Discover one of the unsung gems of Middle England when you book a break to Gloucester. With rejuvenated Victorian docks and a wealth of natural beauty on its doorstep, the city is the perfect introduction to the UK.
Unearth Gloucester’s history
Start your tour of the city at the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral. Built during the 11th century in mainly Norman style, Gothic detailing and features have been added over the years. The outcome? A mesmerizing mix of architecture. Take snaps of the splendid façade before heading inside to see the 14th century tomb of Kind Edward II, one of only a few monarch’s tombs outside London, and the grand column-filled nave. The beautiful Great Cloister will also steal your attention with its breathtaking medieval design.
Make your way from the cathedral to Gloucester’s historic Victorian docks. In recent years, they’ve been beautifully restored and transformed into a pleasant waterside area, decorated with public art and lined with bars, cafés, restaurants and cute stores. Wander from north to south and you’ll reach Gloucester Quays, a shopping mall full of designer brands, as well as a multiplex cinema and restaurants.
As well as its Roman and Victorian heritage, Gloucester is also where Britain's first jet aircraft was built, and this fact is celebrated in style at the Jet Age Museum, found five miles north-east of the city center. Here you can learn more about Gloucester's pioneering aviation heritage, but the star of the show is a replica of a Gloster E28/39, Britain's first jet fighter, built by the inventor of the turbojet engine, Sir Frank Whittle.
Watch a top-class rugby game
Embrace local tradition and take the opportunity while in Gloucester to attend a rugby game at Kingsholm Stadium, a short drive north from the city center.
Gloucester play in the Aviva Premiership, England’s elite rugby union league, and also feature regularly in the European Rugby Champions Cup competition. Tickets for home games sell out fast, so you’ll need to reserve your seats in advance, but it’s worth it for the unique, friendly atmosphere.
The glory of the Cotswolds
No trip to Gloucester would be complete without a visit to the picture-perfect Cotswolds, a beautiful region of rolling hills and the quintessential image of rural England. You could easily spend several days exploring timeless stone villages surrounded sweeping meadows and serene stretches of water.
Close to Gloucester is idyllic Painswick, often referred to as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’. The town’s quaint, narrow streets are a sheer delight to wander around. From here, you can pick up the Cotswold Way footpath, a 100-mile trail running the length of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Around Painswick, it snakes through magical woodland and pretty flower-speckled fields.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, drive 10 miles south to the Woolpack. At this quaint pub you can feast on classic English ‘pub grub’, such as beer-battered haddock and chips, while enjoying sweeping views of the lush green countryside.
Book a rental car in Gloucester to make the most of your English break and turn it into a trip you’ll remember forever.