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History and Heritage

With history spanning across 2,000 years, ‘Glevum’ was first established as a Roman fort in 48AD. It was later converted into a settlement and granted the official title of Colonia Nervia Glevensis by Emperor Nerva in 97AD – the highest status a provincial town could achieve in the Roman Empire. Parts of the Roman wall can still be seen, most notably in the Museum of Gloucester or the nearby Eastgate Chamber.

During the Anglo Saxon era, Caer Glow (derived from the Welsh for ‘bright fort’) or Glowcestre became an important centre for the Kingdom of Mercia, particularly during the later period when a royal palace was built just north of the city. King Osric of the Hwicce (a client kingdom of Mercia) founded St Peter’s Abbey on the site of Gloucester Cathedral. Aethelflaed (Lady of Mercians and daughter of King Alfred the Great) fortified the city from Viking invasion and laid out the core street plan which is evident to this day. Aethelflaed also founded the St Oswald’s Priory where she was laid to rest after reclaiming much of Mercia.

After the Norman Conquest of 1066, William I held his winter court in Gloucester, and on one such occasion in 1085, commissioned the Domesday Book. Gloucester continued to prosper under the Plantagenet kings. The nine-year old Henry III was crowned at the St Peter’s Abbey in 1216 – the last time an English monarch was to do so outside of Westminster. Henry III granted the use of oak trees from the Royal Forest of Dean to build Blackfriars and Greyfriars priories. Gloucester was home to more monastic houses including the recently restore Augustinian Llanthony Secunda Priory by Gloucester Docks. When Edward II was enshrined at St Peter’s Abbey in 1327, attracting pilgrims and great wealth. The New Inn was one of the ‘Three Great Inns of St Peter’ established to accommodate the pilgrims, is one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval, galleried coaching inn.

Elizabeth I granted Gloucester Docks Royal Port status in 1580 that opened up trade links with the rest of the world. During the English Civil War in 1643, Gloucester’s parliamentarians were besieged by overwhelming royalist forces, who outnumbered them twenty to one. The siege was eventually lifted after 26 days on 5 September – now celebrated as Gloucester Day and signalling the start of the annual Gloucester History Festival.

During the eighteenth century, Gloucester developed into an industrial centre thanks to nearby deposits of iron ore, coal and timber from the Forest of Dean and the construction of the Gloucester Sharpness Canal. The National Waterways Museum Gloucester is a great place to explore Britain’s canal network and the history of the Docks. The century also saw many social reforms which had their origin in Gloucester. The Sunday School movement was pioneered by the local newspaper owner, Robert Raikes. The influential George Whitefield began his ministry in the city, with his first sermon at St Mary de Crypt, before exporting his fiery brand of evangelism to the American colonies.

Gloucester’s industry continued to expand into the twentieth century with aviation and engineering. The first allied jet during World War II, the Gloster E28, was designed and tested in Brockworth by the legendary Frank Whittle. You can explore the Gloucester’s aviation history at the Jet Age Museum. The Soldiers of Gloucester Museum tells the story of one of the most decorated regiments in the British Army playing pivotal roles in the Korean War, both World Wars and the Napoleonic era.

Take a guided tour with Gloucester Civic Trust or Gloucester Cathedral or use the GloucesterTours.co.uk app to learn much more about the city’s history.

Download the Gloucester Historic Pubs Trail leaflet (PDF 3.7MB) and explore Gloucester's watering holes, rich with character and stories.

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Cheese Rolling in Gloucester
Gloucester Walking Tours App

Enjoy three self-guided walking tours on your smartphone around Gloucester City Centre and its historic Docks. Free of charge and no downloads required. Just type www.gloucestertours.co.uk into your phones internet browser.
Gloucester Civic Trust Tours

Walking tours of the City of Gloucester. Hear about many famous characters and their associations with the City.
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Gloucester Leisure Cruises

Address

National Waterways Museum Gloucester, Llanthony Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2EH

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 318200

gwm@canalrivertrust.org.uk

The Docks, Gloucester

The Dunkirk ship Queen Bodicea II which makes the public journeys can also be hired for parties and corporate events.
The Rainbow Street

Address

St Mark Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2QQ

Gloucester

Get ready to walk a real life Rainbow!
If you love colour then you will adore this kaleidoscopic street now fondly known as 'The Rainbow Street'. The now famous street, located a ten minute walk from the city centre gained huge amounts of media…
Nature in Art

Address

Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 9PA

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 731422

enquiries@natureinart.org.uk

Gloucester

The world's first museum dedicated exclusively to fine, decorative and applied art inspired by nature from any period, any culture and in any media.
Gloucester Cathedral

Address

College Green, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2LX

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 528095

Visits@gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Gloucester

A warm welcome awaits you at Gloucester Cathedral - one of the finest medieval buildings in the country and the burial place of royalty.
Please refer to the Cathedral website www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk for services and events times.
Gloucester Prison

Address

Barrack Square, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2JN

Telephone
+44 (0)330 111 8227

info@gloucester-prison.co.uk

Gloucester

Activites taking place in the abandoned haunted prison in the middle of Gloucester include:
Airsoft - ghost hunts - prison tours - film location - party venue - overnight sleep overs - fashion shows + and much more...
Historic Docks

Address

The Docks, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2ER

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 311190

info@glosdocks.co.uk

Gloucester

Collection of restored Victorian warehouses, with shops, museums, restaurants and cafe bars. Boat trips and guided walks in summer months.
Greyfriars Priory

Address

Greyfriars, Gloucester, GL1 2TG

Telephone
+44 (0)370 333 1181

Gloucester

Greyfriars is a Franciscan House which was founded in 1231. Is particularly of interest as the nave and north aisle are almost of equal height and width (only example in the country). Only remains still stand and can be seen today.
Llanthony Secunda Priory

Address

Llanthony Road, Gloucester, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL2 5QT

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 563499

info@llanthonysecunda.org

Gloucester

Ruined outer court of an Augustinian priory founded in 1136 by canons from Llanthony (Gwent), including a 15thC tithe barn and late medieval storage buildings.
Nettleton Road

Address

Nettleton Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 1QD

Gloucester

Nettleton Road can be found just off Eastgate Street in the city centre and is a row of twelve traditional Victorian terraced houses. The road was given its colour transformation by Tash in 2018 and rapidly gained international recognition in the…
Museum of Gloucester

Address

Brunswick Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 1HP

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 396131

museum@gloucester.gov.uk

Gloucester

Found within the City of Gloucester is an internationally important collection of treasures of over 750,000 objects... The Museum of Gloucester tells the story of the city’s origins as a Roman settlement and its subsequent development through the…
Hillfield Gardens

Address

London Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 3LD

Gloucester

Just outside the city centre lies Hillfield Gardens, a true hidden gem of Gloucester. This public park is home to some of the oldest trees in the city and the historic monuments Scriven's Conduit, the King's Board and a leper chapel.
Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum

Address

Custom House, Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2HE

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 522682

enquiries@sogm.co.uk

Gloucester

The Museum displays the remarkable story of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire who have served their regiments since 1694. It depicts their courage, humour, traditions and their sacrifices in exciting and colourful exhibitions for all ages.
Mariners Church

Address

Mariners Hall, Llanthony Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 5QX

Telephone
01452 540307

info@marinersgloucester.org.uk

Gloucester

Welcome to Mariners Gloucester. We are a vibrant Anglican church in the city centre, where Christians have worshipped for 165 years. We have a vision to play our part in the re-evangelisation and transformation of our city.
Our senior leader…
St. Nicholas Church

Address

Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2QT

Gloucester

This 12th Century Church is a city landmark with it's 15th Century leaning Tower and Spire. Inside the Church are Norman and Gothic Arcades, Victorian Pews, elaborate monuments and a fine decorated Stuart Chest Tomb.
The New Gloucester Antiques Centre

Address

26 Westgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2NG

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 529716

mick@mandccards.co.uk

Gloucester

Gloucester Antiques Centre has over 11,000 square feet of floor space spread across three floors, packed with antiques and collectables of all descriptions. There is a cafe located on the second floor for your convenience.
Gloucester Civic Trust Tours

Address

St. Michael's Tower, Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 526 955

tours@gloucestercivictrust.org

Gloucester

Walking tours of the City of Gloucester. Hear about many famous characters and their associations with the City.
Beatrix Potter's House of the Tailor of Gloucester

Address

9 College Court, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2NJ

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 422856

info@tailor-of-gloucester.org.uk

Gloucester

Children's author Beatrix Potter created one of her most loved characters here. This charming shop and museum is the original building that inspired the very story and is used in the illustrations. Free entry and open to the public every day.
The Gloucestershire Arts and Crafts Centre

Address

5 College Court, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2NJ

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 307161

gloucestershire.arts.crafts@googlemail.com

Gloucester

Browse beautiful local arts and crafts or sign up to an upcoming workshop at the Gloucestershire Arts and Crafts Centre.
St. Oswald's Priory

Address

Priory Road, Gloucester, GL1 2RQ

Gloucester

St. Oswald's Priory was founded by Lady Aethelflaed of Mercia, daughter of Alfred the Great, around 900. Was used as a site for pilgrimages, has been a church and now only the remains still stand. Visit to see the 12th and 13th Century arches.
Discover de Crypt

Address

Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 1TP

Telephone
+44 (0)1452 422829

mail@discoverdecrypt.org.uk

Gloucester

St. Mary de Crypt is a 15th Century Church in the centre of Gloucester. It is famous for it’s Tudor Schoolroom adjacent to the Church and for it’s two famous ‘Sons’- George Whitfield 18thC Evangelist and Robert Raikes who started Sunday Schools.

This website was funded by Gloucester City Council and Gloucester Culture Trust through the Arts Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund, Great Place Scheme

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History and Heritage

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