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Gloucestershire Holiday Cottages

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. Gloucestershire holiday cottages information can be found following this guide.

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. See the section below for further information about self catering holidays and notable attractions in Gloucestershire.

Rent Gloucestershire Holiday Cottages with Cottages 4 You

Owl's Retreat Cottage - Gloucestershire Holiday Cottages From Cottages 4 You
This self catering holiday property is within a mile of Cheltenham and was built from a selection of 19th century barns. Well-furnished throughout, the cottage includes an indoor, heated swimming pool, games room, a croquet lawn and all-weather tennis court. The interior consists of a beamed living room/dining area with wood burner. 2 bedrooms sleep 4 + shower room with WC. Visit the company above for more details about Gloucestershire self catering accommodation and short break holidays.

Gloucestershire self-catering 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 in and around 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
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.