Gloucester Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Gloucester featuring signage and a city
Medieval monuments, energetic docklands, museums, live music and exciting rugby make the largest city in the Cotswolds an attractive destination.

Gloucester is an absorbing blend of history, entertainment and recreation. Discover centuries-old landmarks, watch concerts by international acts, dine at waterside cafés and shop at contemporary retail districts. Settled in Roman times and captured by the Saxons, Gloucester became an important medieval wool-trading centre and was the site of an English Civil War battle. Today, it’s a lively university city in the picturesque Severn Valley and surrounded by the Cotswold Hills.

Get around Gloucester’s city centre comfortably on foot. It centers on two crisscrossed pedestrian-friendly streets. Admire the beautiful 1,300-year-old Gloucester Cathedral, which holds the tomb of King Edward II and was a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. Ring the church bells of 15th-century St. Michael’s Tower. Visit the ancient ruins of St. Oswald’s Priory and the timber-roofed Blackfriars Priory, established in 1239.

Spot dinosaur fossils, paintings by J.M.W. Turner and Roman-era relics at the Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery. Learn about Gloucester’s industrial heritage and social history at the Gloucester Life Museum.

A short walk from the city centre is Gloucester Docks. Once a shipping wharf and Britain’s most inland port, its Victorian-era merchant warehouses have been converted into waterfront museums, restaurants and shops. Learn about the military history of area citizens at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. Do some shopping at the Gloucester Quays shopping village.

Explore the city’s selection of traditional pubs. The New Inn dates back to the 1400s. Shakespeare’s company may have performed here.

At night, attend concerts at the intimate Gloucester Guildhall. Previous performers include British rock bands Oasis and Radiohead. Alternatively, watch a match featuring Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium.

Located in southwestern England, Gloucester has direct train links to Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and London. It’s also a gateway to several natural and outdoor attractions. Follow walking trails in the Forest of Dean, hike to the summit of Symonds Yat Rock and kayak along the Wye River.

Holiday Inn Express Gloucester - South, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Gloucester - South, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
Waterwells Business Park Quedgeley, Gloucester, England
Fully refundable
The price is ₹4,792 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹4,792
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.6/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
One night
"Lovely comfortable stay"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Holiday Inn Express Gloucester - South, an IHG Hotel
Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa
Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Down Hatherley Lane, Gloucester, England
The price is ₹11,117 per night from 26 May to 27 May
₹11,117
per night
26 May - 27 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
7.8/10 Good! (307 reviews)
"The Spa facilities make this place as the rooms are not as large or luxurious as the photos appear. The bar and dining area is excellent and the staff very helpful and pleasant. However, if you do not book directly you are not entitled to as much time in the Spa and member of staff was rather dismissive ..."

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2024

Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa
Holiday Inn Gloucester-Cheltenham, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Gloucester-Cheltenham, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Crestway, Barnwood, Gloucester, England
The price is ₹7,059 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹7,059
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (217 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay here. All the staff were really good, a special thank you to Charmaine who really went out of her way for us."

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2024

Holiday Inn Gloucester-Cheltenham, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
 Nelson Serviced Apartments
Nelson Serviced Apartments
3.5 out of 5
166 Southgate Street, Gloucester, England
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping.
6.6/10 (28 reviews)
Nice apartment in central location
"Location was different to what's on the map (it's right next door to the New County Hotel). The apartment was lovely though, looks like it's been recently refurbished and was very clean and comfortable. Kitchen was very well equipped with dishwasher and washing machine. £250 damage deposit seemed ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2024

Nelson Serviced Apartments
Crescent Place
Crescent Place
3 out of 5
1a Crescent Place, Cheltenham, England
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
Will use again
"Property has been decorated to a very high standard. Car park easy to find and access. Very central location. Easy access despite no front desk, just a code emailed to access the car park and room. Higher numbered rooms are quite a walk up a lot of stairs though. Would pay a bit more for a lower ..."

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2024

Crescent Place
Old Infirmary
Old Infirmary
4.5 out of 5
18 - 20 Silver Street, Worcester, England
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in Worcester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tudor House and Ancient Houses ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (99 reviews)
Always fantastic
"The Old Infirmary never disappoints, always an absolutely fantastic stay, perfect accommodation whichever room you choose and communication is outstanding, already looking forward to next time…."

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2024

Old Infirmary
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Gloucester

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
46
" "5 - Excellent 22.77227722772277%
4 - Good
112
" "4 - Good 55.445544554455445%
3 - Okay
40
" "3 - Okay 19.801980198019802%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 1.4851485148514851%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.49504950495049505%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Apr 2020

I am only here for work so have not seen much of Gloucester. I have been here previously to watch the Rugby and this would also be an ideal location for that as right near the ground.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Jan 2020

Have stayed in several holiday inn express great breakfast Shaw about the rip off of price on frozen food !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
24 Dec 2019

Nice area will be back again soon

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Dec 2019

No trafic ,no lost of people so food

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Dec 2019

Love Gloucester Quays

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
20 Nov 2019

Town centre note very attractive.

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