Gloucester is the biggest city in the county, a historic city with many Roman artefacts, civil war activity and museums to learn more. The city of Gloucester has a famous cathedral and on the River Severn and near the M5 Motorway for ease of access.
It is a city in the rural county, thus surrounded by pleasant countryside. However, Gloucester has two principal shopping areas; the city centre & The Quays Designer Outlet near The Historic Docks.
The city is historically a Rugby town represented by Glos RFC, who play at Kingsholm near the city centre. This means on a match day the city is typically a hive of activity.
Popular
- Docks – The historic dockland is home to many events and festivals and waterside dining.
- Restaurants – Eating out in the city, including places to suit all budgets and tastes.
- Cathedral – The centrepiece that is visible from most areas of the city. It is well worth a visit to admire its architecture and learn some local history.
- What’s On? A guide to all the major events happening in the city and local area.
Eat Out
There are a variety of places to eat out in Gloucester from nice exclusive or chain restaurants. There are many options to eat in the historic docks and Quays area and in the city centre.
One of my favourites in the city is Greek on The Docks, which is a waterside eatery with some great food and views. For something different and also healthy, Guru Coffee House is a great place for lunch in a very comfortable setting.
Where To Stay
There are many options for hotels in Gloucester city centre including some fantastic independent options. Just outside the city is The Hallmark which has a health spa and near the ski centre.
Also, there are many apartments and cottages that you can book for a say in the city. These come in a variety of price points to suit most budgets.
Gloucester Visitor Attractions
There are some very interesting tourist attractions and places to visit in and near the city.
Gloucester Cathedral
The historic cathedral is the centrepiece of the city and is a fantastic place to visit to learn some history and admire. There are often events including concerts hosted here, and they also have a pleasant garden to enjoy an alfresco lunch.
Go Shopping
Gloucester offers a perfect combination; a perfect opportunity to shop and drop! The stylish Quays shopping outlet is easy walking distance from Gloucester’s beautiful, historic centre and city shops.
College court is a lovely street with some great independent retailers on it including the Beatrix Potter shop. Lillys restaurant towards the Cathedral is a nice, independent eatery and serves some great lunches.
Attend Gloucester Music Festival
Gloucester Music Festival is a free annual event that includes high quality classical, jazz, rock and folk music. The festival is 10 days of world-class music, events, hosted in beautiful venues in the city.
Gloucester Goes Retro
Each August, the city hosts a retro festival that showcases cars and outfits of the 20th century. This event takes place throughout the city and is a must if you love classic cars. There is also entertainment on, including a sage with live music.
Visit the popular Tall Ships Festival
The Historic Docks host the bi-annual 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 its history and interesting attractions. It has two museums, The British Waterways Museum and also the soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum.
The docks have lots of Victorian era warehouses for you to mooch around, many of which have restaurants nearby. Sitting on the waterfront is a great relaxing way to spend some time, however, if lucky you may get to see some interesting boats.
Peruse Gloucester Museum
Gloucester museum is on Brunswick road near to the city centre, housed in a pleasant building. This museum covers the history of the city, including fascinating exhibits relating to Roman times. They also have interactive exhibitions, which are great fun to take part in.
Throughout the museum are artefacts, antique furniture and treasures for visitors to enjoy. There are also some marvellous pieces of art on the walls.
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.