Places near Stroud

[Ginfa]

Due to an unfortunate double booking I am looking for somewhere to stay for a few days I. August witb my mum
and 12 year old near Stroud - ideally with nice shops and museums as well as walks of possible - I was thinking Gloucester Oxford or Stratford. Any tips particularly on accomodation would be gratefully recieved!

Oxford and Stratford are not near Stroud! What about Cirencester?

Thanks! I will habe a look! I am probably thinking of larger places that may have enough to do for my very fussy teen (and her quite fussy grandma!)

What was the original attraction of Stroud?

If you're looking at Oxford as "near Stroud" you may as well look at Bristol.

Stroud is where we happen to be that weekend - we are originally coming from ipswich so I thought somewhere I that general location would maximise the drive

Forget Gloucester, it's a shithole (I live in a village nearby). Cheltenham is better for shopping/teens and has a Tivoli Lounge for cinema - lots of Air Bnb's in the town. Cirencester is a nice little town, but not a lot there. There's a nice development near South Cerney (Cotswold water park area) set around lakes which a teen may like? Stroud isn't very nice and a bit run down/hippy vibe.

Tetbury or Malmesbury maybe?

I agree about Gloucester. What do your daughter and Mum like to do? Nailsworth and Painswick are nice but there isn’t much for a teenage girl to do. Tetbury is twee . Unless looking in overpriced shops is their thing.

Westonbirt is a nice place to go near Tetbury for a day out, depending on whether that appeals.

my daughter is pretty glued to her phone - she does like museums but is generally quite grumpy!! She likes swimming as well. Mum is very active and loves walking. It’s tricky to think of a suitable place - we are happy to drive which was why I was wondering if Oxford would fit the bill

Bath is not too far from stroud and there is lots to do there. Or bristol probably would be fun for the teenager and has great museums/shops and is nice for a walk round

This is fun
https://blackbeard2banksy.com/

Loads of walks up in stroud area too, Painswick beacon and rococo garden are nice.

Cheltenham has a lido if your DD likes pools

There's a lovely little outdoor pool in Cirencester as well as the water park where you can find all sorts of water sports, the shops are a bit twee but lots of nice cafes and restaurants, the Corinium museum is good and you can go for a wander round the remains of a Roman amphitheatre. We did a long weekend there with teens in August a couple of years ago staying in a static caravan on the water park. Mine also liked Westonbirt Arboretum.

Bristol is probably a better idea for a fussy teen

Thanks I will habe a look at those options

If you choose Bristol, the outdoor pool at portishead is worth a visit, 33m! (Excellent chip shop on the marina too)

Cheltenham is good for shopping, has plenty of teen-friendly entertainment (posh cinema, bowling, indoor mini golf, VR etc), and a lovely outdoor lido with a cafe.

I don't understand. You were originally going to stay in Stroud but you wanted something teen friendly? Stroud is small. Anyway, I would recommend Bristol, Bath or Cheltenham as a base in that order. Not Gloucester though.

We are in Stroud for the weekend (camping) with a wider group and looking for somewhere to go onto with a smaller one for a few days after

Go to Bristol, it's great.

I reiterate the comments about Gloucester, cancel your holiday if that's the only option.

Oxford and Stratford food for shops and museums.

Cheltenham is closer to Stroud and has lots of cafes, some smaller museums, shops, indoor mini golf and bowling for a younger person to engage in. Also, its at the bottom of the highest point in the Cotswolds, Cleeve Hill, great for walks, views, also on Cotswold Way - there's a little cafe by golf course and Rising Sun Hotel which does good pub style food

Thanks so much for all your feedback lots to think about. Also considering Ross on wye because I love t there and there seem to be nice places to stay

Cotswold water park with the Hoborne swimming complex and the lakes/ourdoor walks would fit the bill maybe.

Yes, that's where we stayed, we did paddle boarding, pottering around Cirencester and a day trip to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (unexpectedly, got given tickets at the last minute). But there are loads of interesting places within driving distance.