The sun’s out! Find the best places to eat outdoors in Gloucestershire.
From sunbathed terraces to riverside hotspots, head to a Gloucestershire pub or restaurant offering alfresco dining options.
With lockdown easing and late summer sunshine forecast, there’s never been a better time to eat outside.
Situated between Andoversford and Shipton Oliffe, near Cheltenham, The Frogmill is a luxuriously renovated 16th century inn surrounded by countryside. With a menu of seasonal dishes and a spacious outdoor dining area, it’s an ideal spot to enjoy a sunny lunch or relaxed dinner on those long summer evenings.
Choose from baked shell-on tiger prawns; Thai sesame chicken lollipops; or opt to share a whole baked camembert studded with rosemary and garlic to start. The Frogmill’s mains include a dry-aged rib cap burger; king prawn and chorizo linguine; and roasted butternut squash and goats cheese risotto. There’s even a Chateaubriand for two to share.
The lunch menu at The Frogmill offers lighter options including avocado Florentine, soup and sandwiches. There’s also a kids menu of crowd-pleasers like fish and chips; sausage and mash; and macaroni cheese.
Make it a weekend break with an overnight stay in one of The Frogmill’s 28 boutique rooms, some of which have freestanding roll top baths and their own private patios. Breakfast is complimentary when you book direct. And you can even bring your pooch too.
Visit thefrogmill.co.uk.
Enjoying far-reaching views of the Cotswold countryside, the AA rosette award-winning Maytime Inn’s gorgeous garden makes the perfect setting for enjoying a spot of alfresco dining. The sun-soaked space has plenty of tables for leisurely lunches or early evening drinks and dinner, while the grassy area, complete with picnic tables, is ideal for families or visitors with four-legged friends. The pub also benefits from an outdoor bar, and if you’re feeling competitive, you can challenge your mates to a game of pétanque. And, while you’re there, make sure you get someone to take a picture of you in the giant chair!
The Maytime Inn’s seasonally-changing menu is comprised of locally-sourced food, meaning diners will enjoy an authentically Cotswold culinary experience. Choose from traditional pub meals to à la carte dishes – or why not enjoy a sandwich or perhaps a sharing board in the sunshine with a nice bottle of wine?
There’s nothing quite like a drink in the sun and The Maytime has plenty of real ales, bottled craft beer and ciders to sample – along with more than 150 different types of gin, including many local brands. There’s also a very good wine list (with almost all wines available by the glass).
If you fancy a summer getaway, The Maytime also has six individually-decorated en-suite rooms that offer a delightful base for exploring the Cotswolds.
Visit themaytime.com.
Egypt Mill is a cosy hotel and restaurant in Nailsworth, housed inside a 16th century mill – with original features throughout, including a working water wheel! Sit back in the expansive waterside seating area and enjoy its wide food and wine menus in the sun.
Start the day outdoors with Egypt Mill’s delicious sounding brunch menu. For lunch or dinner, the main menu options include dishes such as Scottish scallops or breaded brie for starters; home-battered fish and chips or three bean chilli burger for mains; or peach Bellini cheesecake for dessert. While the traditional Sunday lunch menu is always popular – with the chance to have your roast served inside a giant filled Yorkshire pudding for an extra treat!
When the time comes that parties and get-togethers are back in the diary, Egypt Mill is also available for private hire. With rooms to suit any celebration, the hotel and restaurant also boasts a dancefloor and curated function menus.
Visit egyptmill.com.
The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold offers a classic, but contemporary menu in a quintessential Cotswold setting. Known as Britain’s oldest pub, its exposed beams and flagstone floors provide a cosy, traditional setting inside, while the garden is an ideal spot for outdoor summer dining.
There’s scallops of the day; duck liver and orange pâté; and a steak sharer on offer for starters at The Porch House. For mains, choose from options like mustard seed, sage and onion marinated pork chop; duo of Mount Grace lamb; or for vegetarians, wild mushroom and tarragon dumplings with truffle soya cream. Desserts include blackberry crème brûlée; treacle tart; and a cheese board.
Fans of a Sunday roast can choose from Gloucester old spot pork, chicken supreme, native breed beef or vegan wellington. There’s also plenty to keep little ones happy on the dedicated children’s menu.
For a special celebration, up to 12 people can enjoy exclusive use of the private dining room at The Porch House. Separate to the main restaurant, the private dining room has its own bar, seating area and garden. The team will even create a bespoke menu for your event.
Visit porch-house.co.uk.
The Sheep on Sheep Street, in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold, is a modern take on the Cotswold countryside inn. The 17th century building has a fresh, modern interior, spacious dining room with views of the open kitchen and secluded rear garden built around a feature fireplace.
Wood-fired pizza is a Sheep on Sheep Street speciality. Choose from options like the classic Margherita with The Sheep’s own signature pizza sauce, buffalo mozzarella and fresh oregano; the funghi with its garlic and truffle butter base, portobello mushrooms and spinach; or the house pizza, topped with barbecue pulled pork. For vegans, the giardiniera features olives, artichokes, cherry tomatoes and vegan mozzarella.
You can also tuck into pub classics at The Sheep, like ale-battered haddock, or the grilled chicken burger with bacon and avocado. For Sunday lunch, The Sheep offers native breed beef; cola and honey roasted Gloucester old spot gammon; or a vegan wellington, all served up with plenty of veg, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puds and gravy.
Fans of a G&T will love The Sheep’s specialist gin menu, which features 21 different varieties of the tipple. There’s also a cocktail list, which includes a house special espresso martini that comes highly recommended as an after-dinner treat.
Visit thesheepstow.co.uk.
Dating back to the 16th century, Gloucester’s oldest ale house, The Fountain Inn, has all the charm of a traditional country pub, plus a gorgeous courtyard garden, bang in the centre of the city. It’s dog friendly too!
Fans of proper pub grub will be in their element with a host of hearty dishes including beer battered cod and chips with homemade tartare sauce; homemade steak and ale pie; and horseshoe gammon steak with fried eggs.
For a lighter option, there’s fresh seasonal soup with homemade croutons; prawn and smoked salmon salad; or creamy garlic mushrooms with the option to add stilton. The Fountain also does a cracking two course Sunday roast with a choice of three meats and three desserts.
Being just a stone’s throw from Gloucester Cathedral, The Fountain Inn is the perfect place to stop for a pub lunch while exploring the cultural sights of the city. Dine out in the courtyard garden on warm days or cosy up next to the log fire when the weather is cooler.
Visit thefountaininngloucester.com.
A stunning example of 17th century architecture, Stonehouse Court Hotel is a beautiful manor house hotel in peaceful countryside between Stroud and Gloucester. Overlooking Stroud Water Canal, the venue boasts glorious views and a range of dining options perfect for celebrating the summer. Guests can enjoy both lunch and dinner alfresco on Stonehouse Court’s beautiful garden terrace overlooking the perfectly manicured lawns, with views of the Stroud Water Navigation.
Dining at the Court Brasserie provides access to a range of scrumptious starters, mains and desserts from the a la carte menu, alongside nibbles such as marinated kalamata olives; cheddar cheese beignets; and sunblush tomato, feta and polenta bites. Starters include twice baked cheddar cheese souffle; barbecued pork belly; and ham hock fritter. Dine on mains such as pan-fried sea trout; collar of pork with chestnut mushroom soufflé; and buttermilk poached ling fillet. While desserts including raspberry and banana baked Alaska; Granny Smith apple tart tatin; and bergamot lemon cheesecake to tempt you at the end of the meal.
There are also a range of tempting classics from sirloin steak through to burgers, fish and ships, and Cajun chicken for those craving a more traditional dish.
When we’re able to again, if you want to celebrate a special occasion, guests can enjoy private dining at Stonehouse Court Hotel, with The Crellin Room available for group bookings. The stunning space on the ground floor offers private access to the gardens, providing a delightful atmosphere for board meetings and private dinners. The venue also boasts the 1601 cocktail bar, an ideal destination for a tasty summer beverage with friends.
Visit stonehousecourt.co.uk.
© SoGlos
Wednesday 30 September 2020
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