Gloucestershire is everything that people are drawn to about the countryside of England.
This county has a wealth in its history beautiful landscapes, architecture, and idyllic scenery The list of things to do goes on In the middle of Gloucestershire is the Cotswolds, limestone hills with unbeatable natural beauty, sheltered by stunning villages and towns, all built of a yellowed stone that looks like nothing other.
Gloucester is a perfectly suited city in the county, with a magnificent cathedral that is now bursting with new life after its historic quays have been revitalized. The city of spas in Cheltenham is bursting with Georgian beauty.
In Gloucestershire it is possible to trace the origins for the River Thames or plot a route through the enchanting and ancient Forest of Dean.
Let’s look at the best destinations to visit throughout Gloucestershire:
1. Gloucester
Along the River Severn, and between the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean, Gloucester has been a hot topic over the past few years as an active city of culture. It’s been a great match with the revitalization of the former shipping Quays with its numerous nightclubs and restaurants are everywhere.
There’s fascinating history in Gloucester too as the cathedral’s inscriptions make clear. It was built in stages during the 12th and the 15th centuries it is a blend of Norman as well as Gothic architecture.
A huge pane made of stained glass from the medieval period remains within The Great East Window, while there’s a monument dedicated to the King Edward II, who was executed near by, something we’ll talk about in the future. In a completely different way The first flight of the world’s first jet plane took place in the vicinity of Gloucester near Brockworth.
To commemorate this, is an Jet Age Museum, recounting the early days of jet-powered flights.
2. Cheltenham
On the western edge in the Cotswolds, Cheltenham has been an elite place for the rich for over 200 years.
It’s a place to indulge in luxurious shopping and dining set against among the most majestic settings you can imagine. The springs of Cheltenham were first discovered in 1716. It was in the century following when the resort began to take form.
In the Regency period, the spas were constructed and the opulent Montpellier district was given its grand townhouses. There’s no reason to visit for hydrotherapy or take the bathing waters at the spa, however large portions of the infrastructure that is stately is still in place, including Pittville’s Pump Room as well as the lush Pittville Park.
3. Cotswolds
This vast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty spreads across an extensive area of Gloucestershire countryside.
Beautiful farmland, and charming towns built from local soft limestone The Cotswolds are in line with the majority of people’s picture as the English countryside in its most gorgeous.
The region is dotted with hills that can reach over 300 metres. They culminate with the Cotswold Edge in the west which is a dramatic escarpment that stretches that extends over and over the Severn Valley. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take on along the Cotswold Way, a 100-mile National Trail that traces the escarpment to the west of the.
It is a great time to wander through stunning countryside. In the evenings, you can treat yourself at cozy inns as well as bed and breakfasts.
4. Forest of Dean
Just to the north of the border with Wales in west Gloucestershire are 11,000 acres in ancient forest, one of the few remaining areas of this type of wildness in the entire country.
The Forest of Dean has been designated for royal hunting grounds from before the Norman Conquest, which is part of the reason it has not been used for hunting for this long.
What you can do in this area is contingent upon your own sense of adventure this could include long-distance hiking or rock climbing or locating traces of the abandoned mining activities within the forests, or exploring ancient sites such as Tintern Abbey, just on the Welsh riverbank. River Wye.
5. Cirencester
This gorgeous town that has Roman roots is a great option to explore the Cotswolds.
We must begin with a mention of the stunning Cotswold stone. This is gorgeous golden yellow limestone that gives every grand building in Cirecnester with an extra touch of elegance. The 14th century Church of St John the Baptist is stunning in the late afternoon sun and is a perpendicular Gothic style that dates back to the 1300s, but with earlier features.
In the center of the town, in the centre, the Corinium Museum uses Cirencester’s Roman name and has collated all the amazing finds that were discovered in the town.
They are more than 60,000. Among them are intricate mosaics, carved ceramics, marble and jewels which are all beautifully displayed at the Museum.
6. Tewkesbury
The town of Tewkesbury is a major Tudor and medieval character. The streets of Barton Street, High Street and Church Street there are lots of half-timbered homes to look at.
The most notable of these is one of them is the Olde Black Bear, the oldest pub in Gloucestershire and was first was opened in 1308. Within the space of two streets, there are enough tales and interesting places to keep curious visitors entertained for hours. The Visitor Centre offers a variety of guides to explain the details of what you’re viewing.
The stunning Tewkesbury Abbey, which has its largest Norman Tower in England was spared the dissolution of the Monasteries. It was purchased by the locals and has preserved many of its Norman details.
Check out The Mythe Bridge crossing the Severn and designed by renowned Georgian engineer Thomas Telford.
7. Stroud
To West on the Cotswold Edge escarpment and at the point at which you will find the Five Valleys converge, Stroud is an artistic town with narrow, steep streets.
Many writers, artists and musicians have been settling in Stroud among them Damien Hirst who has a studio in the town.
In the Bank Holiday at the end of August, there’s also the festival that includes literature, arts, theatre and music.
It is possible to explore the countryside along the Five Valleys Circuit, or go to Woodchester Mansion a wistful Gothic revival residence that was left in stalemate when work was abruptly stopped in 1870.
8. Chipping Campden
In medieval times , the wool trade brought in lots of money for merchants from Chipping Campden, and this created the small town’s stunning church.
St James’ is known as a woolen church due to its grandeur for such a large town since wealthy benefactors financed its construction in the 1400s. The town is an absolute delight to explore, built with Cotswold stone and lined with beautiful old structures such as the market hall that is covered and the almshouses, both dating to the 17th century’s early years and influenced by renaissance.
9. Berkeley
Two different factors are the reason Berkeley is famous We’ll begin with the first.
The magnificent Berkeley Castle hasn’t been altered from the time of its construction in 12th century. It was part of the Berkeley family throughout the time.
An important however also obscure moment in English history took place in 1327. The exiled Edward II, the King of England Edward II was supposedly murdered however, no one knows who or when. It is possible to see the area where the deed claims to have been executed.
Edward Jenner, the physician who came up with the idea of the concept of vaccinations, was born in Berkeley and returned working in town during the latter part of the 1700s. The beautiful Georgian house is now a Museum dedicated to “father of immunology”.
10. Tetbury
The town is royally connected because of Prince Charles who has one of the estates in the region. In the first place, walk to the center of the town and look for the distinctive Market House that was constructed in 1655 . It is supported by three rows of stone pilasters.
It’s just one of the many historic buildings listed in Tetbury the town that was an important town for wool and yarn in the past, but is a bustling market for antiques.
As for Prince Charles, book ahead for the chance to visit Highgrove Gardens.The garden was designed and planted by the prince with the assistance of experts in botany to protect and showcase species of plants and animals native to Britain.
