Posted on March 07, 2024
From farmer's markets to local, seasonal menus, The Cotswolds is abundant with great food and indulgent culinary experiences. We’ve rounded up some new and exciting food spots coming to The Cotswolds this spring as well as recommendations on our top spots to sample amazing locally produced cuisine and support the talented suppliers from the area.
Roots + Seeds
A place to dine while engaging with the environment and community around us, Roots + Seeds is an exciting new venture opening just in time for the Easter break! A sustainable, home-grown and locally sourced dining hub based at The Old Kennels in the heart of Cirencester Park, it will be open for coffee, breakfast, brunch and lunch daily and for dinner Thursday – Saturday. They've also recently expanded, with a new children's area being built! Also this year, on Friday's they're hosting their 'Fun Fridays', a more family filled atmosphere with disco music and fried chicken! Then on Saturdays, they're hosting 'Small Plates Saturdays' which offers 11 tapas style items to choose from and a specially curated wine and cocktail list!
Celebrating local suppliers, all ingredients are produced by suppliers within a 25-mile radius of the Park and the on-site kitchen garden aims to house 75% of the produce by 2025. From cups of fresh garden mint tea to duck dippy eggs, we’re excited for this twist on British cuisine with a touch of French flair.
The Cotswold Guy
The Cotswold Guy is one of our favourite farm shops based in the pretty village of Guiting Power and highly recommend if you’re looking for a one-stop shop to pick up gorgeous, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. They’ve just opened up a new shop in Chipping Norton, right next to Soho House and their famous sausage rolls even made the news for a being David Beckham’s favourite!
The Cotswold Forager
Rob Gould, aka, The Cotswold Forager has 20 years' of foraging experience under his belt and is the best person to inspire you to get outdoors and more in touch with nature. Each month he holds two events Forage in The Cotswolds or Forage & Feast @ Harts Barn.
Forage in The Cotswolds is a great opportunity to see what forage-able delights you might find when you venture out into the countryside, learn about the art of foraging and the selection of wild edibles available.
Feast @ Harts Barn involves a delicious combination of foraging and cooking! Start off with a nearby forage through woodland, orchards and nearby meadows. In Spring, expect to find wild garlic and freshly growing greens. Anything foraged will be brought back to Harts Barn to get to work on a wonderful feast to dine on. Creating foraging inspired drinks and dishes such as teas and syrups, breads and pastas, savoury dishes and something sweet, this is the ultimate foodie and rewarding day out.
Restaurant Henne
Henne is a small, intimate space based in the historic market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. Chef Darren Brown and co-owner and front of house Nick Fenton created Henne as a relaxing and welcoming space to showcase the best of local, quality and sustainable Cotswolds’ suppliers. The gorgeous tasting and wine menu focuses on modern seasonal British cuisine and highlights include a pork tenderloin, cured brill and poached rhubarb.
Woodchester Valley
While the UK isn’t typically known for its abundance of vineyards, Woodchester Valley here in The Cotswolds makes the most of the unique soil profiles in The Cotswolds to make some truly spectacular wines. Take part in a vineyard tour and tasting and feel like you escaped to the French countryside or even make a weekend of it and enjoy a stay in their stunning barn rooms. If you don’t have time to book onto one of their events or tours to visit the vineyards and winery, then drop into their cellar door shop to pick up a bottle or two to enjoy from home.
If you enjoy sampling locally made tipples, then check out our journal on local drink brands you need to try here.
Over Farm Market
Over Farm is an awesome spot for a true countryside day out! Their family-run farm has a wonderful food shop with fresh produce, a deli, bakery and butchery all on site to get everything you need to cook up a meal made up of only food produced in The Cotswolds. A highlight from spring is the return of their Pick Your Own fields with tasty soft fruits and pretty sunflowers to brighten up the home.
Make a day of it by enjoying the adventure park where little ones can meet the farm animals and enjoy mini-golf, tractor rides and the adventure play park. If you like a bit of an adrenaline rush then why not even book in microlight flight experience and enjoy the Cotswolds views from above?
Poulton Hill Estate
Located in Poulton, Cirencester, this family owned vineyard produces a range of award-winning English wines and spirits, from grapes harvested by hand. Offering an award wining variety of whites and reds, you can taste the range by glass by visiting their "Cellar Door", open Tuesday – Friday 9-4pm and Saturday 11-3pm, there will be staff on hand to chat about any of the wines and spirits on offer. There is also a discounted cellar door pricing. And if you'd like more than drinks, there is Bibary Trout Farm produce available.
The Chequers
The Chequers located in Churchill has that fantastic gift to serve up pub classic dishes, with just the right element of their own spin and creativity without going overboard. Like so many places in the Cotswolds, they’re big on using local produce and their menu is the kind that leaves you struggling to decide because it all sounds so good. With an open fire in the bar area and a gorgeous outdoor seating area, no matter the weather, you'll find yourself wanting to take a seat and not get up. You can also bring your four-legged friend as the pub is dog friendly throughout!