STROUD: Best English Towns 2022

[@steveevans4299]

Moved to Stroud more than a decade ago from the London suburbs, and no regrets at all. By what measurement has Stroud been voted number one? We live here and if its number one it's because of a mixture of things: proximity to wonderful open accessible countryside, friendly open, broad minded people, great Saturday markets, live music, top schools etc. There are five-valleys worth of stunning cotswold stone houses, beautiful back streets and country lanes impossible to navigate and yet you grow to love them, cows roaming the commons and yes plenty of hippie spirit ❤️

[@RosieHuggins]

❤ Stroud

[@rodfisher2837]

The best part of Stroud is the surrounding countryside, beautiful walks and gorgeous scenery. I have lived in Stroud all my life and you must visit Rodborough common and Selsley common, you wont be disappointed on a sunny day.

[@mikeembe1261]

Hi there you two! Now come back in the summer when the Farmer's Market plus 2 others are open and during one of the many town festivals are running with the sun shining on the cotswold stone buildings and then you'll know why Stroud is No 1.. ;o).. mb

[@andyandncky]

Dan and Mazzy i am breaking my no computer rule to say you are the best you tube channel, i watch fully every time you put one out . Thank you for your amazing entertainment you work well together . If i wasnt so old and dont know how to send money to you i would pay for your entertainment as when you dont put up a film i feel something is missing in my day . God bless you both

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Awwww thank you :-)

[@Lily-Bravo]

I have lived in the Stroud area nearly forty years now, after living in various other rather nice places. The thing about Stroud is that is unprepossessing to look at, but is actually full of character. A perfect place geographically with several steep valleys providing streams to power mills, Fuller's earth for cleaning fleeces, grassland for grazing sheep, it grew rich on the wool trade. Local stone was used to build grand houses for the rich and cottages for weavers sprung up in surrounding villages. The scarlet cloth for soldiers uniforms was made here and the streams ran red with the dye. (I think cochineal was used, one of the first products to be traded with the Americas) Nowadays it is just tennis ball cloths made here, but Stroud is still a hive of industry and those old mills are busy with a wide range of innovative activities. Stroud has different moods on different days. A renowned Farmer's market on Saturday draws in crowds from surrounding villages and further afield. Politically the MPs have seesawed between Conservative and Labour, while there is also a strong Green presence. It is a very Arty town with the Pangolin foundry, producing fantastic bronzes, Damien Hirst has a presence here also. The countryside surrounding Stroud is beautiful, and has inspired many writers in the past. Laurie Lee being one that springs to mind, and he was still around when I first arrived here. I find it has much more depth than some of those chocolate boxy touristy towns and villages in the flatter Cotswolds.

[@pvj999]

Thomas crapper (inventor of the flushable toilet) reportedly comes from Stroud. The material for the Coldstream guards (stroudwater crimson, I think) is made there, DMien Hurst lives there now. I was born in the area, but left for NZ 20 years ago. The Greyhound used to be a real rough pub, but can.T vouch for it now. It definitely has its nice points. And you should go up to the common and experience a Winston’s ice cream :)

[@Lily-Bravo]

You might like to re-read about Thomas Crapper. I think it is only tennis ball cloth made in Stroud nowadays. I've lived there about 40 years now.

[@paulyoung6165]

Hi Dan and Mazzy Great video of that place and i liked them hanging lights , what a friendly pigeon that introduced himself , i thought that was one of your doves coming out of your magic hat , out of your box of tricks , All good and fun , Take care both .

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@trudielwell8922]

Lots of laugh out loud moments in this video. Very entertaining , Thankyou. X

[@TravelTrollsTV]

You’re welcome 😊

[@kjdempsey]

The lawnmower was invented in Stroud

[@bunglebonce5354]

Here they are again love your videos for 3 yrs!!

[@Lily-Bravo]

Thanks for the hearts. I can understand why you reacted as you did, but really the area is well worth a return visit and some long walks all round the hills and valleys. Plus, the Ice-cream factory on Minchinhampton Common where you can sit on the grass, sometimes amongst the free ranging cattle and ponies and enjoy the views.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Next time!

[@Lily-Bravo]

@@TravelTrollsTV 👍👍👍

[@juliepownall2000]

Hi Dan and mazzy wasn't keen on stroud bit depressing loved those lamp shades in the turkish place thanks for showing us around the english towns 👍😃

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@garryafurze]

Great Video! ❤️ That pigeon slowmo was Hilarious! 🤣👍

[@jkbeattyable]

An interesting look see. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@TravelTrollsTV]

You’re welcome 😊

[@moirabardin9030]

you do your homework with all the history you tell us all, well done, very interesting. thank you for sharing. stay safe

[@doglifehub]

Totally agree about The Beloved - Sweet Harmony. One of my favourites.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Lets come together :-)

[@FergusNCasey]

Hi guys. Enjoying this series of vlogs. We are always happy to hear different opinions. Sure if we always agreed on everything life would be shocking boring. 😃

[@TravelTrollsTV]

So true!

[@kriskeylard6162]

fuh-LA-ful with the emphasis on the LA (that's saying it with a Yorkshire accent). I'm really enjoying this lot of videos, I'd like to return to the UK after 40+ years in Australia, but have no idea which is the best area to look at settling in anymore. May even end up back in Haworth :) but a look at all these places you go to helps a lot.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Howarth aint what it used to be.

[@adrianpipe3323]

Hi guys, thanks for these, really interesting little series! I've never been to Stroud but won't be rushing there!! I think Falafel is pronounced how Dan said it. Odd word.

[@heatherjones4034]

Hello!❤️ I know I’ve got loads to catch up on. Gettin’ started, missed you all🥰

[@TravelTrollsTV]

welcome back :-)

[@timmsfiles9079]

You missed the best bit in Stroud five valleys shopping centre have market style street food and also some really lovely boutique shops

[@TravelTrollsTV]

we almost went in but didn't thinking it would have nothing worth filming in there.

[@timmsfiles9079]

@@TravelTrollsTV love you videos, keep up the good work :)

[@juliemoy769]

I must admit, I have never seen or been in a Saxon church ⛪ before thank you for that. Bradford near Skipton did not have a lot,,but happy times....Mazzy what happened to the rock/diamond YOU found? I hope Dan gets it mounted for Ya!! GREAT 👍 VLOG X

[@emmaurbanvanlife120]

Hi ya! Loved all the wooden furniture in the shop looked very well made and liked the artwork too, very colourful! And Mazzy I like those lamps too, how nice of him to let you have a look! Sending love and hugs 🤗 And yes yes yes to the hummus and falafel 🥙

[@TravelTrollsTV]

happy day after birthday day :-) x x

[@emmaurbanvanlife120]

@@TravelTrollsTV Thanks 😊 sending love ❤️

[@juliemoy769]

Amazing footage Pegian trying to land on Dan. 1st class

[@nikkimckenna340]

I cannot believe that is 1st on the best towns in the uk, that is utter madness, the lamps are Moroccan we have a shop in our town that sells them and every year in our town we have a fair on and a street market with a stall selling them. I have two of them and they are battery operated ones so if I ever see them again I’m more than happy to pick one up for you xx

[@nikkimckenna340]

Apologies I mean the Christmas market in Tewkesbury not the the fair x

[@TravelTrollsTV]

we have no room for anything like that...luckily! :-)

[@christinehodge3608]

Loved the carving of the monkey,😊

[@beckysmith7107]

Love the new color hair Mazzy

[@psycloneranger2279]

the best place to live doesn't necessarily translate to the best place to visit in a large motor home

[@TravelTrollsTV]

agreed but we aren't judging it on the motorhome spaces.

[@isobelchapman9548]

Mazzy you are such an innocent …… so funny at times and just so honest, thank you.

[@flumpaustin1994]

I can't see any evidence that this town is an eyesore. The musical instrument in the artwork is a cello. An oboe is a woodwind instrument.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

You should have seen the ugly building that greets you into the town. yuck.

[@Lily-Bravo]

@@TravelTrollsTV That was probably the Police station.

[@TheHikercrone]

Glastonbury was extremely "hippie" as I recall - if you don't smell patchouli oil, it's not proper hippie! The colorful art piece with the cello player was incredible ~

[@andybrown223]

Nice video 👍

[@TravelTrollsTV]

Thanks 👍

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

I think some of it's charming. I love stuff like that.Lmao on the bird. Lol.

[@jamesblakestravels1088]

The darker hair really suits you Mazzy x

[@maggiemitchell4359]

Strange that Stroud is on top not real flash thanks for showing us : )

[@neilmccaig9913]

Talking about the hippy shop, why not buy some hippy clothes and wear it for one day if you love that stuff and we will judge to see which one is the best dressed hippy lol

[@TravelTrollsTV]

yeah man!

[@rossnolan2883]

Hope all is well 👍👍👍

[@rudeboijasmithy]

Yea and if you had carried on walking down that road past man stature you would get to the canal and you would smell the the cloth being made for the tennis balls.

[@eddiek0507]

Catch the pigeon!! It's like the Whacky Races with Dick Dastardly and Muttley lol...🤣🤪👍🏻

[@rogerstill71]

I do like Mazzy with her dark hair, instead of blonde.

[@beckythielbar1581]

Lol! Mazzy, I love the way you say falafel, but I’d never know what you were talking about 😅. I’ve always heard it said the way Dan says it. On the other hand, hummus = hum + us, as I and everyone else in the world says it 😜. Maybe the person who made this list has property in Stroud that they want to sell off 🤔

[@beckythielbar1581]

@@xvsupremacy7190 😂🤣. Exactly.

[@steveevans4299]

Not that far from the truth SADLY...Stroud is great, but a journalist telling everyone it's the best has had house prices go through the roof!!!

[@janesmart7756]

Been to Stroud a few times can't see how it's the best town?who does these?I can think of loads of better towns.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

most other towns lol

[@BenjiB-]

@@TravelTrollsTV violation lad

[@joshieboi8ktv]

Lived there my whole life moved when I was 18 its really rough and full of wronguns I h8 stroud I'm now 32 and never looked back fuck that 4 a bag of chips 😆

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid

[@rudeboijasmithy]

Lol I’ve lived there my whole life until 2 years ago and never read any of them boards

[@Burgoyne1777]

Such a fun video!!! FYI: The father of Amy Winehouse is a main character in the local music festival in my town of Vaudreuil, off the western tip of Montreal Island. He comes every year.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

great fact!

[@endorfun22]

12:50 in, is it artisan market?

[@juliemoy769]

🦜blimey Dan, that was a close call? Is it a bird,a plane 🤔 no a Huge Pigeon 🤔

[@carolegeorgina6114]

I agree don’t much like this town seen much prettier places this would not been in the top towns for me.

[@Lily-Bravo]

It is a shame you have missed most of the things that make the Stroud area a great place to live.

[@rattlesnakejar]

...the Beatles played here twice!

[@rattlesnakejar]

…my store is the little vintage store at the top of the hill - here’s a video of the district kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGrZhZh-rKmmsJY featuring yours truly one minute in… Happy travels - from a Romahome owner!

[@wtbm123]

Cool

[@rudeboijasmithy]

You’ve drove to a couple of car parks to get to that one so you’ve seen quite abit of it??? You’ve seen all of don’t your mean lol

[@dorismosley2107]

Dan your correct

[@gypsydal]

Dan your 2nd pronunciation is closest… but falAfal, not FalOfal.

[@debbieflower9424]

It's sadly full of drugs and drunks. It was a lovely place years ago, i have friends who live in the area, they are really happy there. Better than Cheltenham lol. Hey Mazzie Mr Grey fom 50 shades of grey, lives near there. Eddie the Eagle is from Cheltenham.

[@Lily-Bravo]

I watched Eddie the Eagle film at my son's house, stepped outside to go home and the real one was just down the road!

[@snowyowl539]

It didn’t look the dest Stroud . I can’t say Falafel either my kids are always laughing at me .

[@andreabalderstone4272]

I have to agree with you guys. From what I could see I’m not sure why Stroud is placed at number 1. Looking forward to seeing where you end up tomorrow 😁

[@gilldon3370]

I can't believe you've missed Bristol and Bath to go there

[@TravelTrollsTV]

they're cities. we are doing towns.

[@Luce306]

Left a like Dan and mazzy I Broken me monitor for my pc but still have my phone to watch ye or me Xbox one or my ps4 watching them off me old TV but I will watch your videos no matter what I used

[@nealart]

I saw Tim McInnery in London and he was very gracious when I bothered him.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

he seems nice.

[@roymarshall7689]

It’s what dan said second

[@juliemoy769]

What is it Dan, 1st a bat when you was a child now this?the the Irish Red setter put pay to that. As a kid, me mom had a laying hen???she kept telling me to stay away from it...so anyway one day I went to investigate & it flew up & pecked me on the head blood shot out,,,,to this day still Scare 😱 B-----d

[@stephenbryan8651]

Never have I seen my team put the ball in the net 13 times and loose.well done to Liverpool!

[@rlcarver]

Fa Law Full Love u both ❤

[@jasperversluis8467]

Why don't you guys take the van and come to Europe you could be driving in Germany/holland/france etc.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

because we are touring England.

[@lizleonard3681]

I agree that was a horrible town I would say the bottom of your list

[@systemSkynet]

Naaaaweew

[@penguinchick6563]

👍

[@furface9779]

late third

[@ospreybird]

:-)

[@rhysstatham7407]

And the best town is Stroud well nearly fell of my stool and choked on my food.

[@TravelTrollsTV]

lol

[@CambridgeCookie]

Falafel pronounciation: www.google.co.uk/search?q=falafel+pronounce&sxsrf=AJOqlzVCrovQ70h7LxP8_6aU1fCccDMyaA%3A1673545996922&ei=DEnAY_bxN9mI8gKX8YCwCQ&oq=falafel+prono&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADIFCAAQkQIyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAoyBwgAEIAEEAoyBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMggIABAWEB4QDzIFCAAQhgM6CggAEEcQ1gQQsAM6BwgAELADEEM6DAguEMgDELADEEMYAToLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6DQgAELEDEIMBEMkDEEM6BQgAEJIDOgcIABCxAxBDOggIABCABBCxAzoFCAAQgAQ6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOgUILhCRAjoFCCEQoAFKBAhBGABQ3QdYkBNgtR9oAXAAeACAAbECiAGXCJIBBzAuNC4xLjGYAQCgAQHIARHAAQHaAQQIARgI&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp