10 Independent Cotswold coffee shops
The Cotswolds is a veritable hotspot for artisan producers of all shapes and sizes, and we’ve done a little research of our own to ensure that you can enjoy a cup of your favourite java whilst exploring the Cotswolds. Below you’ll find a few of the best independent Cotswold coffee shops. Coffee is a 21st-century necessity that has become increasingly sophisticated, and complex over the last few years. For a stalwart nation of tea drinkers, our obsession with coffee knows no bounds, and we now consume a staggering 98 million cups of the stuff…a day, and whilst the pace of life may be a little slower here, the national love for coffee has well and truly taken hold.
The Cotswold Larder | Broadway
Before we talk about the coffee, we just need a moment of appreciation for the brownies! The Cotswold Larder in Broadway is a ‘Cakery’ and, oh boy, are the brownies good; think large slabs of chocolatey goodness with the perfect ratio of fudginess flavoured with all sorts of treats including peanut butter, mint, and caramel. Match these with a smooth latte, punchy espresso, or a rich cappuccino and life is good. Skinny options (coffee, not brownies) and plant-based milk are also available.
The Coffee Dispensary | Cheltenham
Taking up residence in what was once a Cheltenham pharmacy, the team at the Coffee Dispensary really know their stuff. The most diverse coffee beans from around the world are found on their menu board, along with detailed tasting notes, and you can buy your favourite blends to take home. In addition to the great coffee, you’ll find a carefully chosen selection of sweet treats, and they love to showcase local musicians and photographers with music nights and photography exhibitions.
Lynwood & Co | Burford, Cirencester, Fairford and Lechlade
Although originating from the land down under, Lynwood & Co is an independent coffee shop in the Cotswolds operating since 2015 and is proud to collaborate exclusively with local producers, who are passionate about what they do. All coffee is served double shot as standard, and alongside the necessary options of latte, and cappuccino, you’ll find flat white, lungo and piccolo plus affogato, hot chocolate and chai.
The Cotswold Tearoom | Moreton-in-Marsh
The Cotswold Tearoom is a traditional, independent Cotswold coffee shop and if you like your coffee blended to a medium roast with a mellow sweetness, you should look no further. The coffee here is a fusion of Brazilian and Guatemalan beans, gently roasted to order ensuring they are as fresh as possible. Non-coffee drinkers are well-catered for with an extensive range of teas, and their afternoon tea comes highly recommended.
Grouch Coffee | Moreton-in-Marsh
Moreton-in-Marsh is something of a coffee hotspot, and Grouch Coffee is a proud member of the club. Starting life with a quaint three-wheeled mobile Tuk Tuk trading to the morning commuters at Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh railway stations, Grouch Coffee now has a permanent site in town. In their own words, they provide ‘outstandingly consistent proper coffee’ and use an exceptional roast called the ‘Good Brew.’ It’s also available to buy (whole bean and ground) should you want to take your coffee fix home with you.
Woodruffs | Stroud
Woodruffs is a superb, organic café in Stroud, and alongside a delicious array of vegan and vegetarian breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes, they serve organically grown coffee. Purchased from community groups at a rate above the Fairtrade pricing and roasted just down the road in Ross-on-Wye, it’s a rich dark brew which pairs beautifully with their organic milk or plant-based alternatives.
Stow Town Coffee | Stow-on-the-Wold
Roasting beans in Stow since 2010, Stow Town Coffee is an artisan, micro-roastery and one of the smallest commercial coffee roasters in the UK. The roastery sources its green beans from around the world and then develops bespoke blends for its customers. Lucky Stow locals and visitors can sample their blends by visiting their espresso bar in Stow, it’s not a café as such, so don’t arrive expecting an array of cakes, the focus here is all about the coffee.
The Old Shed | Charlbury
This delightful independent, family-owned café sits in the heart of the family farm near Charlbury and is much loved by the local community, as much for the coffee as the abundance of cake! Coffee aficionados will enjoy the 100% Arabica expresso blend, which uses the finest Kenyan AA grade beans, Brazilian fine cup beans and arabicas from Honduras, to create the perfect espresso.
Quince and Clover | Great Tew
Set in the impossibly picturesque Cotswold village of Great Tew, near Chipping Norton people travel from far and wide to Quince and Clover. Their in-house coffee comes direct from a Cornish roaster and is available to buy too. There’s an all-day brunch menu, lunch dishes and their own brand of ice cream. Quince and Clover don’t take table reservations, and it can get busy, but trust us when we say it’s worth the wait.
Blockley Café | Blockley
The word café is something of a misnomer here because the Blockley Café is so much more. It’s a hub for the local community, a place for food lovers, and has an adjacent village shop. There is an extensive coffee, tea and hot chocolate menu, along with breakfast, brunch and lunch, served daily. Four evenings a week this delightful cafe also opens for dinner with a seasonal menu that changes monthly.
