Saint Peter's Grange

Stone walls rise from the Cotswold hillside like ancient prayers, marking what remains of this medieval Augustinian priory. Saint Peter's Grange stands as a proper ruin - not the manicured sort you'd find at English Heritage sites, but the raw, weather-beaten kind that makes you work for your history. The surviving fragments include impressive sections of the chapter house and some substantial walling that gives you a real sense of the scale this place once commanded.

History buffs will find plenty to ponder among these 13th-century remains, though families with young children might struggle to hold their attention for more than twenty minutes. The setting is lovely, perched above Stroud with views across the golden stone valleys that make this part of Gloucestershire so special.

Getting there requires a decent walk from the nearest parking, so come prepared for a proper ramble. The site appears to have free access, though I'd recommend checking locally as details can be sketchy for ruins like this. Allow an hour if you're keen on medieval architecture, half that if you just want the views.

Staying at one of the glamping spots around Painswick or the touring parks near Stroud puts you within easy reach of this slice of monastic history, plus you're well placed for exploring the broader Cotswold landscape.