CREATIVE COTSWOLDS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Visit Stroud & Painswick for an Indie Christmas

 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas is coming here in the heart of the Cotswolds with all the local businesses tempting the passing trade with gifts galore.

If you’re planning a Christmas shopping excursion, why not head our way and explore what’s on offer in Stroud, Painswick and the other delightful towns and villages around about that are brimming with independent makers, artisan galleries and community-spirited shops. Put some heart into your gift shopping!

We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite places to seek out when you come gift-hunting here in the Five Valleys – and when you need a sit-down with a tasty meal or drink to fuel up your quest, we hope you’ll come to the Edgemoor Inn where you’ll find plenty of festive cheer.

Top Independent Spots for Festive Shopping in & around Stroud

Made in Stroud

Probably the most iconic artisan shop in Stroud, Made in Stroud is a curated emporium of local makers’ wares: ceramics, stained glass, mosaics, handmade soap, books by local authors, self-care products, and more.

Pick-up ideas: A decorative tile, a hand-thrown mug, or a candle made by a local maker makes for a charming, place-based present.

Find it at 16 Kendrick Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 1 AA.

Moonflower – Stroud High Street

Moonflower is a lifestyle and fashion emporium in Stroud, stocking a mix of eco-conscious homeware, jewellery, accessories, and clothing.

Christmas appeal: Their sustainable gift edit is ideal for those who care about ethical shopping.

• Gift ideas: Natural skincare products, eco-wrapped accessories, quirky mugs — they have something for all tastes.

Find it at 55 & 13 The High Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1AS.

Cotswold Craftsmen Gallery

Just on the edge of Stroud, in Nailsworth, the Cotswold Craftsmen Gallery is a real gem. Run by a collective of makers, you’ll find ceramics, woodwork, textiles, stained glass, jewellery, sculpture, and more.

Christmas bonus: Many of the artists take commissions, so you can arrange something bespoke if you want a very special piece.

• Gift ideas: A handmade necklace, a wood-turned ornament, decorative glassware or a small sculpture — all innately Cotswold in spirit.

Find it at 3 Market Street, Nailsworth, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 0BX.

The Arts Café, Painswick

Tucked inside the Painswick Centre, the Arts Café is more than a place has a lovely shop area. Expect prints, ceramics, handmade candles, local honey, bath treats, and more, all sourced through Handmade in Painswick.

Gift ideas: Beeswax candles, local honey (a “taste of the Cotswolds”), small ceramic pieces or prints.

Find it at The Painswick Centre, Bisley Street, Painswick, Stroud, GL6 6QQ

The Malthouse Collective, Stroud

Shop for beautiful things, old and new, brought together by individual dealers and makers at the iconic Malthouse, which claims to be the largest antiques centre in the Cotswolds.

There’s a remarkable eclectic mix of everything from furniture and ornaments to toys and games.

Find it at Salmon Springs Trading State, Painswick Road, Stroud, GL6 6NU

Shambles Market, Stroud

This outdoor and indoor market runs every Friday and Saturday from 8am to 3pm at the top of Stroud’s pedestrianised High Street. It puts on a festive show in the run-up to Christmas which enhances the appeal, which is pretty much high anyway!

Find everything from books and local watercoloured paintings, glass art, jewellery and model trains to knitted baby clothes and traditional sweets.

Find it on the Stroud High Street, GL5 1AP.

Tips for Cotswolds-themed Gifts

When you come shopping in our part of the world you’re bound to find something special and unique. As you shop around look out for:

• Artisan Ceramics & Pottery: From mugs to vases, pieces shaped in local studios make beautiful, personal gifts.
• Stained-Glass or Mosaic Art: A nod to Stroud’s creative heritage, these let you gift something decorative and handcrafted.
• Jewellery from Makers: Whether silver rings, enamel brooches, or rustic gemstones, locally made jewellery is both meaningful and wearable.
• Handmade Candles & Soaps: Using local beeswax, botanicals, or essential oils, these are perfect for festive pampering.
• Local Food & Drink: Think small-batch gin, artisanal jam, or honey — delicious, Cotswold-rooted treats.
• Prints & Artworks: Prints of local landscapes, handcrafted woodcuts or calligraphy capture the Cotswold spirit beautifully.
• Textile Gifts: Maybe a hand-woven scarf, or small textile piece made by a local weaver — very fitting for the Cotswold wool tradition.

HAPPY SHOPPING!