Gloucestershire is the ideal destination for discovering England’s green and pleasant heart, from its postcard-perfect, thatched-cottage Cotswolds towns, to the grand, architectural splendour of Gloucester Cathedral, the lush green mystery of the Forest of Dean, and the beautifully refined, 18th century mansions and manors of Cheltenham. When considering our recommendations for the best places to stay in Gloucestershire, we've plumped for historic country houses with spa conversions and gourmet restaurants, much-loved pubs-with-rooms and old coaching inns, and charming B&Bs all of which are spread throughout the county.
Some of our Gloucestershire collections:
If you’re looking for biscuit-tin pretty Cotswolds towns head to Stow-on-the-Wold, Tetbury, Tewkesbury, Bibury, Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Norton. Cirencester and Chipping Campden are market towns: Cirencester with Roman ruins and lovely Victorian architecture, and Chipping Campden with an especially graceful main street and 17th century market hall. Chipping Campden is also known for being the birthplace of the Arts & Crafts movement. Cheltenham was a famous spa town in the 18th century, but it’s now best known for the festival, and the race course. It’s also England’s most complete Regency town, with houses characterised by their intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco facades.
Gloucestershire is awash with historic buildings, both in the towns and outside them, but if you’d prefer somewhere even greener consider visiting the Forest of Dean, the Severn Vale or the Wye Valley.
Don't forget that this region is busy year round due the never-ending popularity of the Cotswolds. If you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Gloucestershire, you'll need to do your research and book well ahead.