Things To Do Or See In Gloucester & Travel Guide
Gloucester is the county’s largest city, with many Roman sites, English Civil War history, and museums to explore. Gloucester has a famous cathedral and sits on the River Severn. It’s also near the M5 motorway for ease of access. It is a city in a rural county, thus surrounded by pleasant countryside. The city centre has four principal streets, all meeting at “the Cross”. These are Northgate Street, Southgate Street, Eastgate Street & Westgate Street.
The city is historically a rugby town represented by Glos RFC, who play at Kingsholm near the city centre. This means match day is typically a hive of activity. For those who enjoy history, many historic sites are within the central areas.
Things To See or Do In Gloucester
The city and its surroundings offer some interesting tourist attractions and places to visit.
Gloucester Cathedral
The historic cathedral is the centrepiece of the city and a fantastic place to visit to learn history and admire the architecture. They often host events, including concerts, and have a pleasant garden for an alfresco lunch. It is free to enter; however, they suggest a donation on the way in. My favourite parts are the cloisters, the secret garden and the gallery above the choir.
Rhythm & Blues Music Festival
Each year the city hosts a rhythm and blues festival which takes place in various venues throughout the city. This enjoyable event includes gigs held inside and outside. My favourite venues for this are Cafe Rene and the Turk’s Head in the centre. The 2026 festival runs from 24th July to 2nd August. You can find out who is playing and when on the festival’s website.
Beatrix Potter’s Shop – House of the Tailor of Gloucester
Beatrix Potter’s House of the Tailor of Gloucester is a charming shop and also a museum. It is open to the public every day, and enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers will help you. The house is the original building Beatrix Potter used in her wonderful story, The Tailor of Gloucester.
Inside the shop and museum, you can see many of the book’s characters. There are loads of books, souvenirs and toys available to buy, as well as other local trinkets. The shop is lovely to browse, and you can see all the familiar characters from her books. It’s a great place to buy gifts for children or adults that are fans of the author. Website
Eat Out
There are a variety of places to eat out, from nice exclusive to chain restaurants. You have many options in the historic docks and quays area and in the city centre. One of my favourites in the city is Greek on The Docks, a waterside eatery with great food and views. For something different and also healthy, there are some great places for lunch.
Gloucester Goes Retro
Each August, the city hosts a retro festival showcasing cars and outfits from the 20th century. This event takes place throughout the city and is a must if you love classic cars. The event also features entertainment, including a stage with live music.
Folk Of Gloucester
Another museum I enjoy visiting is Folk of Gloucester, housed in old Tudor-style buildings on Westgate Street. It preserves and celebrates the region’s local culture, history, and traditions. The museum features a range of exhibits that showcase the daily lives, trades, and customs of Gloucestershire’s people over the centuries. It touches on Roman and Civil War history with some interesting recreations about Gloucester Castle. You can find opening times on their website.
Tall Ships Festival
The Historic Docks host the biannual Tall Ships Festival on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in May. From experience, this is usually a fun event and worth visiting. Hopefully, the weather will be good.
Explore the Docks
Gloucester Docks are a big draw for the city because of their history and interesting attractions. They have two museums, the National Waterways Museum and the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum.
The docks have lots of Victorian-era warehouses to mooch around, many of which have nearby restaurants. Sitting on the waterfront is a great way to relax; if you’re lucky, you may also see some interesting boats.
Museum of Gloucester – Roman, Tudor & Civil War History
The Museum of Gloucester on Brunswick Road is a great place to visit. Especially for those keen to learn about local history. The museum is a fantastic educational resource on the city’s history. Visitors can learn about recent history, the English Civil War and the Roman era.
This is a great attraction for adults and children. The museum also has some interactive displays where you can dress up in period costumes. The interactive experience includes a Roman kitchen playhouse and medieval street.
They arrange the museum to tell the story of Gloucester’s origins as a Roman settlement. Then it traces its development through the Dark Ages and the Medieval period. An original Roman wall is on display, which is fascinating. The wall makes imaginative visitors wonder what life was like under Roman rule.
The museum has other significant artefacts throughout. These include interesting clocks, furniture, and weapons from the Civil War era. The exhibitions are fantastic and really interesting. Admission is FREE for the general exhibits. However, some special exhibitions may cost extra.
Former Priories
If you like history, there are 4 former priories to visit when in the city; these were victims of Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. These include St Oswald’s, Blackfriars, Greyfriars and the Llanthony Seconda Priory. These are mostly ruins and are free to mooch around. My favourite is St Oswald’s Priory, and as a bonus, the ruins offer excellent views of the cathedral.
Watch Sunset
Gloucester has better sunsets than sunrises. The view down Westgate Street can be pretty spectacular if the conditions are right. You can also get a splendid view from the docks or across the river at The Quay.
Visit St Michael’s Tower
St Michael’s Tower in the city centre is over 500 years old. It was the former bell tower of the Church of St Michael. The Tower once housed 10 bells, and the church was once a famous city landmark. The church has many stories; so does the Bell Tower.
St Michael’s Tower in the city centre of Gloucester is the home of The Civic Trust. The tower is a heritage centre with interesting exhibitions, audiovisual displays and daily shows of old films about the local area. There is no entry fee to enter. However, guided walks charge a fee. The tower is one of many photogenic buildings in the historic city. You can shoot it from many angles.
Gloucester Civic Trust Tours & Guided Walks
For 40 years, Gloucester Civic Trust has entertained residents and visitors to the city. They offer a wide selection of themed walks, city tours, dock tours, lectures, art classes and heritage events. The Civic Trust is a registered charity. 100% volunteer-run and -managed. Their tour guides and volunteers give their time freely, promoting Gloucester’s heritage and tourism.
The Civic Trust hosts guided walks and sells DVDs about old Gloucester. They have a wide selection of self-guided walks where you go at your own pace. They also do themed walks and tailor-made walks. These often start at St Michael’s Tower. www.gloucestercivictrust.org
Spirit of Aviation Statue
Spirit of Aviation is a sculpture by Simon Springer on Northgate Street. The Spirit of Aviation statue celebrates the achievements of the Gloster Aircraft Company. They founded the company in 1917 and played a big part in the country’s aeronautical industry. The statue is one of many in Gloucester celebrating different aspects of the county’s history.
Eastgate Viewing Chamber – Roman Ruins
A fascinating thing to do is to see the Roman Ruins at the Eastgate Viewing Chamber. This underground chamber shows the remains of defences and the Eastgate of the city. This dates back to when Gloucester was a Roman fortress, around AD 68. The chamber includes Roman remains, including the base of a 13th-century tower and the Tudor ‘horse pool’. Historically, this is where the waggons were, and they washed livestock before market. Visitors can view a large section of the Eastgate Viewing Chamber through the windows. The chamber is on the floor outside Boots on Eastgate Street.
Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum in Gloucester Docks celebrates the region’s rich military history with a varied array of exhibits. The collection examines local troops such as the Glorious Glosters and Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, exploring their part in conflicts stretching from the American Revolutionary War to the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars.
This is a great tourist attraction for those interested in military and war history. They are in Gloucester Docks and easy to find. A tank or military vehicle is usually outside. The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum reopened in April 2014 after a major refurbishment. When you visit, you can learn about the lives of Gloucestershire soldiers over the last 300 years. Fun activities include trying on army uniforms and exploring a First World War trench. Learn about medals and how soldiers won them through history with the museum’s interactive displays.
Find out how the Gloucestershire Regiment won the Back Badge. Also learn how the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars survived fighting in the desert. The museum has ever-changing exhibitions, so they will always have something new to see and learn. The story about the soldiers of Gloucestershire begins in 1694 and then travels through the Napoleonic Wars. Then it moves on to the Age of Empire, the World Wars, and Korea. Finally, right up to modern-day conflicts in the Middle East. www.soldiersofglos.com
Watch a Rugby Match
A popular activity is to enjoy a game of rugby in the city. Gloucester RFC plays out of its home stadium, Kingsholm, just outside Gloucester city centre. They are a Premiership team that plays good rugby. For some games, you can purchase tickets, but others are season tickets only. Gloucester RFC is the only Premiership rugby club in Gloucestershire; however, we also know them as the “Cherry & Whites”. Website…
The club also has a retail “megastore” in the Gloucester Quays shopping centre. Customers can buy replica kits, coats and more here in the club’s colours.
Nature in Art, Twigworth Museum
Nature in Art Museum is a unique art experience where nature inspires all the art here. The gallery is also the UK’s only art gallery & museum dedicated to art inspired by nature. Nature in Art in Twigworth hosts exhibitions, art courses, artists in residence and much more. This is a great place to visit, for the art, the architecture, and the beautiful countryside.
The Museum and Gallery call Wallsworth Hall a Georgian mansion in Twigworth. The building dates back to 1740 but has grown since and is a splendid example of Georgian architecture. Many of the building’s original features still survive, and it’s a special place to visit.
Churches
Throughout the city centre are some fantastic historic churches, many of which you can visit for free. The cathedral is the most popular, but some notable ones include St Nicholas, St Mary de Crypt and St Peter’s. These are usually open for a mooch around on weekdays, and some have services on Sunday.
Gloucester Quays
The stylish Quays shopping outlet is an easy walking distance from Gloucester’s beautiful, historic centre and city shops. Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre is unique in being so close to the city centre while set in spectacular surroundings. The design, combining the beautiful historic docks and its industrial architecture, is stunning. It has waterfront restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
Eastgate Shopping Centre
The Eastgate Shopping Centre in Gloucester includes a variety of shops, including the local indoor market. The shopping centre has retail outlets on the ground floor. The 1st floor has an area to enjoy food, including cafes and other eateries. Notable eateries in the centre include The Farmhouse Deli, a nice place to grab a bite to eat or a hot pork baguette for lunch.
College Court, Gloucester
Between Westgate Street and the cathedral is College Court, possibly Gloucester’s most attractive shopping street. It is a narrow lane with some interesting shops and looks fantastic, especially when adorned with bunting. At the cathedral end of the passage is St Michael’s Gate. St Michael’s Gate is a 14th-century pedestrian gateway in the former precinct wall of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, now the Cathedral.