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
The price is ₹5,113 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹5,113
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gloucester. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (996 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 ₹10,578 per night from 26 May to 27 May
₹10,578
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4-star spa country house in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (308 reviews)
Brilliant stay
"The hotel was fantastic really beautiful food was incredible staff were really nice but they can make the service in the bar and restaurant a bit better and the spa was really really good"

Reviewed on 11 May 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
Fully refundable
The price is ₹7,230 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
₹7,230
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (220 reviews)
Army V RAF
"I left a pair of jeans and belt, so it would have been nice to have been told you had them at the same time as asking for feedback"

Reviewed on 12 May 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 (29 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
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Cheltenham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Cheltenham Racecourse and The ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (8 reviews)
Lovely stylish place but not for light sleepers
"Great communication and a room upgrade which was a pleasant surprise. Well appointed, stylish room with comfy bed, a powerful shower and nice tea, coffee and biscuits. An eye mask and ear plugs were supplied as the only down side is there is noise from the street. The windows are sash and I expect ..."

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

Crescent Place
Old Infirmary
Old Infirmary
4.5 out of 5
18 - 20 Silver Street, Worcester, England
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping.
8.8/10 Excellent! (100 reviews)
"Apartment was very comfortable and well furnished. Did experience some noise from the Asda loading bay and the AC generator. However accom was value for money"

Reviewed on 13 Feb 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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