Our Story, Awards & Recognition

Our Story

The Stroud has always been at the heart of the town. Built in 1863 by architect Benjamin Bucknall, the Grade II listed building was known for generations as The Imperial Hotel, a place of occasion and gathering.

Its history is rich with stories, including a royal visit in the 1950s, when Queen Elizabeth II stopped here for lunch, and again in 2022 when the building was awarded special protection to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

“The Beatles’ Worst Concert in History”

The Stroud has always been part of the town’s story, a place woven into moments of cultural significance and community life. In 1962, The Beatles performed their very first concert just across the road Subscription Rooms.

Though Paul McCartney would later call it the “worst concert in the history of the band,” the Fab Four returned only six months later. Their new sound wasn’t welcomed by everyone at the time, but those nights are now part of Stroud’s folklore, proof that even legends start somewhere. The Stroud itself was part of this history, with stories of the band passing through during those early years still echoing today.

After standing empty for almost four years, the hotel’s doors are open once more. Reimagined as The Stroud, the building has been lovingly revived with a blend of contemporary and rustic charm, while keeping the character that makes it so special. Today it is home to a welcoming bar, an all-day restaurant and 24 thoughtfully designed bedrooms.

More than a hotel, The Stroud is a place to gather, for the local community and for those discovering the Cotswolds. Whether it’s breakfast before the train, dinner with friends, or a weekend escape, we want every visit to feel like coming home.

"Your Cotswold Home"

Awards & Recognition

We’re proud to see The Stroud Hotel recognised among some of the country’s finest destinations.

In 2025, we were named finalists in the SoGlos Awards for both Hotel of the Year and Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year, celebrating our commitment to great food, service and community.

In 2024, we were also honoured in the National Muddy Awards, where The Stroud was listed among the UK’s Best Boutique Stays, standing alongside some of the most exceptional hotels and retreats in the country.

And closer to home, Muddy Stilettos Cotswolds named us one of the Best Places to Stay in the Cotswolds, praising our Grade II listed charm, live music nights, excellent restaurant and direct links to London Paddington in just 90 minutes.

These acknowledgements are a testament to our team, our guests, and our vision to create “Your Cotswold Home”, a place that is both rooted in Stroud and celebrated far beyond it.

Don’t take out word for it, this is what the press have to say about The Stroud

“Move over Soho Farmhouse, Stroud is the hip place to be”

Appeared In – Sunday Times, Style Magazine – April 2025

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