This picturesque county of Gloucestershire encompasses ancient woods, the cathedral city of Gloucester and a chunk of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding National Beauty. See one of England’s most spectacular cathedrals, tour charming country villages and follow historic walking trails around pockets of scenic woodland.
Gloucester, a small city best known for its English Gothic-style Gloucester Cathedral, makes a good base for exploring. Don’t miss the cathedral’s photogenic 14th-century Great Cloister, which featured in several of the Harry Potter movies. Among the other major towns in the county is Cheltenham, a former spa town and home to the famous Cheltenham Racecourse. Wander the central Promenade and admire the Regency-style architecture.
Venture beyond the bigger towns to find picture-perfect English country villages. Among the most idyllic of them are those set amid the farm-strewn Cotswold hills. Head for Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” or to Lower Slaughter to view the Cotswolds’ distinctive stone architecture. Other attractive Gloucester settlements include the history-steeped market town of Tewkesbury, which hosts a big medieval festival every July.
For challenging outdoor adventures, try surfing on the Severn bore, a surge wave in the Severn Estuary. Or, hit the hiking trails of the 42-square-mile (109-square-kilometer) Forest of Dean. This ancient oak forest once served as a royal hunting ground and is peppered with the ruins of old iron and coal mines.
Visit the nearby town of St. Briavels and the 12th-century St. Briavels Castle, which now serves as a youth hostel. Other historic castles in the Gloucestershire region include the 12th-century Berkeley Castle, famous for being the site where Edward II was murdered in 1327, and the fascinating Sudeley Castle, surrounded by manicured gardens.
Gloucestershire is well-served by public transportation. Regular Gloucester-bound trains depart from London, Bristol, Birmingham and Wales. Alternatively, ride a coach or bus here. For the ultimate freedom to explore, rent a car and traverse the picturesque countryside at your own pace.