Pubs, restaurants, and farm shops near your door
Bibury has two pubs within walking distance of all three cottages. Beyond the village, some of the Cotswolds' best restaurants are a short drive away, and a certain farm shop has become a destination in its own right. Here is where we would eat, and where we do eat, when we are not cooking in.
2-minute walk from Riverside Cottage
The Swan sits right on the River Coln with a terrace that, on a summer evening, might be the best table in the Cotswolds. The food is a step above standard pub fare: think slow-cooked lamb, river trout, and a proper wine list. Book ahead for dinner in summer. For a midweek lunch with a glass of something, you can usually walk in.
3-minute walk from Rosemary Cottage
The local. Less polished than The Swan, more honest because of it. Good beer, good food, and the kind of atmosphere where nobody is performing. This is where the village actually drinks. The garden is sheltered and catches the afternoon sun. The steak pie is the thing to order.
In the village, next to Riverside Cottage
An artisan cafe and gift shop right in the heart of the village, next door to Riverside Cottage. Good coffee, something sweet, and a browse before or after a walk along the Coln.
Worth a visit
A relaxed spot for coffee, a light lunch and something sweet. Worth a visit when you fancy a change of scene.
About 10 minutes' drive
The Pig at Barnsley House, a country-house hotel and restaurant just outside Cirencester. The kitchen leans on its own garden and local growers, and the menu changes with what is ready. It is not cheap, but it is the kind of meal you remember. Book well ahead.
25 minutes' drive
A Daylesford-owned pub in Kingham that strikes the balance between polished and relaxed. The menu leans British with seasonal ingredients, and the wine list is thoughtful.
15 minutes' drive
A proper coaching inn in Northleach with a bar and a restaurant that does not take itself too seriously. The food is hearty and well-executed: burgers, steaks, and seasonal specials. Good for families and groups.
30 minutes' drive
Yes, that one. Jeremy Clarkson's farm shop near Chadlington has become the most visited farm shop in the Cotswolds, possibly the country. The queue is part of the experience. The produce is genuinely good: local honey, mushrooms, beef, and the rest. Go on a weekday morning to avoid the worst of it. Worth the drive if only to see what all the fuss is about.
20 minutes' drive
The other end of the spectrum from Diddly Squat. Daylesford is immaculate, expensive, and undeniably beautiful. The farm shop has everything you could want for a self-catered stay: bread, cheese, charcuterie, wine, flowers. The café serves excellent breakfast and lunch. Come here for supplies and leave before the credit card overheats.
20 minutes' drive
A roadside farm shop on the A419 with a food truck doing excellent burgers and sourdough pizzas. Less curated than Daylesford, more fun. The produce is local and seasonal, and the prices are reasonable. A good stop on the way to or from Bath.
All three cottages have well-equipped kitchens. Daylesford and Jolly Nice are within easy reach for ingredients, and there is a small Londis in Northleach (15 minutes) for everyday supplies. The closest supermarket is Tesco in Cirencester, about 15 minutes' drive.