A guide to all the pleasant things to do and places to visit in Gloucestershire. The RJ @aboutglos Gloucestershire guide is for both locals and tourists to highlight the best things about Gloucestershire. This ranges from the best restaurants, pubs, tourist attractions and walking locations.
Places To Visit in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a great county to visit with lots of places to visit. It is a county with lots of countryside and touched by history that dates back to Roman times in places.
Gloucester A Great Place For History
The historic city of Gloucester has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire, the history of the city presented in the city’s museums. The city’s history also includes playing a part in The English Civil War, including the legendary battle of Gloucester.
One of the major attractions is Gloucester Cathedral, a stunning building which has featured in movies such as the Harry Potter films. The Architecture of the cathedral is very grand and its size is a very dominant part of the city’s skyline. Inside, the building is stunning and loads to see, including a very impressive organ and ornate cloisters. You can also learn about the rich history of the building, nearly 1000 years of history, in fact.
The Historic Gloucester Docks is one jewel in the city’s crown and has an interesting history. There are many Victorian warehouses in the docks, most are listed-buildings. The docks are the home of many great places to eat and are home to the bi-annual Tall Ships Festival.
The city is also home to many historical buildings, including churches, priories and old historic pubs. There are many tours of the city organised by the civic trust, a great place to start for first-time visitors.
Cheltenham Spa A Beautiful Place To Visit
Regency Town Cheltenham Spa is the second-largest settlement in the county and is known as a festival town. Cheltenham is home to lots of regency buildings dating back to the reign of George IV. It is fast becoming a foodie destination because of its vast array of quality, independent eateries serving quality food.
The Pittville Pump room and surrounding park is a fantastic place to visit. Cheltenham was the last and biggest Spa town in the UK. Throughout the year, there are countless festivals, including a food festival and a well-renowned literature festival.
The Cotswolds A Fantastic Place For Country Walks
A popular destination for tourists, The Cotswolds is a very picturesque place with rolling hills and quaint villages. There is a long-distance hiking path covering the area called the Cotswold Way. This crosses the entire area. Cirencester is a historic town dating back to Roman times and is home to the fascinating Corinium Museum.
Stroud in the Cotswolds is the meeting point of five valleys and is a haven for independent shops and eateries. The walking in Stroud is fantastic, as is the vibe of the town. To the north of the Cotswolds is Bourton-on-the-Water, a village on the River Windrush. The village is photogenic; we know it for its low bridges and traditional stone houses. There are many other great places in the North Cotswolds, these are near Moreton-on-Marsh train station.
Visit the Forest of Dean For Adventure in Gloucestershire
The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley area is absolutely outstanding and popular with those that enjoy outdoor activities. Lydney train station is the nearest to the forest of dean, this is also near to the market town of Coleford.
Camping, hiking, off-road cycling and also kayaking are all popular activities in the Forest of Dean. Things to do, including visiting the famous Symonds Yat, exploring the sculpture trail or riding on the Dean Forest Railway stream engines.
Popular Things to Do in Gloucestershire
- Restaurants – The best options for eating out in Gloucestershire. There are countless culinary styles to enjoy in the county.
- Pubs – Places to go for a drink in the county to suit all lifestyles, including those with beer gardens and marvellous views.
- Tourist Attractions – Popular places and visitor attractions to visit, see or do.
- Walks – There are some fantastic walks in Gloucestershire to enjoy, including some long-distance routes to do.
What’s Special About Gloucestershire?
Gloucestershire is the South West of England. It is a rural county with rivers, forests, hills and lots of farmland. The county has a few larger towns and the city of Gloucester. The county has a history dating back long before Roman times. Many of the county’s attractions date from the Roman, Norman, Tudor and The Georgian periods.
Best things to see or do in Gloucestershire
My opinion of the best aspects of the county, including things to do and places to visit.
Best Eatery
Greek on the docks is a fantastic place to eat out on the waterfront of the historic docks. A delightful place to go for a date-night. They serve a range of foods from the Greek Islands, including fish and meat. They have a great selection of wines to accompany meals and provide a great atmosphere to enjoy your visit.
Country Pub
The Pilot Inn beer garden is a magnificent place to be on a hot summer’s day evening. It has magnificent views, a fun vibe, and is near the countryside.
A great place to have a Sunday afternoon walk in some interesting farmland.
Favourite Building
The Cathedral is my most photographed and favourite place to visit. The building is stunning to look at from the outside, especially when having lunch on the grounds on a sunny day. Its interior is very special with some amazing cloisters, an impressive organ and lots of history to learn about.
Best Pub
Although part of a nationwide chain, Brewhouse & Kitchen in the Docks has to be my top choice for a beer. They have comfy seats inside and more outside overlooking the canal. Their beer selection is fantastic and their food is delicious.
Park
My favourite park is Pittville Park in Cheltenham, a beautiful place. The park has it all, some beautiful architecture, lakes and is well maintained. It is also home to the Pittville Pump House, a historic building that is the icing on the cake for the area.
Favourite Walk
The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean combined are great destinations for hiking. The scenery is beautiful and so wild and walking here never gets old. There are lots of places to start a stroll in the area and it’s a great place to go on an adventure.
Best of The Cotswolds
Bourton-on-the-Water is a village in the Cotswolds on the River Windrush. People know the village for its low bridges and traditional stone houses. The village has many attractions and great places to dine out.
Top Tourist Attraction
Dean Forest Railway is a great day out to suit most tastes. Train enthusiast will be in heaven, museums for those that like history and stunning scenery. Foodies will have an exceptional experience with cakes, afternoon tea and top local eateries.
Popular Activity
Gloucestershire is great for an adventure weekend away or longer break. Stay under canvas and walk or cycle, exploring the beautiful surroundings. Other adventurous activities are on offer, from canoeing to target sports.
Travel To Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire has a reasonable bus, and coach service and the timetables are easy to navigate. There are also options for train travel in Gloucestershire too.
National Express offer travel into Gloucestershire to various points in the county. Stagecoach is the major bus company in Gloucestershire, offering services to most villages, some more frequently than others. Stagecoach runs most of the buses in the county. They sell individual journey, day, week or monthly tickets for travel, also they do an evening rider ticket, ideal for saving some money.
There are many train stations in Gloucestershire, making it convenient for Interrailing. Gloucester Railway Station on the main railway line from the capital. It is centrally located so easy to find the central attractions and places to stay. Cheltenham Station is the terminus for many trains from London. It is not too far from the town centre and sights, a quick bus ride or 20-minute walk. Smaller train stations of the county include Kemble, Stroud, for Tewkesbury and Lydney.