Things to Do in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire houses the city of Gloucester and towns, Cheltenham, Cirencester, Stroud and Tewkesbury. With all of these to explore, you definitely won’t be short of something to do in the county.

Gloucestershire is home to the Cotswolds, which is the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. It is a quintessentially British county that is home to rolling hills, green fields and picturesque towns and villages. Gloucestershire boasts picturesque scenery with miles of unspoilt countryside, rich in wildlife and stunning views, perfect for country walks and cycle routes.

Walking in Gloucestershire 

For those who love rambling, the Cotswolds is a wonderful place to explore. Stretching across 100 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath, this lengthy walk includes stunning views of the countryside and picture postcard villages.

Recommended walks include the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons which is not just a stunning area but also an archaeological landscape with prehistoric field systems and burial mounds.

The Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean is an enchanting place to explore for all the family throughout the year. Whether you want to wander around the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst, enjoy amazing views at Symonds Yat Rock, or take a stroll around Mallards Pike Lake, there is so much to see and explore in this beautiful forest.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is beautiful place for a leisurely stroll through the olde-worlde village. The honey-coloured cottages on this short walk are one and a half miles long and lead out to the village green.

Gloucestershire Heritage 

If you’re a big Harry Potter fan, you will no doubt recognise the beautiful interiors of Gloucester Cathedral. The cathedral has been used to shoot scenes for the Harry Potter films, as well as Mary Queen of Scots, Sherlock, Wolf Hall and Doctor Who. The magnificent 11th century cathedral is the resting place of King Edward II.

Just a short walk away from the cathedral is Gloucester docks, a cosmopolitan area filled with converted warehouses, restaurants and bars. Must visits include Dyrham Park, which has an outstanding collection of Dutch art and ceramics, and Snowshill Manor which is an extraordinary manor house packed full of interesting items from Samurai armour to exquisite clocks and musical instruments.

If you are a history buff, you will want to visit Berkeley Castle. Situated between Gloucester and Bristol, the castle is a well-preserved fortress overlooking the River Severn. It has been the home of the Berkeley family since it was first built 1153.

Photo by Simon Godfrey on Unsplash