Local & Sustainable

Like all areas in the UK, the city of Gloucester tries to do whatever possible to increase the use of both local and sustainable products and practices.

The city itself is a small and friendly city, that you'll find easy to explore on foot with step free routes throughout, and is also proudly home to many green spaces. The city is well linked with the Railwayt Station and Gloucester Bus Station, which are opposite each other, both being a short level walk to the city centre and Gloucester's main tourist attractions. 

Here are just some places to visit to enjoy the city in a local and sustainable way, but you'll be also find lots more local and independent businesses from gift shops to delis, and from craft shops to markets slong the way. 

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Gloucester Services

If you travel to Gloucester by car, stopping at Gloucester Services on the M5 is a beautiful place to start! They are a family-owned motorway services business that celebrates the people and produce of Gloucestershire.

The services opened in 2014 in a unique partnership with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, a community development charity. Through this charity, they invest half a million pounds every year into organisations that bring about sustainable, positive change in local communities.

Gloucester services work with more than 130 producers from within just 30 miles, so the kitchen serves dishes cooked from scratch using real ingredients, prizing real food made with skill and integrity, whilst the Farm Shop celebrates the wealth of creativity and talent in Gloucester’s locality and region.

Championing farmers, growers, butchers, bakers, potters, patisserie chefs, chocolatiers and cheese makers, who share their commitment to handmade and authentic produce, you’ll find a dedicated fish counter, patisserie counter, cheese counter, deli counter and butchers’ counter.

Their Lifestyle range celebrates good design and craft skill, bringing together clothing, toys, natural skincare, kitchenware and items for the home and garden from niche brands, small craft businesses and ethically conscious labels.

When you pass through Gloucester Services, you will know that you are somewhere, not anywhere.

Gloucester Food Dock

Gloucester Food Dock supports independent businesses in getting a foothold, helping the city to be a real foodie destination, in a stunning waterside location. Located in Victoria Basin, the now restored and extended site was originally the Docks Offices and the Old Navigation House. Introducing the first 10 businesses it houses, serving delicious food and drink, created with only the finest ingredients.

Back in 2008 based on a passion for quality, independence and ambition, the award winning, Hop Kettle Brewing Co. was founded in Cricklade by Tom Gee, and was the first business to open at Gloucester Food Dock.

You can enjoy Authentic Italian Pizza at Bella Mia Pizza @ No.1, with its hidden Cocktail Bar, and wood fired pizzas made with the finest authentic Italian ingredients, including the sweet San Marzano tomatoes grown on Mount Vesuvius.

Why not sample some Italian-style artisan Gelato, desserts and shakes at Wholly Gelato, who use the milk from their mixed-breed, free range herd on their family farm in Elmore to produce their dessert bar products, serving multiple award winning fascinating f lavour combinations.

Hetty’s Place offers freshly cooked brunch, delicious coffee, and the most indulgent award-winning brownies, whilst Our House is the perfect place to get stuck into your new favourite bottle of wine, discover a cracking Spanish lager, or pop a bottle of prosecco, the menu also includes, cocktails, mocktails and coffees!

Scandinavian Coffee Pod is built upon the Scandinavian principle of doing simple, well. Not only is the coffee excellent, but they also offer a great eat-in or takeaway selection of sweet and savoury goods.

For some meatier treats why not try Chuck Burger Bar’s signature burgers, made with aged UK reared, ex dairy cow beef. They use smoking techniques to incorporate an extra dimension to the toppings, sides, and brunch dishes. Whilst Strip Steak Bar’s ethos is quite simply premium-quality street food, served quickly. You can eat-in or take-away, either way you won’t be waiting long which is what makes Strip so unique, rapidly serving premium Black Angus sirloin steaks and delicious marinaded chicken to perfection.

The final two options for now are Elote who have created a menu of traditional Mexican dishes, drawn from an admiration for the people and culture, using ingredients supplied directly from Mexican Grocers. From crisp, fresh en salada to Mexican street corn (Elote) and citrus cured fish to a daily Brunch.

And last but by no means least is Daikoku Ramen, bringing the taste of Eastern Asia to the Gloucester Food Dock. Dishes are created with technical precision made from ingredients sourced both locally and from Japan. Wherever possible it is a bowl full of organic produce combined with simplistic Japanese philosophy, alongside delicious flavour combinations.

Add this to your ‘must visit list’ in Gloucester, to meet and savour the skills of talented and creative independent businesses from the region in an amazing location with terraces, sociable spaces, and a stunning view.

Alney Island

Just a stone’s throw from the urban pathways of Gloucester Docks, Alney Island, is an 80 hectare wetland nature reserve located on the banks of the River Severn, where the flood meadows are managed for public recreation and nature conservation.

For centuries the area was the lowest river crossing point to Wales and the site is steeped in history and heritage, including bridges designed and built by two of the most famous Victorian engineers - Brunel and Telford. The Island is also a great place to view the Severn Bore at certain times of the year, either from Over Bridge or the Lower Parting (where the two arms of the river join).

The nature reserve is predominantly neutral wet grassland and f lood meadows with broadleaf trees. The land is managed through hay cutting and grazing with rare breed cattle. Wildlife includes orchids, waterfowl, raptors, amphibians, wading birds and many species of insect, including dragonflies and butterflies, a real slice of natural beauty to escape to within the city.

Gloucester Cathedral

In 2016, Gloucester Cathedral became the first ancient Cathedral to install solar panels and are proud to have 150 of them on the south side of the Nave roof.

They generate c.29,000 kWh of energy each year, which is enough to power seven semi-detached houses and make a whopping 25,000 cups of tea! Crucially, it’s enough to provide more than a quarter of the Cathedral’s electricity.