Gloucestershire

With beautiful Cotswold villages and country houses, Gloucestershire is a beautiful county to explore. The main city of Gloucester is best known for its historic docks and for the cathedral. The National Waterways Museum is another attraction in Gloucester. Nearby Roman Cirencester has a museum dedicated to the archaeology found in the area and is a charming market town.

In Tewkesbury the old hill town is a delight to wander the streets and has one of the finest Norman Abbeys in England. Spend time in Regency Cheltenham with its fine shops, the Pitville Pump Rooms, and enjoy a day at the races, perhaps at the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup. Rural Gloucestershire is simply delightful with villages like Hawkesbury Upton and Bourton on the Water. At Badminton the famous horse trials take place and in Tetbury the charm of rural craftsmanship is at its best. Highgrove House, home of the Prince of Wales is also in Gloucestershire. 

Walking the Cotswold Way is popular with visitors to the area who either do a stretch at a time or the whole route. The Cotswolds are also known for their Olympic Games which are completely unorthodox with the international variety and held near Chipping Camden. Look out for the bizarre custom of Cheese Rolling down hills and football in rivers.

The Wildfowl and wetlands Trust at Slimbridge is an excellent place to observe birds in one of the best reserves in England. One of the most famous sights in Gloucestershire arrives from the River Severn and rolls down into the sea. This is the tidal phenomenon known as the Severn Bore and there are a number of people who attempt to ride it on surfboards. The Westonbirt Arboretum is a fabulous riot of colour in autumn and another popular place to go in Gloucestershire.