If you were asked to draw a picture of classic England, there is a good chance you would accidentally end up sketching Gloucestershire. Rolling hills, stone villages, winding rivers, grand houses, ancient churches and slightly too many sheep. Everything here seems perfectly arranged for leisurely walks, cream teas and the occasional small orchestra playing gently in the background.
Gloucestershire somehow manages to be grand and cosy at the same time. It is the sort of place where people arrive for a weekend and start quietly browsing local property prices by Monday.
The Cotswolds and their suspiciously perfect villages
Much of Gloucestershire’s charm comes from the Cotswolds, that famous stretch of honey-coloured stone villages, dry-stone walls and gently undulating countryside that looks suspiciously well-behaved in all seasons. Towns like Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Campden seem almost designed for postcards, their narrow streets lined with tearooms, antique shops and shops that sell tasteful things made from wool.
The walking is excellent too, with countless footpaths criss-crossing the hills and valleys, most ending conveniently near a pub.
Gloucester, cathedrals and cloisters with a film career
The city of Gloucester itself carries its own quiet weight of history. The cathedral, one of England’s finest, soars elegantly skyward, its fan-vaulted cloisters looking so cinematic that they have doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. The city’s docks, once bustling with trade, now host museums, restaurants and boats that no longer carry quite so much cargo.
Nearby Tewkesbury offers another fine medieval church in its great abbey, as well as battlefield sites where the Wars of the Roses once unfolded in appropriately dramatic fashion.
Cheltenham, regency elegance and racing hats
Cheltenham adds a bit of regency glamour to the county, with grand terraces, leafy squares and the air of a spa town that knows how to look after itself. The town is also famous for its racing, with the Cheltenham Festival drawing in crowds of enthusiastic punters every March, many of whom wear hats that defy both gravity and fashion.
When the horses are not running, Cheltenham fills its calendar with literature festivals, jazz festivals, science festivals and anything else that gives people an excuse to gather, talk and sip coffee in elegant surroundings.
Forests, rivers and slightly older trees
To the west, the Forest of Dean spreads out like a wilder cousin, full of ancient woodland, secret pathways and small villages that seem to have quietly opted out of modern life. Once home to miners, ironworkers and charcoal burners, the forest is now the domain of walkers, cyclists, and the occasional wild boar who couldn’t care less who is visiting.
The River Wye winds along the edge of the county, offering canoe trips, scenic viewpoints and photo opportunities that make you look far more adventurous than you actually are.
Stately homes, gardens and slightly excessive hedges
Gloucestershire also excels at grand houses and gardens, from the aristocratic sweep of Badminton House to the famously clipped yew hedges of Painswick. Sudeley Castle adds a Tudor flourish, complete with royal tombs and very tidy lawns.
Everywhere you go, there is a sense of careful preservation, not in a dusty museum way, but as if the county collectively agreed some time ago that things were just about right and should be kept that way.
Where England quietly shows its best side
Gloucestershire does not try too hard. It offers beauty, history, a bit of grandeur and just enough eccentricity to keep things interesting. After a few days here, you start to suspect that the locals may have worked out a rather good formula for life, and you may find yourself wondering whether you could move in, just for a while.
Top 10 reasons to visit Gloucestershire
- The Cotswolds – Rolling hills, honey-coloured stone villages, and picture-perfect market towns like Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Painswick.
- Gloucester Cathedral – A stunning medieval cathedral with fan-vaulted cloisters (famous as a Harry Potter filming location).
- Cheltenham – Elegant Regency spa town known for its festivals (literature, jazz, science) and the world-famous Cheltenham Races.
- Forest of Dean – Ancient woodland with caves, sculpture trails, and outdoor adventures from cycling to canoeing on the River Wye.
- Tewkesbury Abbey and medieval streets – One of the finest Norman abbeys in England, surrounded by half-timbered houses and riverside walks.
- Cotswold Way National Trail – A long-distance walking route with breathtaking views across the Severn Vale and into Wales.
- Historic houses and gardens – From the arts-and-crafts masterpiece Hidcote Manor Garden to the grand Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe.
- Wildlife and countryside – Slimbridge Wetland Centre for birdwatchers, plus rare wildflowers and butterflies in the Cotswold commons.
- Quirky traditions – Witness the world-famous Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling near Gloucester or rural events like country shows and village fetes.
- Food and drink – Sample local delights such as Double Gloucester cheese, cider from traditional orchards, and hearty fare in cosy country pubs.
