The City of Gloucester

Gloucester sits on the River Severn, 17 miles from the Welsh border, 33 miles from Bristol, and is tucked in between the Forest of Dean to the south-west, and the Cotswolds to the east.  The ‘capital’ of Gloucestershire, it is a city steeped in history.

Gloucester is well known for its 11th century Cathedral which lies tucked behind Westgate Street in the city centre.  Just one minute’s walk from the busy hustle and bustle of modern city life, you encounter the magnificence of Gloucester Cathedral, and the calm of College Green.

The cathedral is also a place where filming for several Harry Potter films took place, as the cloisters became part of Hogwarts.

Other sites of interest in Gloucester include

• The ruins of 9th century St Oswald’s Priory
• The well-preserved 13th century Blackfriars Priory
• The Victorian Gloucester Docks, the furthest inland port in Britain, with its Mariner’s Chapel
• Eastgate viewing platform – look down onto the Roman fortress that lies beneath the city.
• The Folk Museum in a wonderful timber framed Tudor building.
• The House of The Tailor of Gloucester, now a museum and shop, is the very building that Beatrix Potter drew in her book ‘The Tailor of Gloucester’.

For shopping and eating, Gloucester is a box of delights.  The city centre houses many mainstream and independent shops, and most parts of the world are represented in the many wonderful restaurants.  Also, just ten minutes’ walk from the centre, near the Historic Docks, is Gloucester Quays, where you’ll find an outlet shopping centre, bars and restaurants and a multi-screen cinema.

Of course, Gloucester is also home to one of the best clubs in English rugby.  Not only does Gloucester Rugby Team play in the top PREM division, but it is also one of the oldest and iconic clubs in England, dating back to 1873.  Their home since 1891 has been, and still is, Kingsholm Stadium, right in the heart of the city.