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, with the city’s history presented in its museums. The city’s history also includes its role in the English Civil War, including the legendary Battle of Gloucester.

Cloister gardens at Gloucester Cathedral

One of the major attractions 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 nearest to the Forest of Dean; the station is also near the market town of Coleford.

Camping, hiking, off-road cycling and also 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.