Jenny’s Guidebook to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds
Sightseeing
A beautiful Cotswold village that you would see on a postcard. Wonderful local shops, fantastic deli and cafe and very old traditional English Pubs. All houses are Cotswold stone. Visit nearby Broadway Tower and the Snowshill Lavender fields in the Summer
253 locals recommend
Broadway
A beautiful Cotswold village that you would see on a postcard. Wonderful local shops, fantastic deli and cafe and very old traditional English Pubs. All houses are Cotswold stone. Visit nearby Broadway Tower and the Snowshill Lavender fields in the Summer
Just 10 minutes walk to this beautiful place set in a stunning park with a boating lake. There is a lovely cafe next to the pump room serving breakfast, teas, coffees, cakes. There is another cafe by the boating lake which is also lovely.
44 locals recommend
Pittville Pump Room
East Approach DriveJust 10 minutes walk to this beautiful place set in a stunning park with a boating lake. There is a lovely cafe next to the pump room serving breakfast, teas, coffees, cakes. There is another cafe by the boating lake which is also lovely.
Views of Cheltenham and the Malvern Hills in the distance. Watch the Sunset at the nearby Rising Sun Pub or simply have a picnic on the hill and enjoy the views of the Cotswolds while sheep walk past.
54 locals recommend
Cleeve Hill
Views of Cheltenham and the Malvern Hills in the distance. Watch the Sunset at the nearby Rising Sun Pub or simply have a picnic on the hill and enjoy the views of the Cotswolds while sheep walk past.
Set aside a few hours to explore this magnificent building. A film location for Harry Potter. Fantastic stained glass window, one of the largest in the country.
180 locals recommend
Gloucester Cathedral
12 College GrnSet aside a few hours to explore this magnificent building. A film location for Harry Potter. Fantastic stained glass window, one of the largest in the country.
The "Venice of the Cotswolds" is a must see when in the area. Perfectly formed Cotswold cottages, interesting local shops and a transport museum are a few of the many interesting attractions.
450 locals recommend
Bourton on the Water
The "Venice of the Cotswolds" is a must see when in the area. Perfectly formed Cotswold cottages, interesting local shops and a transport museum are a few of the many interesting attractions.
Just 15 minutes drive from Cheltenham. Nearby Sudeley Castle is a must see. A fine collection of Tudor, Victorian, Georgian buildings in a small area that can be easily explored on foot. Plenty of picture postcard perfect Cotswold stone cottages to delight visitors.
23 locals recommend
Winchcombe
Just 15 minutes drive from Cheltenham. Nearby Sudeley Castle is a must see. A fine collection of Tudor, Victorian, Georgian buildings in a small area that can be easily explored on foot. Plenty of picture postcard perfect Cotswold stone cottages to delight visitors.
Food scene
Fantastic bars and restaurants in draw dropping beautiful Regency buildings. There is a great whiskey bar in this area as well as up market bars, restaurants and cafes. Montpellier Gardens is a lovely green space with a free of charge entry to an Art Gallery.
39 locals recommend
Montpellier
Fantastic bars and restaurants in draw dropping beautiful Regency buildings. There is a great whiskey bar in this area as well as up market bars, restaurants and cafes. Montpellier Gardens is a lovely green space with a free of charge entry to an Art Gallery.
YOKU Cheltenham
131 PromenadeJapanese cuisine in a typical regency building. Elegant up market fine dining.
Fantastic service in a breathtakingly beautiful building. An amazing cocktail bar in the centre is under a fabulous rotunda.
74 locals recommend
The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie Cheltenham
Montpellier StreetFantastic service in a breathtakingly beautiful building. An amazing cocktail bar in the centre is under a fabulous rotunda.
Award winning Indian Cuisine. A family run restaurant with over 40 years cooking experience of recipes handed down through the generations. Shortlisted to appear on Gordon Ramsay's F Word TV programme. Just 20 meters from the house.
12 locals recommend
The Curry Corner
133 Fairview RdAward winning Indian Cuisine. A family run restaurant with over 40 years cooking experience of recipes handed down through the generations. Shortlisted to appear on Gordon Ramsay's F Word TV programme. Just 20 meters from the house.
Fine British Food amid Regency architecture. Great service and mid range prices.
39 locals recommend
Brasserie Blanc
PromenadeFine British Food amid Regency architecture. Great service and mid range prices.
A fusion of French and Indian cuisine. Great service and personal interaction with the chefs. Exquisite decor and attention to detail. Well worth a visit.
9 locals recommend
MUSE Brasserie
60 St George's PlA fusion of French and Indian cuisine. Great service and personal interaction with the chefs. Exquisite decor and attention to detail. Well worth a visit.
City/town information
One of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the UK. This spa town is a favourite base to explore the Cotswolds and boasts several fine shops, bars and highly rated restaurants. There are several festivals held each year including a Music, Literature, Hot Air Balloon and Science Festivals. The annual Gold Cup Horse racing in March is a huge event with more than 100 000 visitors enjoying this world famous event.
384 locals recommend
Cheltenham
One of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the UK. This spa town is a favourite base to explore the Cotswolds and boasts several fine shops, bars and highly rated restaurants. There are several festivals held each year including a Music, Literature, Hot Air Balloon and Science Festivals. The annual Gold Cup Horse racing in March is a huge event with more than 100 000 visitors enjoying this world famous event.
My favourite places for a drink
Sit in the judge's chair for a drink and even wear the wig! A fine example of Regency architecture. An elegant setting for a cocktail.
6 locals recommend
The Old Courthouse
County Court RoadSit in the judge's chair for a drink and even wear the wig! A fine example of Regency architecture. An elegant setting for a cocktail.
This interesting bar is located in Montpellier which is an elegant up market area. An interesting courtyard area is a treat to sit in while sipping a drink and taking in the British atmosphere.
40 locals recommend
John Gordons - Specialist Spirit Merchant - Wine, Whisky & Gin Bar - Food
11 Montpellier ArcadeThis interesting bar is located in Montpellier which is an elegant up market area. An interesting courtyard area is a treat to sit in while sipping a drink and taking in the British atmosphere.
Gin and Juice is a bar offering over 500 gins where experts advise the best combinations of tonic and accompaniments. The decor is fascinating and there is a wonderful outdoor covered area for drinks that overlooks Imperial Gardens.
33 locals recommend
Gin & Juice
131 The PromenadeGin and Juice is a bar offering over 500 gins where experts advise the best combinations of tonic and accompaniments. The decor is fascinating and there is a wonderful outdoor covered area for drinks that overlooks Imperial Gardens.
Typical British Pub
Beautiful very old pub near a church and graveyard. Lovely garden area and large open fireplace. Thatched traditional pub.
16 locals recommend
The Plough in Prestbury
Mill StreetBeautiful very old pub near a church and graveyard. Lovely garden area and large open fireplace. Thatched traditional pub.
The Old Restoration
55-57 High StTraditional English Pub with hundreds of years of history.
Traditional Cotswolds Pub in typical English Countryside. Hundreds of years old and full of charm and character with open fireplaces.
32 locals recommend
The Green Dragon Inn Pub & Shop
Traditional Cotswolds Pub in typical English Countryside. Hundreds of years old and full of charm and character with open fireplaces.
City advice
What to pack
Bring layers of clothing
The British weather is notoriously unpredictable so pack light weight cardigans and waterproof jackets that can be added and/or removed with the change in weather. Winter is cold and wet so bring waterproof boots. Summer can be very warm but can also be cool and rainy so flexible clothing is advised.
Getting around
Hire a car to explore the Cotswolds
Public transport can be slow, especially when you want to explore the less popular but equally as beautiful villages. Hiring a car is a convenient way to explore the area.