Places to Visit in Gloucestershire: Towns, Villages & Days Out
Gloucestershire is a pleasant county for a day out or short break, with historic cities, Cotswold villages, riverside walks, castles, canals and the Forest of Dean. It also offers many historic attractions and activities.
The county also boasts Gloucester, the principal city of Gloucestershire, which has a nice dockland area full of restaurants. It also has various museums related to its Roman history, not to mention the imposing cathedral. The county is where I have lived most of my life.
Gloucestershire has loads of places to eat out, including quaint village pubs. Most of these are dog-friendly.
Best Places to Visit in Gloucestershire at a Glance
| Place | Why visit? |
|---|---|
| Gloucester | A historic city with Gloucester Cathedral, museums, old pubs and the restored docks. |
| Cheltenham | Good for Pittville Park, Montpellier, Imperial Gardens, shopping and eating out. |
| Forest of Dean | Perfect for woodland walks, cycling, camping, Puzzlewood, Cannop Ponds and the Wye Valley. |
| Cotswold villages | Painswick, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and Wotton-under-Edge are good starting points. |
| Cirencester | A pretty Cotswold town with the Corinium Museum, parks and independent shops. |
| Tewkesbury | Good for historic buildings, riverside walks and Tewkesbury Abbey. |
| Stroud | Best visited on a Saturday for the farmers’ market, independent shops and nearby walks. |
Places to Visit in Gloucestershire
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The Historic City of Gloucester
The City of Gloucester is the county town of Gloucestershire and has plenty to see and do. The city’s jewel in its crown is Gloucester Cathedral, a stunning building. It has the most inland dock in the country too. This links the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal and the tidal River Severn.
Gloucester has a very rich history, including significance in Roman times, the English Civil War and more. If visiting, there are loads of nice places to eat out with cuisine from all around the world. There are also pubs, some of which have been around for centuries, like the New Inn.
The Regency Town of Cheltenham
The town of Cheltenham Spa is the second-largest place in Gloucestershire and is popular with tourists. Cheltenham has beautiful examples of Regency architecture from the time of George IV. The town is pretty, especially the areas around Pittville Park and Montpellier.
Pittville Park has 2 lakes, is ideal for walking, and is home to the iconic Pittville Pump Room, the last and biggest spa in the town. Montpellier, at the end of the promenade south of the town centre, is home to Imperial Gardens and the iconic Queens Hotel. The area has a range of bars, cafes, restaurants, and specialist shops and boutiques.
Adventure in the Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is an absolutely stunning area. It is a haven for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits and camping. Some special areas include the Speech House area. Highlights include Cannop Ponds, Mallards Pike Lake and miles of ancient woodland.
The sculpture trail combines art and a walk in the forest. This is an enjoyable walk among various sculptures, including the Forest Cathedral, a hanging stained-glass window. Towards the Wales border are Symonds Yat and the Wye Valley, a truly stunning area to hike, canoe or cycle. You can also visit the mysterious and beautiful Puzzlewood or enjoy the steam trains at the Dean Forest Railway.
Beautiful villages of the Cotswolds
Most of the Cotswolds are in Gloucestershire, and the Cotswold Hills make up most of the west of the county. The area has pretty villages and is perfect for walking or cycling. The Cotswold Way is a long-distance walking route and a major draw for its scenery.
Visitors can also visit the Cotswold Water Park and take part in watersports, including sailing. The area’s quaint villages also have various country pubs. These include Painswick, Bourton-on-the-Water, Wotton-under-Edge, and Broadway. Another top draw to the area is Westonbirt Arboretum, a stunning place, especially in the autumn.
Cirencester: A Pretty Town
Cirencester is a town dating back to Roman times. You can learn more about its history at the Corinium Museum. The town centre is picturesque and ideal for sightseeing. There are churches to see, museums and some wonderful flea markets selling antiques. Visitors can also use this as a base camp for exploring the nearby countryside. If you like walks and pretty scenery, Cirencester Park or Abbey Gardens in the town centre are top-drawer.
Stroud: A Market Town
Stroud is a pleasant town where 4 valleys converge and is great for scenic walks. The best time to visit the town is on a Saturday when they host a farmers’ market. The town is great for shopping, with a good selection of independent shops and cafes.
Frampton on Severn: A Delightful Village
The village of Frampton on Severn is a delightful village in the south of the county. Frampton has one of the longest village greens in England, which is pretty special. It has a few fishing lakes and a cricket pitch, and is perfect for a walk.
The village has three unique waterways: the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal, the River Frome and the River Severn. These have great walks through the countryside and are near WWT Slimbridge or the boat graveyard at Purton.
If visiting the village, there are a few cafes and local pubs where you can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. My favourite is The Bell, a pub overlooking the village green and cricket pitch.
Painswick: A Picturesque Village
Painswick is a picturesque village on the Cotswold Way Walk. The town is well preserved and has many Cotswold stone buildings throughout. In the centre of the town is St Mary’s Church; its churchyard is home to 99 yew trees, making it a distinctive landscape.
While in Painswick, you can also visit some of the town’s museums and the popular Rococo Gardens. As it has some nice restaurants and a bus service, it is an ideal town to end a walk.
Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury is a lovely town to visit in northern Gloucestershire. Two rivers heavily influence the town because it stands where the River Severn and the River Avon meet. Things to see include historical tourist attractions and medieval Tudor buildings.
The most popular sight to visit in Tewkesbury is the abbey. Tewkesbury Abbey is a former Benedictine monastery, and it sometimes hosts events on its grounds, such as food fairs.
Dursley: A Market Town
Dursley is a pleasant town in the Cotswolds with a railway station. You can enjoy various adventures on nearby trails or spend time in town. Other places of interest in the town include historic stone buildings, a marketplace and a beautiful church.
Attractions and Things to Do in Gloucestershire
The Medieval Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle has over 900 years of history and dates back to the 12th century. It was originally built as a March castle and still has fortifications, murder holes and the remains of a portcullis. Visitors can also explore historic rooms, artefacts and the wider estate, including its medieval deer park.
The River Severn
The River Severn is the largest river in the county and has many towns along its course. A fun and unique thing to do is to watch the Severn Bore, a tidal wave that periodically rushes upstream on the River Severn.
The Severn Way is another long-distance hiking trail in Gloucestershire. A lovely stretch of the trail runs through the remote village of Arlingham. Other pleasant places along the banks include Epney, Weir Green and Maisemore. The route mostly follows the river and is an ideal way to explore the county’s lesser-visited parts.
Camping Adventures in The Countryside
The county has many campsites, including in the hills, the Forest of Dean, and the Severn Vale. This is a good way to see the local area and enjoy some downtime in the countryside.
Canals
Various canals in Gloucestershire are accessible on foot and ideal for wildlife spotting. You’ll also find the occasional country pub along the way. You can walk the length of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, a very nice waterway. The Stroudwater Navigation is another lovely route to take, passing through some pleasant places.
Local Produce At The Farmer’s Markets
A fun thing to do in Gloucestershire is to buy local produce at one of the area’s farmers’ markets. The best in the county is the Stroud Farmers’ Market each Saturday. I really enjoy purchasing ingredients for cooking, local cheeses, and artisan savoury pastries at these places.
WWT Slimbridge
Visiting Slimbridge Wetland Centre is interesting, especially if you like nature and wild birds. The nature reserve is home to countless species of wild birds, including migratory ones. They have a rather educational visitor centre, where you can learn about all sorts of wildlife. The WWT Slimbridge site is a big place to explore and see a variety of habitats. You can also feed the wildfowl with the seeds that they sell.
After seeing the various birds that call the wetland centre home, you can go on a canoe safari through the reeds and waterways.
Is Gloucestershire Worth Visiting?
Gloucestershire is a nice county to visit with interesting towns and villages. The countryside, including the Cotswold Hills and Forest of Dean, is fantastic. There are lots of quaint villages to visit, and each comes with good refreshments. For sports fans, there are opportunities in Premiership Rugby and horse racing.
Gloucester and the Cotswolds sure seem like they are worth a visit!
Great part of the UK haven’t been in years must go again soon
It’s nice to see Gloucestershire getting a little love. There are some beautiful areas in this part of the world – you have reminded me of a few things I really need to do/see. Thanks!