If you’ve ever stood in the Market Square in Stow on the Wold, you’ll no doubt have been struck by the abundance of tea rooms (we’re big fans of Lucy’s). However, sometimes only a coffee will do and that’s where the selection has been somewhat limited until now; enter Coach House Coffee which opened earlier this week.
Formerly an ice cream parlour, Coach House Coffee is the brainchild of Emily (half of local bloggers Millie and Meg). Although currently in a soft launch phase before Christmas, it will eventually be spread across three spacious floors decorated in a rustic, vintage style; perfect for the Cotswolds.
Coach House already sells an excellent array including freshly ground flat whites, speciality teas and even a dairy free, vegan hot chocolate; it’s made with raw cacao, cashew milk and maple syrup; tasty and almost healthy. For the peckish amongst you, there are pork pies with pumpkin piccalilli, scotch eggs and seasonal cakes. We tried the winter spiced chocolate bundt cake which was super rich and full of flavour. In the New Year, Emily is planning an even wider range, including raw juices and my favourite, ca phe sua de; a delicious Vietnamese iced coffee taken with condensed milk.
Local Produce
If you’re a fan of their blog, you’ll already know that Emily is a huge fan of local produce; her coffee is from the excellent Rave over in Cirencester and her delicious cakes come fresh daily from Sugar and Salt Bakehouse, just a mile down the road. If you still have room after your visit, there is also a well stocked Love Local shelf; think jars of delicious The Little Pickle chutneys, Cotswold Gold mayonnaise, colourful CackleBean eggs and bottles of Benson’s mulled apple juice ready for warming at home.
What else is in Stow on the Wold?
We can’t wait to see how Coach House Coffee grows and will definitely be planning lots more pit stops to Stow on the Wold in the near future. We’ve also recently popped into The Old Stocks Inn across the square to drink some mulled cider in their Apres Ski lodge, and are eager to return in the New Year to taste some of Wayne Sullivan’s innovative cooking (he reached the last eight of this year’s MasterChef: The Professionals). Throw in fellow blogger Meg’s beautiful gift shop, Meggie’s, and Stow is fast becoming our favourite weekend haunt.
