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“Cotswold
Dean Forest Railway
Take a relaxed journey back in time
Steam trains run on most Wednesdays and weekends from mid-March until early November - add a little something extra with an afternoon tea or cream tea (plus a glass of bubbly if you’re so inclined)!
Crack the case on our Murder Mystery Trains, on select Saturdays throughout the year.
Meet Santa on board the train at our ‘Santa Specials’ on select days from late November until Christmas Eve.
Plus many more special events and evening trains (inclulding our immensely popular evening fish & chip trains).
Ticket office, shop, museum and café are all available at our main station, called ‘Norchard’, at the address below.
Advanced online booking is highly recommended (and required for many of the special events)
Dean Forest Railway, Forest Rd, Lydney, Glos. GL15 4ET
Gloucestershire is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite.
vultures assemble! This region offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums,
and festivals.
Gloucestershire has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure.
final look at this beautiful county — Crickley Hill.
DISCOVER SLIMBRIDGE
This wonderful county draws visitors back like a magnet year after year
Welcome, visitor!
Welcome to Gloucestershire – and may we congratulate you on your choice of destination. This is a county with lots to offer visitors. You can take a leisurely tour of elegant spa and market towns and stately homes dotted around meandering green landscapes. Or trek between the lovely clusters of buildings which make up the picture-perfect Cotswold villages, or cycle off the beaten track through oaks and beeches in the huge Forest of Dean – look out for wild boar and roe deer!
As befits such a productive agricultural area, there’s no end to the top-class restaurants and other dining out venues available if you’re here for a foodie break.
And for the shopaholics amongst you, all the big high-street names are here, along with a great selection of quirky off-high-street independents and specialist shops.
An ever-popular destination and perfect for family days out, Gloucestershire towns will give you glimpses of Regency high life and medieval market squares. And the county’s lively sporting calendar is packed with some spectacular horse racing, county cricket, top-class rugby matches and even annual Double Gloucester cheese rolling!
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy everything this wonderful county has to offer. ■
Bibury in the Cotswolds, once described as “the most beautiful village in England” by William Morris
Gloucestershire offers an abundance of things to do with days out and top attractions for the whole family to enjoy
Great days out
Ramblers, history buffs and wannabe countrysiders will have a blast in Gloucestershire. This cultured country is bursting with historic gems, from elegant Cotswold towns to grand country houses. Not to mention the glorious landscape that’s full of walking trails, wildlife and views right out of Jane Austen. What are you waiting for? Get out there and explore.
If Gloucestershire’s picture-perfect Cotswolds towns aren’t enough for you, never fear. This fascinating country has a bumper crop of museums, galleries and historic buildings to keep you occupied.
The pretty town of Tetbury has typical Cotswold scenery in spades – but without
Get down to Gloucester’s historic docks for some serious boating action
the crowds of some of its better-known neighbours. Come here to browse the many independent stores, including antiques and gift shops, and the Highgrove Shop, which sells gifts from King Charles III’s estate nearby. Don’t miss the colonnaded Market House, and take a wander down Gumstool Hill, where the annual woolsack races take place in May.
Get down to Gloucester’s historic docks for some serious boating action. You’ll see all kinds of vessels, from narrow boats and barges to sailing ships. You might be lucky enough to spot visiting tall ships, often for filming of movies or dramas.
You can even brush up on your shipping l
Gloucester docks. Opposite page: The Tyndale Monument, North Nibley, completed in 1866
Winner of Museum and Art Gallery Slow Travel Cotswolds Awards 2024 Museum | Gallery | Walled Garden
Stroud District (Cowle) Museum Service
Stroud, Gloucestershire
Stroud District (Cowle) Museum Service Museum in the Park
to Enter | Donations Welcome
Explore…
The Museum is set in the beautiful grounds of Stratford Park. The collection tells the story of the people and landscape of the Stroud Valleys and wider district. Pick up one of our many free family explorer trails.
Discover…
Behind the Museum is a hidden and enchanting walled garden. It features glorious contemporary borders, a wildflower meadow with heritage fruit trees and uplifting views of the surrounding parkland. Discover and be inspired by this ever-changing gem!
Connect…
Visit the Museum’s website to find out more about temporary exhibitions held in our Art Gallery. We offer free-to-join membership to stay connected museuminthepark.org.uk/membership
Wetlands
Discover this vibrant nature reserve, where rare Shrill Carder Bees play, Bitterns boom and Starlings swirl in the skies above.
With scenic trails, fun family activities and a delicious café, you can be sure of a great day out.
Plan your visit today rspb.org.uk/newportwetlands
knowledge at the National Waterways Museum – which is even better value if you buy a Gloucester Museums Pass. Once you’re done, use the pass to access the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, The Folk of Gloucester museum and the Museum of Gloucester.
Set in a natural bowl in the Cotswold hills, Winchcombe was the county town of historic Winchcombeshire, and has streets lined with Cotswold-stone cottages, with grander buildings and shops along North Street, Gloucester Street and Broadway Road.
Described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England, Bibury is home to the picturesque cottages of Arlington Row and the Bibury Trout Farm, one of the oldest working trout farms in England.
In Tewkesbury, the John Moore Museum commemorates the work of the naturalist and writer with an extensive natural history collection and children’s activities. The museum sits in a beautifully preserved row of timber-framed buildings, amongst which is The Merchant’s House – a 15th-century shop and dwelling.
The Old Baptist Chapel was renovated by the museum, and its artefacts include an ancient minute-book, partly written in code to protect the writer from political enemies
during the restoration of King Charles II.
Tewkesbury Museum celebrates the town’s rich history, particularly the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. Follow the marked Battle Trail through the Bloody Meadow where the Lancastrians suffered their final defeat in the Wars of the Roses. The annual Medieval Festival and re-enactment of the battle in July is a lively event with costumed re-enactors, hundreds of stalls and other entertainment over the course of a weekend.
The Corinium Museum in Cirencester l
L Arlington Row, Bibury I Gloucestershire Museum
Cocktails Social Darts ® Brunch
Beatrix Potter’s The House of the Tailor of Gloucester museum & shop
The House of the Tailor is staffed by volunteers who are both enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Beatrix Potter and her works.
The museum and shop are open to the public daily Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
9 College Court, Gloucester GL1 2NJ T. 01452 422856 tailor-of-gloucester.org.uk
Closed Bank Holidays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Find us on Facebook
TOFREEENTRY MUSEUM
SHOP DINE STAY PLAY
focuses on the Romans in Gloucestershire, with impressive displays of mosaics, artefacts and archaeological finds housed in light, wellpresented galleries. In the immersive exhibits you can get up close and personal with objects that are hundreds of thousands of years old.
A short drive away are the remains of a once grand Roman home – Chedworth Roman Villa. You can check out its mosaics and see how it was once set out, as well as visiting the on-site museum to peruse finds from archaeological digs.
Stratford Park
The Museum in the Park in Stroud is set in the beautiful Stratford Park, in a 17th-century wool merchant’s house. Among the 4,000 objects on display is an early lawnmower (invented locally), a Neolithic skull and the remains of a woolly mammoth which once walked through Cainscross! Entrance to the museum and its events is usually free, though there’s a fee for some workshops.
The Walled Garden restoration project aims to bring an overgrown area back to life as part of the Stratford Park biodiversity programme. While you’re there, you could visit the model railway or take a picnic for one of the Bands in the Park events.
The long arm of the law reaches
Folk and Police
See handcuffs and equipment, as well as uniforms from around the world. There are also folk and farming displays in the museum. You will find it above the Victorian Town Hall.
Visitors come to privately-owned Sudeley Castle & Gardens for its 1,000 years of history and associations with Tudor royalty – Henry VIII’s sixth and surviving wife, Katherine Parr, is buried here. There’s also an award-winning children’s adventure play area complete with a wooden castle to defend from intruders. l
Winchcombe
Museum.
L Westonbirt Arboretum I Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Alison Ingram
At Dunkirk Mill Museum you can see a massive working waterwheel directly powering historic textile machinery. You can also learn about the fascinating history of woollen cloth production in the Stroud valleys and the inventiveness of those who devised the vast machines which produced the internationally famous ‘Stroud scarlet’ which clothed the British army for centuries.
At the Gigg Mill Weaving Centre, our expert guides demonstrate everything from the smallest table-top loom to a vintage power loom. Try your hand at weaving! You will learn to tell warp from weft, discover what a flying shuttle is, and hear how everything just got faster and faster.
Our mills are open on selected days each month. For our opening times, and to book a 45-minute tour of either mill, visit our website: www.stroudtextiletrust.org.uk
STROUDWATER TEXTILE TRUST
Where the heritage of the past meets the creativity of the present
Home sweet Hoburne
Holiday homes from only
£34,995
Your Hoburne Blue Anchor holiday home comes with:
• Pitch fees included*
• New holiday homes with elegant decking included**
• 12 months’ insurance included
• Water charges and rates pro-rata to next billing date
• VAT included *Terms and conditions apply. **Subject to pitch.
The Bay eatery
Heated indoor pool
East Somerset Steam Railway
Take a trip back in time at Berkeley Castle, home to the Berkeley family since their ancestor Robert Fitzharding completed the Keep in the late 12th century. The history played out within the castle’s walls makes it one of the most remarkable buildings in Britain. Edward II was gruesomely murdered here, and there are also incredible links with William Shakespeare, Elizabeth I, Francis Drake and Edward Jenner.
Also in Berkeley is Dr Jenner’s House, now a museum celebrating the life and legacy of the physician, surgeon and pioneer of the smallpox vaccination.
Gloucestershire is made for days in the great outdoors. In winter, you can walk across windswept hills before retiring to a quintessential honey-coloured Cotswolds pub. In summer, country gardens are in bloom and there are events, festivals and wildlife parks to enjoy. So pull on those walking boots and hit the trails!
Among the county’s National Trust gems are the historic houses and gardens at Hidcote and Snowshill. At Hidcote, plant collector Lawrence Johnston created beautifully landscaped gardens and ‘outdoor rooms’. While at Snowshill there’s an eclectic collection of treasures assembled by its former owner, Charles Wade.
Also cared for by the National Trust is the Lodge Park and Sherborne Park Estate, a thriving home to wildlife, including farmland birds, kestrels, red kites and barn owls. There’s a circular walking route through the water meadows, the estate’s real wildlife haven. Lodge Park, England’s only surviving 17thcentury grandstand, is set within the estate.
Other gardens worth a visit include Batsford Arboretum, Painswick Rococo Garden, Miserden, Cerney House Gardens, Kiftsgate Court Gardens, Sezincote and Bourton House Garden.
Just along the road from Tetbury, book a champagne tour of the gardens at Highgrove House, and take a bracing walk among the national collection of trees at the Westonbirt Arboretum. Dogs are allowed and there are family events, trails and even a tree-top walkway. Come in spring or autumn if you can when the colours are at their most stunning.
Follow country lanes through the beautiful villages of Hawkesbury Upton, Hillesley and Alderley towards Wotton-under-Edge, and you’ll be wowed by wonderful views of the Severn Valley. You’ll also be wowed by local history. Wotton-under-Edge was once an important centre for spinning and weaving, and there are shops, inns and cafés, as well as a local history centre. l
Sezincote House and Gardens
MAKING MEMORIES
A warm welcome and 1,000 years of history await at one of the most spectacular medieval buildings in the country.
Gloucester Cathedral is located at the heart of the city centre and entry is by voluntary donation.
GUIDED TOURS Daily | INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION Space
HARRY POTTER Filming Location | TOMB of a MURDERED KING
The MONK'S KITCHEN Eatery | Cathedral GIFT SHOP
YES WE’RE GOING GLOBAL! LOOK OUT FOR OUR FIRST TURKISH GUIDE NEXT YEAR: WELCOME TO FETHIYE
NEW FOR 2025: KINGFISHER GUIDES TO TURKEY
“Beautiful gardens enjoyed by three generations of our family ”
Experience
the great outdoors with a peek into the flamboyant frivolity of the early 1700s, in the UK’s only complete surviving rococo garden.
Photo credit: Joab Smith
Walk up a green lane off the road at North Nibley to the Tyndale Monument. It commemorates William Tyndale, who translated the Bible from Latin into English in the 16th century. Climb the dizzying 120 steps to the top for a magnificent view over the escarpment, down to the distant River Severn and, on a good day, far out to Wales.
There are many beautiful walks in the ancient woodland of RSPB’s Severn Vale reserve at Highnam Woods. Look out for woodpeckers, and keep your ears pricked for the sweet song of the nightingale in late spring.
For something completely different, walk underground and explore the industrial past of the Forest of Dean in nine impressive caverns at Clearwell Caves. Discover the geology that led to thousands of years of mining for coal, iron ore and stone, and learn about ochre and its use in art.
Down in the Forest of Dean, something stirs. It could either be a Gruffalo at the Dean Heritage Centre in Soudley.
For interactive animal fun and a lesson in conservation head to Cotswold Farm Park where you can feed the animals, or to Slimbridge Wetland Centre, which is particularly impressive during winter bird migrations. Based near Cirencester, the
Cotswold Reindeer Herd experience gives visitors the chance to meet and walk with reindeer each November and December.
The Cotswold Water Park area, including South Cerney Outdoor centre and Cotswold Country Park and Beach, is also well worth visiting.
Come on holiday in Gloucestershire and your days will be full of glorious landscapes, wild walking trails, quaint country towns and a whole host of fantastic museums. So come, dig in and enjoy! ■
L The Forest of Dean I Cotswold Farm Park, Cheltenham
DON’T MISS
Our top things to see and do when visiting this picturesque region
1
Festival fever
Gloucestershire’s festivals attract thousands of people annually. Depending on your passions, look out for the Cheltenham Gold Cup horse racing, Gloucester’s History and Tall Ships Festivals; the Festival of British events at Gatcombe Park estate; Jazz, Science, Literature, Music and Poetry in Cheltenham; Lechlade Music Festival and Barn on the Farm or the Cotswold Beer Festival and many smaller local events.
2
Try the waterways I
Four rivers, lakes, canals, ports and gravel pits provide endless opportunities for fishing, water sports, scenic walks and boat journeys. Slimbridge Wetlands Centre is the ideal place for bird spotting.
3
Sample the local produce
Try smoked trout, local ales and ciders, Gloucester Old Spot pork sausages, venison, wild boar and, of course, Double Gloucester cheese while you’re here. Or treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal at The Butchers Arms in Eldersfield.
4
Cotswold stone
Over the centuries, the grassy upland sheep farms of Gloucestershire have been divided into an irregular patchwork by Cotswold dry stone walls. Many village homes were built using this honeycoloured stone, often a under thatched roof and surrounded by cottage gardens.
5
Hit the shops
From Gloucester Quays outlet shopping, artisan shops in Chipping Campden, the individual shops and boutiques in Cheltenham’s Suffolks and Montpellier areas and regular market days in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester, Tewkesbury and many more – lots of choice at prices to suit every pocket.
6
Clowning around
The magical Giffords Circus travels around Gloucestershire’s village greens during the summer. Acrobats, horses, dogs and the hilarious Tweedy the Clown will make you gasp and roar with laughter. Eat in showman’s wagons at the Circus Sauce restaurant after the evening performance.
7
Painswick’s trees k
Can you count 99 neat, topiary yew trees in Painswick churchyard? Legend says that when the 100th is planted, one dies. Look out for the old stocks, then visit the Rococo Garden and The Woolpack in the Slad Valley, local pub of author Laurie Lee, who wrote Cider with Rosie
8
See the animals I
The Cotswold Farm Park helps preserve rare breeds of farm animals, like the Gloucester Old Spot pig. It’s a fantastic family day out and dog-friendly. There’s a
Volunteer to bottle feed the young animals in Spring
safari to enjoy, while bush craft and foraging activities can be booked in advance. In spring, volunteer to help bottle feed the young animals.
9
Visit Westonbirt Arboretum
Take a bracing walk among the national collection of trees at the Westonbirt Arboretum. This Forestry Commission site is accessible to the public, and dogs are also allowed. Most beautiful in spring and with gorgeous autumn colours, there are family events, trails and a tree-top walkway; in fact, there’s something to see throughout the year.
10
Blow the whistle
Gloucestershire has three heritage steam railways, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire (GWSR),
Perrygrove and Dean Forest railways. Events include Thomas the Tank Engine days and mince pie specials at Christmas. The views of hills and vales are unbeatable all year round.
11
Magnificent views
It’s said that you can see seven counties from the top of May Hill on a fine day – right into Wales, across to the Malvern Hills and of course the Cotswold Hills to the east, which offer views of their own. The stand of trees on the top of May Hill makes a landmark that is visible for miles around. ■
SHOPPING
Shopaholics will love this region for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, high-street staples and quirky independents
Shopping in Gloucestershire is the perfect blend of the familiar and the unusual. Want to get your hands on high-street brands? You’ll find all the big names in Cheltenham and Gloucester, as well as at out-of-town shopping malls. If independent and vintage is more your scene, there are offbeat stores aplenty, alongside antique shops, jewellers, delis and a healthy serving of ritzy boutiques.
Gloucestershire isn’t all pretty villages and antique shops. If you want some serious high street retail action, you’ll find plenty of upto-the-minute shopping centres – including
H&M, Tiger, TK Maxx and many more familiar names are at Regent Arcade
Regent Arcade in Cheltenham and the Quays complex at Gloucester Docks – where high-end fashion, familiar brand names and fantastic homewares are in abundance.
In complete contrast to all the Cotswold quaintness, Gloucester Quays is a 21stcentury designer shopping outlet that’s part of the regeneration of the city’s docks area. It’s a five-minute walk from the centre, in a scenic waterside setting among the tall warehouses and ships’ masts. If you want to bag a bargain this is a great place to do so, with discounts to be had among the designer brands, such as Le
Creuset, Joules, The North Face, Ted Baker and Jack Wills.
Feeling peckish after all that retail action? Take a break for a while at the cinema or grab a coffee or a meal at one of the Quay’s restaurants and watch the world go by. For an extra-special atmosphere, come and enjoy one of the regular events held at the Quays, such as the Victorian Christmas Market with its top hats, entertainment and roasting chestnuts.
For more action, get down to the city centre, where you’ll find both individual and high street brands clustered around Westgate Street and Eastgate Street. Eastgate Street is also home to a shopping centre featuring stores such as Marks & Spencer and H&M.
Just out of town, many major brands including Sports Direct and B&Q have stores in St Oswald’s Retail Park, with free parking available.
A flagship John Lewis department store opened on Cheltenham’s High Street in 2018, joining popular chains such as M&S, Boots and Clarks. An entrance on the High Street takes you to Regent Arcade, where H&M, Tiger, TK Maxx and many more familiar names operate over two levels.
Out-of-town shopping can be done at retail parks on Tewkesbury Road, where there are large branches of Next, Pets at Home, Bensons for Beds and supermarkets.
Luxury fashion brands
Five Valleys shopping centre near Stroud has undergone a multi-million-pound makeover. It has a 24-hour gym, banks, clothing and beauty shops, including JoJo Maman Bébé and Home Bargains. A new addition is department store Sandersons Boutique. The store features a wide range of stylish, unique and luxury fashion brands, including Barbour, Max Mara, Ugg, Tommy Hilfiger, Jacob Cohen and Cheltenham’s own designer fashion brand, Holland Cooper.
A new designer outlet is set to open near Junction 9 of the M5 in Gloucestershire in 2024. The six-acre retail-and-lifestyle destination, called Cotswold Designer Outlet, aims to recreate a Cotswold-style village environment, and will contain up to 90 shops, restaurants, cafés and a garden centre. What really sets Gloucestershire apart is the individuality of its market towns, which offer regular markets and a variety of independent, family-owned shops specialising in everything from rugs to cheese to cider.
Cirencester’s charter market is one of the oldest in the UK and is even mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086. Market Place,
meanwhile, puts on regular farmers’ and arts and crafts markets in the shadow of St Andrew’s Parish Church. They’re the perfect place to come for local strawberries, game, Gloucester Old Spot sausages, chocolate brownies, jars of plum jam, pottery, jewellery and much more.
The nearby Corn Hall is an ancient trading place. It’s set along a covered passage filled with individual boutiques and is a treasure trove of stalls that vary depending on the day of the week. Items on offer include silk scarves, original watercolour paintings, vintage clothing and iron candlesticks. On Fridays, there’s an antiques and collectables market which draws in around 50 topquality dealers.
The New Brewery Arts complex celebrates the work of local artists and craftspeople, with the opportunity to buy ceramics, jewellery, textiles and more from the craft shop. You can watch artisans at work in their studios, or maybe commission an individual piece of your own. There’s also a myriad of independent l
L The Victorian Christmas Market at Gloucester Quays j Regent Arcade, Cheltenham I Cheltenham High Street
stores, such as Makers and Designers Emporium (m.a.d.e), for unusual gifts to take home.
Perched on top of the Cotswolds is another market town, Stow-on-the-Wold. It’s well worth exploring the little alleyways that radiate away from Stow’s marketplace. Stroll the quirky stone streets to find country outfitters, artists and antiques shops, and stop for a treat at Huffkins Bakery, which sells the largest lardy cakes you’ll ever see, alongside salted-caramel millionaire’s shortbread slices, lemon-drizzle loaf cakes and a delicious afternoon tea.
Gifts and gadgets
Scotts of Stow, in the marketplace, is a manyroomed showroom for household goods and homewares, including gifts and gadgets that you didn’t even know existed. If there’s anything they don’t have, try The Crock Ltd for another comprehensive selection of kitchenware. Then nip into Roly’s Fudge Pantry for a free taster while you mull over which flavour you’re going to take away –perhaps vanilla clotted cream, chocolate or salted maple pecan?
The fields around Stow’s Maugersbury Road are the setting for the Stow Horse Fair, which takes place in May and October.
Travellers from across the country meet up for the event, and hundreds of horses are sold in one day, following the centuries-old tradition. You’re welcome to come to witness the trading, photograph the horse-drawn caravans and browse the many stalls that are set up for this unique and colourful event.
The 400-year-old Market Hall in Chipping Campden recalls the town’s wool-trading past. It’s now a National Trust property and no longer houses tradesmen, but the town is still the place to come to see excellent craftspeople in action. Charles R Ashbee, an architect, designer and one of the leading lights of the Arts & Craft movement, set up his Guild of Handicrafts workshop in The Old Silk Mill on Sheep Street in 1902. It now contains the last family business from those days, Hart Silversmiths.
Robert Welch began designing silverware in 1955 in Campden’s Old Silk Mill and pioneered the introduction of stainless-steel cutlery in the UK. His designs are featured in museums worldwide and he was awarded an MBE and several royal commissions. Today, Alice and Rupert continue their father’s design tradition, while the Robert Welch Studio Shop sells everything from candlesticks and knife sets to tableware.
Design enthusiasts should also take in l
Huffkins Bakery; Stow-on-the-Wold
The Old Silk Mill
The Old Silk Mill was home to The Guild of Handicraft, established by C.R. Ashbee in 1888, which moved from the East End of London in 1902. When the guild folded, many of the guildsmen stayed on in the area. Today, Hart Silversmiths’ workshop is the last operating remnant of Ashbee’s famous Guild. George Hart was a silversmith with The Guild of Handicraft when it moved from London. This traditional craft is now continued by his grandson David Hart, along with Derek Elliott and great-grandsons William and Julian Hart.
Campden Coffee offers a cosy, relaxed atmosphere with delicious barista coffee and freshly made homemade cakes, breakfasts, light lunches, sandwiches and takeaways with gluten free and vegan options. Additional outdoor seating is available at the front and back of the Old Silk Mill and take-away is available. Dogs and wellies are welcome.
The Gallery at the Guild is a thriving co-operative of artists, ceramicists, woodturners, glass makers, metal workers, photographers, sculptors, furniture makers and textile artisans. With regular exhibitions and a well-stocked gift shop offering original work to suit all budgets, this is the perfect place to explore arts and crafts.
Opening hours vary: please see individual websites for details. ■
Top to bottom: Campden Coffee; The Gallery at the Guild; Hart Silversmiths
The Old Silk Mill, Sheep Street, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6DS hartsilversmiths.co.uk thegalleryattheguild.co.uk facebook.com/CampdenCoffee
the Gordon Russell Design Museum in Broadway, where the Arts & Craft movement is celebrated.
Want to shop with the chic set? The Montpellier/Suffolks area has been dubbed the Notting Hill of Cheltenham and is filled with flourishing boutiques, artisan bakeries and vintage stores. Bodega Womenswear, Moss Books and Antique Crystal Chandeliers are just some of the intriguing finds. There are also regular Sunday markets, and the Suffolks May Fair showcases more than 100 stalls, plus live music, street food, buskers and children’s activities.
A short walk away, Cheltenham’s elegant Promenade is a wide tree-lined boulevard of Regency buildings, offering a mixture of independent shops and familiar-names, such as Jigsaw, White Stuff and Molton Brown. Martin & Co proudly displays the Cheltenham Gold Cup each year before the race; and Beards jewellers holds an annual diamond treasure hunt, with real diamonds as prizes.
Also on the Promenade is Andrew Scott Designer Jewellery, which sells a fine collection of contemporary pieces. Owner Andrew has been a designer goldsmith for more than 30 years, and with a discerning eye for good design, he creates bespoke jewellery for customers from start to finish.
Love wine? Tivoli Wines is just a short hop from the Montpellier district and is an oenophile’s dream. The shop contains more than 500 of the world’s best wines and spirits, and they place a strong focus on wine experiences. Book a table at The Wine Library, a hi-tech tasting room above the shop, which gives wine lovers the opportunity to explore and taste wine in comfort and at their own pace.
Bourton-on-the-Water is a popular tourist spot, where the River Windrush dances under bridges along the main street – look out for the Christmas tree in the middle of the water if you visit in winter! There’s a variety of gift shops including a Victorian Christmas shop that’s open all year round! The Cotswold Perfumery blends and mixes heady scents for royalty, including neroli, English rose and amber fragrances. Book a course and you’ll learn the secrets of perfume production –plus you’ll have your own special creation to take home.
For bohemian vibes and alternative stores make for Stroud, in the Five Valleys. Walking along its pedestrianised shopping streets, you’ll pass an eclectic mixture of stores that reflect the individuality of the buildings –think record shops, galleries and craft shops. If preloved is your thing, pick up a map
Goldsmith, Bourtonon-the-Water
from one of the vintage shops, such as Time After Time or Strangeness & Charm, and go treasure hunting.
If you love to browse a market, seek out the Shambles Market, which takes place on Fridays and Saturday. For foodie treats, hit the Saturday farmers’ market, which offers the best local produce in the area.
Tewkesbury’s two picturesque main streets meet at the war memorial on The Cross. The architecture is testament to the town’s long history, with Tudor black-andwhite buildings sitting alongside Victorian red-brick edifices. Many of them have leaded windows and old shop signs indicating trades from bygone days. It’s worth pausing to peep down the little ‘courts’ or alleyways between the shops, which bear witness to the town’s medieval past.
Along Church Street and the High Street, hit Cornell Books or Alison’s Bookshop and Musicroom for a comprehensive selection of great reads. Or for bargain hunting with serious atmosphere, head down to the famous Antique Centre, which is tucked away in Tolsey Lane, near the River Avon.
Tewkesbury’s market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and there’s a farmers’ and craft market on the second Saturday of the month, where leeks,
asparagus, freshly baked bread and Cotswold lamb sit beside stalls with hand-made and household items.
Just next to Junction 9 of the M5, near Tewkesbury, is the Malt House Emporium, which has more than 70 traders offering antiques and collectibles, vintage furnishings, fashion and accessories, plus a food hall and café.
If there’s one ‘must have’ souvenir around these parts, it’s Tewkesbury mustard. It was sold in Tudor times as a semi-hard ball of paste, to be softened with warm water or honey. It was made famous by Shakespeare’s Henry IV, when Falstaff described Poins as having “a wit as thick as Tewkesbury mustard”!
Taurus Crafts in Lydney in the Forest of Dean houses a vibrant visitor centre with 11 craft and artisan businesses, a gift shop full of original products, a café serving delicious food and drink, and a busy events programme. Open daily and operated by a mixed-ability team, the centre provides work placements, training and supported employment.
With such variety and so much craftsmanship on offer, you’ll easily find what you need on a shopping trip to Gloucestershire – and if not, someone can probably make it for you. ■
Scotts of Stow and Roly’s Fudge Pantry, Stow-on-the-Wold
EATING OUT
Gloucestershire is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite
Foodies, rejoice! Gloucestershire’s arable valleys and upland pastures create the perfect conditions for fantastic local produce – Double Gloucester cheese, Gloucester Old Spot pork and Blaisdon plums are just some of the items on the menu, while jams, pickles and chutneys provide a local touch on the plate.
There are plenty of fabulous venues in which to sample it too, from rustic Cotswold-stone inns
to uber-stylish Michelin-starred restaurants. Wherever you are in the county local food and drink is bound be part of your Gloucestershire memories.
Every corner of Gloucestershire is full of foodie venues, and you don’t have to go fancy to get the best flavours! You’ll find everything from award-winning ice-cream cones to fabulous markets selling homemade pies. Even Gloucester Services on
the M5 has won the ‘Best Cotswold Menu’ award, reflecting the variety of delicious local produce on offer in their farm shop and restaurant.
The Green Dragon Inn at Cockleford is a 17th-century rural gem, located between Cirencester and Cheltenham. Inside is all beamed ceilings and roaring log fires in winter, while there’s a pretty beer garden to soak up the rays in summer. What’s on the menu?
The Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold
Hearty favourites such as burgers, pies and bangers and mash (using Gloucester Old Spot sausages, naturally)!
If your stay isn’t complete without a spot of horse riding, simply tether your four-legged friend outside The Bell at Sapperton while you pop in for some refreshment. Covered in red-leafed Virginia creeper in autumn, The Bell is a treat, with plenty of outdoor seating. It’s found alongside the canal, equidistant between Stroud and Cirencester.
Why not rest your weary limbs in one of Gloucestershire’s village pubs, such as The Inn at Fossebridge, sitting pretty where the Fosse Way drops into the Cotswolds valley of the River Coln? The pub is in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and in the summer, you can enjoy al fresco dining in the four acres of riverside gardens.
Ancient market town
The Farmer’s Boy Inn at Longhope is a multiple winner of the Great British Pies award. Their light, flaky pie crust is complemented by slow-cooked, gourmet fillings that have won a nationwide reputation. The menu includes game, beef and chicken, with meat sourced locally from Ben Creese family butchers, and vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree choices.
The Porch House in the ancient market town of Stow-on-the-Wold claims to date from AD 947, which would make it the oldest inn in the country. The characterful beamed building has flagstone floors throughout, and you can opt to eat in the bar, conservatory, dining room or the garden. Main courses include chateaubriand steak to share and lobster and crab risotto. There’s nothing like a day on the river to work up an appetite. Whether you choose to hire a motorboat or put some muscle into rowing along the Thames at Lechlade, you’ll need some proper sustenance. The Fleet Inn in Twyning has huge beer garden right next to the River Avon and serves up wood fired pizzas and pub classics. Drinks include cider from
their own award-winning brewery. In winter you can hunker down in front of a crackling fire. There are three boutique rooms in case you’ve drunk a little too much.
Jacks in central Cirencester is an ideal stop-off when exploring the Roman capital. This pretty little tea room serves up coffees, brunch and lunch, including a mean plate of waffles!
If you need to recover after a walk around South Cerney Lakes, stop at The Gateway Café and Information Centre for some sandwiches or an all-day breakfast in the wonderfully airy space, which comes complete with water views.
A popular restaurant in Cirencester is MBB Brasserie in the Corn Hall Arcade
For artisan coffee in an offbeat setting, try The Old Prison, nestled between Bourton-on-the-Water and Chedworth. It’s set in a former lockup, and you’re welcome to tour the cells and the old court room after you’re done.
A popular restaurant in Cirencester is MBB Brasserie in the Corn Hall Arcade, which offers locally sourced, seasonal food. Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s the hippest spot in town and a great place to eat out with the family and enjoy great food in a buzzing atmosphere.
Cheltenham has welcomed some new additions to its lively food scene. Located in the Brewery Quarter, Hub Box offers burgers and hand-cut fries, grilled meat and fish, while independently owned l
MBB Brasserie, Corn Hall Arcade
The Inn aT Fossebridge
North Cotswold CAMRA ‘Pub of the Year’ 2024/25
Character pub with stone walls and flagstone floors
BAO + BBQ on Regent Street serves up bao buns and small plates, plus plenty of choice for vegans.
Burger fans should check out Holee Cow on Winchcombe Street. The menu features signature burgers with quirky flavours –Kim Jong Un’s comes with spicy miso glaze and Korean hot mayo, and the Lamburghini is a lamb kofte with citrus red cabbage, cucumber spaghetti and goat’s cheese. If you’re veggie or vegan, go for something on the plant based Holee Cowless menu.
If the combination of cupcakes and cocktails makes you go weak at the knees, head to The Urban Fox on Montpellier Walk, where you can enjoy your favourite alcoholic drinks with a slice of cake. Sip on mojitos, espresso martinis, negronis and Manhattans, or opt for a virgin cocktail. Bonuses are bottomless high tea and a reservable area to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays and baby showers. Then again, do you
really need an excuse…?
Located in The Courtyard, Montpellier Street, independent café Lazy Graze offers breakfast, lunch and cakes. Tuck into breakfast or pastries first thing, relax over sandwiches or salads for lunch or treat yourself and a pal to the afternoon tea. As well as coffees, smoothies and milkshakes, there’s an extensive tea selection.
Other new destinations for drinks and light bites include WAFFLE on London Road, a family-run business specialising in sweet and savoury waffles, coffees and milkshakes; and The Butterfly Box in Hatherley Park, whose signature giant cookies are popular with big kids of all ages.
Located in Gloucester’s historic docks, the Barge Restaurant serves delicious English food, including Sunday roasts and all-day breakfasts. It welcomes children, and is unlicensed, but there’s no corkage charge if you bring your own drinks. It’s a hit for its relaxed
atmosphere and good service.
Café René is housed in a medieval building in one of Gloucester’s oldest streets – it has wooden beams, and there’s even an indoor well. Reasons to visit include sumptuous summer barbecues in the beer garden and music nights in the cellar.
Vegan is the order of the day at Forest Green Rovers FC in Nailsworth – the first professional football club in the country to offer exclusively vegan fare to players and spectators alike. The club hit the headlines when a local sports commentator told their fellow League Two teams, “You’ll be eating hummus at The New Lawn next season!” Why not go along, watch the national game and treat yourself to some delicious half-time food?
William’s Food Hall has been showered with foodie plaudits. Eat in the restaurant or the garden, load your basket with cheeses, game and fresh fish, order a hamper for a summer picnic or pick up a l
BAO + BBQ, Regent Street
delicious chef prepared meal to eat at home. The delicatessen and restaurant are one of Matthew Fort’s ‘Five Favourite Places to Shop’, and Rick Stein chose them as ‘Food Heroes’.
If you fancy eating out in style, Gloucestershire won’t disappoint. You’ll find everything from intimate country dining rooms to Art Deco splendour to chic city restaurants. The one thing they have in common in their inventive use of fabulous seasonal and local ingredients.
Cheltenham is awash with quality restaurants of all kinds. Key among them is Purslane, set in an elegant Regency building in the centre of town. Take your seat in the intimate and relaxed dining room and you’ll be greeted by friendly staff and the homely smell of freshbaked bread with seaweed butter. The unpretentious dishes on offer are likely to include seafood and fish brought daily from Cornwall, as well as locally sourced meats, fresh produce and cheeses.
Another gem is Lumière Restaurant, a few steps from the Promenade, which has three AA rosettes and offers contemporary food, including tasting menus.
Owners Helen and chef Jon Howe set out to create the kind of restaurant they’d love to dine in themselves, so you won’t be disappointed. Set menus of four, six or eight courses feature dishes such as turbot with Thai basil and ponzu, and Texel lamb with hispi cabbage and mint. Reservations are essential.
No3 on Royal Crescent, which initially launched as a foodcollection service in 2020, is the brainchild of former Gloucester and England rugby union star and Celebrity MasterChef winner Phil Vickery MBE. The menu comprises meat and fish dishes, along with sharing plates and a children’s menu. It’s open for brunch, lunch and dinner.
The award-winning Prithvi in Cheltenham is a cut above your
standard curry house – think sumptuous decor, romantic lighting and artistically presented gourmet food. Dishes at this Bath Road restaurant include poached skate wing with saffron polenta, Cotswold lamb with aubergine and heritage tomato with Kashmiri chilli. This is one occasion when Instagramming your plate is forgiven.
Steaming spotted dick, jam roly-poly and sticky toffee pudding are among the delights on offer at the Three Ways House Hotel, a Cotswold hotel restaurant in Mickleton that’s the home of The Pudding Club. Even if your visit doesn’t coincide with a club meeting, the chance to sample their tremendous traditional British puddings shouldn’t be missed.
An integral part of Winchcombe’s tight-knit community, Restaurant 5 North Street is a small Michelinstarred restaurant owned and run by Marcus ‘Gus’ Ashenford and his wife Kate. Gus completed his training under the late Michel Roux
The Scenic Supper, Moreton-in-Marsh
For elegant modern
dining without the stuffiness, try Wilder in Nailsworth
Senior at the Waterside Inn, at Brayon-Thames. Monsieur Roux was so impressed by his protégé that he once flew him out to the Kremlin, where he’d been asked to cook for then President Boris Yeltsin.
For something out-of-theordinary, The Scenic Supper offers the chance to dine in one of seven sustainably built glasshouses, accommodating either two or four guests, and set amongst the panoramic pastures of Todenham Manor Farm near Moreton-inMarsh. Relax in your own space while enjoying a monthly changing five-course set menu featuring modern British dishes.
Modern dining
For elegant modern dining without the stuffiness, try Wilder in Nailsworth. The brainchild of chef patron Matthew Beardsall, this three AA Rosette restaurant serves inventive eight-course menus. The twist? There’s no menu. Just turn up on the night and you’ll be served dish after dish of fresh, seasonal produce, inspired by the owner’s travels in the UK and abroad.
The Old Butchers in Stow is one of the most popular and elegant restaurants in the Cotswolds, run by Pete and Louise Robinson since 2005. Food is served simply using the finest ingredients, and a nose-to-tail ethos keeps waste to a minimum. Beautifully presented dishes include Cornish lobster, oysters and charcoal grills of steak, fish and Gloucester Old Spot pork.
Gloucestershire is heaven for foodies. You’ll find fabulous dining throughout the county, whether you want a simple picnic in the hills or an all-singing, all-dancing Michelin-starred experience. So get ready to eat up a storm! ■
L Wilder, Nailsworth I Purslane Restaurant, Cheltenham
Only here for the weekend? Fear not! Here are some ideas for a memorable short break
WEEKENDER
DAY ONE
Start the day with a bacon butty or a full English breakfast and a mug of tea along with a serving of nostalgia at the Flag and Whistle Café, next to the Toddington GWSR railway station. Enjoy the Cotswold countryside as your heritage steam train or railcar transports you on the round trip to Cheltenham Racecourse. Time permitting, include the loop north of Toddington to Broadway.
Head to the idyllic village of Stanton, pause to admire its thatched cottages, and take lunch at The Mount Inn. In this typical Cotswold pub, we recommend Gloucester Old Spot sausage and mash and a glass of cider, as you admire the stunning view over the vale to the Malvern Hills.
Venice of the Cotswolds
A 20-minute drive climbs up and across the Cotswold hills to Bourton-on-the-Water, where the River Windrush flows through the village. Take a stroll through the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, visiting the penguins and their friends at Birdland, marvelling at The Model Village or seeing Brum at Cotswold Motoring Museum, which are our recommendations for the afternoon.
There’s a choice of main or country roads to take you back to Cheltenham, where aperitifs and dinner in the fashionable No 131 Georgian townhouse hotel in the tree-lined Promenade will set you up for the night.
DAY TWO
Enjoy breakfast at the Brimble’s Café on Westgate Street in Gloucester then head for the Cathedral. Suitably impressed by its magnificent stained glass, gravity-defying architecture and Harry Potter connections, head out by car past the docks towards the Forest of Dean.
Your destination is the Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley, where you can see outdoor reconstructions
of life in the Forest of Dean, and industrial archaeology exhibits relating to the area’s coal and iron mining tradition. Children might like to follow the Gruffalo trail. Take the road through the Forest to the White Horse Inn at Staunton, near Coleford. This classic inn feels lived-in and cosy, while producing top-class gourmet pub dining. If you’ve worked up a thirst, a glass of Wye Valley ale might be in order.
The afternoon’s activities could be the 4.5-mile hike to find the art works along the Sculpture Trail
Enjoy an energetic exploration of the Forest on one of the many cycle trails
at Beechenhurst, which celebrate the natural and industrial heritage of the Forest. Or you might opt to visit the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, book a mountain bike at Pedalabikeaway and enjoy a more energetic exploration of the Forest on one of the many cycle trails.
Round off your 48 hours in Gloucestershire at The Speech House Hotel, where the ancient Verderer’s Court still meets, for an intimate dinner or a family meal in the beamed Verderers’ dining room. ■
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre
Culture vultures assemble! This region offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals
Culture Club
Gloucestershire is as cultured as it is comely. Throughout the year this lively county puts on festival after festival, showcasing music, art, poetry and the best of local cuisine. Want to take in some theatre? You can do so everywhere from historic playhouses to bucolic garden settings. And if it’s art you’re after, you can meet local artists and makers at venues throughout the country – and take home some of their wares.
If you’re a fan of festivals Gloucestershire is the place to be. The locals love a party and there
are celebrations of everything from opera to ukuleles to science to ale… even onions get their own special day!
In summer, the ultimate choice for a family day out in the Cotswolds is Giffords Circus, a unique travelling show which draws crowds from all over the UK to its pictureperfect base just outside of Stroud. Established in 2000 by husbandand-wife team Nell and Toti Gifford, Giffords is a nod to the heritage of traditional village-green circuses, offering theatre, performance, animals and acrobatics, all under
the big-tent roof. Nell sadly died of cancer at the age of 47 in 2019, and more than 1,200 mourners attended her funeral.
At different times of the year, Cheltenham Festivals organises science, music, literature and jazz programmes in a variety of venues. Thousands of visitors from around the world come to hear top-name speakers and performers, and there are special events for children, mostly at weekends. Expect headline events to sell out, though it’s often possible to buy tickets on the day. Cheltenham also has a
Longborough Festival Opera, Moreton-in-Marsh
Poetry Festival and a popular Food & Drink Festival held in Montpellier Gardens.
You’ll often find fun and informative events at Cheltenham’s Town Hall, ranging from music to drama to puppet shows. Get there via the Promenade, past the statue of composer Gustav Holst (who was born in the town) and through the floral abundance of Imperial Gardens. Within its Georgian façade are the main hall, the pillar room and several other spaces where performances, fairs and exhibitions take place.
Art gallery and museum
Pittville Pump Room, to the north of the town, is set in parkland and is recognisable by its green cupola and pillars. Events, weddings and parties are held here, and it’s open for you to taste the spa waters too. The recently updated The Wilson art gallery and museum holds an internationally recognised collection, including extensive works from the Arts & Craft Movement, and archives relating to the polar explorer Edward Wilson.
Some of the most celebrated music festivals around the county include the Wychwood Festival (family-friendly festival at Cheltenham Racecourse, May); the Carducci Festival (chamber music in Gloucester, May); rock and pop at
Pittville Pump Room is recognisable by its green cupola
Forest Live (Westonbirt Arboretum, June); classical music and recitals at Bledington Music Festival (June); 2000 trees (Withington, near Cheltenham, July); Barn on the Farm (at Over Farm, July); Nibley Festival (North Nibley, July); mainstream music at Witcombe Festival (August), and the Three Choirs Festival, which alternates between Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford and takes place at the end of July.
Gloucester’s annual Summer of Music, Arts & Culture (SoMac) takes place in July and August and puts on a host of family entertainment, including Gloucester Carnival, Gloucester Rhythm & Blues Festival and Gloucester Goes Retro, among other events.
Longborough Festival Opera is a true Cotswolds gem – a 500-seat theatre in the grounds of founders Martin and Lizzie Graham’s home. Every year they run an opera season from June to August. Bring a picnic and find a spot with a beautiful view or book a place in their restaurant for a three-course meal.
Craft workshops
Creativity is a way of life in Gloucestershire. In every corner of the county, you’ll find talented artists and craftspeople – so it’s easy to take in an exhibition or a show, buy a one-off piece to take home or take part in a crafty workshop.
The Gloucestershire Arts & Crafts Centre on Westgate Street, Gloucester, has a delightful range of locally designed and made gifts, and you can chat to the craftspeople themselves while you browse their wares. They also hold a wide range of bookable workshops.
Primarily famed for its naturally exuberant spring snowdrop display, the 18th-century Painswick Rococo Garden also puts on sculpture exhibitions, Shakespearean theatre and craft workshops.
North of Gloucester, you’ll find Nature in Art, a creative space set in Wallsworth Hall, a fine Georgian mansion. It hosts more than 60 artists in residence annually, as well as a series of exhibitions – from l
Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham
Flemish masters to contemporary glass. There’s a programme of hands-on courses and fascinating talks throughout the year.
The award-winning Lechlade Craft Barn offers classes in willow weaving, lino cut printing, needle felting, quilting and crochet with experienced tutors. Beginners and experienced crafters are welcome. If you enjoy meeting creative people, head to the New Brewery Arts in Cirencester, where you can buy direct from the makers or book a workshop. The galleries are bursting with inspirational ceramics, paintings, sculptures and jewellery. If all that culture makes you peckish, there’s cake and coffee to tempt you in their café.
Have you got fond memories of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck? It was a visit to Gloucester that inspired Beatrix Potter to write her favourite book, The Tailor of Gloucester, with its famous phrase, ‘no more twist!’ The House of the Tailor of Gloucester is a charming find, down a tiny
alley beside Gloucester Cathedral. Discover more about this wellloved author, her tales and her famous illustrations, while learning the true story of the tailor, John Pritchard, and maybe catching sight of the mice!
The countryside that has inspired so many artists is well represented at Court Barn Museum, just outside Chipping Campden. There are plenty of opportunities to explore your own creativity by joining in children’s activities, guided group walks, lectures and talks.
Gloucestershire is awash with theatre, no matter what time of year, with everything from amdram to pre-West End productions with all-star casts. In Cheltenham, the Everyman Theatre is a real treat, with its gilded proscenium, chandeliers, generous legroom and first-class shows.
You can watch a mix of professional and amateur performances and films at The Bacon Theatre, part of Cheltenham’s Dean Close School. If you’re here during l
Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse
Box Office: 01684 295074 rosestheatre.org
Sun Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX
RosesTheatre the.roses.theatre
the summer, grab a rug, some sparkling wine and a picnic before heading to the Tuckwell Amphitheatre, also at Dean Close, for an open-air performance of jazz, Shakespeare or cinema.
The intimate Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre on Bath Road puts on musical and theatrical performances and films – all organised by its volunteer staff. You’re quite likely to bump into the cast in the quaint Green Room bar after the performance! In addition to the Playhouse’s own company, the theatre is associated with Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society and the Cotswold Savoyards, among others.
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury is well supported by the local community, who’ve pulled together to help with refurbishments and to ensure every visitor receives a warm welcome. This and the gentle rake of the seating seems to contribute to the theatre’s great atmosphere, where you truly feel a connection
with the performers.
In 2018, Cirencester’s not-forprofit Barn Theatre re-opened, bringing professional theatre to the Cotswolds. It has its own Teatro restaurant and piano bar.
Music & dance
Set in the heart of Gloucester, the Kings Theatre is a volunteerrun venue for amateur theatre, dance and music events, while the Guildhall provides lively entertainment in the form of music, comedy, theatre and film.
The good people of Wottonunder-Edge are justly proud of the Electric Picture House. One of the oldest in the country, it dates to 1911 when Rudolf Valentino and Gloria Swanson delighted audiences. It’s run by a team of paid staff and local volunteers and has a programme of current and arthouse films.
The Palace Cinema at Cinderford in the Forest of Dean offers some of the cheapest cinema
tickets in the county, with showings of current-release films and seasonal offerings, such as winter tea matinees.
Switching to the small screen, Gloucestershire is the setting for BAFTA-award-winning comedy This Country. Penned by and starring Cirencester siblings Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, the BBC programme was filmed in and around Northleach, which now attracts devoted fans on location hunts. At the opposite end of the social scale, Badminton Estate helped to bring Netflix hit Bridgerton’s world of Regency romance to life. Used for its stunning interiors, Badminton House forms part of Clyvedon Castle, fictional home of the Duke of Hastings.
From theatre to art galleries to banging festivals, it’s easy to get your art and culture fix in Gloucestershire, whatever time of year you visit. So get out there and soak it all up! ■
The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury
After dark
The night-time economy is thriving, packed with clubs, pubs, bars and music venues
The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham
Think of Gloucestershire and you don’t think of nightlife – but there’s plenty here to keep you busy. Whether you want to get down and boogie, sing along to your favourite band or enjoy a peaceful pint beside a crackling log fire, it’s easy to find something that suits you here.
From experimental theatre to local folk bands there’s always something going on in Gloucestershire, and you don’t have to part with the big bucks to enjoy it. You’re just as likely to find fine entertainment at a quirky local pub as at a fancy concert hall.
The Brewery Quarter complex in Cheltenham is a newly developed entertainment centre crammed full of well-known restaurant brands and family-friendly activities. Up for some friendly competition? Head to Mr Mulligan for an ‘out of this world’ golfing experience. There are 36 holes set along an adventurous course, with obstacles such as monsters and UV lighting, and musical accompaniment. When you’ve worn yourself out, hit Cosy Club to relax with a cocktail or a burger, while you dispute who won the last hole.
Musical tradition
Musical tradition is strong in Slad. This country town is the birthplace of Laurie Lee, the author of Cider with Rosie, and it’s from here that he departed with his violin to fight in the Spanish Civil War. There’s a great atmosphere at Laurie’s local pub, The Woolpack Inn, with gigs including acoustic, Irish and blues. Naturally, there’s also great beer and food.
If you’d rather be a music maker than a listener, there are regular opportunities at the Cross Keys Inn, a 16th-century free house in the historic centre of Gloucester. There are live mic evenings with a great set-up, including a drummer – just bring your front-line instruments and join in. If you’re too shy to perform, check their diary for live bands and DJs.
Beautiful and historic though Cirencester is, it isn’t all about the old days – things can get quite animated at The Northend Vaults,
The Brewery Quarter complex in Cheltenham is a newly developed entertainment centre
where live music and entertainment ranges from roots and Americana through to Elvis tributes and hardcore rock.
Get down to old favourites and new talent at Bishop’s Cleeve Tithe Barn. The Grade 2-listed barn seats 200 comfortably in an ancient oakbeamed hall, with excellent sound and lighting rigs. World-class artists performing in this intimate setting have included Clare Teal, Jason Donovan, The Acoustic Strawbs and Brian Kennedy. Their 2021 bookings included Georgie Fame and Tony Christie.
The Frog & Fiddle is a Victorian red-brick pub in Cheltenham’s High Street. It hosts indie and established bands and support groups, playing styles from blues-rock to punk and heavy metal. Most events are ticketed.
Café René is a restaurant, steak and grill house in Gloucester, where music is most definitely on the menu. Most styles are represented, including Hip-hop, acoustic, blues, garage and gospel, and entry is often free. You’ll also find regular bands and DJ nights in the cellar bar.
The county’s largest venues are the Kingsholm Stadium, the home of Gloucester rugby, and The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse. They’ve both hosted top bands and performers, such as Tom Jones, Dara Ó Briain, Little Mix and Elton John. It’s worth looking out for programming and booking well ahead for their popular events.
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury is known for its fantastic community atmosphere and wide range of plays and films. Its bar is l
also a popular meeting place. Kings Theatre in Gloucester is another community-run theatre, popular for its pantomime and programme of events throughout the year.
The characterful Cheltenham Playhouse was once a swimming pool, though you wouldn’t know it now. It is run by volunteers, with regular top-class performances by professional and amateur companies.
Start the evening at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre with a drink in the café or wine bar, before enjoying drama, ballet, opera, pantomime or comedy performances. The theatre dates to 1891, though it doesn’t lack comfort – the beautiful interiors have recently been renovated. There are also performances in the more intimate Irving Studio Theatre, sometimes by amateur theatre companies. The programme of events includes the popular annual pantomime.
The Bacon Theatre at Cheltenham’s Dean Close School is a friendly, modern venue for recitals, speakers, music and dance events, as well as theatrical performances and films, which are open to the public. Outside, the Greek-style Tuckwell Amphitheatre hosts performances such as Shakespeare and an open-air theatre festival in the summer.
The Sub Rooms in Stroud hosts everything from musical events to ceilidhs
Cirencester’s Barn Theatre brings the best of UK-theatre talent to the area and has a restaurant and piano bar for pre-or post-show shenanigans. Sundial Theatre at Cirencester College, meanwhile, offers an exciting programme of student and local group performances, films and more.
The Sub Rooms in Stroud hosts everything from musical events to ceilidhs, dances and theatrical performances. The venue’s new Central Bar & Kitchen is a destination in itself.
When the sun goes down in Gloucestershire a lively crowd comes out to play. Join them in the county’s pubs, bars and nightclubs after a busy day out on the sightseeing trail. You’ll find that there’s much more to Gloucestershire than meets the eye.
For a classy night out, dress up to the nines and head for Under the Prom nightclub in Cheltenham from Thursday to Saturday. With three bars, it’s particularly popular during Race Week and Cheltenham Festivals. You can also book a VIP package or a cocktail masterclass.
After a night out at the town’s bars and clubs, many young students head to 2 Pigs to dance the night away. There’s also a choice selection of nightclubs on Regent Street, such as The 21 Club, Popworld and MooMoo, each with its own style and an ever-changing, up-for-it crowd.
ATIK nightclub in Gloucester models itself on the ‘carefree dance halls of the 20s’ and has a youthful vibe, with student nights, themed party nights and live entertainment. Premium spirits, champagne, prosecco and mixers ensure a quality night out.
Sophisticated Cirencester locals looking for a great night out know that cocktails, live music and dancing are on offer at Seventeen Black as well as at 20s-themed ReVA Nightclub.
A regular winner of Pub of the Year, The Crown & Trumpet Inn in Broadway is a 17th-century inn complete with Cotswold stone, flagged floors and CAMRArecommended exclusive beers.
The Sub Rooms, Stroud
Enjoy monthly jazz and blues on Thursday evenings, as well as musical entertainment every Friday and Saturday evening.
The Georgian architecture and boutique shops of Cheltenham’s Montpellier area attract elegant shoppers and families during the daytime. After dark, there’s a different feel, with wine and gin bars, restaurants and pubs pulling in a lively crowd for night outs, parties or celebrations. John Gordons Whisky & Wine Bar is the place to go for a tipple, while the Harry Cook Free House is filled to bursting at night during race meetings.
Cheltenham’s The Apartment is a stylish yet homely place to relax; and a relative newcomer in Imperial Square is Imperial Haus, an enchanting spot to sample expert mixology. Their signature cocktail, the Blue Peacock Feather, is a gin sour-based concoction with lychee and elderflower foam.
To hang with a hip crowd,
make your way to No. 131, an achingly stylish boutique hotel on The Promenade in Cheltenham’s Montpellier district. The hotel’s Gin & Juice bar draws in sophisticated twenty and thirty somethings every evening, and there’s dancing every weekend. There’s an unbeatable selection of 350-plus gins, delectable cocktails and beers on draft. If you need something to soak up the booze, it offers healthy breakfasts, lunch and light supper seven days a week.
In Cirencester, Somewhere Else is a stylish café and bar that’s a great place to grab a coffee or lunch by day. By night, a youthful crowd floods in to sample their range of delicious cocktails or attend one of their regular events, such as cocktail masterclasses.
Battledown Brewery is one of the many microbreweries in Gloucestershire that offers tours, and you can book a tasting evening, which includes bread, cheese, pickles and pies, and as many beer
samples as you fancy.
The Miners Arms at Whitecroft was historically the meeting place of iron miners in the Forest of Dean, quenching their thirst after a day’s hard labour. You might enjoy it after exploring the forest or riding the steam railway nearby. Described as a destination pub, you can expect real ale and cider, with local produce ‘cooked with love’. There are regular open-mic nights, quiz nights, a beer festival and the Whitecroft Wellie Music Festival.
The Carpenters Arms at Miserden is hidden away along winding country lanes, but it’s well worth the trip. It’s known for its folk nights, which are heavy on the fiddle and ukulele, but there are also karaoke and quiz nights.
You might have come to Gloucestershire for all that history and beautiful countryside, but you’ll soon discover that there’s plenty going on at night, from theatre to pubs to clubs to a fantastic selection of live music. ■
Cheltenham Festivals produces four world-class Festivals celebrating Jazz, Science, Music and Literature
Gloucestershire has more than enough to keep you busy, but a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure
Time to explore
The beauty of Gloucestershire’s location in the heart of England is that it is surrounded by eight other counties, each with their own character and attractions, making for a wonderful choice of days out further afield.
The Malvern Hills rise out of the Severn vale northwest of Gloucestershire. There are some lovely walks around the British Camp earthworks or along the ridge of the hills to Worcestershire Beacon. Great Malvern is a spa town, associated with Elgar, Tolkien and Auden.
Broadway is very appealing, with a wide, shop-lined main street, typical Cotswold houses and perfect location tucked under the hills. Climb up to Broadway Tower, with its spectacular views, lunch in one of its pubs or luxuriate in the spa at The Lygon Arms, before dining at Russell’s of Broadway.
Quaint Upton-on-Severn has a fascinating selection of shops and pubs, a marina and an unusually shaped ‘pepperpot’ former church, near the river crossing. Visit for views of the Malverns and a peaceful afternoon watching the boats glide by.
The West Midland Safari Park allows visitors close-up views of zebras, lions, camels and more during a four-mile, self-drive tour. Too tame? Try your courage with the theme park rides. There are also animal experiences, toddlers’ areas and gift shop.
The ancient market town of Ledbury, with its broad main street, half-timbered buildings, almshouses and historic market house on stilts, has a fine array of independently-owned clothes shops, book and gift shops and a delicatessen. The Olive Tree
Restaurant offers delicious Italian food or quench your thirst at The Feathers Hotel or The Talbot. Explore nearby Eastnor Castle, which also holds Landrover experience days and concerts. It’s worth continuing on through orchards and hop fields to the county town of Hereford to see the medieval chained library and Mappa Mundi in the cathedral.
Heading south west through the Forest of Dean, around half an hour from Gloucester, you’ll find Chepstow Castle, which is just over the border into Monmouthshire. Built near the meeting of the rivers Severn and Wye, the castle is perched on a clifftop where peregrines nest, and swallows and kingfishers skim the waters. It dates to just after the Norman conquest. The Wye was an important ship-building area at this point until World War I.
The great cities of Bristol and Bath offer shopping and cultural experiences that make them worth a whole day’s trip. Make sure you visit The Roman Baths in Bath, sample a Bath bun and have a pie and a pint at The Raven.
In Bristol, see the works of Brunel; the SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or head for Filton’s Aerospace Bristol where the last Concorde ever built is on show.
Watching a performance of Shakespeare’s plays in Stratford-upon-Avon is a very special experience. Don’t miss Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Warwick is a five-star castle experience, with battlements and turrets, a scary dungeon and maze, as well as beautiful interiors. For a more atmospheric castle, try
Kenilworth’s romantic ruins. The British Motor Museum in Gaydon presents a nostalgic celebration of the Midlands’ role in British engineering.
Bicester is a good option for designer outlet shopping, with top name labels. Oxford itself, the city of dreaming spires, Morse, the Ashmolean Museum and the mature River Thames, is both photogenic and fascinating for a day trip or stopping off place on the way back to London and the Home Counties. ■
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
PHOTO-FINISH
Crickley Hill, Gloucestershire
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