Places to Visit in Gloucestershire: Towns, Cities & Villages
A guide to the best places to visit in Gloucestershire, including towns and charming countryside villages. The RJ @aboutglos Gloucestershire guide highlights the best of Gloucestershire for locals and tourists. The list covers the best restaurants, pubs, tourist attractions, and walking locations.
Gloucestershire is in the South West of England. It’s a rural county with rivers, forests, hills and lots of farmland. The county has a few larger towns and the city of Gloucester. The area has a history dating back long before Roman times. Many of the county’s attractions date back to the Roman, Norman, Tudor, and Georgian periods.
Top Places To Visit in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a great county to visit, with plenty to see. It has plenty of countryside and is touched by history dating back to Roman times in places.
Gloucester: A Historic City
The historic city of Gloucester has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire, and its museums showcase that history. The city’s history also includes its role in the English Civil War, including the legendary Battle of Gloucester.
One major attraction is Gloucester Cathedral, a stunning building featured in movies such as the Harry Potter films. The cathedral’s grand architecture and size dominate the city’s skyline. Inside, the building is stunning, with plenty to see, including an impressive organ and ornate cloisters. You can also learn about the building’s rich history – nearly 1000 years of history, in fact.
The Historic Gloucester Docks, a significant part of the city’s heritage, boast a fascinating history. The docks have many Victorian warehouses; most are listed buildings. The docks are home to many great places to eat and host the Tall Ships Festival. The city is also home to many historical buildings, including churches, priories and old historic pubs. The Civic Trust organises numerous city tours, making it an ideal starting point for first-time visitors.
Cheltenham Spa
Regency Town Cheltenham Spa is the second-largest settlement in the county and is known as a festival town. Cheltenham is home to lots of Regency buildings dating back to the reign of George IV. It is fast becoming a foodie destination, thanks to its vast array of quality, independent eateries.
The Pittville Pump Room and surrounding park are fantastic places to visit. Cheltenham was the last and biggest spa town in the UK. Throughout the year, there are countless festivals, including a food festival and a well-renowned literature festival.
The Cotswolds
A popular tourist destination, the Cotswolds is a very picturesque place with rolling hills and quaint villages. A long-distance hiking path covering the area is called the Cotswold Way. The route crosses the entire area. Cirencester is a historic town dating back to Roman times and is home to the fascinating Corinium Museum.
Stroud in the Cotswolds is the meeting point of five valleys and is a haven for independent shops and eateries. Walking in Stroud is fantastic, and the town’s vibe is, too. To the north of the Cotswolds is Bourton-on-the-Water, a village on the River Windrush. The village is photogenic and known for its low bridges and traditional stone houses. Many other great places are in the North Cotswolds, near Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley area is absolutely outstanding and popular with those that enjoy outdoor activities. Lydney train station is the closest to the Forest of Dean; it is also near the market town of Coleford.
Camping, hiking, off-road cycling and kayaking are all popular activities in the Forest of Dean. Things to do include visiting the famous Symonds Yat, exploring the sculpture trail or riding the Dean Forest Railway steam engines. It is one of my favourite places for an inland vacation.
Other Towns & Villages
Popular places to visit in Gloucestershire include towns, cities, and villages.
Severn Vale
Also known as the Severn Valley, it is the county’s floodplain and includes the villages along the river.
Dursley
A small market town in the south of Gloucestershire, surrounded by Cotswold hills and countryside.
Stroud
A Cotswold town where five valleys meet, with independent shops, markets and lots of surrounding countryside.
Frampton on Severn
A pretty Severn Vale village with one of England’s longest village greens and some lovely waterside scenery.
Churchdown
A large village between Gloucester and Cheltenham, with Churchdown Hill offering some fantastic views across the county.
Cirencester
A historic Cotswold market town with Roman roots and lots of attractive old buildings in the centre.
Stonehouse
A small Gloucestershire town between Gloucester and Stroud, with canal walks and countryside nearby.
Wotton-under-Edge
A small Cotswold market town in the south of the county, with independent shops and good walking nearby.
Arlingham
A rural village on a horseshoe bend of the River Severn, surrounded by farmland and riverside scenery.
Painswick
A historic Cotswold wool town with stone buildings, a distinctive churchyard and lots of countryside nearby.
Redbrook
A small Wye Valley village on the River Wye, with woodland, riverside scenery and walks nearby.
Why Is Gloucestershire Worth Visiting?
Attractions
The county offers a wide range of attractions, from fun activities to beautiful villages and historic sites.
Restaurants
Gloucestershire offers many excellent places to eat out. The county offers countless culinary styles to enjoy.
Pubs
The county has many pubs and places to go for a drink. This list includes those with beer gardens and marvellous views.
About Us
Hi, I’m Rich, and I run the RJ Aboutglos blog to document my experiences in Gloucestershire. I’ve lived in the county on and off for over 50 years. Dining out, country pubs and walks in the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean are my happy places. Museums and history also interest me. I also run the RJ On Tour Travel blog, where I document my road experiences.