Gloucestershire Visitor Travel Guide Page

We have compiled a travel and holiday information guide to help with your holiday stay in Gloucestershire.

About Gloucestershire

Making up part of the Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire is placed in the west of England that shares a border with Wales. As well as the Cotswold Hills, it also hosts the Forest of Dean which is a tremendous area of natural beauty perfect for walks and jaunts. The River Wye and River Severn ensure there is no shortage of wildlife and woodland in the county. The county town is Gloucester but the towns of Cheltenham, Cirencester and Stroud provide urban options if your cup of tea isn't the rural life. Gloucestershire has a dazzling array of cathedrals and churches in its towns with the most notable being Tewkesbury and Gloucester. There is an annual 'cheese-rolling' festival that occurs at Cooper's Hill near Brockworth. That is something you can't afford to miss! Slimbridge is the destination of the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust which has some of the most amazing birds and wetland wildlife in its boundaries. Gloucestershire also has the advantage of being within a close proximity to the north of England, as well as London and the heartlands of Wales where a day trip to the Brecon Beacons or Cardiff can be enjoyed. Bristol is also a tempting voyage with its cultural attractions and shopping options.

Attractions & Heritage Sites within Gloucestershire

1. Birdland Park and Gardens - Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos., GL54 2BN, Tel No: 01451 820480 Birdland Park and Gardens was once a trout farm and Poplar tree plantation today it is home to over 500 birds such as penguins, parrots, falcons and pheasants all in a natural wooded environment providing a great fun day out for all the family. 2. Cotswold Water Park - Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5QF The largest water park in the UK with one hundred and forty lakes set in forty square miles of Cotswold Countryside. The Gateway Centre is the ideal base for walkers, cyclists and bird watchers with easy access to trails, cycle paths and the canal. A great choice of outdoor activities to suit all ages. 3. Greyfriars - Greyfriars, Gloucestershire, GL1 1TS Greyfriars was a Franciscan House formed in 1231 on land donated by Lord Berkeley. It has an interesting history, had many uses and today houses a library on the section that was added in 1810. Run by English Heritage. 4. Sudeley Castle - Winchcombe, Glos., GL54 5JD A lovely romantic castle situated within glorious landscaped grounds in the Cotswold Hills. Once the home to Richard III and Catherine Parr. Regular events and exhibitions make for fun and fascinating family days out. 5. Hailes Abbey - Near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5PB The Abbey was founded by Robert(Earl of Cornwall) in 1246. You can see the remains of the church foundations and cloister arches. English Heritage run, audio tours and interpretation panels are available to guide you. See Full List of Attractions in Gloucestershire See Full List of History and Heritage Sites in Gloucestershire

Towns and Villages in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire has some lovely towns and villages to explore, below is a list with a short summary and link to more information about it and pictures. Bristol - is filled with swashbuckling history and was largely the setting for the novel "Treasure Island."... More... Cheltenham - is a picturesque spa town on the edge of the Cotswolds... More... Chipping Campden - High Street and the surrounding areas alone have over 150 buildings dating from the 14th to the 17th centuries... More... Cirencester - developed along the River Churn, in the east of Gloucestershire... More... Coleford - community is one of the oldest in the Forest of Dean... More... Gloucester - Cathedral has not only been a place of worship since the early eleventh century... More... Lydbrook - lies in a prime location for numerous outdoor activities and adventures... More... Moreton-In-Marsh - was inhabited by Romans early in the first century... More... Ruardean - was established on a limestone hillside in the Forest of Dean... More... Stonehouse - adopted its name from the existence of a stone house manor... More... Stroud - boasts a beautiful location combined with many places of interest... More... Tewkesbury - mustard was developed and popularized in the seventeenth century... More...

Useful Contact Information for Gloucestershire

Bourton-on-the-Water Information Centre Victoria Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2BU Tel No: 01451 820211 Cheltenham Information Centre Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1PP Tel No: 01242 522878 Chipping Campden Information Centre High Street, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HB Tel No: 01386 841206 Cirencester Information Centre Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX Tel No: 01285 654180 Gloucester Tourist Information Centre Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2DP Tel No: 01452 396572 Gloucester Docks Local Tourist Information Point Merchants Quay, Gloucester Tel No: 01452 318206 Moreton-in-Marsh Information Centre High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 0AZ Tel No: 01608 650881 Nailsworth Information Centre The Old George, Fountain Street, Nailsworth, GL6 0BL Tel No: 01453 839222 Newent Tourist Information Centre Church Street, Newent, GL18 1PU Tel No: 01531 822468 Painswick Local Tourist Information Point Stroud Road, Painswick, GL6 6UT Tel No: 01452 813552 Stow on the Wold Local Tourist Information Point Talbot Court, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1BQ Tel No: 01451 870150 Stroud Information Centre George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE Tel No: 01453 760960 Tetbury Tourist Information Centre Church Street, Tetbury, GL8 8JA Tel No: 01666 503552 Winchcombe Tourist Information Centre High Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LJ Tel No: 01242 602925 Wotton-under-Edge Local Tourist Information Point The Chipping, Wotton-under-Edge Tel No:01453 521541

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