Gloucester Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gloucester showing street scenes, heritage architecture and a city
Gloucester featuring signage and a city
Gloucester
Gloucester Cathedral featuring religious aspects, a church or cathedral and art
Regiments of Gloucestershire Museum which includes art, interior views and military items

Medieval monuments, energetic docklands, museums, live music and exciting rugby make the largest city in the Cotswolds an attractive destination.

Gloucester is an absorbing blend of history, entertainment and recreation. Discover centuries-old landmarks, watch concerts by international acts, dine at waterside cafés and shop at contemporary retail districts. Settled in Roman times and captured by the Saxons, Gloucester became an important medieval wool-trading centre and was the site of an English Civil War battle. Today, it’s a lively university city in the picturesque Severn Valley and surrounded by the Cotswold Hills.

Get around Gloucester’s city centre comfortably on foot. It centers on two crisscrossed pedestrian-friendly streets. Admire the beautiful 1,300-year-old Gloucester CathedralOpens in a new window, which holds the tomb of King Edward II and was a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. Ring the church bells of 15th-century St. Michael’s Tower. Visit the ancient ruins of St. Oswald’s Priory and the timber-roofed Blackfriars Priory, established in 1239.

Spot dinosaur fossils, paintings by J.M.W. Turner and Roman-era relics at the Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery. Learn about Gloucester’s industrial heritage and social history at the Gloucester Life Museum.

A short walk from the city centre is Gloucester DocksOpens in a new window. Once a shipping wharf and Britain’s most inland port, its Victorian-era merchant warehouses have been converted into waterfront museums, restaurants and shops. Learn about the military history of area citizens at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire MuseumOpens in a new window. Do some shopping at the Gloucester Quays shopping village.

Explore the city’s selection of traditional pubs. The New Inn dates back to the 1400s. Shakespeare’s company may have performed here.

At night, attend concerts at the intimate Gloucester Guildhall. Previous performers include British rock bands Oasis and Radiohead. Alternatively, watch a match featuring Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium.

Located in southwestern England, Gloucester has direct train links to BirminghamOpens in a new window, BristolOpens in a new window, CardiffOpens in a new window and LondonOpens in a new window. It’s also a gateway to several natural and outdoor attractions. Follow walking trails in the Forest of Dean, hike to the summit of Symonds Yat Rock and kayak along the Wye River.

Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel
Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel
4 out of 5
Bondend Lane Upton St Leonards, Gloucester, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £89 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£89
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (677 reviews)
"staff very helpful"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel
Holiday Inn Gloucester-Cheltenham by IHG
Holiday Inn Gloucester-Cheltenham by IHG
4 out of 5
Crestway, Barnwood, Gloucester, England
Fully refundable
The price is £68 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£68
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (467 reviews)
Wonderful 3 night stay, warm and welcoming.
"Our experience at the hotel was fantastic. We were welcomed by Andrea at reception on the Friday who checked us in and gave us the information required. We went to the swimming pool in the evening and they gave you complimentary towels and to our surprise there was a sauna and steam room too, this ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Holiday Inn Gloucester-Cheltenham by IHG
Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa
Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Down Hatherley Lane, Gloucester, England
The price is £105 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£105
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa country house in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (571 reviews)
"Lovely hotel and had some really good facilities (spa & gym)."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Friary House Serviced Apartments by Roomsbooked - 24Hr Reception
Friary House Serviced Apartments by Roomsbooked - 24Hr Reception
3.5 out of 5
46 Southgate St, Gloucester, England
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and balconies. Popular attractions Gloucester Docks and Gloucester Quays ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (15 reviews)
"Spacious and well-equipped apartment. Comfortable and quiet."

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2025

Friary House Serviced Apartments by Roomsbooked - 24Hr Reception
The Judges Lodgings Boutique Hotel
The Judges Lodgings Boutique Hotel
2 out of 5
29 Spa Rd, Gloucester, England
Stay at this aparthotel in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Docks are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4 reviews)
Good location but bathroom needs a clean
"Great central location, easy parking and spacious airy accomodation with kitchen and dining area. However, the bathroom was a bit grubby and in need of a deep clean. The extractor fan had a build up of dust and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in a very long while."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

The Judges Lodgings Boutique Hotel
Indoor heated swimming Pool,  Hot tub sleeps up to  30..Amazing Riverside House
Indoor heated swimming Pool, Hot tub sleeps up to 30..Amazing Riverside House
Nr Gloucester, ENG
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Gloucester. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a garden. Popular attractions Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Docks ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"Fabulous place. Celebrated a 90th birthday. Facilities great, house clean and tidy on arrival, garden with hot tub was well used. We hope to return one day!"

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Indoor heated swimming Pool, Hot tub sleeps up to 30..Amazing Riverside House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Gloucester

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
46
5 - Excellent 23%
4 - Good
112
4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
40
3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I am only here for work so have not seen much of Gloucester. I have been here previously to watch the Rugby and this would also be an ideal location for that as right near the ground.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Have stayed in several holiday inn express great breakfast Shaw about the rip off of price on frozen food !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice area will be back again soon

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

No trafic ,no lost of people so food

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Love Gloucester Quays

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Town centre note very attractive.

Cities near Gloucester