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Cotswolds Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK

Guided walking tour : Ghosts & Giggles Of Gloucester

Harry Potter Tour of England by Black Taxi Tour from London

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• Gloucester Cathedral
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• 1.1 Language
• 1.2 Local information
• 2.2 By train
• 2.4 By boat
• 2.5 By plane
• 3.2 By bicycle
• 3.3 By foot
• 4.1 Museums & galleries

Gloucester (pronounced "gloster") is the county town of Gloucestershire in England's West Country . A major attraction of the city is Gloucester Cathedral, which is the burial place of King Edward II. Other features of interest include the museum and school of art and science, the former county jail (on the site of a Saxon and Norman castle), the Shire Hall (now headquarters of the County Council) and the Whitefield memorial church. A park in the south of the city contains a spa, a chalybeate spring having been discovered in 1814.

Understand [ edit ]

The city of Gloucester is the furthest inland port in the UK, situated beside the River Severn. It inspired the old English nursery rhyme:

'Dick Whittington', born around 1350, a well-known character through the pantomime story, has connections with Gloucester. The story is based on the real-life Richard Whittington, who, unlike his pantomime character, was not poor, being the third son of Sir William Whittington of Gloucester. The traditional tale has a 'poor' Dick going to London to seek his fortune, but he eventually becomes Lord Mayor of London.

A traditional rhyme is associated with this episode, as follows:

"Turn again, Whittington, Once Mayor of London, Turn again, Whittington, Twice Mayor of London, Turn again, Whittington, Thrice Mayor of London!"

The city is also known for ' The Tailor of Gloucester ', a children's novel by Beatrix Potter that was first published in 1903. It is traditionally read to children on Christmas Eve, just before bedtime.

It was a main Roman city, Glevum —Roman tunnels and fortifications exist underneath the city centre and can be visited through the museum.

Language [ edit ]

As a provincial British town, you will almost certainly need to be able to speak English to get around in Gloucester. There is a sizable immigrant population in Gloucester from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Poland and the Czech Republic so you may have more luck with these people should you speak one of their languages. Gloucester also has a large (for the region) black (mainly of Caribbean origin) community.

The Tourist Information Office has literature in most major languages, including Japanese.

Generally, the Gloucester accent is clear to understand and isn't peppered with dialect terms. However, understandably for the area, there is a West Country 'burr' and tourists whose experience of English accents is limited to either Cockney or Queen's English (Received Pronunciation) may notice this. The 'burr' becomes more pronounced more westerly, in the nearby Forest of Dean.

Local information [ edit ]

• Gloucester City Council website

Get in [ edit ]

By car [ edit ]

Gloucester is well served by the motorway system and can easily be accessed by junctions 11, 11a and 12 on the M5. It also lies on the A38 and is easily accessible from Wales (Gloucester is the most southerly point on the River Severn with a bridge—apart from the motorway Severn Bridges near Bristol and Newport ). Because Gloucester was a major Roman city, it has very good A road connections throughout Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.

By train [ edit ]

By bus [ edit ].

Gloucester is a large hub for buses and coaches. There is also a park and ride service available, see the National Park and Ride Directory .

By boat [ edit ]

Gloucester was built up around the River Severn. It has a sailing heritage. It is possible to visit Gloucester via river or the Gloucester Sharpness Canal via boat.

By plane [ edit ]

Birmingham Airport ( BHX  IATA ) and Bristol Airport ( BRS  IATA ) are each only a couple of hours' drive (north and south respectively) and are served by a wide range of flights from across Europe and beyond.

It can take several hours to drive from the London airports, Heathrow ( LHR  IATA ), Gatwick ( LGW  IATA ), Luton ( LTN  IATA ) and Stansted ( STN  IATA ).

Get around [ edit ]

Stagecoach operates most of the local bus services and between Gloucester and Cheltenham. There are many bus services to the Forest of Dean, South Wales, Gloucestershire, the South West and the Midlands.

By bicycle [ edit ]

There are several cycle routes around Gloucester and it is possible to have a fairly stress-free cycle ride around the city and its suburbs. There are also cycle routes to Cheltenham and to Bristol.

By foot [ edit ]

The centre of Gloucester is quite compact and flat so you can easily walk around it.

The best way to get to the countryside around Gloucester is by car.

See [ edit ]

• 51.865063 -2.246011 3 Baker's Jewellers ( Baker G A & Son ), 5 Southgate St, GL1 1TG , ☏ +44 1452 522926 . One of the most unusual 'action' time clocks you are likely to see in a city centre. It dates back to Edwardian times and has five figures which represent England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Olde Father Time.  
• 51.864054 -2.243836 5 [dead link] Eastgate Viewing Chamber . The Eastgate Viewing Chamber is the remains of the Roman settlement. While it can be viewed at street level from outside of Boots, there are also tours from Museum of Gloucester that can be booked.  
• College Court .  

Museums & galleries [ edit ]

• 51.866591 -2.246999 10 Beatrix Potter Museum and Shop , 9 College Court, GL1 2NJ , ☏ +44 1452 422856 , [email protected] . M–Sa 10AM-4:30PM, Su noon-4PM . Don't pass up the opportunity to visit the tailor's house from Beatrix Potter's 1903 story "The Tailor of Gloucester". Situated a stone's throw from Gloucester Cathedral down a narrow alleyway. ( updated Nov 2016 )

Do [ edit ]

Take a look around the absolutely stunning cathedral. Various parts of the cathedral were used as Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter films.

The docks is also worth a look; boat journeys down the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal are available every other hour in summer time

• Hartpury University RFC play in the Championship, the second tier. Their campus and grounds are five miles north of town.
• 51.862687 -2.238934 2 GL1 Leisure Centre , Bruton Way, GL1 1DT , ☏ +44 1452 396666 .  
• 51.864718 -2.244652 3 Gloucester Guildhall , 23 Eastgate St, GL1 1NS , ☏ +44 1452 503050 .  
• The beautiful countryside — get out walking!

Learn [ edit ]

Buy [ edit ].

Shopping is easy in this compact centre, with four streets, named below, radiating from the focal point The Cross, with its adjacent church tower.

• 51.865343 -2.245816 1 The Cross . ( updated Feb 2018 )

Gloucester has a variety of generic high-street chain stores, and more bespoke or individual retail locations. Eastgate Street is the primary shopping area, with most of the banks, the Kings Walk Shopping Arcade and the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Westgate Street is more 'bohemian' and has many sole traders and cafes. If you're looking for something a little more unique, the Westgate area is your best bet, especially in the small streets leading away to the Cathedral.

Northgate is the 'budget' end of town—if you're looking for groceries, then the Sainsbury's and Wilkinsons stores are good options.

On Fridays, Northgate Street and Southgate Street play host to the local farmers' market .

Outside of the city centre is the Gloucester Docks, which is home to the Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet shopping centre.

If you are travelling on the M5, the nearby Gloucester Services Southbound is rather unusual, built into a hill with grass on the top and sells locally-sourced homemade food comparable to the Ludlow Food Centre.

• 51.819565 -2.228428 5 Gloucester Services Northbound , M5, Brookthorpe, GL4 0DN . ( updated Feb 2018 )
• 51.818836 -2.224785 6 Gloucester Services Southbound , M5, Brookthorpe, GL4 0DN . ( updated Feb 2018 )

Eat [ edit ]

• 51.884995 -2.249451 1 The White Horse , Sandhurst Lane, GL2 9NG . If you're looking for something more filling there is a Chinese restaurant by the river just a mile or so outside Gloucester.  
• Yummy Yummy . Chinese takeaway.  
• 51.865978 -2.242531 2 The Regal , 33 St Aldate St, Kings Square, GL1 1RP , ☏ +44 1452 332344 . Former cinema and picture palace that ceased operations in 1988, famous for hosting the only live performance in Gloucester for The Beatles' 1963 tour. Now a Wetherspoon's pub with food and drink.  
• If you want a quick snack there is a gorgeous sandwich place which makes sandwiches to order opposite the church on Northgate Street, opposite Number 45 hairdressers and J Sainsburys.

There is also a usual range of fast-food outlets throughout the city centre, including McDonald's, KFC and Subway. However, Gloucester has a great range of restaurants in the city centre and on the outskirts. A complete dining out guide is available from the Tourist Information Centre on Southgate Street.

Drink [ edit ]

There are several brilliant pubs worth a visit in the town centre, most notably of which the

• 51.864259 -2.246742 1 Café René , Greyfriars, 31 Southgate St, GL1 1TP ( down an alley off Southgate Street. Next door to St. Mary Crypt Church ), ☏ +44 1452 309340 . It is apparently haunted by monks who once had a monastery on the site. To make it even better, it has a well and fountain in the middle of the main bar area, and the food is gorgeous too.  

The following city centre pubs have been awarded places in the Good Beer Guide by Camra.

• 51.867475 -2.250912 3 The Lower George Inn ( formerly Pig Inn the City ), Westgate St, GL1 2JX ( beyond Shire Hall ). 6PM-3AM .  
• 51.854807 -2.252919 4 The Linden Tree , 73-75 Bristol Rd, GL1 5SN , ☏ +44 1452 527869 .  

For a more conventional modern British night out, Lower Eastgate Street is home to the majority of the bars and clubs within the city. These vary in quality of both facilities and clientele—use your own discretion in deciding where you want to drink. The far end of Eastgate Street is home to the two biggest clubs in Gloucester— Liquid/Diva and The Registry . 'Liquid' is typically the biggest, and can have large queues for entry, but it is also the largest club and has a range of special nights. The Registry offers free entry, and occasional live events. Other options include, The Regal and Butlers as bars with music and late-licences.

Sleep [ edit ]

There are several hotels in Gloucester. Many of the pubs offer B&B. There are a few campsites dotted around, and, in the countryside, there are many, many good hotels and pubs, some of which are luxury ones.

• 51.858783 -2.251359 1 Travelodge , Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way , ☏ +44 871 984 6427 .  
• 51.864398 -2.193602 2 Holiday Inn , Crest Way, Barnwood , ☏ +44 871 942 9034 .  

There are also Premier Inns around the suburbs.

• 51.86919 -2.197526 3 Premier Inn (Barnwood) , Centre Seven, Barnwood, GL4 3HR , ☏ +44 871 527 8456 . From £37 per night . ( updated Mar 2017 )
• 51.88097 -2.240635 4 Premier Inn (Longford) , Tewkesbury Road, Longford, GL2 9BE , ☏ +44 871 527 8460 . From £48.50 per night . ( updated Mar 2017 )

Connect [ edit ]

As of May 2022, Gloucester has 4G with EE and O2, and 5G with Three and Vodafone.

Go next [ edit ]

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• The Cotswolds  – a range of rolling hills which are to the east of Gloucester
• The Malvern Hills rise in the north
• The Forest of Dean  – the "Queen of forests"—one of England's few remaining ancient forests—lies to the west
• Cheltenham is nearby and worth a visit
• Swindon  – The heart of the Great Western Railway, only half an hour on the train (or an hour by car on the A417/A419 dual carriageway)
• Just south of Gloucester lies Painswick , the "Queen of the Cotswolds", a superb example of a Gloucestershire village, which has a number of fine houses and a church which reflect the prosperous era when it was the centre of the thriving wool trade.
• Ross-on-Wye

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Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Things to Do in Gloucester (Gloucestershire, England)

15 Best Things to Do in Gloucester (Gloucestershire, England)

A historic inland port on the River Severn, Gloucester is at the entrance to England’s West Country on the cusp of the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean.

Originally this was the Roman fort of Glevum, defending a crossing on the Severn, and gained its town charter under Henry II in 1155. Gloucester’s cathedral has to be a priority, for its majestic Perpendicular tower and Norman nave.

In the 19th century the city’s fortunes were transformed with the construction of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, and striking Victorian warehouses still surround the city’s docks, which are now an upmarket residential district and mall.

After the war Gloucester had a blossoming aerospace sector, and you can view a rare collection planes made by the Gloster Aircraft Company at the Jet Age Museum.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Gloucester :

1. Gloucester Cathedral

The roots of Gloucester Cathedral go back to an abbey set up in the 670s.

The cathedral as we see it was completed between the 11th and 15th century and has a Norman Romanesque core, and embellishments from every phase of English Gothic architecture.

From a distance you can’t help but be drawn to the 15th-century Perpendicular tower, which is 69 metres high and topped with four intricate pinnacles.

The nave is unmistakably Norman, with powerful circular columns supporting semi-circular bays, under a later Early English Gothic vaulted ceiling.

Look for the late Decorated Gothic East Window, which has Medieval stained glass, while the cloisters have England’s earliest fan vaults, produced between 1351 and 1377. The most important monument in the cathedral is the tomb for Edward II, who was murdered not far away at Berkeley Castle in 1327.

2. Gloucester Docks

Gloucester has England’s most inland port, which came about in the first decades of the 19th century when the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal was completed.

With the advent of railways and road freight the docks fell into disuse in the 20th century, before being revived as a stylish residential and commercial area in the 1980s.

There are 15 monolithic Victorian warehouses here, testifying to the volume of goods that passed through Gloucester when the port was at its peak.

You can also check out a chapel built for the city’s mariners in the 19th century, a dry dock in working order and all sorts of other historic infrastructure, beautifully preserved.

The warehouses have since been turned into museums and housing, while some have been adapted by the Gloucester Quays mall.

3. Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

Opened in 1827, this 16.5-mile canal cuts across a loop in the River Severn between Gloucester in the north and Sharpness in the south.

When it was completed it was the broadest and the deepest canal in the world, allowing far larger ships to visit Gloucester’s docks than had been possible on this difficult stretch of the river.

The large span of the canal is crossed by bulky swing bridges, beside dainty bridge-keepers’ houses, which lend the canal a distinctive character.

For a peaceful day in the countryside you can amble along the towpath, stopping on the grassy banks for a picnic or pub lunch.

There’s a superb wetland centre at Slimbridge beside the canal where you can sight wildlife, from migrating waterfowl to otters.

4. Gloucester Life

This museum for Gloucestershire’s social history is in two stunning half-timbered houses on Westgate Street.

Side by side, these are a 16th-century Tudor merchant’s residence and a town house from the 1600s.

According to tradition John Hooper, the Anglican Bishop of Gloucester stayed in the merchant’s house the night before he was burnt at the stake by Queen Mary I in 1555. Some of the things to see inside these houses include equipment related to fishing on the River Severn, period costumes, a reconstruction of a classroom in Victorian times, scenes from domestic life over five centuries and the interior of a pin factory that used to be on this site.

5. Robinswood Hill Country Park

This 200-metre hill to the south of Gloucester once provided the city’s water supply.

Springs bubble through Robinswood Hill and were harnessed by Gloucester Abbey in the 1200s.

Reservoirs were dug in the 19th century, and these were filled in during the second half of the 20th century to provide facilities for the country park that occupies the hill today.

In these 250 acres you can take in stirring views over to the Black Mountains in the west, south to the Severn Bridge and Cotswolds, and north to the Malvern Hills.

A historic orchard has been restored on the hill, while the space is nature reserve, offering a habitat for species like badgers, foxes and red kites.

6. Nature in Art

A three-mile drive north of Gloucester will take you to this wonderful gallery of art inspired by nature, housed in the splendid Georgian mansion Wallsworth Hall.

This is claimed to be the largest collection of nature-based art in the world and comes in a host of media.

In the permanent collection are pieces by British painters and illustrators who devoted their careers to wildlife, like George Edward Lodge, Eric Ennion, Charles Tunnicliffe and Archibald Thorburn, as well as universally known artists like Picasso and an array of Flemish Masters.

There are bronze sculptures, works of contemporary glass, porcelain items from the Far East, watercolours, engravings and woodcarvings.

Kids can attend workshops in the school holidays, and there’s a coffee shop looking out over a sculpture garden.

7. Blackfriars Gloucester

Maintained by Gloucester City Council, Blackfriars is an unusually complete Dominican black friary that you can visit on Sundays and Mondays in summer.

The friary was founded beside Gloucester’s southern walls in 1239, with the backing of King Henry III. After the monastery was dissolved in the mid-16th century, Blackfriars was preserved as a mansion, while its cloisters became a cap factory and then dwellings in the 1700s.

Restored in 1960, the complex has lots of riveting things to check out, like the scissor-braced roof in the dormitory and the oldest purpose-built library to survive in the UK.

8. Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum

This military museum in the former Custom House on the docks recounts the history of the Gloucester Regiment and the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars.

The objects on show span three centuries and relate to the many conflicts that these regiments have been involved in, from the Napoleonic Wars to peacekeeping in the Balkans in the 1990s.

The museum has two Victoria Crosses, the highest award for gallantry in the UK honours system.

There’s also a series of lifelike tableaux, archive footage, audio snippets, weapons, pieces of equipment, heavy machinery, paintings, silverware and uniforms.

9. Museum of Gloucester

In a Victorian Renaissance Revival building, the Museum of Gloucester is an engaging miscellany, covering fine art, applied art, palaeontology, archaeology and local history.

One piece to keep on your agenda is Rufus Sita Tombstone, a 1st-century Roman stele discovered on London Road and more than 1.2 metres in height.

In the art collection are works by Thomas Gainsborough and J. M. W. Turner, while there’s also Dutch Delftware and Arts and Crafts bowls by Alfred and Louise Powell.

Kids will be enthused by the dinosaur fossils, and one of the more peculiar exhibits is a portrait of Oliver Cromwell without his characteristic warts.

10. Gloucester Waterways Museum

In the Gloucester Quays development, the Gloucester Waterways Museum examines the 200-year history of Gloucester Docks, and shipping and navigation on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

The attraction is an a portion of the Llanthony Warehouse, constructed in 1873 and formerly used for alcohol, timber and grain.

In the galleries are interactive exhibits, models, vintage signs and a fleet of historic vessels like tugboats, barges and narrowboats.

You can see what a canal repair yard would have looked like, entering its machine shop and forge, and checking out its hydraulic accumulator, heavy oil engine, steam crane and weighbridge.

11. St Mary de Crypt Church

On Southgate Street, this beautiful Medieval church has a blend of Gothic and Norman architecture.

St Mary de Crypt was consecrated in the first decades of the 12th century and then reworked in Perpendicular Gothic style in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Over the west door you can view a preserved Norman tympanum, depicting a lamb and flag, symbolising the Resurrection of Christ.

The nave dates to the 1400s and has a beautiful pulpit carved in the Renaissance style in the early 1600s.

One of the founders of Methodism, George Whitefield, gave his first sermon at St Mary de Crypt in 1736 before travelling to America to spread this denomination.

12. Highnam Court Gardens

On weekdays from March to September you can drop by this estate on Gloucester’s western outskirts to view the fabulous gardens that have been restored over the last 25 years.

The Mannerist house at Highnam court is one of just a few to have been built during the Commonwealth (Interregnum) in the 17th century, and was designed by a student of Inigo Jones.

Surrounding large ponds, the gardens were designed by the artist Thomas Gambler-parry, after he bought the estate in 1838. After a fallow period in the 20th century, the gardens have slowly been brought back to their former glory, with a boxwood knot garden, kitchen garden, wisteria walk and a Pulhamite winter garden, featuring waterfalls, waterfalls and rock gardens.

13. Jet Age Museum

In the post-war period Gloucestershire firms like the Gloster Aircraft Company, Smiths Industries and Dowty Rotol all contributed to the UK’s aviation boom.

That chapter of local history is recorded at the Jet Age Museum on the north side of Gloucestershire Airport.

It’s the only museum in the world with four complete Gloster Aircraft Company jets in one place.

These are two Gloster Meteors (T.7 and F.8) and two Gloster Javelins (FAW.4 and FAW.9). You can also find full-scale models of a Gloster E28/39 and a Hawker Hurricane, as well as the cockpits of an Avro Vulcan and a Hawker Siddeley Trident.

14. Severn Bore

A curious phenomenon occurs on the Severn, Britain’s longest river, when the rising tide surges up the river in the form of a wave.

If the bore takes place during the day you may see groups of surfers and canoers trying to catch it.

The Severn Bore can be seen around 260 times a year, taking place twice a day on 130 days.

The highest bores roll in around the equinoxes, although they can take place at other times of year: They are rated on star system, five being the highest, but even three-star bores are worth seeing.

If you’re in Gloucester during a bore, you can see it just west of the city, between Stonebench and Maisemore Weir.

15. Gloucester Quays

With upwards of 120 stores in 2018, the Gloucester Quays shopping centre has continually expanded since it opened in 2009. In 2017 it was announced that a further £100m would be invested into the development, adding an additional floor to the main centre.

What sets Gloucester Quays apart from typical malls is that the designer outlet department is housed in brick former warehouses on Gloucester Docks, with long alleys and waterfront terraces for alfresco dining in summer.

The 10-screen cinema complex, Cineworld, opened here in 2013, while new chain restaurants arrive by the year.

15 Best Things to Do in Gloucester (Gloucestershire, England):

• Gloucester Cathedral
• Gloucester Docks
• Gloucester and Sharpness Canal
• Gloucester Life
• Robinswood Hill Country Park
• Nature in Art
• Blackfriars Gloucester
• Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
• Museum of Gloucester
• Gloucester Waterways Museum
• St Mary de Crypt Church
• Highnam Court Gardens
• Jet Age Museum
• Severn Bore
• Gloucester Quays

• Beaches & Lighthouses
• Whale Watching & Fishing
• Schooners & Boating
• Museums & Historic Sites
• Arts & Entertainment
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• Hotels & Motels
• Inns & B&Bs
• Vacation Rentals
• Cottages & Efficiencies
• Campgrounds & RV
• Restaurants & Bars
• Breakfast & Coffee Shops
• Sandwiches & Pizza
• Ice Cream & Sweets
• Plan Your Visit

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Celebrate the ongoing story of Cape Ann’s historical, industrial, and artistic achievement. Cape Ann Museum: 27 Pleasant St. CAM Green: 13 Poplar St.

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A mecca for lovers of American folk art, Cogswell’s Grant overflows with folk art portraits, painted furniture, redware and more.

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Top Things to Do in Gloucester, Cotswolds

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7 Very Best Things To Do In Gloucester, United Kingdom

Last Updated on 9 January 2023

*This post may contain affiliate links , which means that if you decide to make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you! This allows me to continue bringing you valuable content for free and any purchases you make via these links are gratefully appreciated. Please refer to my Disclosures for more information.*

Are you spending the weekend in gloucester.

Because staycations are the in thing right now and the only real hassle-free way to travel, I recently went on a city break to Gloucester (this isn’t such a bad thing, because it’s got me and many others exploring our home countries). I would usually be gallivanting around on some of the best summer city breaks in Europe or ticking off my Southeast Asia bucket list right now, but instead decided to spend a grand total of 2 nights in Gloucester (and had an absolute ball). Before going, I researched the best things to do in Gloucester and having now road-tested these, I want to share them with you so you don’t miss out on any of the good bits!

Is Gloucester worth visiting?

Yes, Gloucester is definitely worth visiting and makes for the ideal UK city break. But if you were there for more than 2 nights I think you would probably run out of things to do in the city centre, unless you are into museums, want to literally shop until you drop, or intend to do various day trips out of Gloucester (this is just my opinion). I would definitely go back in the future for a couple of nights, because it makes for the ideal getaway .

What’s Gloucester famous for?

Gloucester is probably most famous for its historic dock s and impressive cathedral . The city has also acted as the setting for one of Beatrix Potter’s well-loved stories , The Tailor Of Gloucester, which was inspired by a visit to the city. Gloucester is also located a stone’s throw from the Cotswolds , which is scattered with traditional English villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe. 

So what are the top things to do in Gloucester?

1. explore gloucester docks.

One of the top things to do in Gloucester and a necessary component of any visit to the city is to wander around the historic docks . Gloucester Docks is one of the UK’s most inland docks, and are home to 15 Victorian dock buildings, Mariner’s Chapel, a working dry dock where boat repairs are still made, tall ships, canal boats and the odd yacht or two.

They are lined with an abundance of sociable dockside cafes, restaurants and bars, making it one of the best places to wine and dine in the city. Whilst wandering around, let your imagination run wild back to a time long ago when the docks were bustling with cargo ships arriving to offload their goods.

2. Shop ’til you drop at Gloucester Quays

Located within Gloucester Docks is Gloucester Quays . Alongside the docks and the Cathedral, Gloucester Quays is probably one of the main reasons people pay a visit to the city. Dotted with cafes and restaurants, Gloucester Quays is a designer outlet shopping centre , where you will find a mix of high street and designer shops and might be able to snap up a bargain at up to 70% off of the retail price. Gloucester Quays is one of the best places to visit in Gloucester if you fancy a spot of retail therapy or need to do some Christmas shopping!

3. Wander around Gloucester Cathedral

Located smack bang in the middle of the city centre and one of the most notable things to see in Gloucester is Gloucester Cathedral . The resting place for some renowned humans such as Edward II and Robert of Normandy (the eldest son of William the Conqueror, who is buried somewhere beneath the building), Gloucester Cathedral was built mostly in the 13th and 14th centuries.

A place of worship for Christians for over 1,300 years, Gloucester Cathedral has also featured as a film set for various Harry Potter movies . To walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, you’ll need to visit the cloisters. At the time I visited, there was no entrance fee for visiting Gloucester Cathedral but a donation will always be greatly appreciated.

Tip: Gloucester Cathedral has a 225ft tall central tower, making it visible from across the city centre. So if you get lost in Gloucester (which you shouldn’t because the centre is fairly small and Gloucester’s attractions are clumped together), then just look for the tower to guide your way.

4. Visit the House of the Tailor of Gloucester

Set in a quaint alleyway a stone’s throw from Gloucester Cathedral, the House of the Tailor of Gloucester is a museum and shop dedicated to Beatrix Potter . The House of the Tailor of Gloucester is sketched in Potter’s book, The Tailor of Gloucester.

She took inspiration for this story when visiting a friend near to the city, and took a trip into the city to sketch buildings and visit 43 Westgate Street which was home to the Tailor of Gloucester her friend had told her about. A visit to the House of the Tailor of Gloucester is one of the best free things to do in Gloucester , but a donation or purchase of a souvenir will go a long way towards the upkeep of the exhibition.

5. Feast at Greek on the Docks 

Located along the historic Gloucester Docks, Greek on the Docks is a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant which I would highly recommend you eat at during your trip to the city. With uninterrupted views of the old warehouses and docked boats, Greek on the Docks makes for a truly atmospheric place to dine. They serve the most scrumptious and fresh Souvlaki , and the portion sizes were generous too. I visited one lunchtime to sample their lunch menu, and because the prices were reduced during this time I got to have a three-course meal for an unbelievable price (check their website to see up to date deals and menus).

6. Do a day trip to Bourton-on-the-Water 

One of the best things to do near Gloucester is to take a day trip to the Cotswolds . Running through 5 counties and covering an area of nearly 800 square miles, the Cotswolds is full of market towns, quaint villages, natural beauty and castles.

Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most famous villages in the Cotswolds , owed to its picture-postcard perfection and tranquil river that runs through the centre. There are lots of things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water itself, but during a day trip from Gloucester some of the must-dos are getting chips from The Chip Shed and sitting alongside the River Windrush, and visiting the Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum .

7. Get a drink at the Lord High Constable of England

For many of us Brits, Wetherspoons are a quintessential part of UK culture. They are a chain of pubs which serve affordable food and drinks, and can often be found in the most unique of buildings. The Lord High Constable of England is located within the historic docks . The middle section of the building was a Victorian saw mill, and the front and back sections were school rooms and offices. But what makes having a drink at the Lord High Constable of England one of the best things to do in Gloucester is the outdoor seating at the rear of the building, which offers views across the docks.

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