Gloucestershire Guide - Places to Visit & Things To See or Do

A guide to all the pleasant places to visit in Gloucestershire, including towns and pretty villages in the countryside. 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.

Gloucestershire is in 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 area has a history dating back long before Roman times. Many of the county’s attractions date from the Roman, Norman, Tudor and Georgian periods.

Top 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 Historic City

The historic city of Gloucester has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire, with 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.

Cloister gardens at Gloucester Cathedral

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, with 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 biannual 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

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 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. 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-in-Marsh train station.

Forest of Dean

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 steam engines.