Cotswold Barn wins 'best cafe in Cotswolds' at Awards

Cotswold Barn in Longborough has been named 'the Best Cafe in the Cotswolds' at the  Cotswold Awards 2023, with the accolade described by owners as 'the perfect end to the year'.

LOVED: Cotswold Barn has proved popular with customers and has now been crowned Best Cafe in the Cotswolds to make an amazing end to 2023 for the family-run business (Image: Supplied by Cotswold Barn)

The family business just off the A424 near Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh is run by Joanne and Bernard Williams and by their daughter, Lucy Creed and her husband Joe. 

Mr Williams, 65, said: "We are very proud of this award, especially as it is voted for by the general public and the Cotswolds covers five counties."

The three-acre site has proved a popular location not only for food and drink but also for classic car meets showcasing some of the best vintage vehicles, including Rolls Royce and supercars.

IDYLLIC: Cotswold Barn has proved an ideal location for classic and vintage cars and the perfect place for their owners to 'refuel' (Image: Supplied by Cotswold Barn)

The family has run the Cotswold Barn for the last nine years and the award, one of a number in the scheme which is organised by Cotswold Concierge, is something of a feather in the cap after their hard work.

Lucy Creed said:  "The Cotswolds Awards were created by Cotswold Concierge, and encourage locals to nominate and vote online for the best of each category in the area.

"We were ever so lucky to be nominated by our regular customers Jo and Matt, and never dreamed of actually winning.

SHOP: Cotswold Barn also has a gift shop (Image: Supplied by Cotswold Barn)

"We were up against big names such as Broadway Tower and Broadway Deli, to name a few. So to say it was a shock when we were announced as the winners on December 1, is an understatement!"

"We have a wonderful team of staff and have been here for nine years last September.

We have adapted and persevered through every obstacle, including COVID-19 restrictions and the recent cost of living crisis. 

VIEWS: Cotswold Barn, winner of Best Cafe in the Cotswolds (Image: Supplied by Cotswold Barn)

"Rising prices saw the reduction in our wonderful farm shop, as post-lockdown our customers returned to cheaper supermarkets with imported fruit and vegetables, and sadly we were unable to compete.

"So once again, we adapted to change and rebranded from Cotswold Food Store and Café, to Cotswold Barn, a thriving café and gift shop.

"We still have a small selection of fresh food, local produce and dry goods available. 

"Since taking ownership of Cotswold Barn in late 2014, the business has continued to go from strength to strength, with extensions and renovations as well as new ideas.

"We began welcoming a local car group to use our venue as a starting point. Members would enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off for a drive around the beautiful Cotswolds.

"This continued to grow as we invited more and more vehicle enthusiasts from around the UK to do the same."

SPACE: A large free car park is one of the advantages of Cotswold Barn (Image: Cotswold Barn)

This Summer the business trialled ‘Cotswold Barn Evening Car & Bike Meet’ every Wednesday from 5pm.

They offered our Lashford Sausage Baps and Vegan Samosas as well as soft drinks, local beers and ciders and Pimms.

Mrs Creed added: "This became so immensely popular that on a beautiful evening in September, all car parks were full. Now our name is being mentioned in the same breath as other local car and bike venues.

COSY: Cotswold Barn in Longborough (Image: Cotswold Barn)

"Winning the award for ‘Best Café in the Cotswolds’ felt like a perfect end to the year, where all our hard work has been recognised and celebrated. 

"As you can imagine, as a family we feel immense pride in the success of our small business, especially in this tough climate. We are grateful to all our customers for continuing to support us over the years and look forward to what the future brings for Cotswold Barn."

List of winners 

ACCOMMODATION AWARDS

Best Hotel in the Cotswolds 2023: The Lygon Arms, Broadway

Best Boutique Hotel in the Cotswolds 2023: The Fuzzy Duck, Armscote

Best Pub with Rooms in the Cotswolds 2023: The Highway Inn, Burford

Best Bed & Breakfast in the Cotswolds 2023: The Lansdowne Guest House, Bourton on the Water

Best Holiday Cottage in the Cotswolds 2023: Foxcote, Lower Oddington

Best Airbnb in the Cotswolds 2023: The Coach House, Painswick

Best Holiday Cottage Group (20 cottages or less) in the Cotswolds 2023: Unique Cotswold Cottages

Best Holiday Cottage Company (20+ cottages) in the Cotswolds 2023: The Cotswold Retreats

Best Caravan Park in the Cotswolds 2023: Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park

Best Glamping in the Cotswolds 2023: Campden Yurts

SPA AWARD

Best Spa in the Cotswolds 2023: Dormy House

TASTE OF THE COTSWOLDS AWARDS

Best Restaurant in the Cotswolds 2023: Waterside Kitchen & Bar, Cirencester

Best Dining Pub in the Cotswolds 2023: The Green Dragon, Cockleford

Cotswold Pub of the Year 2023: The Pheasant Inn, Toddington

Best Cafe in the Cotswolds 2023: The Cotswold Barn & Cafe, Longborough

Best Coffee House in the Cotswolds 2023: Coach House Coffee, Stow-on-the-Wold

Best Tea Room in the Cotswolds 2023: The Old Bakery Stow-on-the-Wold

Best Beer Garden in the Cotswolds 2023: The Fleece Inn, Bretforton

Best Place to Lunch in the Cotswolds 2023: The Plough Inn, Ford

Best Place to Dine in the Cotswolds 2023: The Swan, Broadway

FOOD & DRINKS AWARDS

Best Food Producer in the Cotswolds 2023: Cotswold Gold

Best Drinks Producer in the Cotswolds 2023: The Cotswolds Distillery

Best Vineyard in the Cotswolds 2023: Poulton Hill Estate

Best Coffee Roaster in the Cotswolds 2023: Golden Sheep Coffee

Best Cookery School in the Cotswolds 2023: Daylesford Organic

SHOPPING AWARDS

Best Shop in the Cotswolds 2023: Cotswold Trading Company, Broadway

Best Gift Shop in the Cotswolds 2023: Cotswold Trading Company, Broadway

Best Antiques Shop in the Cotswolds 2023: The Malthouse Collective, Stroud

Best Shopping Destination in the Cotswolds 2023: Hudsons Stratford-upon-Avon

Best Deli in the Cotswolds 2023: Jesse Smith Farm Shop, Cirencester

EXPERIENCE AWARDS

Best Experience in the Cotswolds 2023: The Cotswolds Distillery Tour

Best Attraction in the Cotswolds 2023: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

Best Place to go with Kids in the Cotswolds 2023: Cotswold Wildlife Park

Best Museum in the Cotswolds 2023: Blenheim Palace

Best Gallery in the Cotswolds 2023: Brian Sinfield Gallery, Burford

Best Theatre in the Cotswolds 2023: Everyman Cheltenham

Best Workshop Experience in the Cotswolds 2023: Larkswold, Adlestrop

OUTDOOR AWARDS

Best Outdoor Experience in the Cotswolds 2023: Cotswold Country Park and Beach

Best Garden in the Cotswolds 2023: Hidcote Manor Garden

Best Tour Company in the Cotswolds 2023: Go Cotswolds

Best Tour Guide of the Cotswolds 2023: Go Cotswolds

Best Golf Course in the Cotswolds 2023: Broadway Golf Club

EVENTS AWARDS

Best Music Festival in the Cotswolds 2023: The Big Feastival

Best Family Festival in the Cotswolds 2023: The Big Feastival

Best Event in the Cotswolds 2023: Cotswold Festival of Steam, Cheltenham

SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

Cotswold Green Business of the Year 2023: Daylesford Organic Farm

ARTIST AWARDS

Artist of the Year in the Cotswolds 2023: Adam Binder

PROFESSONAL SERVICES AWARDS

Best Property Business in the Cotswolds 2023: The Cotswold Letting Agency

Best Photographer in the Cotswolds 2023: Jack Boskett

Best Videographer in the Cotswolds 2023: Chin Badger Media

Best Cotswolds Social Media Awareness 2023: Cotswolds Culture IG @cotswolds_culture

Best Web & Creative Agency in the Cotswolds 2023: Shire Marketing Specialists, Chipping Campden

COTSWOLDS WEDDINGS AWARDS

Best Wedding Marquees in the Cotswolds 2023: Flint & Lambourn Marquees

Cotswold Wedding Photographer of the Year 2023: Dan Morris

Cotswold Wedding Videographer of the Year 2023: Vogue Wedding Films

Best Wedding Shop in the Cotswolds 2023: The Bridal Room Broadway

Best Wedding Florist in the Cotswolds 2023: Abbie Digweed – Your Cotswold Florist

Best Wedding Caterer in the Cotswolds 2023: Seven Mile Cookery

Best Wedding Cake Maker in the Cotswolds 2023: The Vanilla Pod Bakery

Best Make-up Artist in the Cotswolds 2023: Jessica Rose Make Up Artist

Best Wedding Car Transport in the Cotswolds 2023: Azure Wedding Cars

Best Wedding Entertainer in the Cotswolds 2023: Richard Parsons

Best Wedding Celebrant in the Cotswolds 2023: Julia Hawkes

Cotswold Wedding Planner of the Year 2023: Jane Riddell Planned for Perfection

Best Small Wedding Venue in the Cotswolds 2023: White Birch Manor Newnham

Best Wedding Venue in the Cotswolds 2023: Minster Mill, Minster Lovell