The City of Gloucester, where centuries ago, the Romans marched over the Cotswold Hills…saw beneath them the lush Severn Valley and decided to build a garrison there. From that day onward visitors have made Gloucester the focal point of their travels. Over the years Gloucester has played host to many different peoples, Celts, Romans, Saxons and Normans, each leaving their individual mark, which you will discover when you explore the City.

A visit to the magnificent Norman Cathedral is a must. The nearby Folk and City museums, both individual and fascinating, will lead you through the complete Gloucester story; its extraordinary history, its people, their lives and livelihoods. The town centre has recently received a major face-lift and the main shopping area is now fully pedestrianised. There is a vast selection of shops, ranging from specialist outlets tucked away down quiet lanes to the larger chain-stores. At night you’ll find a host of good pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit all tastes.

Just a short walk from the City Centre, you will discover the Historic Gloucester Docks, home to three fascinating museums – National Waterways Museum, Regiments of Gloucestershire Museum, and the Robert Opie Collection. The tall warehouses have been carefully restored and now provide unique office accomodation for some of the citys work-force as well as numerous craft and clothing outlets which line the waterfront. In the evening the dockland area is a great place to visit for a drink or meal, or to jump on one of the regular ‘licensed’ canal and river cruises.

Gloucester nestles deep in the green lushness of the Cotswold hills and the countryside is never more than a few minutes away. The Cotswolds are the largest area of outstanding natural beauty in Britain and the unique combination of beautiful countryside and unspoilt villages of honey-coloured stone represents traditional England at its very best. Stretching for 100 miles from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath in the south, the hills rise from the gentle meadows of the Upper Thames in Oxfordshire to the Vale of Evesham and River Severn in the west.

Gloucester is surrounded by a multitude of towns and villages all offering great days out. Whether it’s a short trip to the elegant town of Cheltenham, with its stylish shopping facilities and famous National Hunt race-course (a ‘Mecca’ during Gold Cup week) or slightly further afield to the Royal Forest of Dean with it’s giant oaks, nature trails and picnic areas, you will never be short of things to do.