Bowbridge Arms

A friendly, traditional, Cotswold-stone pub at the eastern edge of Stroud on the A419 London Road. It is close to the Bowbridge Lock on the Thames and Severn Canal, currently being restored, and a 15-minute walk by road or along the canal towpath from the town centre and the railway station. Re-opened in November 2016 by Harry Counsell as a sister pub to The Clothiers Arms on Rodborough Hill, which he had successfully run for the 16 previous years. A comfortable modernised interior with sofas for lounging and tables for dining is dominated by a stonking Clearview stove. It is family and dog friendly, with a separate pool room leading to a small VIP lounge furnished with comfortable sofas. This room can be hired for private meetings or to watch sports on a large flat-screen television. The bar opens onto a large, south-facing, suntrap outdoor seating area, including a purpose-built children’s play area, with views across the valley to Rodborough Common. Good value home-cooked food from a simple menu, including typical pub grub, lasagne, faggots, gammon steak, home-made burgers and steaks. Pizzas are a speciality.