With Gloucestershire boasting rolling hills, serene rivers, stunning Regency architecture and charming chocolate box towns and villages, there are breath taking views all around — and what better way to soak up the sights than with a superb meal and a drink in hand?
Ranging from fine dining feasts and hearty pub grub to casual cafes and laidback alfresco lunches, SoGlos has curated the best places to dine in Gloucestershire with incredible views.
The Nook On Five in Cheltenham
Cheltenham's only rooftop restaurant offers panoramic views over the Regency town, with its sunny terrace being ideal for alfresco dining on warm days — and the perfect spot to watch the sun go down with a cocktail.
It offers a sophisticated à la carte menu full of seasonal dishes like lobster ravioli with lobster bisque; pan roasted scallops with charred sweetcorn and chorizo jam; herb crusted lamb with miso aubergine puree; and pan fried gnocchi with wild garlic and poached egg; as well as breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and stylish Sunday roasts.
The Carpenters Arms in Westrip
As well as being crowned Gloucestershire CAMRA's Cider Pub of the Year 2023, The Carpenters Arms boasts spectacular views over the Cotswolds countryside from its large beer garden, which is also a fabulous spot to watch the sunset on warm summer evenings.
For those who've worked up an appetite while they’ve been out exploring nearby, the menu offers plenty to choose from — with hearty dishes like a ploughman's board; Gloucester old spot ham, egg and chips; The Carpenters' club sandwich; wholetail scampi and chips; and a selection of burgers, paired with a pint of its award-winning cider. The Carps is also open for brunch, Tuesday to Saturday, and hosts a variety of special nights throughout the month such as live music nights and fish and fizz Fridays.
The Maytime Inn in Asthall
Located deep in the Cotswold countryside in the village of Asthall, The Maytime Inn near Burford is well worth the trip just beyond the county border for the stunning views of the Cotswold Hills from its award-winning pub garden.
The garden bar serves up Cotswold Brewery beers and wine from its sister estate in Provence; its converted horse box serves up wood-fired pizzas topped with seasonal ingredients to enjoy alfresco; while the main menu features a great variety of dishes from sharing boards and baked camembert to mains like pan fried rainbow trout with Jersey royals; wild boar burgers with Comté cheese; beer battered haddock and chips; and juicy steaks.
Egypt Mill in Nailsworth
With its picturesque riverside location, Egypt Mill near Nailsworth lets diners bask in the sunshine right next to the water in its expansive outdoor seating area.
The menu spans breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday roasts, as well as a selection of sourdough pizzas — and if you'd rather dine indoors, it's just as picturesque, as the 16th century mill boasts a bevy of charming original features including a working water wheel.
Cleeve Hill Golf Club
Offering spectacular views of the Cotswolds from the highest point in Gloucestershire, Flynns on the Hill at Cleeve Hill Golf Club offers diners impressive views of Winchcombe, Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham and even as far as the Black Mountains in Wales on a clear day — with all welcome at the restaurant, including non-members.
It prides itself on using fresh, seasonal ingredients in its menu of classic, traditional dishes, offering everything from breakfast baps and toasted paninis, to burgers, fish and chips and omelettes served from morning until late afternoon.
The Royal Oak in Gretton
A lovely village pub, The Royal Oak is a firm favourite for its views across the rolling Cotswold countryside, with the Vale of Evesham and the Malvern Hills in the distance.
Its stylish conservatory and beer garden provides the ideal spot for taking in the sights, with its menu spanning pub classics like steak and chips; Coronation chicken baguette; honey glazed ham, egg and chips; beer battered haddock; and beef or bean burgers, alongside lighter options like grilled pork chop with sage mash; falafel salad with houmous; or tomato and goat's cheese risotto. It also serves afternoon tea and hearty Sunday roasts.
The Black Horse in Amberley
A country pub located on the edge of Minchinhampton Common, The Black Horse in Amberley offers a regularly changing menu of gourmet burgers and hot dogs, as well as tasty tacos with options including Korean pulled pork with Korean barbecue sauce and ranch dressing; beetroot falafel, houmous and sriracha; pulled beef with mole and ranch; and crispy chicken with buffalo sauce.
Fabulous food isn't the only thing on offer, either. Its beautiful beer garden offers incredible views of the surrounding valleys and the perfect spot to catch the sun setting on clear evenings; while there's also a conservatory to shelter in on rainy days.
The Edgemoor Inn in Painswick
Overlooking the pretty Painswick Valley from the quiet village of Edge, The Edgemoor Inn is famous for its panoramic views across the countryside.
Diners can also tuck into traditional, home-cooked food made from local produce while enjoying the view, with starters like jalapeno poppers, deep fried whitebait, beetroot falafel with carrot jam, or duck spring rolls with hoi sin dip; and mains like hunter's chicken, game sausage and mash, rib eye steak and chips, or beer battered haddock and chips — with a dedicated vegetarian menu featuring dishes like beetroot and goat's cheese arancini, falafel salad, sweet potato katsu curry and butternut squash and blue cheese quiche, too.
The Mount Inn in Stanton
Situated just on the Gloucestershire border in the village of Stanton, The Mount Inn’s far-reaching views stretch out to the Vale of Evesham and the Malvern Hills.
With an incredible backdrop for diners, its menu features light bites like Wye Valley asparagus with hollandaise; traditional prawn cocktail; Greek salad; and cured meat or mezze platters, as well as mains like fish, scampi or sausage and chips — plus ice creams and desserts, too.
The Vine Tree Inn in Randwick
The Vine Tree Inn is a popular spot with locals and ramblers, being just a 10 minute walk from Haresfield Beacon and Standish Wood. Its tiered beer garden offers splendid views across the Five Valleys, taking in Rodborough, Stroud and Selsley Common.
As well as lush views, its home-cooked food uses locally sourced meat and seasonal ingredients, while the great selection of ales and welcoming atmosphere make for an enjoyable Cotswold pub experience.
Todenham Manor Farm near Moreton-in-Marsh
With a small but perfectly-formed menu that shows off the meat reared on the farm and sprawling views over the Cotswold countryside, Moo's Cafe at Todenham Manor Farm offers one of the most scenic spots to enjoy breakfast, burgers, coffee and homemade cake in the Cotswolds.
It also hosts a variety of pop-up events throughout the year, too, like its monthly Steak Night where diners can tuck into Todenham Manor's own 28 day-aged tomahawk, rib eye and bavette steaks cooked on the barbecue. Be sure to pop into the farm shop for delicious produce to take home, too.
The Fleet at Twyning
Located on the banks of the River Avon near Tewkesbury, The Fleet at Twyning is a glorious riverside pub that's ideal for alfresco dining next to the water.
Pull up a table in its sunny garden and order from its great selection of pub snacks, like Nocellara olives with lemon verbena; green pea houmous and feta with grilled flatbread; salt and pepper calamari with Vietnamese dipping sauce; sticky chicken wings with IPA barbecue sauce; West End Farm sausage rolls with spiced apple ketchup; or Ploughman's platter — with heartier main dishes available, too, and wood-fired sourdough pizzas available on selected dates.
Ellenborough Park near Cheltenham
Overlooking 90 acres of verdant countryside, including the famous Cheltenham Racecourse, Ellenborough Park offers luxury dining in an unforgettable location. The Restaurant and Horse Box Brasserie both offer lovely views if you can bag a table next to the window, but opt for alfresco dining in one of its quirky carriages to really make the most of the surroundings.
The stylish menu includes starters like spider crab croquettes with saffron and parmesan mayo; pea velouté with burrata; and Cornish mackerel with roasted scallop vanilla dressing; with large plates including Welsh wagyu beef burger; cep risotto with pine nuts and fresh truffle; stone bass with coconut, sea vegetables and ponzu dressing; and Creedy Carver duck with white asparagus. There's also a grill menu, an impressive selection of British cheeses and even a doggie menu for pampered pooches, too!
The Butcher's Arms in Sheepscombe
A homely village pub nestled in the picturesque Sheepscombe Valley, The Butcher's Arms offers more than just delicious dining, with the surrounding panoramic scenery providing a stunning backdrop.
Its garden terrace is in an ideal position for appreciating the views, while its classic menu serves up the best of traditional British cuisine, including local pork and apple sausages, honey roast Wiltshire ham and the 'butchers best' beef burger, alongside cask-conditioned ales.
The Feathered Nest in Nether Westcote
An award-winning inn situated in the chocolate box village of Nether Westcote, The Feathered Nest is a country pub renowned for its splendid views, with a modern British menu that champions local producers.
It offers a six-course tasting menu as well as an à la carte menu featuring dishes like home cured gravadlax, barbecued octopus, or duck pancakes to start; and Longhorn beef burger, Cotswolds chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, or loin, shoulder and belly of Cotswold lamb with gnocchi for the main event. It also offers dry-aged Longhorn sirloin, Chateaubriand and native lobster cooked on the Josper grill — or for a more casual experience, every Sunday throughout summer it serves up gourmet wood-fired pizzas and cocktails on its sunny terrace overlooking the Evenlode Valley.
The Trout Inn in Lechlade
A traditional English pub in the pretty Cotswold town of Lechlade, The Trout Inn boasts an idyllic riverside garden which overlooks the tranquil Thames.
True to its name, the menu features a selection of fresh seafood including a fish platter of smoked mackerel, prawns and smoked salmon with horseradish sauce; deep fried whitebait; grilled Bibury trout; smoked haddock and mozzarella fishcakes; and fish pie, with a good selection of meaty and vegetarian options, too, plus a selection of daily specials.
The Woolpack Inn in Slad
Made famous by its association with Laurie Lee, The Woolpack Inn offers a bucolic setting for dining and drinking on the outskirts of Stroud. With its breath taking views across Slad Valley, it's not hard to see where Lee got his inspiration!
Aside from its location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the community pub also has a welcoming atmosphere, delicious dishes and refreshing real ales on offer. Bar snacks are served all day and there's a weekly changing menu that makes the most of seasonal, local produce in the dining room, with dishes like mussels, cider and leek; half a pint of prawns and mayonnaise; roast ham with mustard and cornichons; roast chicken and polenta; mutton chops with lentil and anchovy; and braised artichokes with chickpeas and ewe's curd. It also welcomes guest chefs for special set menu nights.
The Saracens Head in Symonds Yat
Perched on the riverside at Symonds Yat on the edge of the Forest of Dean, The Saracens Head Inn is an AA Rosette Award-winning restaurant with stupendous views.
Soak in the rich greens of the forest all around while watching boats, kayaks and paddleboards float past on the River Wye as you enjoy dishes like seafood linguine, dry-aged Herefordshire beef smash burger, fried gnocchi with wild mushrooms, Charlie's Chalk stream trout with jersey royals and hollandaise, or venison faggots and mash.
The Painswick
Snag yourself a table on the balcony at The Painswick for simply stunning views across the valley while you indulge in afternoon tea, an à la carte dinner or its six-course tasting menu.
If you can bear to take your eyes off the view long enough to eat, you'll be treated to dishes like twice-baked cheddar soufflé; slow roasted piccolo parsnips with quince; hand dived Orkney scallops with carrot and miso; Cotswold venison loin and braised haunch with brown butter salsify, pear and cavolo nero; Cotswold lamb rack and belly with smoked aubergine; and Atlantic cod with St Austell Bay mussels and Woodchester Valley velouté.
Tewkesbury Park
With expansive views that stretch as far as the Malvern Hills, Tewkesbury Park's wraparound outdoor terrace is a real suntrap during the summer, but the views are spectacular all year round.
Opt for an alfresco feast from the barbecue or the wood-fired pizza oven; indulge in a luxurious seasonal afternoon tea; or go all out and experience chef Anuj Thakur's 'culinary journey through culture, regional produce and seasonality', with bite size dishes like paneer pakora or goat's cheese cornetto; something a little bigger like local asparagus and poached egg, Cheltenham beetroot chaat or Gressingham duck leg with heritage tomatoes; or a feast of Gloucester old spot pork, Himalayan goat curry, salmon momo dumplings or pan seared sirloin of Hereford beef for the main course, all while soaking in the spectacular sights.
