Jon’s guidebook
Food scene
Simspons won best UK Fish and Chip shop in 2016 and it well worth a trip. They have a great little restaurant and a take-away, both serving up their trademark delicious fish and chips. If you eat in the restaurant your meal comes with unlimited chips - but beware, the portions are so big that you will struggle to finish even your first portion.
The classic British meal is Cod & Chips, and for the full experience try ordering a pickled egg or some curry sauce. Don't forget to add salt and vinegar to your chips! I promise it's nicer than it sounds....
22 locals recommend
Simpsons Fish and Chips
75 Priors RdSimspons won best UK Fish and Chip shop in 2016 and it well worth a trip. They have a great little restaurant and a take-away, both serving up their trademark delicious fish and chips. If you eat in the restaurant your meal comes with unlimited chips - but beware, the portions are so big that you will struggle to finish even your first portion.
The classic British meal is Cod & Chips, and for the full experience try ordering a pickled egg or some curry sauce. Don't forget to add salt and vinegar to your chips! I promise it's nicer than it sounds....
The Hewlett Arms is a short walk from the flat, back to the main road and left past Sainsburys. It's a great traditional local English pub serving a selection of real ale, cider and lager plus a good selection of pub food in the evening and at lunch time.
They have a large beer garden at the front which is packed in the summer and fun in the winter if you can get yourself a heated outside booth.
They have a good selection of real ales, so if you have heard about the famous 'warm' British beer then give it a try here.
The Hewlett
16 Harp HillThe Hewlett Arms is a short walk from the flat, back to the main road and left past Sainsburys. It's a great traditional local English pub serving a selection of real ale, cider and lager plus a good selection of pub food in the evening and at lunch time.
They have a large beer garden at the front which is packed in the summer and fun in the winter if you can get yourself a heated outside booth.
They have a good selection of real ales, so if you have heard about the famous 'warm' British beer then give it a try here.
Favourite Beers is a 'must visit' for beer lovers. There are hundreds of different ales, lagers, trappist and craft beers to choose from in this Alladin's Cave of a place.
You can buy to take away but better to drink in the shop talking beer with the friendly owner. You'll need to time your visit here well as it shuts at 7pm most days, and stays open until 9:30pm for Friday Night Beer Club. Closed on a Monday.
Favourite Beers
105 Hewlett RdFavourite Beers is a 'must visit' for beer lovers. There are hundreds of different ales, lagers, trappist and craft beers to choose from in this Alladin's Cave of a place.
You can buy to take away but better to drink in the shop talking beer with the friendly owner. You'll need to time your visit here well as it shuts at 7pm most days, and stays open until 9:30pm for Friday Night Beer Club. Closed on a Monday.
Looking for a Hipster hangout amongst the wine bars and old pubs of Cheltenham? Get yourself to the Bottle of Sauce for craft beers, artisan burgers and too-cool-for-school tunes. Happy hour from 5pm to 7pm, free entry, open until late.
21 locals recommend
The Bottle of Sauce
Ambrose StreetLooking for a Hipster hangout amongst the wine bars and old pubs of Cheltenham? Get yourself to the Bottle of Sauce for craft beers, artisan burgers and too-cool-for-school tunes. Happy hour from 5pm to 7pm, free entry, open until late.
This open-air bar in picturesque Imperial Gardens is open daily throughout the summer and perfect for a refreshing drink on a sunny afternoon. There's a good range of lagers and cider, plus that summer favourite Pimms and Lemonade.
Imperial Garden Bar
26 Imperial SquareThis open-air bar in picturesque Imperial Gardens is open daily throughout the summer and perfect for a refreshing drink on a sunny afternoon. There's a good range of lagers and cider, plus that summer favourite Pimms and Lemonade.
This atmospheric thatched pub is as old as the hills and reportedly haunted. But the icing on the cake is the beautiful beer garden at the rear, set amongst ancient apple trees. The welcome is warm, the drinks are cold and the food is highly recommended. Look out for their regular beer and cider festivals which attract people from far and wide.
16 locals recommend
The Plough in Prestbury
Mill StreetThis atmospheric thatched pub is as old as the hills and reportedly haunted. But the icing on the cake is the beautiful beer garden at the rear, set amongst ancient apple trees. The welcome is warm, the drinks are cold and the food is highly recommended. Look out for their regular beer and cider festivals which attract people from far and wide.
Dunkertons serve up scrumptious artisan cider from their swanky taproom and deli at the edge of the Cotswolds. Select from their wide range and enjoy a cider and snack al-fresco. Take a walk further up the road to Dowdeswell Reservoir and nature reserve for a slice of local countryside.
27 locals recommend
Dunkertons Organic Cider
London RoadDunkertons serve up scrumptious artisan cider from their swanky taproom and deli at the edge of the Cotswolds. Select from their wide range and enjoy a cider and snack al-fresco. Take a walk further up the road to Dowdeswell Reservoir and nature reserve for a slice of local countryside.
Neighbourhoods
Prestbury is a 20-minute walk from the apartment, and reportedly the most haunted village in England. While spotting a ghost is not guaranteed, you can find three great atmospheric pubs and a picturesque village.
8 locals recommend
Prestbury
Prestbury is a 20-minute walk from the apartment, and reportedly the most haunted village in England. While spotting a ghost is not guaranteed, you can find three great atmospheric pubs and a picturesque village.
The Cotswold hills are just a short walk up the escarpment from the apartment. Famous for their natural beauty, cream Cotswold stone and rolling hills.
Highlights of the Cotswolds include the picture-postcard villages of The Slaughters and Bibury, while Bourton-On-The-Water bills itself as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" thanks to the river running through the centre of the town.
181 locals recommend
Cotswolds
The Cotswold hills are just a short walk up the escarpment from the apartment. Famous for their natural beauty, cream Cotswold stone and rolling hills.
Highlights of the Cotswolds include the picture-postcard villages of The Slaughters and Bibury, while Bourton-On-The-Water bills itself as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" thanks to the river running through the centre of the town.
Montpellier is famous for its distinctive architecture and posh independent shops. Here you will find boutiques, wine bars and fancy restaurants. Amongst the big names are The Ivy and the Brasserie Blanc.
For a relaxing afternoon people watching take a window seat in the Montpellier Wine Bar and watch the great and good of Cheltenham pass by.
39 locals recommend
Montpellier
Montpellier is famous for its distinctive architecture and posh independent shops. Here you will find boutiques, wine bars and fancy restaurants. Amongst the big names are The Ivy and the Brasserie Blanc.
For a relaxing afternoon people watching take a window seat in the Montpellier Wine Bar and watch the great and good of Cheltenham pass by.
Winchcombe is only a fifteen minute drive or half hour bus trip over Cleeve Hill, yet is like stepping back on time. Founded during Saxon times and big when wool was a big deal, it has great old buildings, cosy pubs, a great deli and even a castle!
49 locals recommend
Winchcombe
Winchcombe is only a fifteen minute drive or half hour bus trip over Cleeve Hill, yet is like stepping back on time. Founded during Saxon times and big when wool was a big deal, it has great old buildings, cosy pubs, a great deli and even a castle!
Sightseeing
Pitville Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. For families there is a playground, aviary and skatepark. In the summer take a boat out on the lakes or enjoy a picnic on the lawns.
Pitville Pumproom is an elegant building that harks back to Cheltenham's heyday as a spa town. It is still possible to taste the famous Cheltenham Spa water inside, but be warned, the flavour is not to everyone's taste!
157 locals recommend
Pittville Park
Pitville Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. For families there is a playground, aviary and skatepark. In the summer take a boat out on the lakes or enjoy a picnic on the lawns.
Pitville Pumproom is an elegant building that harks back to Cheltenham's heyday as a spa town. It is still possible to taste the famous Cheltenham Spa water inside, but be warned, the flavour is not to everyone's taste!
Walks & Countryside
Cleeve Hill is the highest point of the Cotswolds and one of the most beautiful. The entire hill is common land and a great place to escape Cheltenham and enjoy some fresh air and sensational views. The Hill is accessible by walking from Cheltenham or there are car parks at either end for easy access. The view from Cleeve Cloud - the cliff at the edge of the escarpment - lets you take in the Malverns, the Severn Vale and the Forest of Dean. On a clear day you can even spot the Black Mountains and the Severn Bridges.
Once you've had your fill of breath-taking views you can enjoy a cold refreshing pint at The Rising Sun pub, which ironically has a great view of the sunset. The bus stops outside the pub if you don't fancy the walk back to Cheltenham.
54 locals recommend
Cleeve Hill
Cleeve Hill is the highest point of the Cotswolds and one of the most beautiful. The entire hill is common land and a great place to escape Cheltenham and enjoy some fresh air and sensational views. The Hill is accessible by walking from Cheltenham or there are car parks at either end for easy access. The view from Cleeve Cloud - the cliff at the edge of the escarpment - lets you take in the Malverns, the Severn Vale and the Forest of Dean. On a clear day you can even spot the Black Mountains and the Severn Bridges.
Once you've had your fill of breath-taking views you can enjoy a cold refreshing pint at The Rising Sun pub, which ironically has a great view of the sunset. The bus stops outside the pub if you don't fancy the walk back to Cheltenham.