Stroud

Stroud is a town and civil parish in the county of Gloucestershire, South West England. It is the main town in Stroud District.

Situated below the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills at the meeting point of the Five Valleys, the town is noted for its steep streets and cafe culture. The Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounds the town in all directions, and the Cotswold Way path passes by it to the west.

Stroud acts as a centre for many surrounding villages, hamlets and market towns including Minchinhampton, Amberley, Slad, Bisley, Stonehouse, Woodchester, Painswick, Chalford, Thrupp, Sheepscombe, Nailsworth and Dursley.

Places, projects and networks

 * Stroud Common Wealth
 * Stroud Valleys Project
 * Stroud Community Agriculture

Farmers Market
A farmers market, launched in 1999, takes place every Saturday at the Cornhill market. It was nominated for Farmers' Market of the Year in 2001 and won it in 2007. It also won the Cotswold Life magazine award for the best farmers' market in Gloucestershire in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Renewable energy
Stroud is also home to the headquarters of the renewable energy provider Ecotricity.