses the Windsor House Antiques Centre, situated in an attractive period building, the Cotswold Bookstore and The Corn Exchange Gift Shop. A busy market on Tuesdays compliments the range of shops in the town.

Stow on the Wold

Stow on the Wold is famed for its collection of antique stores and art galleries. Antique shops dominate the town, but clothing and interior stores provide other options. Art galleries can keep you occupied for hours, from the Red Rag Gallery's art from Scotland & Ireland, to Lindy Allfrey's portraits where you can view works in progress in the gallery.
Also home to independent stores such as As Long As It Sparkles, and the Cotswold Frock Shop, Stow offers a good range of stores for visitors.

Stroud

With an enviable variety of independent shops and a bohemian vibe, the market town of Stroud offers a unique shopping experience and welcome relief to the carbon-copy chain stores of most High Streets. Full of character and standing amidst the dramatic backdrop of the Five Valleys, Stroud has an eclectic mix of shops in the most beautiful of settings. Where else would you find a specialist fairy store as you shopped for your groceries, or stumble across a fossil shop as you sauntered through the streets? Proud of its green credentials, Stroud boasts Britain's first organic café, Woodruffs, amongst its wide selection of eateries. The award-winning weekly Farmers' Market (Saturday mornings) is one of the best in the country and features the best of local food producers. Throughout the summer months, street performers will entertain you every Saturday morning as you shop.

Tewkesbury

Shops in Tewkesbury offer visitors a good selection of antiques, particularly in Church Street & at Tewkesbury Antiques Centre. Food & drink fares well, with 1471 on Church Street voted one of the best Delicatessens in the country. A selection of gifts and local crafts are sold at Tewkesbury Abbey.

Winchcombe

Unusual shops in Winchcombe include Sprogs - a great shop for kid's toys and personalised gifts, and Lillian Middleton Doll Shop, for antique dolls and teddy bears. More antique shops and art galleries appear in Winchcombe, notably the Winds of Change Gallery, which hosts regular exhibitions and featured artists. Winchcombe Farmers' Market is held on the 3rd Saturday of every month with a wide selection of local produce from the Cotswolds area.