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LOCAL GUIDE TO GLOUCESTER, CHELTENHAM & COTSWOLDS

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Things to See and Do Locally​

You will find the following information in the apartments. However for those that like to plan ahead check out our quick local guide for things to see and do in Gloucester & Gloucestershire as a whole.  There is much more but this will keep you going!​

Gloucester Cathedral - formally the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, stands in the north of the city near the River Severn. It originated in 678 or 679 with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter (dissolved by King Henry VIII).  Filming of Harry Potter took place here.

 

Gloucester Docks & Sharpness Canal - The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was once the broadest and deepest in the world. Even today, it stands out from other navigations because of its sheer scale and impressive engineering.  Recently restored to it former glory and upgrade to include a gym, bars, restaurant, cinema and retail outlet centre. There is also The British Waterways Museum and Soldiers of Gloucester Museum.  Behind the docks across the river is Alney Island Nature Reserve, a great place to take a circular long or short walk or a run.  

 

Gloucester Gate Streets - Do visit the Gate Street which are the historic heart of the City. Northgate, Westgate, Eastgate & Southgate Street all have their own character and style.  Look out for the historic old world pubs that have long histories inc The Dick Whittington reputably linked to the family of the Lord Mayor of London from the nursery story and Robert Raikes Public House formerly the home to the founder of the sunday school movement.

 

Gloucester Rugby - The Cherry and Whites as they are locally know is one of the oldest rugby union clubs in the world and is supported very widely in the city.  If you get a chance to go to a game you won’t be disappointed. The stadium is within walking distance. Great Atmosphere.

Robinswood Hill - Within walking distance at the end of the Stroud Road that starts near by is the 250-acre hilltop country park with walking trails, an orchard & resident foxes, badgers & red kites. A great place to escape to for some fresh air.

 

Cheltenham Spa - If you want smart elegance, upmarket shopping and some amazing restaurants try out here it just down the road and easily accessed by Bus or Train.  Cheltenham Steeplechase Races are world renowned and worth a visit if there is a meeting on

 

Cotswold Hills - Visit the many pretty villages and taking in the rolling hills.  Always gorgeous. The biggest town is Cirencester which has a Roman Museum.  If you want Water sports check out The Cotswold Water Park for sailing etc and their is an outdoor beach area open in the summer.

 

Tewkesbury - The Abbey is impressive as are many of the Tudor buildings and there are nice walks along the river. If you are lucky enough their annual medieval festival will be on with battle reenactments that are well worth seeing.

 

Forest of Dean - If you love your trees a short drive away is one of the country's National Forests.  You can hire cycles, walk trails and ride on a steam train.

 

Local Leisure Activities 

 

Birds - Slimbridge - Newgrounds Ln, Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT 01453 891900

Birds - Barn Owl Centre, Netheridge Farm, Netheridge Cl, Gloucester GL2 5LE  01452 383999

Castle - Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5JD.  01242 602 308

Canal Boat Day Hire - http://www.gloucesternarrowboats.co.uk/

Canal Boat Trips -  Waterways Museum, Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester GL1 2EH

Cheltenham Racecourse - Cheltenham, GL50 4SH. 01242 51301

Climbing Indoor Centre Gloucester - Impressive and lots of walls to climb.  01452 302 351

Cotswold Farm Park - Bemborough Farm  Kineton, GL54 5UG. 01451 850 307

Cotswold Wildlife Park - Bradwell Grove, Burford, 01993 823 006

Country Park & Beach - Lake 32, Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, GL7 6DF. 01285 868 096

Diving - National Diving Centre www.ndac.co.uk/ (also has a massive Zip wire)

Fishing - Bibury Trout Farm - Arlington, Bibury, Cirencester GL7 5NL. 01285 740 215 

Golf - Brickhampton, Cheltenham Rd E, Churchdown, Gloucester GL2 9QF. 01452 859 444

Gym - The Gym, 111 Llanthony Road, Gloucester GL1 5SH

Health Spa - Four Pillars Hotel opposite Isis Lake with Kids swimming. 01285 864 000

Horse Riding - South Cerney Horse Riding - Cerney Wick, GL7 5QH. 01793 750 151

Paddle Boarding - SUP Gloucester Docks  http://www.supgloucester.co.uk/ 07508 705 359

Polo Club Cirencester - The Bothy  Cirencester Park, Cirencester GL7 1UR. 01285 653 225

Rugby - Gloucester Club, Kingsholm, Kingsholm Rd, Gloucester GL1 3AX. 0871 871 8781

Sailing - Next Lake to the right of Isis is the Outdoor Education Centre. 01285 860 388

Spa Treatments - ZenZero @ Gloucester Docks - 01452 527002

Strawberry Fruit Picking - Over Farm Market Highnam, Gloucester GL2 8DB  01452 341510

Swimming Outdoor - Lido, Keynsham Rd, Cheltenham. GL53 7PU. 01242 524 430

Swimming - GL1 Leisure Centre, Eastgate street, Gloucester (also has a Spa)

Water Skiing - WM Cable Tow South Cerney 0845 895 9000

Water Skiing Boat Tow - Spring lake. 01285 862 894 / 01285 860 606

 

Museums & Historical

 

Chedworth Roman Villa - A partially restored villa with original Roman Baths. 01242 890 256

Cheltenham Museum - 01242 23 7431

Corinium Museum - Cirencester Roman history. 01285 655 611

Gloucester Civic Trust - Guided Walks around the town daily tours@gloucestercivictrust.org 

Gloucester Docks - Historic port 

Gloucester Prison - Take a look around the old prison, tours run daily - 01743 343100

Gloucester Tourist Information -  01452 396572

Gloucester Cathedral - In the City Centre. Where Harry Potter was filmed. 01452 528 095

Oxford - Just too many to mention!

Soldiers of Glos - 31 Commercial Rd  Town Centre, Gloucester GL1 2HE. 01452 522682

Waterways Museum - Docks, Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester GL1 2EH. 01452 318200

 

Places to eat/drink

 

There are lots of places to drink and eat in the area, some walking distance ones below:

 

The Vine Bar at Ivy House, 94 Eastgate Street - Funky bar, wine, cocktails

Portivo Lounge - Great informal space and food at Gloucester Docks. 

Greek at the Docks - Watch the boats and feel like you are in Greece, well sort of.

Settabello - Great independent Italian Restaurant and Bar

Hubble Bubble - Great Cafe for Lunch by the Cathedral in Westgate St

Aroma - Southgate Street. Really good Currys

Brew House - They Brew their own beer on site.  

Bills - Burgers and much more in a nice modern designed industrial space. Great for breakfast

Tank - Independant Bar with lots of beer and cocktails

Cote - French chain Brasserie Docks Area

Gloucester Brewery Tap Room - Based just over the bridge. Comedy Nights and other events 

Cafe Rene - Live music and home cooked style food, this traditional bar turns into club

Doctor Fosters - Good for food and drink with some of the best views of the water at the docks

Caffe Corretto - Family run Italian cafe, great for snacks & good coffee located at The Docks 

Wagammas - Next to the Cinema on the Docks 

Nando - Gloucester Docks - popular Chicken chain


 

Something Special By Car?

 

Barnsley House - Barnsley, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5EE  Cirencester, GL7 5EE

01285 740 000 - One of our favourites for upmarket dining with a Spa as well as its own Pink cinema

 

Calcot Manor - Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8YJ. 01666 890 391 - More luxury dining and another lovely Spa experience

 

Cowley Manor - Cowley, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 9NL. 01242 870 900 - Featuring Spa with indoor and outdoor pools and set in lovely grounds this has a great restaurant

 

131 Bar and Restaurant - Promenade, Cheltenham - Trendy with good food and a lively bar

 

Wild Duck - Ewan, GL7 6BY - 01285 770 310 - The Wild Duck is a mellow Cotswold stone inn dating back to 1568 steeped in history with oak beams, ancestral portraits and open log fires. An extensive wine list and real ales compliment the fresh local produce used in the innovative menu. thewildduckinn.co.uk

 

Places of interest in the Cotswolds

 

The Cotswolds is famous the world over for it beauty and its villages are famous tourist attractions.  Here are some of our favourites within a short drive away

 

Bourton on the Water

Broadway

Burford

Chipping Norton

Crickade

Lower Slaughter

Northleach

Painswick

Stow on the Wold

 

Need City life and fun?  Plus seasonal

 

Try nearby University City Oxford for lots of history and museums or go to Bristol for history, gigs and concerts.

 

Cheltenham is great for elegant shopping and dining.  Cheltenham has a number of big festivals throughout the year including The National Hunt, Literature, Jazz, Classical so checkout these if they correspond to your stay. Don’t forget the lovely Cheltenham Cricket Festival either in July time.

 

The International Air Tattoo is held in Fairford each July and has spectacular air displays.

 

Gloucestershire has various pop style festivals throughout the summer months as well but due to their constant changing nature I won’t detail them here.

 

In April / May you can often find small point to point horse racing meets in the area.

 

Strike A Light - Twice a year hold 2 alternate theatre festivals with some great small shows. 

 

Gloucester Poetry Festival - Held in October

 

Victorian Christmas Market Docks- Held each November and one of the largest in England

 

Halloween - Go to Frightmare at nearby Over Market for some scary fun - www.frightmare.co.uk

 

Tallships Festival is held at Gloucester Docks every 2 years. The last was 2017

 

Gloucester Goes Retro Festival - The gate street are transformed for a week in August with historic cars and people in period dress

 

Ghosts Walks - Informative and scary with the history of 1000 years to support it www.gloucesterghostwalk.co.uk

 

Cafe Rene hold many small music festivals in the city do check their facebook page for more details.  Including Blues, Folk and Not the Nottinghill Carnival

 

Takeaways

 

There are loads, order direct from

 

Deliveroo - https://deliveroo.co.uk/ 

Just Eat - https://www.just-eat.co.uk/

 

Local Shops 

 

Walking distance - Turn left and then left into Brunswick Road. At the end of the Street you will find the main shopping district. Or turn right and follow along Spa Road and into the Docks for the giant Outlet Centre and convenience stores

 

Aldi Supermarket - Turn Right and at the roundabout turn left into Southgate Street. At the lights go straight and in 100 yards you will find the supermarket stock most of your needs.

 

Corner Shops - Head to Southgate Street towards the docks for drinks, ltd range of food and takeaways only a few minutes walk away

 

Useful numbers

 

Cineworld - The Brewery, Oxford Passage St Margaret's Rd, Cheltenham. 0871 200 2000

Cineworld - Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre, Merchants' Rd, Gloucester GL1 5SH

Dentist - Eastgate House, Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1PX - 01452 418164

Doctors - Gloucester Health Access -  01452 336290

Hospital 24hrs - Great Western Rd, Gloucestershire, Gloucester GL1 3NN - 0300 422 2222

Police Station - Bearland, Gloucester GL1 2JP. Call 101

Taxi - City Cabs - 01452 411133

Theatre - Everyman, Regent St  Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1HQ. 01242 572 573

Theatre - Guildhall, 23 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1NS - 01452 503050

Train & Bus Station -  Bruton Way, Gloucester GL1 1DE

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