Fantastic foodie-finds in the Cotswolds
You are here: Home > Cotswold Blog > Fantastic foodie-finds in the Cotswolds
Susie Whitfield, founder of The Cotswolds Baking Workshop, shares her favourite 'foodie-finds' in this tasty guest blog post.
Susie teaches baking classes in her home kitchen, offers Baking and Afternoon Tea Experience Days, and can even come to you for parties and events.
Cotswold Cafés
Blue Bean Coffee Shop, Shipston-on-Stour
Serves amazing coffee and is a great place for a bite to eat, a friendly natter, and information about the area. The brunches are absolutely delicious, especially the pancakes! Owners Sharon and Karl bring their bohemian Brighton style to their buzzing cafe.
Blockley Village Cafe, Blockley
This is a great place for lunch (don't miss the halloumi fries!) or for tea and fresh-baked scones after a walk around the beautiful village or in the local countryside. We often take visitors to the area here and it always delivers great food and service in a light and airy atmosphere. The small grocer next door is a convenient stop for the enticing selection of local produce for sale.
The Straw Kitchen at Whichford Pottery
The Straw Kitchen is such a special place to visit. Set deep in the rolling countryside, the bohemian vibe cafe (open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) serves good coffee, veg from the kitchen garden, light meals, and cakes, and is a favourite of ours for Sunday brunch. Whichford Pottery is celebrating 45 years this year. On-site is a wonderful working pottery and shop, and lots of garden inspiration with stunning pots galore! Don't miss Jim and Dominique Keeling's beautiful pottery creations in the shop, perfect for gifts and serving beautiful food on.
Foodie shops in the Cotswolds
Taste of the Country, Shipston-on-Stour
Taste of the Country is a foodies paradise stocked full of local produce. I often pop in for local ingredients for my baking such as Matthews Cotswold flour, Pink Salt Shed pesto, and Netherend Farm butter. They also have great selection of hard-to-find cooking ingredients and excellent deli food, fresh bread, and cakes to take-away for an impromptu picnic.
Todenham Manor Farm, Todenham
We can do a circular walk from home to Todenham which is a favourite Saturday outing. Another great source of local produce such as Cacklebean eggs, and ribeye steaks for a weekend treat - they even deliver! The butchers are friendly and helpful and the meat is exceptional, you can even visit the pigs on your way in.
The Cotswold Cheese Co., Moreton-In-Marsh
Smack in the middle of town, and the original location (others in Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford), this shop a must for cheese lovers. Stocking local (don't miss the Rollright cheese from Kingstone), British, and European cheeses along with crackers, condiments, chutneys, and seasonal specialties, this cheesy haven is bound to become a favourite of yours too. You can even order a tiered cheese wedding cake!
Pubs and restaurants in the Cotswolds
Seven Tuns, Chedworth
Tucked away at the bottom of a winding road, from the outside this looks like an ordinary village pub. However the food and wine is far from ordinary! This is a great pub serving great food. The perfect stop after exploring nearby Chedworth Roman Villa and seeing the stunning mosaics said to date from the 5th Century. You can even walk to the pub from the Villa but be warned, the path can be muddy. Be sure to save room for pudding - they are to die for!
The Old Butchers, Stow-on-the-Wold
Housed in a former butcher's shop in the middle of town, The Old Butchers is fabulously run by the Robinson family. Do book ahead as the buzzing restaurant is popular and busy. Fresh fish is a specialty and the lobster roll with chips is divine - don't miss the Frose, frozen rose wine!
Local food producers in the Cotswolds
Matthews Cotswold Flour, Shipston-under-Wychwood
Good quality flour really does make a difference to your baking and Matthews Cotswold Flour is my top choice. The Matthews family has been milling flour for eight generations and has been at the current location since 1912. I mostly use the Plain, Self-Raising, and Strong White varieties in my baking, but Matthews Cotswold Flour produce many more varieties, including Cotswold Crunch and Cotswold Eight Grain.
Netherend Farm, Lydney, Gloucestershire
Netherend Farm butter looks and tastes just like proper butter should! The dairy is located the grass rich pastures of the Severn Vale bordering on the Forest of Dean. Traditionally churned, this artisan butter is sought after by many top chefs and bakers - with me included! There are no additives, flavourings or colourings and the only other ingredient is salt for the lightly salted butter so the butter has a unique creamy taste which is a delight to eat and bake with.
Cacklebean Eggs
Cackleberry Farm, run by Paddy and Steph, is nestled at the foot of a hill just outside Stow-on-the-Wold. The rare breed flocks are entirely free range and live in traditional chicken houses.
Cacklebean eggs are definitely the best eggs that I have ever used in my baking. The colour of the yolks is a deep, rich orange and the flavour is so amazing that even the simplest dish made with them becomes a treat. Lemon curd and cakes made with Cacklebean eggs come out extra delicious. Even the packaging is esquisite!
About the Author
Susie Whitfield is founder of The Cotswolds Baking Workshop. Susie teaches baking classes in her home kitchen, offers Baking and Afternoon Tea Experience Days, and can even come to you for parties and events.
Visit The Cotswold Baking Workshop website for more information and current class schedule and follow Susie on Instagram @cotswoldsbaking.
All photos supplied by Jake Sugden (@sugdenjake on Instagram)
Last updated: 30 July 2024 - Please note: This blog was first written over a year old and things may have changed since the blog was written.
