GUIDES

Seed Magazine’s sustainable guide to the Cotswolds

BY SEED MAGAZINE

The Cotswolds is consummately arcadian England. Covering some 2000 square kilometres, this rural region in the heart of Britain is about the size of Tenerife in the Canary Islands – swap black sand for green fields and miles of drystone walls. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966 in recognition of its rich and diverse landscape, today the Cotswolds remains the largest of 46 similarly protected AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, its pastoral beauty carefully preserved. A palpable mood of restoration and reawakening has emerged here over the last three years, with measures to revitalise the environment such as the Glorious Cotswold Grasslands scheme boosting the appeal of the region even more.

Locally produced Seed magazine was founded on the belief that we need to live sustainably and consciously. Our philosophy is to lead by example: to gently inspire readers to make small changes with their own choices. With this in mind, we wanted to share the following sustainably minded ventures that we believe are breathing new life into the area, from pubs and cafés to sympathetically restored self-catering cottages. Here are Seed’s best sustainable businesses in the Cotswolds..

Daylesford

As pioneers of organic farming you will have heard of Daylesford by now, and possibly even visited. Now a sprawling farmshop, garden space, restaurant, cookery school, spa and members wellness club, Daylesford began its journey forty years ago when founder Carole Bamford converted her family’s Staffordshire farmland to organic. Twenty years ago they traversed onto the earthy soil of the Cotswolds where they have been farming responsibly and regeneratively ever since; making our planet a healthy and better place for everything and everyone in it.

Roots and Seeds

With sustainability at its heart, the Roots + Seeds menu showcases some of the finest Cotswolds produce from within a 25-mile radius - alongside fruit and vegetables grown in their on-site kitchen garden.

“Climate change, food miles and sustainability are at the forefront of our minds, so growing our own food over a weekly cycle with daily changing specials will help us achieve our goal of creating a low to zero food waste restaurant,” says Roots + Seeds founder, Toby Baggott.

Situated next to attractive listed buildings which were once the Bathurst family’s foxhound kennels and stables, the Roots + Seeds café occupies a beautiful new, light-filled space with vaulted ceilings and large windows that overlook the kitchen garden.

The Wild Rabbit, Kingham

The Wild Rabbit is a haven of eco-elegance just a few fields away from sister enterprise Daylesford Organic. Sitting in the centre of Kingham village, founder Carole Bamford transformed this 18th-century inn using a palette of quiet colours, original Cotswolds stone and reclaimed wood. The ultimate ‘posh pub’ with the food, hospitality - and a series of delicious seasonal supper clubs to match.

The Lamb, Shipton

The Lamb is historic Cotswolds pub is situated in the beautiful village of Shipton-under-Wychwood, sitting just between Burford & Chipping Norton. It is run by Peter Creed and Tom Noest, masters of honest, delicious and deftly executed pub food alongside an accomplished wine list, spirits selection and range of local beers. Popular with locals – their dogs – and vistors alike, we love the cosy bar area for a quiet drink – or discover their restaurant, private dining room and large beer garden for bigger gatherings.