Cotswolds
DESTINATION GUIDE WITH RICHARD PARR
Cotswolds Design Guide: A Curated Journey with Richard Parr
Architect Richard Parr’s Cotswolds Design Guide takes you inside the region’s most inspiring interiors, historic architecture, and hidden lifestyle gems. From fine dining at farm-to-table restaurants to artisan craft studios and breathtaking countryside walks, Richard shares his personal favourites across the Cotswolds. Whether you’re seeking the best places to eat, shop, or explore, this curated guide blends insider tips with a designer’s eye for timeless beauty.
august 2025
Words: designeers and richard parr
Your favourite interiors or design–led shop:
Gallery BR, Tetbury
Gallery BR in Tetbury brings together so many of my passions. Spanish-owned, it champions contemporary Spanish artists, 21st-century furniture, British Arts and Crafts, and rare objects, many of which I collect myself. What excites me most is the tension between the historic Cotswold setting and bold modern design. That clash and harmony is exactly what inspires me as a designer.
Your go-to brunch or coffee spot:
Juliet’s Restaurant, Stroud
This new opening in Stroud has become one of my regular stops. I love its bistro vibe, unpretentious, warm, and just right whether I’m stopping by for oysters at the bar, a coffee, or a seasonal vegetarian dish. The menu changes monthly, which makes every visit feel fresh. The branding is clean and stylish, a sharp contrast to Stroud’s gritty creativity, which I adore.
A design hotel OR HIDDEN STAY:
The Painswick, Painswick
The Painswick is a true hidden treasure. I love how it combines a Georgian house with Arts and Crafts details, giving it both history and character. My favourite moment here is sipping cocktails on the loggia overlooking the croquet lawn. It feels intimate, authentic, and deeply tied to the Stroud valleys I know so well.
A local gallery, studio, or maker doing exceptional craft:
Made in Stroud
Made in Stroud is one of my favourite spots to celebrate local craftsmanship. The woodworkers here are truly exceptional, creating pieces that feel both rooted in tradition and alive with contemporary design. Pairing a visit with the Stroud Farmers’ Market on a Saturday makes it a must-go ritual for me, it’s where the creative spirit of the Cotswolds comes together.
A place you go to source antiques locally:
Tetbury
Tetbury is my go-to town for sourcing antiques, rare design objects, and unexpected treasures. Its mix of shops, galleries, and dealers spans everything from medieval pieces to 20th-century design. There are few places in the UK with such range and depth, and every visit feels like a discovery.
A beautifully curated concept store:
The Newt Shop, Somerset
Though it sits just outside the Cotswolds, The Newt is one of my favourite places to shop. Their curation feels deeply personal, with tableware, food, and tools that celebrate craft and everyday beauty. I also love how they bring in products from their South African and Tuscan estates. It’s thoughtful, surprising, and always inspiring.
A fine dining restaurant:
Cowley Manor Experimental, Cheltenham
When I moved from Madrid to London and then into the Cotswolds, I was searching for something fresh. Cowley Manor was one of the first to bring that spirit, bold, stylish, and willing to take risks. I admire how it has survived and evolved, still feeling relevant and brave. Dining here always reminds me of that shift in my own life.
A lunch spot WITH STYLE:
Trough Restaurant, Daylsford Farm
Daylesford is an icon, and the Trough Restaurant embodies what I love about it. The design, with whitewashed walls, oak, and stone, feels authentically Cotswold but elevated. I come here for organic, seasonal food, especially the beef and lamb, which are perfectly reared and prepared. It’s a classic that still feels fresh every time.
A pub, WINE BAR OR COCKTAIL SPOT:
The Bull Charlbury, Chipping Norton
What I want in a pub is honesty, warmth, and good design, and The Bull has all three. The traditional details, from stone floors to simple white china, create a calm setting. But the atmosphere is vibrant and young, which I love. It’s a place that feels both grounded and alive.
HISTORIC LANDMARK:
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Blenheim Palace never fails to take my breath away. The scale, the drama, Vanbrugh’s architecture, and the vast landscaped grounds, it’s a masterpiece in every sense. For me, it’s a reminder of what design can achieve at its most ambitious.
countryside ritual:
Woodchester Park
My weekly ritual is walking through Woodchester Park. The Capability Brown landscape, with its lakes and overgrown drives, feels endlessly inspiring. At its heart is one of the most spectacular ruins in the Cotswolds. It’s a place that reminds me to slow down, listen, and connect.
favourite viewPOINT:
Coaley Peak, Dursley
For sunsets, I always return to Coaley Peak. From the escarpment, you can see across the River Severn, sometimes as far as the Welsh mountains. The Neolithic Nympsfield Long Barrow here adds a sense of ancient mystery, which resonates with me. It’s a place where history and landscape meet in a way that feels timeless.
Photography credits:
cowley manor experimental – mr tripper
More from Richard Parr
Rooted in Place: Inside the Architectural Vision of Richard Parr
British architect Richard Parr doesn’t just design buildings; he creates a deep sense of place. Renowned for his rural architecture that draws from local materials, heritage, and the Cotswolds landscape, Parr brings a measured and poetic sensibility to every project. His architecture feels timeless and grounded, honouring British tradition while shaping modern countryside living.
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