Stroud, a historic market town in Gloucestershire, has been named among the UK's most picturesque towns, with its award-winning farmers' market attracting visitors from as far afield as Japan and China.
World Atlas recently highlighted Stroud in a report listing the nation's most picturesque towns. The website states: "Nestled by the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills, and about 108 miles west of London, the historic market town of Stroud is full of fabulous finds."
Award-winning market draws global visitors
The weekly market, featuring more than 60 stalls, takes place every Saturday morning at Cornhill Square. Kardien Gerbrands, known locally as Gerb, has overseen the market since 1999 and serves as operations manager for Fresh-n-Local Markets, the organisation behind it.
"We get coach trips of Japanese and Chinese tourists which for a town like Stroud is absolutely ridiculous," the 64-year-old tells the Daily Express. "It's become extremely popular not just for local people but it also brings a lot of people in from all over the country and even the world."
Under Gerb's stewardship, Stroud Farmers' Market has twice been crowned "Best Farmers' Market in the UK" by the Farm Retail Association. His approach has centred on championing small-scale local food producers exclusively.
Community spirit and preserved heritage
Gerb credits the town's community spirit and natural beauty as key factors in its flourishing reputation. He praises organisations such as the Stroud Civic Society, who have campaigned to preserve the town's architectural heritage and public areas.
"A lot of them were threatened to be taken down and they worked against that. It helped preserve the town's history. That sort of activism created a sense of community that's so important in Stroud," he says.
The society's most celebrated triumph was spearheading a campaign to rescue the Hill Paul Building, a former clothing factory near Stroud railway station. The group also championed the restoration of the 19th-century Station Master's House and found fresh community purposes for the Chapels of Rest at Bisley Road Cemetery.
Independent shops and cultural festivals
Stroud, often described as the "Covent Garden of the Cotswolds" or "Notting Hill with wellies", has gained recognition for its thriving independent retail landscape. Woodruffs Cafe, which launched in 1998, holds the distinction of being Britain's first entirely organic cafe.
"We're right in the heart of Stroud and there's actually a Costa right opposite us," owner Jamie Shaw says. "People come in and say they'd much rather come to us to support independent businesses than the chains."
Shaw believes the Farmers' Market is instrumental in bolstering local commerce. "The Farmers' Market is very busy every Saturday and probably makes the town around three times busier than a weekday," he explains.
Throughout the year, Stroud hosts numerous literary, artistic and musical festivals, including the Stroud Book Festival, the Hidden Notes Festival, Chalfest, and the Stroud Arts Festival. "We have an amazing range of music and book festivals throughout the year," Gerb says. "These make it an extremely attractive place to live but also helps bring people in."
The town is positioned where five dramatic valleys converge within the Cotswolds Hills, with the Stroudwater Canal and the Thames and Severn Canal offering extensive walking and cycling routes. "Stroud has a bit of everything without being too big and commercial," Gerb concludes. "It's kept its small town status. It's a combination of the community, all of the things going on in the town, and the beautiful landscape."
