Why Tetbury should be your next Cotswolds escape
It goes without saying that the Cotswolds aren’t short on picturesque towns. On any given drive through, it’s all rolling meadows and low-slung dry stone walls. You’ll pass village after village that look like they’ve been conjured from a Richard Curtis daydream. But when it comes to a place that’s not only charming but genuinely alive: somewhere with real creative flair and a thriving, full-time community – Tetbury quietly leads the way.
This ancient wool town, perched on the western edge of the Cotswolds, may have its roots in the Middle Ages, but what you’ll find today is a stylish, spirited, design-savvy hub with enough antique shops, independent boutiques and good food to keep even the most discerning weekend visitor happily occupied.
A street made for browsing (and buying)
The natural starting point for any wander around Tetbury is Long Street. It’s lined with everything from architectural salvage to framed contemporary photography, 18th-century walnut dressers, Swedish Gustavian pieces, rare books, mid-century Danish lighting and the sort of painted cabinets that make you wish you had more walls.
Long Street has become something of a pilgrimage site for collectors, decorators, and art dealers. “It’s like the Portobello Road of the Cotswolds, but with better parking.”
Lorfords Antiques, a cornerstone of the town, operates not only from their atmospheric shop on Long Street but from two vast showrooms in nearby airfield hangars. And then there’s Brownrigg, a three-storey treasure trove run by David Gibson and Jorge Perez-Martin, whose eye for elegantly timeworn pieces has earned them a cult following.
And it’s not just the antiques. Stores like Domestic Science (think rustic linens, vintage homewares and handcrafted pottery), and Artique (contemporary art in a friendly, unpretentious setting) are part of what makes shopping here feel less like a chore and more like a pleasure cruise for your aesthetic sensibilities.
Eat, drink, repeat
Once your arms are full of reclaimed candlesticks and enamel pie dishes you didn’t know you needed, it’s time to refuel. Luckily, Tetbury delivers.
Lola & Co, the intimate tapas bar, is one of the town’s best-kept secret. Until now. The menu is small, clever, and seriously moreish. Think anchovies. Manchego. Slow-roasted pork. Proper Spanish vermouth. It’s unfussy. Just really, really good.
For something more traditional, head to The Close Hotel. Its elegant Georgian façade gives way to low-beamed dining rooms and a walled garden. The menu is modern British. The cocktails are strong. The puddings are indulgent; exactly as they should be.
Need a mid-browse pick-me-up? Café 53 is a relaxed, sunlit spot just off the main drag. Perfect for a solo cappuccino and a flick through your new hardbacks.
Walk it off, Cotswold style
If you’ve overindulged (don’t worry, everyone does), you’re in good walking territory. Tetbury is surrounded by gentle trails, rolling farmland, and big skies. A popular route follows the old railway line, winding past allotments and open fields, with the occasional glimpse of sheep-laden hills.
Just a short drive away is Westonbirt Arboretum, a haven of rare trees and curated landscapes. It’s especially glorious in spring and autumn, but even on a grey day, it’s full of quiet magic… just the place to recalibrate after a busy morning of interiors envy.
And, of course, there’s Highgrove, the private residence of King Charles III, whose nearby Highgrove Gardens are open for pre-booked tours in spring and summer. Expect wildflower meadows, sculpted yew hedges, and a very tasteful gift shop. (Tip: the organic Earl Grey tea is fit for royalty.)
More than just a pretty face
What keeps Tetbury from being just another pretty market town is its character. There’s a hum of creativity, a quiet confidence, and a real community spirit. It’s not overrun with weekenders or weighed down by nostalgia. Instead, it feels curated; but lightly so. Elegant, but unstuffy. It’s a town with one foot in the past, one in the future, and both firmly planted in good taste.
So whether you’re here for a weekend of antiquing and ambling, or simply passing through on a countryside escape, don’t be surprised if Tetbury lingers with you. It’s that kind of place.
