Cheltenham

Cheltenham is vibrant and stylish and is the most complete Regency town in England.  An excellent base from which to explore the historic sights of Gloucestershire and the delights of the Cotswold countryside, this spa town has a first class range of accommodation, restaurants, theatres and shops.  As winner of “Beautiful Britain in Bloom”, Cheltenham is renowned for its colourful parks and floral decorations.

The spa waters, which brought fame and royalty to Cheltenham can still be taken at the Pittville Pump Room, the grandest survival of the town’s many spa buildings.  Set amongst beautiful lakes and parkland, this elegant Grade 1 Listed Building is open to the public.

In addition to the Folk Festival (February), Jazz Festival (April), Science Festival (June), Music Festival (July) and Literature Festival (October), there is a good variety of theatre, music and exhibitions.  Cheltenham Town Hall provides a year round variety of entertainment and the Everyman Theatre presents a professional programme of drama, musicals, comedy and classics.

Cheltenham is fortunate in having 2 fine museums.  Of special note is the Arts & Crafts Collection at the Art Gallery & Museum, or visit Holst Birthplace Museum, home of Gustav Holst, the famous musician and composer of The Planets, providing an opportunity to explore a terraced period house.

Enjoy a day at the races as part of your visit to Cheltenham.  The magnificent Cheltenham Racecourse, known across the world as the home of National Hunt racing, offers around 16 racing fixtures, in a season lasting from October to April.  The famous Gold Cup takes place in March, with the Open Meeting taking place in November.

Within the town centre, you can enjoy quality shopping.  The tree-lined Promenade is home to some of the best known fashion names, such as House of Fraser, Karen Millen, Laura Ashley, Gap, Oasis, Jaeger and LK Bennett.  The town’s secret gem is the area of Montpellier and The Suffolks , where individual boutiques mix happily with antique shops, cafes and specialist craft establishments.

Cheltenham is an excellent touring base for the Cotswolds and beyond.  Each summer Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre operate Guided Cotswold Coach Tours, which provide an enjoyable and relaxing way to experience the best of the Cotswolds.  Using quality transport, and accompanied by a qualified Cotswold & Gloucestershire Tourist Guide, the North Cotswolds tours operate on 17th July, 7th August, 4th September.  The South Cotswolds tours operate on 3rd July, 21st July, 21 August and 11th September.  An optional walking tour is included on both routes.  Based on the routes of The Romantic Road, the coach tours introduce you to an area of outstanding natural beauty. A tour also runs which takes in some of the finest food and drinks of Gloucestershire, A taste of Gloucestershire will run on 12th July and 23rd August.

Every Thursday tours go further afield, with four routes to popular destinations, starting with Bath, then Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester and the Malvern Hills. Bath, 28th June and 9th August, Forest of Dean, 2nd August and 13th September, Stratford-upon-Avon, 5th July and 16th August, and Worcester and the Malvern Hills, 19th July and 30th August.  The coach picks up in Cheltenham, opposite the Tourist Information Centre.

Coach tours cost £28 per person, £22 for concessions (£2 discount on subsequent tours booked).

Details of these tours may be obtained from Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre, 77 Promenade, Cheltenham.  Tel:  01242 522878 or visit the website on www.VisitCheltenham.info

For details of events at Cheltenham Town Hall visit www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk