About

Minchinhampton is one of the Cotswold's secret treasures; a delightful market town surrounded by countryside and common land, 4 miles from Stroud. The heart of the town remains almost unaltered with its narrow streets and cottages built in mellow Cotswold stone. Many of the buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries when it flourished as a market centre for the surrounding farmland and the medieval wool trade. There is a good choice of cafes and restaurants and a bustling country market on a Thursday morning. Minchinhampton Common is home to some diverse flora and fauna including wild orchids and the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly. Horses and cattle freely roam and there are breathtaking panoramic views of the Stroud Valleys. The Common is also home to one of the earliest golf clubs in the west of England. The Princess Royal lives at Gatcombe Park on the edge of town and she hosts the Festival of British Eventing in August.