What’s On Locally
What’s On in the Cotswolds: this website will give you a full guide to events in the Cotswolds.
Cotswold Way: the 100-mile Cotswold Way runs from Bath to Chipping Campden, and Nibley House is right on the Cotswold Way at the south end of Gloucestershire. Views from nearby Nibley Knoll, Stinchcombe Hill and Coaley Peak provide extraordinary views down to the distant Mendip Hills, across to Wales’s Black Mountains and up to Herefordshire’s May Hill. It is only a short drive, too, to still more viewpoints: the A46 is a treasure-box of these.
Detailed information about the Cotswold Way can be found on the Cotswolds website and on the National Trails website.
Nibley Knoll and Tyndale Monument: this is just next door to Nibley House Farm, a steep hill with superb views and endless woods. On the top of the hill is the Tyndale Monument, a memorial to the North Nibley-born William Tyndale who translated the New Testament into English. If the climb to the top of the hill hasn’t worn you out, you can also climb to the top of the tower and improve your view still further.
The door is unlocked at weekends, else you can get the key from the village shop. The entryway to the Knoll is a few yards along the main road towards Wotton-under-Edge.
Stinchcombe Hill: this is the hill from which the photo on the home page was taken. On the other side of this hill you can see the Severn, Black Mountains and May Hill. With a strong lens on a clear day you can even photograph Gloucestershire Cathedral. You can start your walk to it from just outside the House, or drive up to the golf course on top and park nearby.
Coaley Peak: a short drive from North Nibley, Coaley Peak is a picnic site with wonderful views down past Bristol and over to Wales. When the weather is good, with a bit of breeze, you will often be able to see gliders and para-gliders in action.
Places to visit
Woodchester Mansion & Valley: Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished architectural masterpiece, open on selected days of the year. Its grounds are worth a visit regardless, for their delightful woods and huge lakes.
Berkeley Castle: Berkeley Castle is a 12th Century castle still used as a family home. It has specific opening hours and days, so do check the website. It also has a rather lovely Butterfly House, which is open outside the Castle’s hours and contains both a large collection of very large butterflies and a small population of freely-roaming quail, which are apparently there to keep certain pests down.
Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust: you can get closer to nature at the wonderfully maintained Slimbridge Wetland Centre “Slimbridge is home to an astounding array of wildlife including the world’s largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks. A year round programme of walks, arts, events, workshops, talks and spectacular wildlife encounters are a fantastic way for everyone to connect to their natural surroundings.”
Newark Park: now a National Trust building, Newark Park in Ozleworth is perched upon a 40ft cliff, with outstanding panoramic views.
Westonbirt Arboretum: this huge managed forest is a must-see if you’re in the area. Not only does Westonbirt Arboretum have more varieties of tree than you can shake a stick at, and regular workshops and family events; but it also has excellent food in its cafe.
The Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-under-Edge: The Ancient Ram Inn is, frankly, an oddity and a potential health-risk, but will appeal to lovers of the ancient and bizarre. It hasn’t been serving beer for a very long time, and is full of the eccentric owner’s curiosities, but has a strong ghoulish appeal. It is a real shame that this building isn’t being officially conserved.
Owlpen Manor: this beautiful Tudor manor house dates from 1450 to 1616, with some Cotswold Arts and Crafts restoration of 1926, when the house was saved from ruin after nearly 100 years of dereliction. Owlpen Manor also has a number of holiday cottages available to rent, and is an occasional restaurant (booking essential).
Things to do
Croquet: if you would like to try a new game, ask John Eley for the croquet set which is in the cellar begging to be brought out and used. The front lawn is almost perfectly smooth, making it perfect for a session.
Gliding: If you’re inspired by the gliders you’ve seen over Coaley peak, then visit the Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club nearby. Here are also some rather glorious aerial photographs of the Cotswolds from them.
Visit The Cotswolds Website – Activity Page: Ballooning, Boat Trips, Classic Car Hire, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Cycle and Walking Holidays, Cycle Hire, Diving, Game Fishing, Gliding Clubs, Golf, Jet Skiing, Leisure and Sports Centres, Microlighting, Paragliding, Hang Gliding, Riding, Sailing, Walter skiing and more…
Cattle Country: The Cattle Country Adventure Park is a very popular family attraction in Berkeley. “It is a great day out come rain or shine for children, and adults too. Best known for its indoor and outdoor play equipment, Cattle Country has a whole range of things to do and many animals to see.”
Farmers Markets: find the best of Cotswold produce at these local markets (Stroud is the award-winning one!)
In July, the village hold a very successful music festival and in September, the village takes part in a scarecrow festival.
Food and Drink
The Black Horse, North Nibley: this is the main village pub, directly below the Tyndale Monument. It’s a great old building with excellent, well-priced food and friendly management. The Sunday roast is a dream: the vegetables are that rare thing – cooked al dente, instead of being mush.
The New Inn, Waterley Bottom: this is a challenge to find, if you’re up for it. But, if you find it, you have a whole glorious list of ciders to choose from [as I can vouch, having spent an evening sampling most of them with some girlfriends - Pen], and the recommendation of CAMRA (South-West Regional Winner). Here is a photograph of the New Inn, and its location: Latitude = 51.6653, Longitude = -2.3508.
The Pepper Pot, Wick: “Here at The Pepper Pot we pride ourselves on being able to use locally produced food items and, therefore, source all our ingredients from the best of the locality. Look carefully at the local Farmers Markets and you will see our Head Chef, Mark Sandell, searching for new ideas and the best produce available.”
McQuiggs Cafe, Wotton-under-Edge: this unassuming cafe is a perfect stop-off for your Cotswold Way trek, as it is literally on your path (if you’re sticking religiously to the route). It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the food by chef Stephen McQuiggs is excellent, and ridiculously modestly priced. 42, Long Street, Wotton-Under-Edge. [No website available].
Calcot Manor: This lies on the B4135 between Dursley and Tetbury, and provides a wealth of luxuries, including a spa. Their best product, though, is the Gumstool Inn. Though not cheap, it isn’t wildly expensive – and the food is wonderful, as is the wine.