The Gloucestershire Travel Guide looks at interesting attractions and places of interest for visitors and contains useful tourist information for travellers. The county is known for its open spaces and rural environment in the English countryside. Located to the west of England, the county's best known and biggest tourist draw are the Cotswolds, there are also historic attractions for visitors to explore. The county also boasts some of the finest rural scenery in the UK with some wonderful villages most of which have retained their considerable charm and character.
Overview and Attractions
There is plenty of countryside and green open spaces to enjoy whilst there are certainly towns of note too. There is a relaxed atmosphere in the county that makes a pleasant change for many visitors used to a more hectic pace of life. Whilst some popular Cotswolds villages get crowded in the summer with the large number of visitors, there are plenty of other villages waiting to be discovered and tourists can easily find a quiet village devoid of the crowds.
The city of Gloucester has a wonderful cathedral along with some intriguing museums, including the National Waterways Museum and the Museum of Advertising and Packaging. The major city in the area is also the largest settlement in the area. The city was a place of strategic importance in Roman times given it lies close to the border with Wales, it has some interesting historical buildings.
Cheltenham was founded as a spa town in 1716, at the time a spring was discovered and believed to have healing properties. The town received Royal patronage in 1788 from King George III, there was subsequently some rapid development in the town and became it proceeded to become a fashionable spa town. The town benefited from a large number of distinguished visitors including royalty and the nobility. The legacy of these heady times means the town maintains the Regency architecture that adorns the town, there are pastel shades and impressive ironwork features of townhouse façades. Cheltenham is currently the most complete Regency town in Britain and has a huge number of buildings of historical interest numbering around a couple of thousand.
Currently Vittoria House is the oldest surviving spa building in Cheltenham and two of the best preserved are The Rotunda at Montpelier and Pittville Pump Room in Pittville Park. Cheltenham also has contemporary buildings in addition to its wealth of historical ones; it provides a fascinating place for both architecture fans and visitors in general.
Stroud is located in the Cotswolds, set on a hillside at the point where five valleys meet. The town is known for its cloth manufacture and evidence of the town’s industrial heritage is there for all to see. Minchinhampton has a common where visitors can enjoy some spectacular views of the valleys below. It is a favourite location for kite flying.
The Cotswolds are officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is the currently the largest region that has the designation. The Cotswolds consist of parts of seven English countries these are, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Wiltshire and Somerset.
Gloucestershire certainly benefits from being in this region with the great unspoilt scenery, here visitors can see the picture postcard image of gentle rolling green hills and the beautiful English countryside steeped in history. There are historic buildings, timber frame houses, and the honey-coloured local stone creates some of Britain's most picturesque villages and towns. There is also good choice of friendly pubs, offering food, accommodation and plenty of opportunities to go for a good walk.
For fans of history and culture there is Berkeley Castle to visit. The oldest part of the castle is the Keep, which was completed back in 1153, with its trip steps and guard room. There is also a dungeon and holding cell that are part of the Keep. View the King's Gallery, with the cell and dungeon where King Edward II was imprisoned and then murdered.
There are portraits of England's monarchs, along with some of Francis Drake's furniture. The Picture Gallery, displays a collection of predominately Dutch paintings, along with Sporting and hunting subjects, with a painting by George Stubbs as the centrepiece. The Dining Room displays Georgian silverware and family portraits. The Grand Staircase features portraits and Tudor embroidery on woollen cloth covering the walls. The Long Drawing Room contains a series of wall mirrors and a suite of 18th Century gilt furniture embroidered over ten years by the 4 the Earl's wife, Lady Elizabeth Drax. Outside the castle is has terraced gardens that overlook the fields of the Berkeley Vale.
The Cotswolds are not only gentle English countryside where you can relax; there are plenty of opportunities for more energetic pursuits including adrenaline filled activities. The region offers many activities including walking, camping, cycling, horse riding, golf, hiking, motor sport, gliding, ballooning and fishing. Walking has long been a favourite for those visiting the area; walkers can discover the beauty of the countryside first hand. There are organised walks such as those with Talking Walks with knowledgeable walker leaders to add to the experience.
Gloucester Cathedral became a cathedral under Henry VIII. The cathedral boasts a fascinating blend of Romanesque drum piers and perpendicular Gothic tracery. A particular highlight is the east window which commemorates the English victory at Crecy. There is also some of the original stained glass present, while the 15th century cloisters are a great example of fan vaulting. For those wanting to know more there are guided tours available to take you round, the energetic can climb the tower and get to the top where they will be rewarded with some great views, you could see up to forty miles in to the scenic Gloucestershire countryside.
Lodge Park is located on the lovely Sherborne Estate in the Cotswolds. Lodge Park was created in 1634 and was the home of Charles Dutton, 7th Lord Sherborne, up until 1982 when he bequeathed his family's estate to the National Trust. The grandstand has been reconstructed to past glories, while the park was designed by Charles Bridgeman in 1725. The Sherborne Estate is some 4,000 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside that boasts some wonderful views down to the River Windrush. The National Trust also owes most of the village of Sherborne; there are a number of walks for visitors to go on around the estate.
The Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust boasts a visitor centre overlooking nationally and internationally protected wetlands, this famous site is an important wintering area for migrating water birds such as Bewick's Swans and houses the trusts species conservation programme. Slimbridge is located between Bristol and Gloucester. One of a number of wetland centres across the UK, the reserve for water birds is set in over 100 acres and there is also an art gallery, restaurant, cinema and the Hanson Discover Centre. The flamingos are a particular favourite among visitors.
Painswick House is located on the outskirts of the village of Painswick, this impressive manor is set in 6 acres of formal and informal gardens, the Painswick Rococo Garden. The garden has survived the all too brief rococo period in English garden design. They are thought to have been built in around 1740, the gardens unfortunately fell into disrepair, and by the 1970s it situation looked bleak as they were on the verge of being lost. Fortunately an extensive restoration project began back in 1984 and has restored the gardens to their former glory; visitors are presented with surprising vistas, architectural accents and an asymmetric design that provides visitors with unusual surprises. Beyond the formal garden there are woodland walks, where wildflowers grow, the gardens are well known for their great display of snowdrops in the latter part of winter and early spring.
Fans of the theatre are catered for at the New Olympus Theatre, previously known as Palmers Picturedrome. Originally operating as a cinema back in 1923, in 1984 Gloucester Operatic and Dramatic Society (G.O.D.S) took over the running and turned it in to the theatre it is currently. In recent years the theatre has installed cinema equipment and helped it became a leading venue in Gloucester for cinema and live Theatre. It is a venue for amateur and professional performances in the arts; the facilities now mean that conferences are also held there. Address: New Olympus Theatre, 162-166 Barton Street, Gloucester GL1 4EU and Telephone: +44 (0) 1452 525917.
The famous traditional English country pub is known by many for its character and charm. One such example here is the Waggon & Horses, a traditional Cotswold Pub which has been established for over two hundred years. There is a bar and a separate dining restaurant that serves traditional food using fresh ingredients. Its setting in the Cotswolds with many others attractions in the region makes it a great choice to stop off at and enjoy some liquid refreshments and some traditional food. Address: 11 London Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2PU and Telephone is: +44 (0) 1285 652022.
If a chic, stylish dining experience appeals then the Laze Daze Restaurant & Bar set in one of the most elegant of Cheltenham's Regency terraces overlooking the Promenade gardens, is worth considering. The stylish interior and decor add to the atmosphere that is relaxed and informal. The menu is inspired by the Mediterranean and refined by the best of British ingredients.
Popular at both lunch and inner times, Laze Daze is perfect for a bite to eat whilst exploring Cheltenham. The British ingredients are mainly sourced from local Cotswold producers. The restaurant is decorated in a contemporary style and with the menu changing on a regular basis there is much to taste and enjoy here. Laze Daze bar offers local real ale, premium lagers and a varied wine selection. There is also a wide range of tasty bar selections to try.
Whilst Gloucestershire is perhaps not renowned as a clubbers paradise there is a growing club scene in Gloucestershire and some good clubs. One of these is Boogie Lounge, located in Cheltenham, it generates a good vibe and environment in which clubbers can enjoy themselves and dance the night away. This club has themed nights that include soul, funk, and disco from the 70s to the 90s. A range of music for different tastes is on offer. There are regular monthly events and promotions to look out for and a range of DJs on hand.
Visitors to Gloucestershire can enjoy a short trip or longer here and benefit from the countryside air and relaxing surroundings. The open spaces give a great sense of space and freedom and makes touring the region a pleasure. With its road and rail links the county can be reached quite easily particularly from neighbouring Wales and is a few hours drive from London. The location means many visitors can visit for a short break or long weekend, whilst others may wish to stay longer to fully appreciate the delights here.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.