Things to Do in Cheltenham Spa: Travel Guide & Tips
Cheltenham is a Regency spa town in Gloucestershire with plenty to do. It has historic buildings, pretty squares, pubs, and a laid-back food and cafe scene. It is also an ideal base for exploring the north Cotswolds and Gloucestershire, with options for days out.
Cheltenham Spa is the second-largest place in the county and is popular with tourists. It has fine examples of Regency architecture from the time of George IV. It is pretty, especially the areas around Pittville Park and Montpellier. One key event in the area is the Gold Cup at Cheltenham racecourse.
Pittville Park has two lakes, is great 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, includes the pretty Imperial Gardens and the iconic Queens Hotel. Originally, Montpellier grew in the 1830s alongside the town’s spas.
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Things To Do in Cheltenham Spa
Pittville Pump Room
Located a brisk stroll from the central areas is Pittville Pump Room. Visitors then enter the park via Pittville Gate and proceed past Regency buildings into the park proper. The first lake is near the stunning Pittville Pump Room.
The Pittville Pump Room was the last and largest spa building in the town. It is a Grade I listed building, built between 1825 and 1830. Inside, you can see the original pump, made from marble and scagliola. The building’s exterior features a colonnade of distinctive columns. During the Cheltenham Music Festival, the Pump Room hosts a variety of concerts.
Walk in Pittville Park
Pittville Park is one of the best places for a relaxing walk. The park is home to the famous Pittville Pump Room, a boathouse and some lakes. The second lake has a boathouse and a footbridge, which is a good vantage point for photographing the beautiful park. Plenty of dog walkers enjoy the scenery.
Imperial Gardens
Imperial Gardens hosts several festivals throughout the year. During the festival of lights, a large observation wheel offers visitors special views. Imperial Gardens are lush and surrounded by pleasant buildings and independent shops. When the flowerbeds are in full bloom, it’s an impressive sight.
At the edge of Imperial Gardens is the famous Town Hall, a lovely building to see. This Grade II listed building dates to the early 20th century. It primarily hosts concerts and other events. A top feature inside is an ornate Edwardian auditorium.
Holst Birthplace Museum
For those interested in Victorian history or classical music, the Holst Birthplace Museum is a great option to visit. The composer Gustav Holst was born in the house in 1874. The house is a fine example of 19th-century life, including a working Victorian kitchen.
St Mary’s Church
If you enjoy historic buildings, then St Mary’s Church is a good place to visit. Just off the high street, St Mary’s Church has a churchyard rich in history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. This is a nice spot to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Explore Montpellier
The Montpellier area of Cheltenham is beautiful, with Georgian buildings to admire. Boutiques, independent eateries, and green areas are easy to enjoy here. Some cafes and bars have outdoor seating, so it is pleasant to sit and relax on a summer’s day.
Montpellier Gardens
Montpellier Gardens are beautiful, a short walk from the centre, and part of what makes it a Regency town. In the park, you will find lots of open space, trees and some impressive flowers. Many of the buildings that surround Montpellier Gardens are Grade I listed.
The Gardens Gallery also exhibits local artists’ work for the public to see. The park has a bandstand and is good for recreation, including walking, relaxing, enjoying a picnic, or, for the active, playing sports. Montpellier Gardens also has a small arboretum where you’ll find some fascinating trees.
Theatres
You can watch a performance at a few theatres, including the Everyman Theatre and Cheltenham Playhouse. The Playhouse is an intimate community theatre that has been open for over 75 years. Its building is much older, dating back to 1806.
The Everyman Theatre is on Regent Street and has been around since 1891. The main auditorium is an architectural masterpiece. The theatre’s shows include classics, musicals and even the occasional classical music concert. The last performance I watched here was The Hobbit.
The Neptune Fountain
The Neptune Fountain on the Promenade is rather beautiful. People suspect it was modelled on the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome. However, this has not been confirmed. The fountain depicts the Greek god Neptune, the brother of Jupiter and Pluto.
The Suffolks Sunday Market
The Suffolks Sunday Market is fun if you like arts, crafts, food or vintage clothing. The market takes place in the square and along nearby streets. I enjoyed seeing the stalls on my recent visit and picked up some nice food to snack on while perusing the market. There are usually 6 markets throughout the year, each with a different theme, including Christmas and Halloween. You can find out dates for the next one on their website.
Sandford Parks Lido
Another fun thing to do is to visit the Lido. Sandford Parks Lido is a Grade II-listed outdoor swimming pool that opened in 1935. The Lido has a 50-metre main pool, a children’s pool, and a paddling pool. Both pools are heated; the main pool is 26°C, and the smaller one is 30°C. The Lido is open for swimming from March through to October each year.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is a heritage steam and diesel railway attraction. They operate steam and heritage diesel trains between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway in the Cotswolds.
The train line takes you through some impressive countryside, and the final destinations of Winchcombe or Broadway are stunning. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway operates various steam or heritage diesel trains, depending on the day.
Shopping
The town centre has chain retailers and an abundance of independent boutiques. The high street and The Promenade are good areas for some retail therapy. The city also has a good range of artisan food shops to peruse. Cheltenham also has beauty and skin clinics for pampering. On Regent Street is Cheeseworks, a fantastic cheesemonger shop selling the finest choice of cheeses in the area.
Wishing Fish Clock in Regent Arcade
The Regent Arcade has a good selection of shops, especially for clothing, including TK Maxx. A fun thing to do in the Regent Arcade is to watch the unique Wishing Fish Clock. The Wishing Fish Clock, said to be the tallest mechanical clock in the world, puts on a fun show with a goose laying a golden egg and bubbles blowing.
Sandford Park
Another pleasant park to visit is Sandford Park. It’s a beautiful park for a walk and is easy to find on the high street. Home to the famous Lido, the River Chelt runs through the park. It has pretty flower beds, mature trees, and fountains. The park dates from 1927, and it has been a popular spot to visit ever since.
Street Art Tour
There is some wonderful street art in various parts of the town. I’ve seen quite a few eye-catching murals while sightseeing, the most impressive being on the Midland Hotel near the railway station. Other nice ones have been on the high street. The town has a public art guide with a dedicated art trail.
Days Out Nearby?
Cheltenham is an ideal base camp for exploring the rest of Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. The nearby city of Gloucester has some top sights, including a cathedral and some interesting museums.
The Cotswolds are easy to reach from Cheltenham, with villages, countryside walks and attractions nearby. Destinations easy to reach by bus and well worth visiting include Painswick and Stroud on market day.
Eating Out in Cheltenham: Cafes, Pubs & Restaurants
Eating out is great in Cheltenham, with eateries to suit all tastes.
WoodKraft
WoodKraft is a fine dining cafe and a perfect spot for lunch out. Their menu has some delightful brunch and lunch options, including a posh full English breakfast.
The Brewery Quarter
The Brewery Quarter offers food and drink options, including Brewhouse and Kitchen, a microbrewery. Cosy Club is also here, which is nice for drinks or food. The Brewery Quarter also has a cinema and other activities.
Sandford Park Alehouse
The Sandford Park Alehouse is a great pub with an extensive range of draught and craft beers. You can enjoy these in the beer garden or inside.
Dolce & Salato
If you like Italian food, Dolce & Salato is a top cafe serving a variety of Italian dishes. They are on Winchcombe Street in the centre. On my recent visit, I loved their lasagne.
Where to stay in Cheltenham Spa?
If you’re staying overnight, Cheltenham has a good mix of hotels, guest houses and bed-and-breakfasts. Options range from the Queens Hotel near Imperial Gardens to smaller boutique stays such as The Portland. There are many options to suit most budgets on Booking.com.
The Portland
The Portland B&B is easy to find between the centre and Pittville Park. This guest house is known for its friendly welcome and hospitality. Its bedrooms are pleasant and fit the bill for a boutique bed-and-breakfast. Their continental and full English breakfasts are delicious.
Getting to Cheltenham Spa
For visitors to the UK, it is less than a 2-hour train journey from London or an hour from Birmingham, so it is easily accessible. It is also on the National Express network. You can find options from your location on the Omio website.
Is Cheltenham Spa Worth Visiting?
Cheltenham Spa is worth visiting if you enjoy Regency architecture, parks, gardens, independent shops, theatres, festivals and good places to eat and drink. It also works well as a base for visiting Gloucester, the Cotswolds and nearby countryside.