Apperley

You'll experience genuine rural Gloucestershire life here without the visitor numbers that descend on the busier Cotswolds towns.

The village itself is modest and centres on working farms and countryside rather than a traditional high street. St. Bartholomew's Church, which dates back centuries, stands as a reminder of the area's deep agricultural heritage. The real draw of Apperley is what lies around it: the Severn Valley offers excellent walking country, with riverside paths that take you through meadows and connect you to nearby settlements.

The location works particularly well as a base for exploring this quieter stretch of the Cotswolds. Stroud, about four miles south, has the amenities and independent shops you might need, along with a thriving creative community. From here you're also well-positioned for walks along the Cotswold Way or to explore the Five Valleys that define this part of the region.

This is the place to come if you want to step away from the busier villages while still enjoying the Cotswolds' landscape and history. The Severn Valley itself has considerable character, and Apperley serves as a peaceful gateway to discovering it.