Nestled in the heart of the Cotswold countryside, the Cotswolds Distillery has unveiled an exciting new addition this summer: The Hidden Still bar.
As someone with a passion for great food, drink, and memorable experiences, I was eager to visit—and the experience more than delivered.
Set within the distillery’s scenic grounds in Stourton, The Hidden Still blends rustic charm with a contemporary vibe.
The setting is warm and inviting, surrounded by rolling hills of the Cotswolds, and captures the essence of British summer.
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The team, led by Rob Patchett and Ollie Morris, have crafted a sharing menu filled with locally inspired delights and expertly mixed cocktails.
For our visit, we went all in: starting with the on-brand ‘silly’ crisps—salted potato crisps generously topped with hummus, roasted peppers, and crumbled feta, delivering a creamy-savoury-tangy punch, perfect with a drink in hand.
Next, the British artisan cheese board was a turophile’s dream: Moreton for its buttery smoothness, Double Gloucester with its firm texture, the legendary Stinking Bishop, and semi-soft Rollright, all served alongside crackers, fruit, chutney, and crisp celery.
Even the humble ham and cheese toastie stood out, made better with a glass of Black Chalk sparkling wine, thoughtfully poured by Black Chalk’s own Neil Irvine.
Neil stopped by our table and expertly explained the process behind Black Chalk sparkling wine.
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Drink-wise, my highlight was the Long Weekender—a refreshing blend of Cotswolds Signature whisky, white grapes, and apricot soda.
My wife, Liz, opted for the Golden Hour, a wonderfully bright spritz made with the distillery’s bittersweet Cotswolds Wild Spritz and Black Chalk sparkling wine, topped with soda.
Each cocktail felt like a celebration of the region’s best flavours and marked the start of what promises to be a busy summer for The Hidden Still.
Designed as the ultimate summer destination, the bar will play host to events and tastings led by head of mixology, Ollie Morris.
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Having been part of the Cotswolds Distillery family for over a decade; in addition to his ambassador role, Ollie is the creative force behind the distillery's cocktail programme, crafting exceptional serves.
The new bar operates every Friday and Saturday evening from 5pm until 9pm, through the end of September.
The menu features cocktail classics, seasonal spritzes, playful slushies, and low/no-alcohol options, all with a Cotswolds twist.
This season also sees a lineup of English Sparkling Wine Residencies—each month, a new winery (Hambledon Vineyards, Black Chalk in July, Flint Vineyards in August) takes centre stage, highlighting British winemaking at its finest.
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Beyond the food and drink, The Hidden Still’s real triumph is its atmosphere: it’s relaxed and warm, with staff who clearly care about your experience.
Whether you’re lounging with friends, sampling award-winning spirits, or discovering the latest wine collaboration, you feel like a welcome guest.
In short, The Hidden Still isn’t just a new bar—it’s a reason to visit the Cotswolds Distillery this summer.
With outstanding drinks, a flavourful menu, and an ongoing calendar of events, it’s the region’s new go-to for an authentic, memorable evening out.
I’ll be returning soon, and I recommend you pay a visit while the summer sun lasts.
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