Stow-on-the-Wold: A Complete Guide to the Cotswold's Historic Market Town

Stow-on-the-Wold Houses street Cotswolds


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Stow-on-the-Wold is a beautiful market town and definitely one of my favourite places in the Cotswolds. Known for its historic square, magical door and quaint antique shops, it's the perfect village for a mid-day stroll and exploration. In this guide, I'll take you through the best things to do and places to eat in Stow, as well as the top independent stores I recommend visiting (especially if you love food souvenirs). 


Quick Summary:

➜  Location: Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds
➜ Time Needed: 2-3 hours (Could spend longer if you want to shop more and take breaks)
➜ Parking: Quite a few spaces in the central Market Square 
➜ Public Transport: Closest to Moreton-in-Marsh Station, then Pulham's Bus Route
➜ Accessibility: Mostly flat around the market square, but some inclined streets where shops are
➜ Best For: Antique, shopping and cafe lovers (note: not as much to do for children)
➜ Highlights: Tolkien's Door, Antique shopping, Independent stores


Kings arms Stow-on-the-Wold shops


Things to Do in Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold is definitely a quieter town, and is more focused on having an enjoyable shop and stroll in a beautiful environment. However, there are still some amazing historical spots that can't be missed - including one of my favourites out of everything in the Cotswolds.

  • Market Square - Central hub with golden stone buildings dating back to the 16th century.
  • The Porch House - England's oldest Inn with parts of the building dating back to 947AD.
  • St. Edward's Church (Tolkien's Door) - The door on the side of the church nestled between two yew trees, thought to have inspired Tolkien's Door of Durin from The Lord of the Rings. (my favourite spot - feels so magical even if you aren't a LOTR fan.)

Stow-on-theWold Tolkiens door st edwards church


Places to Eat/Drink in Stow-on-the-Wold

Out of all the special places to eat & drink in Stow-on-the-Wold, these 5 spots come out on top - the perfect places to stop and rest in between shopping.

  • The Hive -   A great spot for breakfast or lunch with lighter options like smashed avo, full English and pastries. 
  • Lucy's Tearoom - Classic, English tearoom serving homemade lunches and afternoon tea.
  • The Kings Arms - A historic inn-restaurant cooking up hearty classics and pub favourites.
  • The Porch House - England's oldest  Inn offering a range of British dishes with local produce.
  • The Sheep on Sheeps Street  -  A more modern pub vibe with seasonal dishes, sourdough pizzas, steaks, and fresh salads.

Stow-on-the-Wold restaurants cafe tearoom

Where to Shop

Stow does not fail to amaze when it comes to its independent stores, especially with antique shops. Below, I have included a range of must-visit shops that Stow is known for, as well as my personal highlights. (Looking for food souvenirs? There are plenty of options.)

  •  Antique Shopping - So many lovely antique shops with beautiful finds and collectables. Some of the top ones are...
➜ Tara Antique Centre to Present Day - In a manor house, selling both antiques and modern-day items. 
➜ Tudor House Antiques - High quality antiques, housing professional and dedicated dealers.
➜ Durham House Antiques - Cosy stone building selling antiques like furniture and paintings.

  • Food Shopping – Amazing specialist stores selling a wide range of delicious items. My favourites to try & explore are...
➜ Flapjackery - Award-winning, unique flapjacks made from top-quality ingredients (Naturally GF too).
➜ The Cotswolds Cheese Company - Local Cotswolds produce of artisan & farm-fresh cheeses.
➜ Roly's Fudge Pantry - Delicious crumbly fudge prepared in-store, lots of flavours (VG options too).
➜ The Cotswolds Chocolate Company - Fresh handmade chocolate store using only natural ingredients.

  • Talbot Court - A tucked-away lane of shops near the Market Square, established in 1840, feels like a hidden gem and is definitely worth a walk through.

Stow-on-the-Wold where to shop boutiques


How to Get There

By Car 
  • The easiest way to reach Stow-on-the-Wold is definitely by car. It allows you to have more freedom to explore other Cotswolds villages, especially ones in the north like Chipping Campden and Broadway. Keep in mind, you will have to drive on windy country roads, so take your time if that's not something you're used to. 

Public Transport 
  • Luckily, many major UK cities offer either direct or one-stop trains to a village close by called Moreton-in-Marsh. You can reach this station from London Paddington, for example, in as little as 90 minutes. From there, take Pulham's 801 bus, which stops at a few Cotswolds villages, including Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. Day tickets start from around £8, making it a great budget option. Alternatively, you could take a taxi from the station if you are okay with the cost.

Save & Book your trains now ➜ Here
Pulhams Bus Route & Information ➜ Here


By Guided Tour 
  •  If you would prefer a stress-free way of getting to & exploring Stow-on-the-Wold, many highly rated guided tours leave from major cities like London and Oxford,  and explore a few villages or attractions, including Stow, all in a day. Here are my top recommendations. Don't wait too long to book them as they frequently sell out!

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Looking for more Cotswolds tours? ➜  Visit Here

Where to Stay

Stow-on-the-Wold has lots of top spots to stay in the heart of the centre and close by. Below are some of the best-rated value options for a UK countryside break, along with one more affordable, slightly further away choice. 

  • The Old Stocks Inn (Beautiful 17th century coaching inn right in the centre) ➜ Book Now
  • Stow Lodge Hotel (Hotel overlooking the market square with beautiful gardens) ➜ Book Now
  • The Porch House (Oldest inn in the UK - amazing history & dog friendly too) ➜ Book Now
  • Premier Inn, Chipping Norton Hotel  (15 mins away from Stow - Budget option) ➜ Book Now

Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the best market towns in the Cotswolds, perfect for wandering, browsing and enjoying a slow afternoon. If you’re planning a trip, make sure to save this guide and check out the extra Cotswolds links below for even more inspiration. Enjoy!

Related Posts

➜ Want to see more of Stow-on-the-Wold? Watch my TikTok itinerary ➜ Click Here 

➜  For a complete guide to the top spots in the Cotswolds, read my other post  ➜ Click Here

Location: Stow-on-the-Wold GL54, UK

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