Made in the Cotswolds

The natural beauty of the Cotswolds has inspired some of the country’s greatest creative minds in the past.  That creative legacy continues today in all manner of different ways, making the Cotswolds a great place to have a go yourself, or simply admire artisan products in the many, varied independent shops and galleries in our picturesque towns and villages.


Featuring work by 28 Cotswold members, The Gallery At The Guild in Chipping Campden has a broad range of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts on display, from fine art to wood turning, ceramics to jewellery and glasswork.  Headline exhibitions change every six weeks which means there’s always something new to see – and to buy in the beautiful shop full to bursting with unique, handcrafted gifts. 
The Gallery at the Guild


Anyone for Scotch whisky? Forget that, the new boy on the block is Cotswold whisky: the Cotswolds Distillery - after an agonising three year wait - have just launched the first-ever single malt whisky made in the Cotswolds. A rich, fruity and sippable whisky it has a balance and depth of flavour that belies it’s very young age thanks to the exceptional attention to detail in the distilling and the use of the finest oak casks for maturation.We'll drink to that...
Cotswolds Distillery's new Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky


The busy bees at Cotswolds Distillery have also been creating a unique botanical blend of dry gin for one of the Cotswolds finest hotels, Ellenborough Park. A growing thirst for the spirit has made gin the favourite tipple of hotel guests and they can now sample the new creation which features the botanicals of cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon and black pepper – a nod to the first Earl of Ellenborough, Edward Law, who was a former Governor of India.
Making Ellenborough Park's unique gin blend at the Cotswolds Distillery


Head for Café 6 in Winchcombe to find out how simple it is to re-style old and tired furniture by taking part in a furniture painting course.  A great opportunity to develop your skills, these relaxed, hands-on workshops teach you everything you need to know to get started with bringing new life to old furniture.
Learn to re-style your furniture at Cafe 6 in Winchcombe


Giffords Circus have been creating their very own handmade circus for years and will return in 2018 with awe-inspiring acts, rib-tickling comedy and the UK’s only travelling restaurant, Circus Sauce.  This year’s show ‘Any Port in a Storm’ delighted audiences across the Cotswolds, Oxford and London – attracting celebrities such as Hugh Grant, Dawn French and Adele!  Keep in touch with the Cotswolds very own brand of circus performances by signing up to their newsletter at www.giffordscircus.com
Giffords Circus


Ever fancied having a go a mixing your own amazing cocktails – then head for The Vault at Nailsworth.  They offer cocktail classes on Friday and Saturday afternoons between 3 and 6pm, giving you all the skills you need to become a master mixologist!  With a free drink on arrival, three cocktails made under supervision and a shot to round off the afternoon, it’s a perfect way to concoct our own classic creation with friends! 
Learn to make the perfect cocktail at The Vault at Nailsworth


For a selection of beautiful handmade leather goods, books and pens, visit the ‘Back to School for Grown Ups' exhibition at The Guild at 51 in Cheltenham before November 5th.  It’s a celebration of the new academic year for design conscious adults, bringing together leatherware designers, bookbinders and pen maker Jake Lazzari. 
Back to School for grown ups at The Guild at 51 in Cheltenham


Cirencester’s Corinium Museum is an outlet for creativity and inspiration throughout October.  They’re hosting an affordable art exhibition including work by Cath Hodsman and will also welcome children’s author Steve Anthony launching two new initiatives.  Museum activities offer a great chance to take part in workshops while focussing on ancient artisan links.
 Sarah Butler art work at the Corinium Museum


Want to improve your knitting and crocheting skills?  Join the Bath branch of the Knitting and Crochet Guild on the second Saturday of each month at The Fashion Museum in Bath for expert help perfecting your skills.  Or if sketching is more your thing, use the Museum’s fantastic 100 Objects exhibition as your inspiration on the first Saturday of each month.
Get creative at the Fashion Museum in Bath


Championing crafts in the Cotswolds is the New Brewery Arts centre in Cirencester. A thriving craft centre, they'll inspire you through workshops (for a taster!) and courses which allow you to explore a craft in more detail; they offer basketmaking, mixed media, ceramics, print, calligraphy, stone carving, painting, children’s courses, art for beginners and more. The Craft Shop showcases talented makers and there are regular craft exhibitions. Learn a new skill, stay with in their stylish onsite accommodation - The Barrel Store - try coffee or lunch in the light and airy Café and visit their onsite makers.
New Brewery Arts - championing crafts in the Cotswolds


Every Robert Welch product is designed in the Old Silk Mill at Chipping Campden by the Robert Welch design team, making it Cotswolds through and through.  Nestling in the Cotswold Hills where the founder Robert Welch began designing in one tiny room in 1955, clients now include world leaders, royalty and celebrities. 

Robert Welch Designs in Chipping Campden


Discover more about the father of the Arts and Crafts Movement by visiting Kelmscott Manor.  Summer home to William Morris, it’s packed full of his incredible designs and the lovely shop offers ranges of products all featuring the iconic William Morris ‘look’. 
Kelmscott Manor, country home of William Morris, contains a great collection of his works


The medieval wealth of the Cotswolds was earnt from the lucrative wool industry and at the Cotswold Woollen Weavers in the picturesque village of Filkins you’ll find a whole host of clothing and fabrics in the traditional Cotswold style, the designs inspired by the Cotswolds.  With tweed clothing and a selection of upholstered furniture it’s a great place to browse with a little museum, the design studio and excellent coffee shop. 
Cotswold Woollen Weavers - designs inspired by the Cotswolds


Wander around the fascinating Gordon Russell Design Museum in Broadway to find out more about the design pioneer, calligrapher, entrepreneur and champion of accessible, well crafted design before heading straight for the shop!  There you’ll find a wonderful array of work by local craftsmen and women including silk scarves, jigsaws, pottery and more – including seasonal items like greeting cards.
The Gordon Russell Design Museum in Broadway


The Real Wood Furniture Company specialise in quality, handmade furniture crafted from sustainable ash, oak, cherry and elm wood.  Their team of chair and cabinet makers use traditional skills to create a whole range of beautiful, contemporary furniture which can be seen at their new premises in a beautifully restored former coaching inn on the outskirts of Chipping Norton. 
The Real Wood Furniture Company


For hand-stencilled pottery created and decorated on the premises, visit Aston Pottery.  Set among beautifully landscaped flower borders, the gift shop stocks the pottery which is designed, manufactured and decorated right here on the premises.  There’s also an award winning Country Café specialising in lunches, cakes and teas. 
Aston Pottery - pottery designed, made and decorated in the Cotswolds


Celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2017, Court Barn Museum in beautiful Chipping Campden celebrates craft and design from the Arts and Crafts movement onwards.  As well as their exhibitions, the Museum shop promotes and sells work of local craftspeople, including the Hart Family who came to Chipping Campden more than a century ago.
Court Barn Museum


Saltridge Woods (Credit: Ken Long)