{"id":3091,"date":"2022-10-27T16:55:52","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T16:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoptraveler.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/27\/how-to-spend-a-weekend-in-gloucester-and-cheltenham\/"},"modified":"2022-10-27T16:55:52","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T16:55:52","slug":"how-to-spend-a-weekend-in-gloucester-and-cheltenham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoptraveler.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/27\/how-to-spend-a-weekend-in-gloucester-and-cheltenham\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend a Weekend in Gloucester and Cheltenham"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Some posts on this web site comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you ebook or purchase one thing by means of these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no further price to you). Take a have a look at my privateness coverage<\/a> for extra info.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Escape the Everyday with a weekend away in Gloucester and Cheltenham this summer time! <\/p>\n

Looking for a getaway in England<\/strong> that provides a wider vary of issues to do? One with tradition, historical past, countryside, and tons of enjoyable actions to strive?<\/p>\n

Then a weekend away exploring the neighbouring cities of Gloucester and Cheltenham might be best! <\/p>\n

Enjoy the Regency-era grandeur of Cheltenham,<\/strong> with its large parks and packed schedule of occasions. There\u2019s a purpose they name this \u201cThe Festival Town\u201d! <\/p>\n

Over in historic Gloucester, <\/strong>uncover centuries of historical past within the Cathedral, alongside the redeveloped Dockside, and within the now-abandoned Prison. <\/p>\n

Both are proper on the sting of The Cotswolds<\/a>,<\/strong> one of the crucial idyllic areas of England identified for its rolling countryside and quaint villages. So you’ll be able to simply mix city and countryside on a vacation right here. <\/p>\n

In reality, top-of-the-line methods to benefit from the space is to ebook a resort on the sting of the Cotswolds AONB, between each cities. Preferably a resort with a spa! That means, you’ll be able to get up to recent nation air and views of rolling inexperienced hills, then head into both Gloucester or Cheltenham for a day of sightseeing, procuring, eating, historical past, and tradition! The better of each worlds. <\/p>\n

My journey to Gloucester and Cheltenham was run in collaboration with Visit Cheltenham and Visit Gloucester as a part of Visit England\u2019s Escape the Everyday marketing campaign. All phrases and opinions are my very own. <\/em><\/p>\n

Gloucester or Cheltenham?<\/h2>\n

Wondering in the event you ought to go to Gloucester or Cheltenham? <\/strong>The straightforward reply is: each! The two cities are shut collectively and may simply be visited for a day every over one weekend. <\/p>\n

If you actually need to slender it down, the query of whether or not to go to Cheltenham or Gloucester is determined by what you\u2019re searching for! <\/p>\n

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Gloucester City Centre <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Neptune fountain in Cheltenham<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Cheltenham is a spa city stuffed with grand Regency-era structure,<\/strong> in addition to plenty of parks and inexperienced areas. It\u2019s generally known as a little bit of a procuring vacation spot, and likewise has plenty of fab bars and eating places to get pleasure from. And, in fact, being a spa city makes Cheltenham an ideal vacation spot for a spa weekend. <\/p>\n

Gloucester, however, has extra sights and historic sights, most notably its unbelievable cathedral. The metropolis\u2019s Historic Docks had a redevelopment in recent times,<\/strong> creating a horny riverside space the place the red-brick warehouse buildings now comprise trendy flats. This space additionally has many bars, eating places, in addition to the favored Gloucester Quays outlet shopping center. <\/p>\n

Things to do in Cheltenham and Gloucester<\/h2>\n

Gloucester Cathedral<\/h3>\n

One of probably the most well-known sights in Gloucester and Cheltenham is the gorgeous Gloucester Cathedral<\/a>, <\/strong>initially based as an Abbey in 1089. <\/p>\n

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The cloisters had been a Harry Potter filming location. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The unbelievable structure of the constructing oozes historical past, a lot of it tying in with a number of huge occasions in England\u2019s historical past. In reality, the cathedral is even house to the tomb of King Edward II.<\/p>\n

I extremely advocate taking the guided tour<\/a> <\/strong>(round 50 minutes) to be taught slightly extra in regards to the cathedral\u2019s historical past and discover out a few of the extra intriguing particulars of its structure and stained glass home windows. Tours are simply \u00a35.50 for adults and \u00a32 for youngsters, so that they\u2019re very inexpensive \u2013 and genuinely very fascinating. <\/p>\n

Even in the event you skip the tour, don\u2019t miss the attractive cloisters of the cathedral. Especially in the event you\u2019re a Harry Potter fan. Several scenes from the flicks<\/a> had been filmed inside these exquisitely carved walkways. <\/p>\n

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A hand-written manuscript courting from 1390 housed inside Gloucester Cathedral library<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

TOP TIP: <\/strong>Try to time your go to with one of many uncommon, however incredible, library open days. Dating from the early 1400s, this unbelievable area is house to over 6,000 books and manuscripts. They host particular guided excursions roughly each two months, all the time themed round a unique subject. <\/p>\n

Tour of Gloucester Prison<\/h3>\n
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One factor I didn’t count on to be doing on my weekend in Gloucester and Cheltenham was visiting a jail. Nor did I count on to get pleasure from it a lot!<\/p>\n

Gloucester Prison run common guided excursions<\/a><\/strong> by means of the now-empty penetentiary, to find out about its fascinating (and at occasions considerably grizzly) historical past. <\/p>\n

Built on the positioning of an earlier Norman citadel, the Gloucester County Goal and Penitentiary was opened in 1791, and was rebuilt and expanded a number of occasions over the centuries, till it was closed in 2013. Over the years, it\u2019s hosted public executions and hangings, so there are fairly a couple of grotesque tales to listen to as you discover the eery, deserted area. <\/p>\n

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You\u2019ll additionally hear a couple of ghost tales.<\/strong> Our information appeared fairly real in telling us the unexplainable issues he\u2019s seen and heard, and a Most Haunted Christmas particular<\/a> was filmed right here. You\u2019ll get extra of those particulars on the extra grownup 5:30pm tour, so select that one if that type of issues sounds up your road! <\/p>\n

Independent Shops to Explore in Gloucester<\/h3>\n

I cherished exploring the unbiased outlets dotted across the streets close to the Cathedral \u2013 and past. Here are a couple of you shouldn\u2019t miss\u2026<\/p>\n

Historic Docks and Gloucester Quays<\/h3>\n
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One of the primary areas to discover in Gloucester<\/strong> is the historic Gloucester Docks<\/a>. The most inland port within the nation, this was as soon as a bustling trades space that\u2019s been in use for hundreds of years. <\/p>\n

Today, it\u2019s had a significant redevelopment to create a classy area that\u2019s stuffed with eateries, bars, and outlets. The outdated red-brick warehouses have been was trendy flats, and there\u2019s an ideal buzz to the realm, particularly on sunny days. <\/p>\n

Head to the National Waterways Museum<\/a> to be taught extra in regards to the historical past of the docks and canal, or just wander the dockside, searching for picturesque canal boats. <\/p>\n

Shoppers may even love the Gloucester Quays<\/a> designer outlet shopping center<\/strong> \u2013 the right place to cut price hunt! <\/p>\n

DON\u2019T MISS: <\/strong>Gloucester Brewery<\/a> for craft beers, artisan gins, and a cute dockside beer backyard! <\/p>\n

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Gloucester Guildhall<\/h3>\n

Looking for some night actions in Gloucester? Check what\u2019s on at Gloucester Guildhall<\/a><\/strong> throughout your go to. <\/p>\n

Right within the coronary heart of the town centre, this charming constructing dates from 1890, and as soon as housed varied council workplaces, the mayor\u2019s parlour, and a public corridor. Today, it\u2019s a significant arts centre, and types Gloucester\u2019s cultural hub. <\/p>\n

From reside music and theatre in the primary corridor, to movie screenings in the small however stunning cinema, <\/strong>to exhibitions, occasions and courses\u2026 there\u2019s all the time one thing enjoyable occurring on the Guildhall . Perfect so as to add a novel twist to your weekend in Gloucester and Cheltenham. <\/p>\n

Hire Bikes to Explore Cheltenham<\/h3>\n
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Cycling the Honeybourne Line<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Next up: the attractive Regency city of Cheltenham. It\u2019s an enthralling city with plenty of parks and gardens, <\/strong>so top-of-the-line methods to get round is by bike. <\/p>\n

Hire a set of wheels from The Bicycle Hub<\/a> and set off to find the grand Georgian structure of the city. They actually have a cell app which accommodates detailed route guides with maps. I cherished biking alongside the Honeybourne Line<\/a>, <\/strong>an outdated railway monitor transformed into a motorcycle path, dotted with road artwork and murals leftover from the Cheltenham Paint Festival<\/a>. This pageant is an annual occasion, so the murals you see will change yearly. <\/p>\n

If you’ve a bit extra time in your palms, you would rent some electrical bikes and cycle the nation lanes into the close by Cotswolds. <\/p>\n

Discover What\u2019s On in The Festival Town<\/h3>\n
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Did you realize that Cheltenham is nicknamed The Festival Town<\/a>?<\/strong> Despite its comparatively small dimension, the city performs host to an enormous calendar of festivals and occasions all year long, lots of them world-leading. <\/p>\n

The most well-known, in fact, is The Festival<\/a> (aka Cheltenham Festival) \u2013 a four-day horse racing occasion held in March at Cheltenham Racecourse. <\/p>\n

But there\u2019s SO way more past horse racing. Cheltenham hosts quite a few arts, music, and cultural festivals, <\/strong>together with the world\u2019s oldest Literature Festival.<\/p>\n

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Retro Americana Festival<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Plus there are tons of smaller festivals and occasions. <\/strong>When I visited, each the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival<\/a> and the brand-new Retro Americana Festival<\/a> at Pittville Pump Rooms had been going down. <\/p>\n

Both had been incredible occasions, held in two of Cheltenham\u2019s quite a few parks, with an ideal ambiance and many reside leisure. And each will probably be again subsequent 12 months, so you should definitely verify them out! <\/p>\n

Check Visit Cheltenham\u2019s What\u2019s On Listings<\/a> to see what\u2019s occurring while you go to, or plan your journey to coincide with one of many greater festivals for a incredible atmosphere whilst you\u2019re exploring the city. <\/p>\n

Explore Cheltenham\u2019s Historic Regency Buildings<\/h3>\n
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The Royal Mews Georgian homes in Suffolk Square<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Cheltenham rose to prominence as a spa city <\/strong>through the Georgian interval, when the aristocracy started flocking to spa cities like Bath<\/a> and Tunbridge Wells to spend a season \u201ctaking the waters\u201d.<\/p>\n

That recognition led to a growth in guests and a fast enlargement, with a lot of the city centre rebuilt within the classical Regency architectural fashion.<\/p>\n

Head to the grand Pittville Pump Room<\/a>, set inside a fairly park with lawns main all the way down to a lake. Or you would go to the Holst Birthplace Museum to see a superbly preserved Regency lounge. <\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s not Georgian, you additionally shouldn\u2019t miss The Queens Hotel<\/a>, <\/strong>a shocking Victorian resort in-built the identical 12 months as Queen Victoria\u2019s coronation. The most important staircase nonetheless options the unique wallpaper from 1838 \u2013 which simply so occurs to be the identical because the wallpaper used within the Houses of Parliament in Westminster<\/a>! For one thing a bit particular, you’ll be able to ebook an afternoon tea within the Dukes Tea Room<\/a> on the resort. <\/p>\n

Unwind at a Spa<\/h3>\n
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The Spa at Cowley Manor Hotel has an indoor and out of doors pool (each heated)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

You can\u2019t go to a spa city like Cheltenham and never go to a spa! <\/strong>In reality, I like to recommend reserving a spa resort in between Gloucester and Cheltenham to be able to simply discover each cities. That means, you’ll be able to benefit from the spa after a protracted day\u2019s sightseeing! <\/p>\n

I stayed at Cowley Manor, on the sting of the Cotswolds, which has a good looking spa. I\u2019d extremely advocate this gorgeous resort for a spa weekend in Cheltenham and Gloucester. But in the event you want to remain within the city centre, there are a number of day spas you’ll be able to go to \u2013 I\u2019ve advisable a couple of within the subsequent part. <\/p>\n

Weekend Itinerary for Gloucester and Cheltenham (Short Version)<\/h2>\n

To make issues simpler, I\u2019ve damaged down the next Gloucester and Cheltenham weekend itinerary <\/strong>into three days, permitting for a full day in every, plus a day at a spa. <\/p>\n

You don\u2019t should comply with this precisely, however the beneath ought to provide you with an concept of find out how to benefit from your time within the two cities. <\/p>\n

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Gloucester Docks at evening<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Day One: Exploring Gloucester<\/h3>\n