8 Things To Do In Gloucestershire
Looking for days out in Gloucestershire? You won’t have to look hard: with two national landscapes (the Cotswolds and the eastern part of the Wye Valley), the mighty Severn and Wye rivers and the Forest of Dean all within its borders, the county is a popular destination for outdoor activities, whether land- or water-based.
Add a sprinkling of Roman-era remains, centuries-old cathedrals, and some solid English eccentricity in the shape of the cheese-rolling event at Cooper’s Hill, and you’ll be wondering how you can possibly fit it all in during your camping holiday in this green corner of England.
Browse campsites in Gloucestershire
Gloucester Cathedral
Medieval cathedral with a royal tomb and Harry Potter links
The city of Gloucester has been an important player on the British stage ever since it was founded as a Roman fort in AD 48, through Norman times, the reign of Elizabeth I and the Industrial Revolution.
Its main attraction is the cathedral, started in the 11th century but completed only in the late 1400s, and as such displaying a range of architectural styles, from Romanesque to Gothic. Admire the fine stained glass of the Great East Window from the Whispering Gallery, then check out the tomb of King Edward II, with an alabaster effigy protected by an ornate stone canopy.
Do you get the feeling you’ve been in Gloucester Cathedral before? It’s less a case of déjà vu and more a case of ‘seen on screen’. This is especially true of the Cloister, whose striking fan vaults have made appearances in several Harry Potter movies, as well as historical dramas like Wolf Hall.
Cooper’s Hill
Cheese-rolling hill part of a nature reserve
A local nature reserve, Cooper’s Hill has walking trails winding amid ancient beech woodlands dotted with wildflowers and rare orchids.
However, what has put this area on the radar of daredevils around the world, from Japan to Canada, is the long-standing cheese-rolling competition that takes place on the last Monday in May.
The impossibly steep slope looking towards the village of Brockworth is the setting for this event, which sees intrepid men and women hurtle, tumble and bounce down the hill in pursuit of a large wheel of Double Gloucester cheese.
While you wait for next year’s event, check out a few videos online. Have you got what it takes to join the cheese chasers? Or do you like your knees ungrazed and your limbs intact?
Cotswolds National Landscape
Hiking trails, market towns and a family-friendly museum
A green hilly landscape divided into a patchwork quilt by hundreds of miles of stone walls, the Cotswolds is fully deserving of its National Landscape status.
Work up an appetite on the 3,000 miles of trails that criss-cross the region, including the long-distance Cotswold Way, before heading to lively market towns where you can get your hands on local delicacies and cheeses without having to throw yourself down a hill.
Check out the riverside stone cottages in the village of Bibury, or stroll through the peaceful Arts and Crafts gardens at Hidcote. If it’s a family day you’re after, the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection at Bourton-on-the-Water has classic Jaguars and Fords, plus vintage toys like pedal cars, rocking horses and Scalextric sets.
Are you in need of hiking inspiration? Read about walking in Gloucestershire here.
Chedworth Roman Villa
Roman villa with well-preserved mosaics
Almost 2,000 years before celebrities like the Beckhams settled down in the Cotswolds, the area was already a firm favourite with Roman aristocrats, as proved by the remains of the 2nd-century Chedworth Roman Villa managed by the National Trust and one of the richest finds from Roman Britain.
Suspended walkways overlook the bathhouse and dining room, the latter with well-preserved floor mosaics representing the four seasons, while a museum displays jewellery, coins and other artefacts unearthed at the site.
Other ancient ruins in Gloucestershire include Great Witcombe Roman Villa, handily off the Cotswold Way and also with a bathhouse (the Romans clearly liked their Cotswolds views with a side order of steam), or the vast earthwork remains of Cirencester Amphitheatre, one of the largest in Britain. Both are run by English Heritage and are free to visit.
Good to know: if you’re into historic buildings, there are several landmark castles in the county; here are Pitchup’s best five Gloucestershire castles.
Forest of Dean
For a family day packed with outdoor activities
A former royal hunting ground, the Forest of Dean is now a hub of outdoor activities suitable for the entire family.
The trails at Forest of Dean Cycle Centre range from a surfaced, kid-friendly path to extreme tracks with rocky stretches and big drops requiring jumping ability. Close by, check out the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst, with colourful stained-glass windows, wacky installations and animals crafted from willow tucked among the trees. There’s also a Go Ape Treetop Challenge course with zipwires and cargo nets, picnic areas and lakeside walks.
If you’re keen on water activities, whether kayaking, paddleboarding or fishing, head to the River Wye, which flows gently through the western reaches of the county where the Forest of Dean blends into the Wye Valley National Landscape.
Then, for something quite unusual, take in the spectacle of the Severn Bore tidal surge – and the very experienced surfers riding it – at Minsterworth, where a public footpath runs along the river bank. Check Severn Bore dates and times online.
Cheltenham
Elegant Regency-era spa and classy shopping
The elegant spa town of Cheltenham is known for its high-end shopping and Regency-era architecture, which includes gems like the Pittville Pump Room. This colonnaded building sits in Pittville Park, where you can recharge your batteries with a lakeside picnic while the kids tire themselves out in the well-equipped play area.
After that, it’s on to Cheltenham Racecourse. If it’s a race day – and you feel Lady Luck is on your side – stop in for a trackside flutter. From there, you can climb aboard a vintage carriage on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway for a 28-mile round trip through the Cotswolds between the racecourse and Broadway. En route there are refreshment stops at every station, a cute 1950s-styled café and model railway at Winchcombe Station, and a playground and locomotive yards (you’ll need to prebook a visit to the yards as they're only open for guided tours) at Toddington.
Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Kid-friendly adventure and spectacular nature
Summertime wildlife safaris on land or water, interactive films and raptor displays in the alfresco theatre and accessible viewing platforms overlooking the wading birds in the Severn Estuary are all up for grabs at Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Budding naturalists visiting the nature reserve can view flamingoes, pelicans and scores of ducks in the Waterscapes Aviary, and see wild birds including kingfishers, plovers and Bewick’s swans from the hides dotted around the complex.
There are all sorts of family events such as daily feeding sessions and keeper talks, a café and food kiosks, and a gift shop full of animal-inspired souvenirs.
Good to know: kids with Blue Peter badges get free entry at Slimbridge.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Family days out in fresh air
Run by Forestry England, Westonbirt is one of the most important collections of plants and trees in the world, with thousands of specimens – many endangered like the Japanese maples – forming a carefully conserved and stunning backdrop to fantastic family days out at all times of the year.
Westonbirt covers 600 acres of beautiful conifer and deciduous woodland with mile upon mile of accessible walking tracks, of which many are dog friendly. Kids will enjoy looking out for the Gruffalo or following clues around the Wallace and Gromit Trail, and you can climb up to the walkway through the tree canopy or book guided walks ahead of time to see some of the most interesting trees. There’s also a number of craft workshops and bushcraft classes and seasonal events include a prettily illuminated trail through the forest at Christmas.
If you’d like even more inspiration for what to see and do in the region, check out our Central England Area Guide. Thinking about camping in Gloucestershire? Pitchup has a fine collection of sites from simple grass pitches to holiday parks and luxurious glamping accommodation.
Book campsites in Gloucestershire