Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>This charming, bijou market town perched on the edge of a National Trust Common offers an idyllic Cotswold lifestyle within easy striking distance of the nearby towns of Stroud and Nailsworth. Time almost feels like it stands still in the delightful central square, bordered by limestone stone cottages dating back to the medieval wool trade, but Minch is no <em>Sleepy Hollow</em>. Instead you&#8217;ll find a whole lot of life in this little town, from buzzy community, sociable cafés, a pub, a few shops and good schools – just watch out for the famous Belted Galloway cows, it&#8217;s not unusual to see them cloppety-clopping around the high street.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat"><strong>EAT</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/3-5-1000x667.jpg" alt="pub in minchinhampton" class="wp-image-62450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/3-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/3-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/3-5-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/3-5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: The Crown / IG</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/henrysbakehousecafe/">Henry&#8217;s</a> Bakehouse and Café is a fantastic place to hang out with a top quality flat white as you watch the world go (slowly) by. They also sell delectable vegan pastries from The Artisan Baker, and use organic milk from the local Woefuldane Organic Dairy Farm (a cornerstone of Minchinhampton for almost 30 years).</p>



<p>Lover of a chippy tea? <a href="https://chipshed.co.uk/about-the-chip-shed">The Chip Shed,</a> is a levelled-up, award-winner serving quality fish and chips that&#8217;ll hit the hunger spot. Or go to <a href="https://amalfi-italian.co.uk/">Cucina di Amalfi</a>, a delightful café / restaurant hybrid, serving hot drinks, snacks and lunches as well as take away coffee and ice creams.</p>



<p>Pub lovers will be happy bunnies, the excellent <a href="https://www.thecrown-minchinhampton.com/">The Crown Inn</a> is slap bang in the  middle of the Market Square on the high street. The first Wednesday evening of every month is locals night too where you can get a special set menu for £25. Head up to the Common for <a href="https://theraggedcot-minchinhampton.com/">The Ragged Cot</a> or <a href="https://www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/the-bear-of-rodborough/">The Bear of Rodborough</a> for larger, rustic pubs with restaurants and rooms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/01-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="minchinhampton high street " class="wp-image-64438" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/01-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/01-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/01-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/09/01-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sprinkled along the pretty high street are a handful of shops, including Boots, gift shops, and a one-stop Premier food shop for essentials. There&#8217;s also a stylish bridal gown shop <a href="https://www.thewhiteroom.co.uk/">The White Room</a> for any brides-to-be.</p>



<p>Nearby Nailsworth just a few minutes away is within easy to reach for more variety from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jameslearofarundel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Lear of Arundel</a> with racks of gorgeous gifts to plant shop&nbsp;<a href="https://junglistatelier.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Junglist</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://domesticsciencehome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Domestic Science</a>, an emporium of lifestyle finds.</p>



<p>Brand new, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vinotopiawine.co.uk/the-wine-barn">Vinotopia</a>, located next door to Nailsworth Garden Centre for luscious world wines and tastings or the amazing new Food Barn here. Love a market? There’s a lively Farmers’ Market every fourth Saturday of the month, along with nearby Stroud&#8217;s big Saturday Farmers&#8217; Market.</p>



<p>Minchinhampton Market has a low key market which takes place at the Market House every Weds, with stalls of cakes, plants, preserves, fruit and veg in season, and a range of crafts and gifts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s easy to get (and stay) fit here. <a href="https://sportily.org.uk/91/Minchinhampton-Community-Gym">Minch Fitness Hub Gym</a> has a range of classes from workouts to yoga and <a href="https://www.minchrugby.com/">Minch Rugby Club</a> is a friendly, all-inclusive place for all ages to burn of energy, or join Minchinhampton Tennis Club. There&#8217;s a well established doctors&#8217; practice, Minchinhampton Surgery, in the town centre along with a Boots chemist, unusual for a small Cotswold town and highly handy. For a dentist you&#8217;ll have to venture a bit further into nearby <a href="https://www.nailsworthdental.co.uk">Nailsworth</a> and Stroud.</p>



<p>Hair, beauty and tweakments are on point here. 2023 saw the addition of luxury Aveda salon <a href="https://www.facebook.com/houseofzhuzhuk/">House of Zhush</a> opening last year, joining the already established <a href="http://www.brookeshairandbeauty.co.uk">Brookes Hair and Beauty</a> and <a href="https://www.freyarosebeauty.co.uk/">Freya Rose</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Being a popular family town, the community spirit is strong here. There&#8217;s loads to do locally if you dig a bit, from mini festivals and book clubs to pub quizzes at The Crown, BBQs and fetes. One highlight is <a href="https://minchlife.com/street-party-copy">Minch Moo</a> &#8211; a fantastic party that brings the whole community together with live music, and the Minch Moo Relay Race. Bring your own picnic and furniture and watch the fun completely free of charge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Head to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/minchinhampton-and-rodborough-commons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Minchinhampton and Rodborough Common</a>, just minutes from the town centre. Walk for miles on this stunning AONB and take in incredible 360° views. You can also do horse-riding, golf, gliding and paragliding on the common if you&#8217;re feeling daring! </p>



<p>Pop in for ice-cream at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.winstonesicecream.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winstone’s</a>&nbsp;ice-cream parlour in the middle of the Common and end up at&nbsp;<a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-bear-of-rodborough/">The Bear of Rodborough</a>, a huge country pub with a funky beer garden. Nearby you could also pay a visit to the haunted&nbsp;(we hear)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.woodchestermansion.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woodchester Mansion</a>, a stunning Gothic revival building, catch great outdoor theatre here during the summer, or venture a bit further to the 18th century&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=roccoooc+gardne&amp;oq=roccoooc+gardne&amp;aqs=chrome..69i57.2027j0j4&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rococo Garden&nbsp;</a>in Painswick, 15 mins away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/05/giffords-720x480.jpg" alt="giffords circus" class="wp-image-1656" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/05/giffords-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/05/giffords-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/05/giffords-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/05/giffords.jpg 942w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Giffords Circus</figcaption></figure>



<p>Every year the glorious <a href="https://giffordscircus.com/">Giffords Circus</a> pitches up on Minch Common, a hugely popular and unmissable show with acrobats, live music and magic. Although it skipped 2024, the <a href="https://www.festivalofbritisheventing.com/">Festival of British Eventing</a> has been a stalwart on the Minch must-do scene for 40 years, and will hopefully be back for 2025. Locally, you&#8217;re just 10 mins from the Sub Rooms in Stroud with big ticket names in an intimate venue and the nearby&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nailsworthfestival.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nailsworth Festival</a>, taking place in May it’s a riot of art and music revelry.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>About average for a highly regarded Cotswold town with benefits. Properties in Minchinhampton go for an average £526,162. The majority of sales are detached homes, selling for £788,958. Terraced houses sold for £367,545, with semis fetching £503,611.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/1-29.jpg" alt="house in minchinhampton" class="wp-image-62423" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/1-29.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/1-29-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/1-29-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/1-29-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Old Bakery is a handsome 3 bed character property in the centre of Minchinhampton.<a href="https://www.murraysestateagents.co.uk/property/the-old-bakery-minchinhampton-stroud/"> On the market for £435,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s care from the age of 3 yrs upward at <a href="https://www.minchacademy.net/">Minchinhampton C of E Primary Academy</a>, and several more options in nearby Nailsworth, including&nbsp;<a href="https://nailsworthschool.org.uk/nursery/">Nailsworth Playgroup</a>&nbsp;for ages 2 – 4 yrs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seasonsnursery.co.uk/">Seasons Nursery</a>&nbsp;blends traditional preschool teaching methods with Montessori and Steiner principles. Nearby, both&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wycliffe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wycliffe College</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beaudesert School</a>&nbsp;nearby take tots from 3 yrs upwards if you want an independent education and continuity,&nbsp;<a href="http://curious-caterpillars.co.uk/">Curious Caterpillars</a>&nbsp;in Stroud caters from 3 mths upwards for earlier starters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.minchacademy.net/">Minchinhampton C of E Primary Academy</a> is a well-regarded start for littles and on point for eco-enthusaists with its brand new for 2024 solar roof. Nearby&nbsp;(5 mins drive) <a href="https://woodchesterprimary.co.uk/">Woodchester C of E Primary School</a>&nbsp;is rated Outstanding You’re spoilt for choice with grammar options, with&nbsp;<a href="https://marling.gloucs.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marling Grammar School</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stroud High School for Girls</a>&nbsp;a short car ride way in Stroud. Thomas Keble and Archway Schools are solid, nearby state options, or there&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://theacornschool.com/">Acorn School,</a>&nbsp;which prides itself on a holistic curriculum that veers away from the mainstream.</p>



<p>Want to go independent? The academic rural idyll doesn’t come much better than at&nbsp;<a href="https://beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beaudesert School</a>. This independent flexi-boarding and day, pre-prep and prep school for girls and boys aged 3 – 13 yrs, is set in the most glorious grounds just steps from Minchinhampton Common. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Minchinhampton was chosen as a scenic location for the BBC TV adaptation of JK Rowling’s <em>Casual Vacancy</em>. And Minch&#8217;s Gatcombe Park is the country pile of&nbsp;HRH Anne Princess Royal. In fact you&#8217;ll sometimes spot Zara or Peter Phillips in the local farm shops and cafés.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>A town with good connections. The nearest railway station is just 4 miles away at Stroud and will have you whisked into London Paddington in little of 90 mins. You&#8217;re not far from links to the M5 too, with good routes to much of the District.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Minchinhampton

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