Myself and mrsuw had a short break (thanks Groupon) at the quaint English town of Stow-on-the-Wold near Cheltenham, we just left before the onslaught of Irish race goers descended on the town for the Cheltenham gold cup this week.
anyway its only 2 hours (going up via the Welsh borders) away and it’s is a different wold (sorry world).
The Cotswold stone buildings are lovely and the way that the architecture has been kept modest is a great example of , if the ultimate chocolate box was asking for pictures then I am sure a scene from Stow-on-the-Wold or the ultimate village Cotswold Broadway would make it every time.
We stayed at Grapevine Hotel – an 17th Century hotel that has had a boutique type makeover with 22 individually styled bedrooms- it was very nice – if you like coordinate wallpaper and comfy chairs (which MrsUW does) – the staff where very friendly but be warned the car park is tiny at the back.
We only stayed for one night, and had an evening meal & bed & breakfast for a very good price.
Dinner in the Conservatory Restaurant I had
Pressé of local game, red onion marmalade – this was lovely but it was served with some Brioche, come crackers or homebacked bread would have been better
Roast rump of lighthorne lamb, gratin potato & Ratatouille – a wonderful gravy (Jus if you will) – succulent lamb from over the border in Warwickshire.
Assiette of desserts: poached pear, vanilla cheesecake and a white chocolate pannacotta – slightly disappointing the vanilla had sank to the bottom of the pannacotta and the cheescake was a bit dry 🙁
MrsUW had
tian of salmon and crab
pheasant breast with savoy cabbage
a lemon and rhubarb tart with raspberry sorbet – she said the pastry was lovely.
but overall it looked and tasted great and was worth every penny.
Breakfast the next day – was traditional English – but with lovely Gloucester old spot sausages and bacon and the best black pudding I have had in years… we bought some old spot sausages & bacon to take home from the brilliant local butchers Lambournes – it was very tempting not to buy their great pies.. as well – there were some great small shops in the town – the chocolate shop is worth a visit, also it’s home of Scotts of Stow as well – they sell everything you thought you would never need.
onions goggles or pork crackling knife anyone
Some great little pubs in Stow – The Queens Head – a traditional boozer with dogs in serving a local pint donnington Brewery BB
and the White Hart a gastro type put but with decent Arkells beer – but empty on a sunday early eve.
anyway there were a few more pubs we did not make it to in the town, but we will be visiting the area again soon – as its a beautiful part of the country.