Nailsworth where the rolling valleys of Gloucestershire & the whole of the Cotswolds are within easy reach!
If you are looking for a picturesque, serene staycation destination for the 2021 holiday season, Nailsworth might be just the quiet little town you have been looking for. It’s removed enough from the cities that it doesn’t suffer the hustle and bustle aspects, but is still centrally placed for nearly a dozen decent tourist attractions & destinations. It also has a nice football team who have climbed the ranks of late too which will interest the proper footie fan.
Image: John Corry/Shutterstock.com
Sound interesting? Well, let’s have a proper look at Nailsworth to find out a bit more; starting with a bit of the town’s history.
Early History Of Nailsworth
The settlement which formed the main body of the town was first named in the 8th century. It was called ‘Negelsleag’, which referred to its use as a meeting place outside of the Woodchester Estate. It was the easiest place where the different people living in the valleys could meet. The terrain between towns is so difficult because of the hills. This place was sort of like a crossroads.
Although Nailsworth was not mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086, we know it was habited in the 12th century. In 1663 it was large enough to be a hamlet, but the houses were spaced far enough apart that – although neighbours – they weren’t a real neighbourhood. Lower and Upper Nailsworth were still classed as two separate areas since they were so independent. In the 17th century The Bannut Tree House was built, a small chapel of ease with a priest’s house attached. Extraordinarily little remains of it but what does is taken care of by Historic England.
Spring Hill Court was another large manor in the area. It was originally built in 1680, only half a century before the inn on George Street sprang up. This inn was the foundation of the town. It was where traders came to do business, where the local farmers came for a pint, and where anyone travelling through the area spent the night. Opened in 1761, the George Inn was a local landmark all on its own. The settlement was growing back then, but tough tracks in and out made communication with nearby neighbourhoods difficult.
Transport Links Improve
In 1800, a turnpike was added which made passage easier. In 1822 a whole new road made access possible and frequent. This new road put it in the direct path between Bristol, Bath, and Birmingham. The connection brought new wealth and interest to the area. Maps of the area dating from 1850 show Hillier’s factory, the Nailsworth Brewery, a dye house and a mill.
In 1867, the railway finally reached Nailsworth. As a slow-growth town, there wasn’t much industry during the Revolution. They did produce dye and treat wool, but it wasn’t enough to bring in the business that other areas saw. The 17th and 18th centuries did see some growth as a few cottages sprang up in Upper Nailsworth. The Britannia inn opened in the early 18th century. A road to Bath opened in 1780, followed by another chapel, this one episcopalian. By the start of the Industrial era, the town had attracted interest in cotton weaving and a few cottages had been built to house the weavers.
Nailsworth, as we know and love it today, was established in 1892 when it became necessary to give the village a decent name and parish of its own. It comprised of an area that ran from the Hazel Wood in Avening to just past the Inch Brook in Woodchester. The area had become so populated that a town was needed. It is one of the few towns of England that wasn’t planned out too much.
Fun Facts about Nailsworth!
Let’s take a pause in the history of Nailsworth for a moment to talk about the trivia. We researched the Five Minute Spare favourite fun things about the town and the surrounding area.
- The Cotswolds tourist information site lists it as one of the best market towns for choice in food and café service. Hobbs House Bakery from the Fabulous Baker Brothers, the TV show, is situated in town.
- Nailsworth is essentially a valley, one of five in the region and the meeting place of three of them since it lies at the bottom of the bowl.
- Locals hate the mini roundabout on the way into town – but given how hard it was to get into and out of the valley up until the 19th century, they should be relieved.
- In 2014, the Sunday Times voted Nailsworth as one of the best places to live in Britain.
- Nailsworth has the largest number of working water wheels per person in the country. Weird flex but we’ll take it.
As you can see, there is more to this quaint town in the wooded valley than first meets the eye. It’s an interesting place to live for being so small and is surrounded by rolling hills. It’s the kind of place you imagine nursery schoolteachers come from.
Let’s get back to the history. We were just about to touch on the Industrial era.
The Industrial Revolution in Nailsworth
The biggest change at this juncture of history was that of the switch from wool to cotton. The arrival of the railway opened new trade lines and connected the previously hard to trade with town. Nevertheless, the previously noted wool spinning town switched out to cotton. When the American Civil War hit there was a cotton famine, which would have hit this industrious little town hard.
Nevertheless, they managed. The people stuck together when times got hard. They helped each other. They formed a women’s group in 1823, a society for philosophical experiments was formed in 1819. In 1836 a Mechanic’s Institute was founded, which later developed into the Nailsworth Literary and Mechanic’s Institute. 1821 saw a Quaker society and the late 19th century into the First World War saw a lecture society grow up. Nailsworth, for all its small size, had a thriving sense of community.
A Tale of Two Parishes
At the beginning of the 19th century, they were still classed as two separate parishes and there was confusion. For example, they wanted a fire service but neither parish would support one. In the end, volunteers from the area formed the service themselves, with businessmen putting in money for the engines. By 1892 there were already 5 fire engines, all of which were kept nearby to the working mills.
1880 saw the introduction of a sanitation department which would light, clean, and pave the streets. By 1908 this same group were rolling out sewerage pipes to the area. By 1911 a freshwater supply had been pumped in and most homes had electricity.Although lighting the streets first happened in 1876, the bulbs were not electric until 1923.
WWI in Nailsworth
The First World War saw the young men of the area conscripted. By that point, the town’s population was something like 3,200. In the following decade, it had no population rise and experienced a bit of a loss. The generation that went to war suffered and the population of the town took a small bump because of it. Nailsworth wasn’t big enough to be bombed nor important enough to take more than a handful of refugees from the cities. As such, it was largely left alone during the wars, besides, of course, from the terrible loss of life of the town’s young men.
1915 saw the opening of the town’s first small cinema, which became the boy’s club HQ in the 60s. A Choral Society was created in 1864 and ran all the way through. Council buildings were formed out of a local church in 1947 and a library opened in 1928. It moved home in 1973. The 20th century saw a brewing firm open and several restaurants, inns, pubs, cafes, and bed and breakfasts spring up.
Modern Nailsworth
Nowadays, Nailsworth is known for its food and drink facilities. Between TV appearances and some celebs taking an interest in the food scene here, it has grown to reflect the finesse of English taste. As a result of being a gateway to the Cotswolds, it has a thriving tourist scene, with campers loving the surrounding countryside and hotel dwellers frequent. Enjoy the food and use Nailsworth as a great base for being in reach of some wonderful attractions. We’ll detail some of those in a moment, but first we want to ask if anyone famous has ever come from Nailsworth?
Famous People from Nailsworth and Gloucestershire
Since Nailsworth is small, we widened our search area to the most interesting famous people to have come from here or the surrounding region. It’s all a bit loose in the valleys, anyway. Some of the residencies didn’t even have names until the late 19th century, after all.
Some of our favourite famous people from Gloucestershire include:
- Historic figures that lived here include the poet W.H. Davies, John Furnival, an artist, and Baron Bichard, who is still alive and was born in ’47.
- Laurence Llewelyn Bowen lives in the Cotswolds with his family, although not in Nailsworth. You still might run into him at the local tourist attractions.
- Jeremy Clarkson is from Chipping Norton, not so far away from Failsworth.
- The author Jilly Cooper lives in nearby Stroud. She is a bestseller in the novel writing world.
- Let’s not forget the Royal Family. Zara Philips and her husband and daughter live on an estate near Tetbury, along with her mother who has a house nearby.
As you can see, there are several celebrities in them their hills. All you need to do is visit Nailsworth and hang around the local attractions long enough to spot one. What are those local attractions, we hear you ask? We already found out so we could bring you the best of them.
Attractions in Nailsworth
If you are in the Gloucestershire area and are wondering what to get up to, look no further. Here are the top things to see and do in and around Nailsworth.
Historic sights and Landmarks
There are loads of interesting historical sights to see near Nailsworth. It’s uncanny. You would need a few weeks to get around them all. Check out Minchinhampton Bulwarks, where a-mile-wide earthen works were once used as a defence against any potential invaders.
Take a trip out to the Tudor Owlpen Manor, which features its own church, mill and barn, and would have been a big village, back in the day. It is more than 800 years old and still standing. It was once named as a charming, historic manor deep in the heart of honey-stone country, by the Guardian Newspaper.
Head out to the Newark Park Estate which overlooks the Ozleworth Valley and stretches all the way to the Mendips… enjoy their parklands and gardens or spend days just exploring the grounds. A favourite among hikers and dog walkers, the grounds are owned by the National Trust.
Galleries and Museums
Although you won’t find a museum in the heart of Nailsworth, you will find one in nearby Woodchester. Stroud has the famous Museum in the Park, which is only a few minutes’ drive away. This place has some lovely exhibits, including museums pieces and fine art. It combines gallery and museum with walled gardens to make for a pleasant day out all round. Have a wander, enjoy the artwork, learn about history, have a picnic in the gardens, and go home happy. You can also drive the five minutes out to Woodchester Manor, which is a stately home come museum that won’t disappoint.
Inside the town itself, you will find the Cotswold Craftsmen Gallery. Voted the top local attraction on Trip Advisor, this gallery allows you to pick up some of the more interesting gifts found in town.
Outdoor Attractions
There are some wonderful outdoor places in and around Nailsworth. Being surrounded by so many of the hills, valleys, and woodlands, that make it such an attractive place to live, means it has access to nature and the great outdoors, 365 days a year. Go in autumn to see the leaves in the Hazel wood change colour, or take a few lessons for yourself from the people at Hands On Bushcraft.
While you are enjoying the great outdoor life, you might also want to pop into the Barton End Equestrian Centre. Here, you will find horses aplenty, all of which need to be ridden to keep them in good shape. The horses and ponies here are well cared for and the stables provide housing for animals that need to be cared for from the local areas.
There are places you can go for the day to have interesting adventures nearby. Check out the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, for example. They are on a mission to preserve birds and wildlife in their natural wetland marsh habitats. This fabulous conservation centre is a firm favourite day out among families and birdwatchers alike. We do remind you to try and keep everyone quiet while you are there, the birdwatchers get annoyed if you scare away the good ones!
If a bit of more energetic walking is your thing then you are in for a treat as there are plenty of options in the nearby Cotswolds. We don’t have time to list them (well it is a five-minute guide) but you can find loads of good walks here courtesy of 10 Adventures.
Sports and Recreation
There aren’t that many things to do in town, so the locals invented some. There’s Nailsworth Bowling Club, for example, and all the other numerous social clubs that have existed in the area throughout the years.
They also have the Forest Green Rovers football club in Nailsworth, as well as the New Lawn Stadium where they play. While this is a local landmark, it is also a sporting arena that sees regular use. Go see a Saturday game or take a stadium tour if you are a fan.
Alas, Nailsworth is one of the few places in England that doesn’t have three golf clubs. Instead, you can choose between Minchinhampton Golf Club or the Minchinhampton old course. There’s also a golf pro at the old course, should you wish to take golf lessons.
Shopping and Retail
There aren’t many shops in Nailsworth. It is considered a town of great beauty and fine dining, rather than a town of great shopping. Instead, browse the limited variety of shops in the town centre, or head north to Stroud. In Stroud, you will find the Five Valleys Shopping Centre which services the whole area.
There are some interesting speciality shops in town, though. Check out Domestic Science for something a little different, or head to JOYA for a boutique-style gift experience.
Dining Out in Nailsworth
As for where to go to eat during your stay in the Cotswolds, try a few of our favourites. The George Inn is the original from all the way back in the 18th century. It is the inn that marked the beginning of the town. They regularly sell good food here that is at a reasonable price… plus you have all that history.
For fine dining try the Wilder restaurant on Market Street. They routinely receive 5-star Google reviews for their delectable dishes. Amalfi’s restaurant is the best pizzeria in town, but they also do a brilliant take on Italian food. They also managed to stay open with curbside pickup during the Covid crisis, so kudos to them.
The Olive Tree and the Williams Food Hall are both mentioned on the visit the Cotswolds website, which gives us good indication that the food is excellent. Try it for yourself and remember to report back.
Other Notable Attractions Nearby
There are so many sights and sounds to catch up with, in and around Nailsworth that we couldn’t fit them all into one place. Here are some of the other sites you should see if you are in the area:
- Cattle Country Adventure Park is worth a visit if you have kids that enjoy trampolining. They also have a huge soft play area for the younger ones.
- Head out to Prinknash Abbey and Gardens where you will see there is now a deer park on the site of an old monastic estate.
- The Westonbirt Arboretum is not so far away for those that like a good garden. Have a wander through, learn about plants, and remember to give generously so they can keep up the good work.
- The Cotswold Way cuts through the area, with 105 miles of epic English scenery to enjoy if you have the legs for it.
There are lots of things to see and do near Nailsworth. If you have the inclination for a short stay and you like a good hike, this is the ideal English staycation destination for you.
How to Get to Nailsworth
Now we have shared all the data with you, all that is left is to tell you how to get there.
By Road
Nailsworth is 3.5 miles south of Stroud, near Gloucester and off the M5.
By Rail
Again head for Stroud its the nearest train station, about three miles away.
By Air
Your nearest airport is Bristol airport.
By Sea
There is no sea access although the River Stroud passes close by town.
Where to Stay in Nailsworth?
Well if you have chosen Nailsworth for your Gloucestershire staycation base there is plenty of accommodation. The Egypt Mill Hotel and Restaurant is set inside its own gardens and woodland and makes for a great place to eat as well as sleep during your Nailsworth stay. Those who are seeking something more urban can check into the Wild Garlic Bistro which has rooms above it, and those that want an authentic countryside experience can check out the Burleigh Court Hotel. This place has a higher price point because it has more facilities, its own estate, and an attached restaurant. Stay here and you never need to leave the site.
Five Minutes More?
Thanks for reading our Five Minute overview of Nailsworth. Before you go why not try some of our other quizzes or have a look at some of our other location guides. Better still why not join our growing community it’s free and could be very rewarding going forward.
