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Visit Stow on the Wold

Stow on the Wold is a popular Cotswold town in Gloucestershire, situated on a hilltop west of Chipping Norton.

An important event in the history of Stow took place on the 21st March 1646, when the final battle in the English Civil War took place here (the battle was won by the Parliamentary side, who defeated the Royalist supporters of Charles I).

Visit Stow on the Wold

The town centres around its large market square and the Church of Saint Andrews (15th century, with some parts dating back 400 years before that) just off the square. The square contains a large medieval cross, erected to encourage the market traders to trade honestly, and the stocks - for punishing those who didn't take the cross as seriously as they should and were accused of unfair trading! The alleys around the square and leading to do it were established so that many thousands of sheep could easily be transported into the centre on market days.

The square is lined with attractive houses and shops in the local Cotswold stone, and Stow on the Wold has all facilities, including a significant number of antique shops, art galleries, cafes etc. - the town has quite a reputation as a local antiques centre.

There is also a Toy Museum in Stow which holds a large collection of antique toys. Fascinating - try and persuade your own children to put down their electronic games and play instead with a stick and a hoop for a few days!

It is now well established as a regional centre for those visiting the Cotswolds, and is well placed with easy access to many of the highlights of the region (see the map on the main Cotswolds page)

Stow on the Wold Markets

Stow has a very long tradition of holding markets, that dates back to 1107 when Henry I first authorised the market. Because the town lies on several important communication routes, including the historical (Roman) Fosse Way, Stow proved itself to be ideally placed as a trading centre, and sheep and wool were traded, later replaced by horses as the regional wool trade declined. These large regional markets played a large part in providing the original wealth and importance of the town.

The larger markets (in May and October) are now held a little way outside of the town rather than here in the centre.

A farmers market is usually held on the morning of the second Thursday each month (subject to occasional change) and is a good opportunity to buy and try the local produce such as cheese, vegetables and cider.

Pubs in Stow on the Wold

- Travelling around the Cotswolds, and many other places in England, you will come across many pubs with claims of great age and history. The Royalist Inn (and hotel) in Stow is the record breaker of them all, and claims to have been in existence for more than 1000 years! Fancy something more modern? Try the Kings Arms for a good selection of real ale in a pub that 'only' dates back 500 years, but has the extra honour that King Charles slept here before the Battle of Naseby (1645)!