The Pennycress

Clarks Hay, South Cerney, Gloucestershire, GL7 5UA

Set in the heart of South Cerney village, The Pennycress is a welcoming café on the edge of the Cotswold Lakes. Serving seasonal, thoughtfully prepared food made with locally sourced ingredients, it’s a calm and friendly place to pause, refuel, and connect. Loved by locals and visitors alike (and dog friendly), The Pennycress reflects modern Cotswold life — simple, sustainable, and rooted in community.

Tucked into the heart of South Cerney village, on the edge of the Cotswold Lakes, The Pennycress is a neighbourhood café with a bigger purpose. Loved by locals and increasingly discovered by visitors, it’s a place to slow down, eat well, and feel part of village life — even if you’re only passing through.

The Pennycress serves thoughtful, seasonal food made with care and intention. The menu is simple but considered: beautifully made breakfasts, nourishing lunches, quality coffee, and house-baked treats.

Wherever possible, ingredients are sourced locally — from sourdough bread and dairy to meat and produce — supporting nearby growers and makers while keeping flavours honest and fresh. Everything is prepared daily, with a focus on balance, wellbeing, and reducing waste.

The space itself is calm, welcoming, and quietly characterful — somewhere you can linger over a coffee after a lakeside walk, refuel after cycling the local trails, or meet friends for a relaxed brunch. Families, dog-walkers, swimmers, creatives, and weekend escapees all mix easily here, giving the café its warm, lived-in feel.

More than just a café, The Pennycress is rooted in a long-term vision of sustainability and community. It’s a small but meaningful step towards a more self-sufficient, thoughtful way of living — one that values good food, shared spaces, and everyday choices that make life a little healthier and happier.

Whether you’re exploring the Cotswold Lakes, visiting nearby villages, or simply looking for a genuine local spot away from the crowds, The Pennycress offers a taste of modern Cotswold life: grounded, hopeful, and quietly special.