Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square
Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square
Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square
4.5
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60 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
207 reviews
Excellent
111
Very good
69
Average
20
Poor
4
Terrible
3
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FairCritique4U
Bucks, uk1,714 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
I have visited this part of the Cotswolds for so many years. It’s saddens me to think that whilst time has stood still, somehow it’s lost the edge of being in the heart of the Cotswolds which always offered a uniqueness, with a magic feel.
Businesses with lovely gift shops of interiors, antiques and such have disappeared. Even Scots of Stow used to be unique, now it’s just cheap, overpriced rubbish bought in from overseas in my humble opinion when half of the stop is available at a quarter of the price on eBay and Amazon.
Then it seems to be a bunch of average, run of the mill coffee shops And a few pubs which again seemingly are just mediocre. I even spoke to some locals who said the pubs have gone downhill. There are staffing issues and I witnessed one where the manager had to close the pub at 7 pm because no staff had appeared to do their fulfilled job.
Whilst our hotel there was okay, it also also had some problems with maintenance. And it feels like it’s just turning into a run-of-the-mill tourist trap which saddens me, truly.
Businesses with lovely gift shops of interiors, antiques and such have disappeared. Even Scots of Stow used to be unique, now it’s just cheap, overpriced rubbish bought in from overseas in my humble opinion when half of the stop is available at a quarter of the price on eBay and Amazon.
Then it seems to be a bunch of average, run of the mill coffee shops And a few pubs which again seemingly are just mediocre. I even spoke to some locals who said the pubs have gone downhill. There are staffing issues and I witnessed one where the manager had to close the pub at 7 pm because no staff had appeared to do their fulfilled job.
Whilst our hotel there was okay, it also also had some problems with maintenance. And it feels like it’s just turning into a run-of-the-mill tourist trap which saddens me, truly.
Written January 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Corinne J
1 contribution
Sep 2022
Concern re. allergy advice. My husband : menu which says simply: Halibut with cockles and capers. It does not say what it comes with. When we ordered chips, we were told it came with mash but no mention was made of added cheese (not good for those allergic to dairy).. We were further advised that a green vegetable would be an addition to the meal but the menu does not differentiate between Romanesco cabbage and Romesco sauce. We received a vegetable of broccoli smothered in almonds. No attempt was made to inform customers about allergy ingredients. We left with a real worry about allergen safety of customers.
The restaurant argued that allergy information was exclusively the responsibility of customers and whilst we accept that customers have a part to play, their menu should be more explicit in relation to use of nuts, diary etc and verbal advice should be given. A very worrying experience.
My husband only has a mild allergy but I shudder to think how this dining experience might have ended. The table next to us also returned food because of failure to disclose allergy ingredients. I complained and was told that the restaurant does not ask about allergies as that is the responsibility of the customer. However, my understanding is that there is a duty of care for restaurants to highlight or draw attention to allergies either in writing or verbally. There wasn't even information about ingredients of set sides accompanying main dishes. Shameful.
The restaurant argued that allergy information was exclusively the responsibility of customers and whilst we accept that customers have a part to play, their menu should be more explicit in relation to use of nuts, diary etc and verbal advice should be given. A very worrying experience.
My husband only has a mild allergy but I shudder to think how this dining experience might have ended. The table next to us also returned food because of failure to disclose allergy ingredients. I complained and was told that the restaurant does not ask about allergies as that is the responsibility of the customer. However, my understanding is that there is a duty of care for restaurants to highlight or draw attention to allergies either in writing or verbally. There wasn't even information about ingredients of set sides accompanying main dishes. Shameful.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GAlsager
Alsager, UK656 contributions
Feb 2020
Stow has a really good range of shops and cafes to visit. We love visiting here, always just manage to park and then have a wander around the shops and especially the antique shops, and then pop in for a nice lunch at one of the cafes or pubs. Well worth a visit.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RossT1984
Braintree, UK405 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Let me start by saying that this is a pretty market square with lovely honey coloured buildings - just like much of the Cotswolds.
However it’s not that big and I saw prettier squares during our travels. Plus even though it was quite a quiet afternoon the square was rammed with cars which spoiled it somewhat.
However it’s not that big and I saw prettier squares during our travels. Plus even though it was quite a quiet afternoon the square was rammed with cars which spoiled it somewhat.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer H
65 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Worth the visit to take a picture in front of St Edwards Church door because it was the inspiration behind J.R.R. Tolkien's J. R. R. Tolkien's Doors of Durin. However, just like all towns in Cotswolds, disappointing. Over commercialized. Think the town Duloc from Shrek with locked pay to pee toilets and you got the Cotswolds. Also like all towns in the Cotswolds you have to PAY to go to the toilet. These facilities only take pence. Who has money? Fleecing tourists out of money for your goods and food wasn’t enough? Restaurants rude and will not let you use facilities. Overall there is a disdain for tourists, the people keeping them in business. Exception to this was Huffmans Bakery. Very nice polite people and good pastries.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan Woodfield
Great Malvern, UK249 contributions
Jun 2022
A lovely Town which is dog friendly but the tourist information office is quite the opposite. I walked in with my dog and was told very rudely, that dogs were not allowed.Apparently, there is a notice on the door which I didn’t spot. I was then escorted to the door like a criminal. My dog is a very well behaved cocker spaniel and I cannot see why people are not allowed in with a dog. I was looking for walks in the area. As I am staying in the area for a while, I wanted to find out what other. Things we could do apart from walking. The following day, we were in Bourton on the Water, where the tourist office welcome dogs.
Avoid Stow and go to other towns in the Cotswolds instead.
Avoid Stow and go to other towns in the Cotswolds instead.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShagrathTM
Abbadia San Salvatore, Italy544 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Village Square, historically a Point of Sale. It was an important centre for the wool trade during the Middle Ages. The square is surrounded by historic limestone buildings, well preserved, picturesque but some also of considerable architectural value, where antique shops, traditional pubs, cafes and restaurants are located, creating a charming and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.
One of the most interesting elements of the square is the Market Cross, a stone cross erected to mark the village's right to hold markets. Also notable is the Gothic town hall in the center of the square
One of the most interesting elements of the square is the Market Cross, a stone cross erected to mark the village's right to hold markets. Also notable is the Gothic town hall in the center of the square
Automatically translated
Written July 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michael t
Ebbw Vale, UK2,741 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Stow is a lovely town in the Cotswolds, with beautiful buildings, shops, pubs, and restaurants. It’s a great place for a base to travel around the Cotswolds. With Bourton on the Water, Cirencester, Tewkesbury and many more towns within travelling distance. Our 3 visit to this area in 8 years and we be back. We had a Lovely break. Solid 10 from me. Mike
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annmarie
Arlington, VA448 contributions
Sep 2021
The square and Stow on the Wold is a fun place to walk around. Lots of unique shops and a variety of places to eat and drink. We stayed at an AirBnB nearby so didn't have to worry about parking, and it was a great base for our stay in the Cotswolds.
Written September 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria B
Raleigh, NC1,687 contributions
Aug 2022
Another beautifully quaint Cotswold town! Thanks again to Rick Steves' for his walking tours and highlights in these little villages. We arrived at dinner time. The traffic coming out of Stow-on-the-Wold was every indication that the town had been overrun with guests just minutes before, but we found ample parking and the place to ourselves! I walked from Market Square to St. Edwards Church and never approached anyone on the sidewalk. We didn't have time to walk the entire walking tour, but I hit the church, the stocks, the Market Cross and square area and had dinner at The King's Arms in about an hour and a half. Perfect! I only wish I could have stayed longer!
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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