Stonehouse Library

Red brick and Victorian purpose, Stonehouse Library sits quietly in this Gloucestershire market town between Gloucester and Stroud. It's your typical community library - nothing flashy, but properly functional with a decent selection of local history books and children's section that'll keep the little ones occupied while you browse.

Families on holiday might find it handy for a rainy afternoon, especially if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Apple Tree Park Holiday Homes or Gables Farm Campsite. The children's activities during school holidays are worth checking out, though don't expect anything too elaborate.

Local history enthusiasts will appreciate the Gloucestershire collection - some interesting bits about the area's industrial past and the Stroudwater Navigation canal system. The staff know their stuff about what's worth seeing locally.

Opening hours follow standard library patterns, so weekday mornings are your best bet for a peaceful browse. It's free, naturally, and you'll need about 30 minutes unless you're settling in with the newspapers. Not exactly a destination in itself, but useful enough if you're exploring Stonehouse or need somewhere quiet to plan your next move around the Cotswolds edge.