The best places to go shopping in the Cotswolds lie within and just outside the area defined as the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Determined bargain-seekers might want to set their sights on cities like Gloucester and Cheltenham, where there are serious discounts to be had. Meanwhile, smaller towns such as Cirencester are great for finding independent boutiques.

Arguably, though, you can’t say you’ve truly appreciated what the Cotswolds has to offer until you’ve visited its picturesque villages. Whether you’re an antique hunter or an artisan foodie, there’s plenty in the beautiful area to satisfy those with discerning tastes, even if you’re only window-shopping.

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    Black Jack Street

    A characterful lane in Cirencester leading to a 12th-century church

    Black Jack Street
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    Black Jack Street is a historic street in Cirencester close to the St. John Baptist Cirencester church. Once, a statue of John the Baptist was mounted in a nook in the church tower. Over time, pollution blackened the figure, leading to the nickname “Black Jack”. The statue’s a thing of the past, but fortunately so is the dirty air.

    Today, independent boutiques occupy what used to be tenement homes rented by agricultural labourers. These shops sell everything from jewellery to gourmet food. Call into Octavia’s, an award-winning bookstore, or create something totally unique at Pick A Pot & Paint In The Cotswolds, a scrapbooking store that’s fun for the whole family.

    Locatie: Black Jack Street, Cirencester, UK

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    foto door Paul Best (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt

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    Cheltenham High Street

    City shopping close to the Cotswolds

    Cheltenham High Street
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    Cheltenham High Street draws shoppers from across the region to one of the largest cities in the vicinity of the Cotswolds. As it’s in a conservation area, its historic buildings – some of which date from the Regency period – have been adapted for the needs of 21st-century retail.

    This is where you’ll find all the biggest names on the British high street. The likes of John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, H&M, Next and Primark anchor smaller chain stores such as Monsoon, Apricot, Flying Tiger and River Island. Interspersed with the shops are plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants for when you need a pitstop.

    Locatie: High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK

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    foto door Steve Daniels (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt

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    Broadway High Street

    Village shopping in the “Jewel of the Cotswolds”

    Broadway High Street
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    Broadway High Street is lined with a surprising number of independent retailers, many housed in buildings constructed from the area’s traditional honey-coloured stone. Pick up sweet treats at The Cotswold Chocolate Company, toys for the kids at Rikki Tikki and outdoor gear at Landmark Clothing.

    Those hunting for antiques should call in at Cheltenham House Antiques or Betty & Violet’s. Aspiring cooks will find everything they need to kit out their kitchen at Broadway Cookshop. Serious drinkers will appreciate the quality of the whiskey and gin on sale at Cotswold Distillery.

    Locatie: High Street, Broadway, UK

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    Stroud Shambles Market

    A twice-weekly High Street market in Stroud

    Stroud Shambles Market
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    Stroud Shambles Market is an indoor and outdoor market close to St Laurence Church. Typically, you’ll find around a dozen stalls inside; the rest spilling out onto the street.

    Pick up a framed art print from HA Photographic, secondhand books and comics from R&R Books or vintage vinyl from Klang Tone Records. Crafty types can pick up fabric flowers from Dizzibirds, while Linen Touch supplies quality textiles for your home. You’ll also find a great variety of felt work, bunting and homemade cards.

    Locatie: The Shambles, High St, Stroud GL5 1AP, UK

    Openingstijden: Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm (closed Sunday–Thursday)

    Telefoonnummer: +44 (0)1453 755788

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    Gloucester Quays

    An outlet mall offering big discounts

    Gloucester Quays
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    Gloucester Quays is a waterfront mall in the city of Gloucester, located just outside (but within a short drive of) the Cotswolds AONB. The former dockland was transformed into a light and airy shopping centre offering discounts of up to 70% off household names and top brands.

    The retailers with stores in the shopping centre include Calvin Klein, White Stuff, Joules, Barbour, FatFace, Radley London, Ted Baker, Skechers, Levi's, Clarks, The North Face and M&S Outlet. In addition, there are numerous restaurants, including popular chains such as Bills and TGI Friday’s, plus a 10-screen cinema.

    Locatie: St Ann Way, Gloucester GL1 5SH, UK

    Openingstijden: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +44 (0)1452 338933

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    foto door Steve Daniels (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt

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    Diddly Squat Farm Shop

    A celebrity-owned farm shop in Chipping Norton

    Diddly Squat Farm Shop
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    Diddly Squat Farm Shop is owned by TV personality Jeremy Clarkson. It featured on the Amazon Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm, the programme which turned the shop into a popular tourist attraction in its own right.

    The shop sells a wide range of farm produce and food items made locally, including fresh milk, honey, apple juice, gin in a tin, sourdough bread and cakes. There’s also a gift section where you can pick up items such as tractor cufflinks, kitchen aprons, totebags and candles, all bearing Clarkson-esque slogans like, “Behold my Genius”.

    Locatie: 5-12 Chipping Norton Rd, Chadlington, Chipping Norton OX7 3PE, UK

    Openingstijden: Wednesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

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    foto door David Robinson (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt

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    The Cotswold Company

    Flagship store of the national homewares brand

    The Cotswold Company
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    The Cotswold Company in Stow-on-the-Wold is the flagship store of the popular UK homewares brand. It was originally based in Bourton-on-the-Water but with success came the need for more space and it moved to its present premises. For more than a quarter of a century, it’s been selling homewares inspired by the kind of country lifestyle for which the Cotswolds has become famous.

    The store stocks high-quality furniture, homewares and decorative accessories. Get inspired inside and treat yourself to some pretty floral cushions, an elegant photo frame, beautiful tealight holders or an indulgent cashmere throw.

    Locatie: The Unicorn, Sheep Street, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1HQ, UK

    Openingstijden: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +44 (0)1451 828185

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    The Valley Evesham

    A shopping and leisure destination

    The Valley Evesham
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    The Valley in Evesham is a shopping and leisure spot about 8 miles from the edge of the Cotswolds AONB. The place features a narrow gauge railway and a children’s adventure playground, meaning it’s also great for families. There’s easy access to its country park and riverside trails and you can pick up the makings of a picnic from the onsite farm shop.

    In all, across the 125-acre site are 22 stores alongside a well-stocked garden centre. The Valley offers a mix of household names and independent boutiques. The result is a unique shopping destination where you can find fashion brands, outdoor gear and craft retailers. 

    Locatie: The Valley, Evesham WR11 4DS, UK

    Openingstijden: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Sunday from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +44 (0)1386 298026

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    foto door Dr Bob Hall (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt

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    Station Mill Antiques Centre

    Antiques and collectables under one roof

    Station Mill Antiques Centre
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    Station Mill Antiques Centre in Chipping Norton houses around 80 traders over 2 floors. Dealers specialise in antiques, collectables and vintage items. Stock changes frequently, so it’s best to come without a plan and rummage until you find something that catches your eye.

    Many items are one-offs and far more unique than anything you might purchase on Chipping Norton’s High Street. They also make great souvenirs. Find room for smaller items such as retro kitchenware, antique paintings, cut glass, vases and vintage toys.

    Locatie: Station Rd, Chipping Norton OX7 5HX, UK

    Openingstijden: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +44 (0)1608 644563

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    Jesse Smith Farm Shop

    A long-established butcher and farm shop in Cirencester

    Jesse Smith Farm Shop
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    Jesse Smith Farm Shop in Cirencester opened as a butcher’s shop on Black Jack Street back in 1808. The store’s remained there ever since but for a wider range of produce – including the same high-quality meat – it’s worth heading over to the edge of the town farm shop.

    Alongside prime cuts of meat, you’ll find pies and pastries, pickles and chutneys, fresh fruit and vegetables, local cheese and just about anything else you could imagine from a delicatessen.

    Locatie: 13A, 19 Love Lane, Love Lane Industrial Estate, Cirencester GL7 1YG, UK

    Openingstijden: Monday–Friday from 8 am to 5.30 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm

    Telefoonnummer: +44 (0)1285 653352

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Julia Hammond | Schrijver