Local amenities

Winchcombe is an elegant and timeless Cotswold town. Venture down the narrow side streets to find a mix of Cotswold stone cottages and black and white half-timbered buildings. The town is a famous centre for walkers, yet also boasts a number of traditional pubs and delicious cafes, galleries, boutique clothing, interior design and antique shops to browse.

During your stay at Sudeley Castle Country Cottages you are entitled to free admission to Sudeley Castle and Gardens during the Castle’s open season (except for separately ticketed events).  If you wish to visit the Castle and gardens during your stay, please take your room key or booking receipt with you to the admissions desk.

Steeped in a thousand years of history, Sudeley Castle makes for a fascinating day out, not to mention the vast number of events also taking place throughout the year. For a full history of this glorious building, see ‘History of Sudeley Castle’ in this guide.

Thanks to your proximity to Winchcombe town centre, you have a host of amenities within walking distance of the cottage to enjoy. The town itself benefits from several small supermarkets, including The Co-Operative Food and Warner’s Budgens, both well-stocked with fresh produce and store cupboard essentials. Vale & Hills Family Butchers offers fantastic, local meat on the town’s high street, with a host of delicious goodies available at North’s Bakery for those in search of a fresh morning loaf. For larger shops, Tesco Superstore in Bishop’s Cleeve is just a 15-minute drive away, whilst Cheltenham’s impressive selection of stores, eateries and amenities are just a 20-minute journey.  Most major supermarkets also offer home delivery to the cottages, including Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrison’s and ASDA.

With Winchcombe on your doorstep and the Cotswolds’ many market towns and villages just a short car ride away, you’re somewhat spoiled for choice when it comes to places to eat!

For gourmet hunters, Winchcombe’s 5 North Street is just a 5-minute stroll from the cottage, offering Michelin-starred seasonal dishes created by expert husband and wife team Gus and Kate. Michelin-recommended Wesley House is also just a 5-minute walk in Winchcombe’s town centre, offering exceptional cooking in the confines of a characterful 15th century house.

For fans of more relaxed cuisine, The White Hart Inn on Winchcombe’s High Street offers tasty gastropub grub in relaxed, rustic-chic surroundings, as well as The Corner Cupboard Inn; a historic 15th Century Inn serving traditional fare, supposedly haunted by a 12-year-old girl! Just 10 minutes’ down the road by car, The Pheasant Inn at Toddington is a great choice for families or groups visiting the GWSR Steam Railway station next door, whilst the Royal Oak at Gretton offers an unbeatable pub garden; perfect for sunny afternoons when only a pub pint will do.

Walks

Winchcombe’s rolling countryside is a true walkers’ paradise, with options for casual, seasoned and hardy walkers running right from the cottage’s front door. Winchcombe itself is a “walkers are welcome” town, a special status awarded to towns and villages which go above and beyond with their walking amenities, making it a fantastic destination for groups in search of a walking break.

The Winchcombe Way, a 42-mile figure-of-eight trail centred around the town, offers walkers a great way of discovering the surrounding Cotswold towns and villages section-by-section over the course of a stay, whilst there are plenty of options for those looking for a more casual, leisurely pace within a close radius of the cottage.

We recommend the Sudeley Castle Circular walk for a relaxing stroll; a 2-mile loop setting off straight from the cottage’s front door, taking you into the grounds of historic Sudeley Castle – a must-visit for any guest. The 2 ½ mile walk to Belas Knap, a Neolithic chambered long barrow sat atop Cleeve Hill, is also a great walk to try from the doorstep, providing you don’t mind the incline.

Detailed information about local walks is provided at the property.