Stow-on-the-Wold is a picturesque market-town perched atop an 800ft hill in the Cotswolds. It is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or a countryside escape, with an impressive array of boutique shops, hearty English pubs and tearooms. And further afield, you'll find medieval castles, battlefields and Roman villas. Our collection of the best places to stay in Stow-on-the-Wold offer an authentic Cotswolds feel, with roaring fires, creaking floorboards and exposed beams; they're the ideal base for exploring this charming corner of England.
Stow has a long history. It was originally an Iron Age settlement, but was officially founded after the Norman Conquest, owing to its position near certain trade routes that the Normans were eager to exploit. Like much of the Cotswolds, its wealth comes from its wool industry, and its vast market square is a testament to this — it was the site of a nationally renowned annual wool fair, where some 20,000 sheep were traded on a single day. The farmer's market is still held monthly, on the second Thursday of every month. The square is a marvellous place, with its feet still stuck firmly in the past. At one end is an ancient cross and at the other are the town's stocks, while around the square stand old Cotswold townhouses, as if in a time warp. Some of these have now been converted into charming hotels, guesthouses or B&Bs.
Stow also comes highly recommended if you like a spot of retail therapy. You can easily pick up antiques, art or even high-end fashion here. There are also a number of tearooms, high-end restaurants, and excellent pubs — some which also offer rooms. However like most of the Cotswolds, the best places to stay in Stow-on-the-Wold are particularly busy during the peak summer season. So we'd advise you to get planning and book well ahead.
