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Gloucestershire Holiday Cottages
These companies all provide Gloucestershire cottage properties to rent for both short and medium length holiday breaks. Their situated throughout the county with many set in the picturesque Cotswolds region. See our Cotswolds section for more properties in that area.
Cottages 4 You - Close to
100 Gloucestershire holiday cottages, many of which are well-appointed in picturesque locations such as Naunton and Hampen - all are graded and inspected. See their Cotswolds section for more Gloucestershire properties.
Holiday Rentals - Another
100 Gloucestershire cottages for rent from Holiday Rentals. Their selection includes listed properties, period cottages and country houses. Most are traditional, rural buildings set in the Cotswolds area. User reviews are also included for selected properties.
Independent Cottages - More than 60 cottages in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds region in places such as Bourton-on-the-Water and the county town Gloucester. Pets are allowed for the vast majority of their holiday properties and bookings are as low as £140 for certain cottages.
Cottages Direct - Over 30 Gloucestershire self catering cottages and holiday properties from £287 for 7 days (Low season). Their selection consists mostly of rural properties such as farmhouse/barn conversions. Pets are allowed in most cases with start days usually on Saturdays.
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is situated in South England and has a varied landscape of slow-moving rivers and hills that flatten out towards the Severn Estuary. Much of the county consists of grasslands and shifting sands that are a haven for a rich array of wildlife.
Its main town
Gloucester, with its fine Cathedral, sits in the middle of the Severn Valley and is a popular attraction due to its fine collection of Roman and Norman antiquities. Gloucestershire Cathedral is one of the most impressive and boasts the largest stain-glass window in Britain, measuring 72x38ft.
Towns such as Berkeley and
Tewkesbury epitomise the character of Gloucestershire and offer majestic reminders of a rich and eventful past. Berkeley has an impressive 12th century castle and parish church while Tewkesbury, with its 13th and 14th century inns and Tudor houses was the site of a Yorkist victory in the Wars of the Roses.
The flatlands of Gloucestershire offer the visitor countless opportunities for escaping the stresses of modern life and are a popular destination for short breaks. For more information about the major Gloucestershire visitor attractions, see our summary below.
Gloucestershire visitor attractions
Top Gloucestershire visitor attractions, historical sites and places of interest are included below, with details of admission prices and opening times. There's also information about top restaurants and pubs in the county.
Outdoor activities
Gloucester Leisure Cruises offers visitors the chance of exploring the region via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. It runs three times a day from
The National Waterways Museum, with each trip taking about 45 minutes. Tickets are £4.50 with concessions for families - under 5's go free.
Birdland Park and Gardens, in Bourton-on-the-Water, is popular amongst nature-lovers and is home to around 500 species of birds including parrots, penguins, flamingos and waterfowl - there's also a gift shop and cafe. It's open 10am to 6pm, seven days a week and tickets are between £3 and £6.
Slimbridge Wetlands Centre provides a similar array of wildlife and is internationally respected - visitors will find swans, water voles and geese as well as otters. There's also a play area and impressive visitor centre which provides information about the birdlife and animals which live within the centre. It's open throughout the year and tickets are around £8.
Food and drink
The 16th cenutry, Falcon Inn Painswick, serves local ales such as Wye Valley and offers a large, varied menu which includes minted lamb chop with fennel and steamed seabass fillet. Children and dogs are welcome.
The Old Fleece in Woodchester, is another fine old pub and was formerly an 18th century coaching inn. This too serves excellent pub food and includes the usual local ales that one can expect from a quality Gloucestershire pub such as Otter Ale.
For outstanding French cuisine, try
Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham. It holds 4 AA rosettes for culinary excellence but has an unpretentious, informal ambience. The vibrant menu features dishes such as Gloucestershire Old Spot Pork and Beef with salted orange.
The Old Butchers in Stow-on-the-Wold is also noteworthy and serves contemporary food in a modern setting. A la carte main courses are well-priced and start at just £10.
History and Culture
As already mentioned,
Gloucestershire Cathedral is one of the county's principle historical landmarks. This Norman construction exhibits strong Gothic influences and features a central tower that reaches 225ft. Guided tours are available of the entire cathedral including the tower and crypts. They run from 10.30am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. There's also an exhibition which allows visitors to get up close to the Great East Window. Admission is £2.
The
National Waterways Museum is worth visiting and has received awards for its imaginative displays and collection of historic boats. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm and tickets are under £4.
