J. Lawrence

Newbury has a genuine mix of independent retailers and chain shops, where you can spend an afternoon browsing for things you won't find everywhere else. J. Lawrence is one of the local boutiques worth investigating — the sort of place where you might discover something different, whether that's clothing, accessories, homeware, or a gift that actually feels considered rather than generic.

Once you've had a look around, the town gives you plenty of reasons to stay a bit longer. There are good cafes scattered throughout for a proper coffee break, and the Kennet and Avon Canal runs straight through town, so you can take a walk along the towpath if you fancy stretching your legs and seeing how the local landscape works. The canal itself is a nice part of what makes the town tick.

Newbury's been a market town for centuries, which gives it the kind of character that comes from having mattered to people for a long time. If you're interested in architecture and heritage, that history is readable in the streets themselves. Highclere Castle — yes, the Downton Abbey one — is only a short drive away if you want to combine your visit with something bigger. Being well-positioned between different parts of the region, Newbury works well as a stopping point whether you're heading deeper into the Cotswolds or just passing through.