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With Cheltenham and Gloucester being a mere 10 min GWR (Great Western Railway) train journey apart, perfectly positioned in the glorious county of Gloucestershire, there is no better way to spend 48 hours! Though we would of course recommend longer!
Here’s a whistle-stop itinerary of 48 hours well spent, starting in the City of Gloucester, and then moving on to the Festival Town of Cheltenham, we recommend an early start to make the most of your visit.
First stop to get fueled for the day, head to one of the amazing coffee shops dotted throughout the City, one of closest to Gloucester’s Railway Station is Jane’s Pantry in King’s Walk, delicious coffee, and breakfast snacks a plenty, worth stocking a few of their legendary cheese straws too!
With coffee in hand, wander through the gate streets, not forgetting to look up at the amazing architecture and hidden historical surprises high above the street. You’ll notice just how many independent shops and restaurants Gloucester has, and is immensely proud of.
No trip to Gloucester would be complete without a visit to Gloucester Cathedral, quite simply a breathtaking architectural landmark, bursting with history and intrigue, and of course, a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. Once you have finished snapping the multitude of Insta-worthy shots and selfies, stroll through Barbican Way, past Gloucester Prison, which now offer tours on certain days, and you’ll find yourself heading towards the docks, across the Rainbow Crossing!
Time for lunch at Spago Creperia, an independent, authentic, and family run restaurant, perfectly positioned on the dockside, and if weather permits, the perfect spot for dining alfresco. You will never have tasted crepes quite like these, and we strongly recommend them all, though a favourite must be the Jamon Serrano Crepe - Serrano Ham, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, basil, and rocket pesto. The menu is divine, with tapas and desserts to make your decision even harder!
With stomachs pleasantly full, it is time to head to the Trapped Escape Rooms to see if you can free yourself to enjoy the rest of your visit! Will you choose the Zombie Apocalypse or The Butcher? Either way you will spend 60 minutes, slightly on edge, and competitively trying to crack the clues and solve the puzzles!
Providing you do escape, the next stop in your busy schedule is Gloucester Quays, a pleasant stroll along the dockside, where you can admire the restored warehouses and the amazing ships in the dry docks along the way. With up to 70% discount on the RRP, for a multitude of well-known brands such as All Saints, The North Face, ASICS, and Hotel Chocolat, it is a shopper’s paradise for some amazing bargains!
Arms loaded with bags, it’s time to head to LV14 SULA, where you will be spending the night on the UK’s only stay aboard lightship! Captain Colin and Vivienne, the most gracious of hosts, greet you and show you to your suite, split across two levels. In sumptuous surroundings, you probably have just enough time to chill for a short while, before getting ready for your night out!
Showered and refreshed, with your glad rags on, head towards Bangkok Canteen, located on Westgate Street. Bangkok Canteen is an independent Thai restaurant serving a mouthwatering gluten free menu, with dishes created from locally sourced produce. A real feeling of being in Asia, with dishes such as Old Spot Panang, made with the famous pork from Gloucester’s Old Spot Pigs, and Khao Pad Kai, made using free range eggs from a local farm.
Next, it’s time to head to your last destination of the day, Comedy Night at Warehouse 4, Gloucester Brewery’s recently opened Tap Room. With a self-serve bar, stocked with the finest craft beers, along with a selection of spirits all made on site, and perfectly located on the waterside, you’ll enjoy an evening with aching ribs from too much laughter, and a taste for beverages you have never previously tried!
Time to catch some Zzzzs and head back to SULA, just a few minutes’ walk away, and hit the pillow ready for your early start!
It’s 5.30am, the sun is starting to appear, and Mike from Discover Paddling has just arrived on his SUP board, ready to take you on your Sunrise Paddle Boarding Adventure in the docks and along the Sharpness Canal. With feelings of serenity and calm, as the rest of the City is still sleeping, there really is no better way to start the day. Mike is a former Olympian, with many medals and stories to share, and has an amazing way of teaching you how to master the sport.
Dropping you back at SULA, with coffee waiting from Colin, it’s time to shower, grab some breakfast from On-Toast, the legendary toasted sandwich eatery, and head back to the railway station, for your ten-minute journey to Cheltenham.
Arriving in Cheltenham, you’ll have been spoilt for choice with the wealth of hotels, apartments, camping and even glamping that the town has to offer. To make an easier day, drop your bags off at your home for the night at No. 131, you might even get an early check in! No. 131 is a stunning hotel, a combination of Georgian Architecture, mixed with a modern vibe, pure luxury!
First activity of the day about to begin with you testing your nautical legs, and hiring a rowing boat from Boathouse Café with a leisurely row around Pittville Lake.
Back with your feet on dry land, it is time for a spot of lunch, we have a few recommendations for you to choose from, and of course many more besides:
Hidden Gems - Lazy Graze, Sisu Pancakes, Regency Tea Rooms
Instagrammable – No 131, Queens Hotel, Ivy Montpellier
Once you are refuelled, it’s time for a chilled-out stroll in and around Montpellier, home to independent shops and boutiques, and unique places to eat, with its backdrop of Regency Splendor. Keep your eyes peeled for the stunning Rotunda Building, which is one of the original Spa Pump Rooms, history bursting out everywhere!
Showered and fashioning your ‘out out’ attire, hopefully the decision wasn’t too hard as to where you have booked for dinner, a few of our recommendations include:
Stylish luxury – YOKU, Prithvi, MUSE Brasserie
Unique and oh so cool! – The Coconut Tree, KIBOU, Domaine 16
Crowd pleasers – Brewdog, Smokey Joe’s, Bottle of Sauce, Hub Box
Next up are a few drinks, mocktails or cocktails, depending on your preference, and the choice for something pretty special is huge in Cheltenham, we particularly love The Alchemist in Cheltenham’s amazing Brewery Quarter. With colour changing, smoking, combinations of every taste imaginable, the theatre and magic behind these incredible drinks is something to behold, and a definite memory moment!
With divine drinks aplenty, it’s time to round off your evening with some live music at Smokey Joe’s, Cheltenham's finest jazz venue, with some funky tunes, to party the night away and then back to catch some shut eye at No.131.
Next morning, after a lazy brunch at the hotel, it’s off to The Bicycle Hub located near the Cheltenham Spa Railway station, for your Regency Bike Tour, pedaling your way through time, admiring the history and architecture of this beautiful town, returning just in time to catch your train home!
See you again soon!
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