2026 Gloucester Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

#postandearn Gloucester is a charming town in the South of England, not too far from major cities like Cardiff and Bristol. It took 3 hours to get here from Manchester and I loved the area's charm 😍 In the morning: 🔍 Get a feel for Gloucester. Take a walking tour to learn about the area's quirks and the role of once-important buildings today 🏛 🚶♂️ Take a stroll down tranquil side streets, with preserved buildings and independent shops ⛪️ Gloucester Cathedral was the highlight of my trip. With free entry for everyone, explore its beauty and see where some of the iconic Harry Potter scenes were filmed 🪄 I suggest spending 2-3 hours here, there are tours you can take here also In the afternoon: 🐇 Walk towards the Beatrix Potter museum, and learn more about the story of the Tailor of Gloucester. Why not buy a souvenir too? 🛍 Head towards Gloucester Quays, get something to eat from fresh pastries to hearty meals. Don't forget to take a look at the shopping centre 👗 #gloucester #hiddengem #travel #thingstodo #myitinerary #gloucestercathedral #manchesterdaytrips #south #uk #uktravel #uktravels

Located between the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean the city of Gloucester is infamous for its long history and eclectic architecture. The city Is easily accessible from London and makes a good daytrip, it’s also well connected to Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham. The city itself is famous for its long history and is a treasure trove of architectural wonders from the infamous cathedral down to wood framed buildings from the Tudor period. The city’s center has plenty of attractions including churches, shopping center and various museums dedicated to the city and surrounding area. The cathedral is a must visit and it’s free entry (optional donations) along with the rejuvenated quays area. This offers outlet shopping and a good range of restaurants. You can also follow the canals from here and see some of the city’s industrial history. Gloucester is a really charming city and it’s worth spending a day here if you’re in the area! #westerneurope #england #cathedral #citydaytours #travel #thingstodo #museums #gloucester #history #architecture

If you’re into Harry Potter then this is for you, if you’re just a big history buff like me then this is also for you! The stunning Gloucester cathedral is one of the most immaculate architectural gems in England and has quite rightly been the set of many films and tv shows, most notably three of the Harry Potter films. The world famous cloisters and courtyards are instantly recognisable from the films and draw big crowds. The stain glass windows are some of the most ornate in the country and the cathedral roof is really unbelievable. The cathedral has been very well restored and about 80% of the buildings footprint is open to visitors. There’s also a lot of information available about the buildings history, who is buried there and the various uses over its time. The cathedral asks for donations on entry or exit but these are not compulsory, so technically the cathedral is free to visit! Donations help restore the cathedral but due to its religious nature it is not a forced donation. Purchases from the small gift shop also help to subsidise restoration! If you’re in this part of England you simply can’t miss this! #westerneurope #mustdo #free #history #travel #museums #myitinerary #citydaytours #cathedral #england

#myfavoriteroute Step aboard a train in London and step off into a city steeped in Roman roots, medieval glory, and riverside calm. The journey from London to Gloucester is one of those underrated gems — peaceful, pretty, and packed with history. Whether you’re after Tudor streets, soaring cathedral ceilings, or a gateway to the Cotswolds, this route hits the sweet spot between city escape and cultural discovery. 🏰🚞🍂 ⸻ 🎯 Highlights Along the Way • Departing from London Paddington 🚉 Catch a Great Western Railway (GWR) service from Paddington. Trains to Gloucester either run direct via Swindon or involve a quick change at Cheltenham Spa or Bristol Parkway — both routes are rich in countryside charm. • Sailing Through the Cotswolds Edge 🌿 • Reading & Didcot Parkway: The early stretch gives glimpses of Thames-side towns and wide green spaces • Swindon: A good halfway point with rolling farmland and historic railway links • Kemble to Stroud (on some routes): A real treat — passing through the Stroud Valleys, past grazing sheep, stone cottages, and wooded hillsides • Approaching Gloucester: As you near the city, look out for the River Severn, and on a clear day, you might catch views of the Malvern Hills in the distance! ⸻ 📍 Why Visit Gloucester? • 🕍 Gloucester Cathedral: Towering, Gothic, and cinematic — it’s a Harry Potter filming site (spot the cloisters!) and one of England’s finest cathedrals. • 🏛️ Roman Roots & Tudor Streets: Walk ancient city walls, explore the Gloucester Museum, and wander through the historic streets of Westgate and College Court. • ⚓ Gloucester Docks: Once a major inland port, now a lively area full of warehouses-turned-cafés, the National Waterways Museum, boats, and riverside walks. • 🎨 Arts & Festivals: Catch street art, local markets, and events like the Gloucester History Festival and quirky Tall Ships Festival. ⸻ 🗺️ Getting There • Train Operator: Great Western Railway • Route: London Paddington → Gloucester (via Swindon or Cheltenham Spa) • Journey Time: ~1 hr 50 mins to 2 hr 15 mins • Frequency: 2–3 trains per hour, some direct, others with 1 easy change ⸻ 🌟 Tips from a Cathedral Country Commuter • 🪟 Best Seat: Sit on the left for rolling countryside views between Swindon and Kemble (and again near Stroud) • 🥪 Snack Stop: Pick up a treat from Paddington’s Sourced Market, or wait until Gloucester to try a proper Gloucestershire cheese & ale pie • 📷 Camera Out: Don’t miss the cathedral close at golden hour — it’s breathtaking, especially the fan-vaulted cloisters • 🥾 Extend Your Visit: Gloucester’s train links make it a great base for exploring the Cotswolds, Tewkesbury, or Forest of Dean ⸻ 💬 Final Thought The train journey from London to Gloucester is like travelling through the pages of English history — castles, canals, cathedrals, and countryside all packed into a couple of hours. It’s a peaceful yet inspiring escape.

Celebrating 333 days of travelling with Trip.com: Together, we've explored 3 cities worldwide; in 2025, I unlocked 3 new cities and was honoured with the title of Seasoned Explorer#2025travelstory

lovely docks, great beer at the brewery by the water and good choice of restaurants at the Quays

Great first visit to Gloucester would highly recommend the Brewhouse and Kitchen for food and drink went on both days.

📍Itinerary introduction Gloucester 2 days Chill burst guide, take you to play with the British ancient city atmosphere ✨🕍 The itinerary includes a variety of beautiful photo spots, popular food and warm accommodation to unlock Gloucester in an all-round way! 🚩 Touring routes Day1 takes the lead in feeling the continental atmosphere of Gloucester city centre Day2 recommends visiting museums and markets, exploring local culture in depth, and taking photos! ! 🏖️ Photo spot The western architecture around the city center is super beautiful! The outdoor cultural scenery and antique architecture are very stylish✨ I recommend you to seize the sunshine in the morning, take architectural long-range and close-up shots, each one is IG burst like level 😍 🚇Transportation mode Gloucester is quite easy to get around, direct train or bus to the city center;from the New Inn to the major attractions within walking distance, so easy~ 📷Shadow phase - Entrance to the ancient city gate - Western-style church with street coffee shop - Must-take photos in front of the new inn! The architectural design has a sense of history. It's so beautiful that you can't wait to leave it 🍜Special food We recommend English brunch and fusion dishes in the alleys of the city center. 🏠 Accommodation recommendations New Inn Relax Hostel Address: 16 Northgate St, Gloucester A characteristic Hostel that incorporates a sense of architectural history, located in the city center, with super convenient transportation. The staff is super noise ~ basic Chinese communication is no problem, no wonder the rating is so high! Some rooms also have beautiful views of Gloucester city in the distance. The basic facilities are complete, the value for money is extremely cheap! 💯 💡Precautions - Some attractions have special opening hours during holidays - The hotel is located close to the business district, shopping and walking are very convenient - Advance booking of popular room types in the new inn is recommended 2 days to enjoy Gloucester, a must-see for hipsters ~ Love the European ancient city vibe now Bookmark!

📅 Itinerary Day1：school Day2: school Day3: school 🏨 Accommodation 🍴 Food Recommendations 📌 Tips

#hellohalloween #travel #thingstodo #couplestrip

Amongst the hotels I have been to, I think the Gloucester Robinswood Hotel, BW Signature Collection has to be in my current Top 3. The hotel is beautiful, very clean and that hallway is a marvel, and so many amenities, a gym. As a driver I also loved the fact that they had parking which accommodated for a lot of vehicles. I would definitely recommend this hotel to my friends and family.

26th may 2025 Annual cheese roll race. Views were amazing, atmosphere was brilliant meet some great people. so much fun highly recommend, if you don’t want to race you can also just spectate. food vans and merch available.#cheese #thingstodo #adrenaline

The Forest of Dean is full of amazing surprises and is a lot more than the nature you would expect. I never thought I’d see an underground sculpture park, and then I discovered the clearwell caves. The cave system is a combination of iron ore mines that once dotted this landscape and powered the local economy. Underwater rivers eroded the rocks and made long cave systems that exposes the valuable ore in the rock. As the ore was mined out the cave and mine system became intertwined and expanded under the rolling hills and forests. Clearwell caves offers a fascinating and informative look at the mining industry along with the natural history of the caves and surrounding area. As an added bonus a temporary sculpture pair has been installed in the cave system, 70 sculptures from various artists line the underground walking trail. You can pick up a numbered guide at the ticket booth with all the information you need. Such an amazing idea that creates a really surreal underground experience! Entry costs around £12.50 for adults and £10 for children and it’s totally worth it! It’s fun for all the family. The caves are open 10-5 but are closed Tuesday and Wednesday. There are on site toilets and a cute cafe, be warned the caves can be very cold and damp so bring layers to keep warm and dry! #westerneurope #Forrestofdean #niche #travel #england #mine #art #sculpture #Unusual #familytravel #myitinerary #museums #thingstodo #naturalwonders

So good open field you can just walk 💰Average Price per Person: free 💞Reasons to Recommend:if you love cows or nature walks

Birthday trip to Gloucester ❤️

🎻【Gloucester Cathedral, England】A treasure trove of medieval Gothic architecture. A tranquil time lost in the world of Harry Potter ⸻ 🏰What is Gloucester Cathedral? A historic cathedral built in the 11th century located in Gloucester, England. The transition from Romanesque to Gothic style is clearly visible, and its magnificent arches and stained glass instantly transport visitors to the "medieval world". ⸻ 🎬It is also famous as a Harry Potter filming location! The cloisters are a must-see for fans. It appeared as a corridor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets", and its mysterious atmosphere remains intact. Walking while enjoying the afterglow of the movie, you will feel as if you are a part of the magical world. ⸻ 🌟Highlights ・Fan Vaulted Ceiling: The oldest example of fan-shaped ceiling decoration in the world ・Large stained glass: The Great East Window, which is 22m high, is one of the largest in the UK ・Edward II's Tomb: The majestic tomb where the King of England rests ・Organ and choral sounds: The evening Evensong (evening service) is especially majestic ⸻ 🚃Access information ・Take the Great Western Railway from London Paddington Station to Railway) ・Conveniently located, about 10 minutes walk from Gloucester Station ⸻ 📅Recommended seasons and times ・Spring to autumn: The exterior is beautiful along with the new greenery and autumn leaves ・Morning to early afternoon: Recommended for those who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quiet moment ・If you're a fan, you can check out the movie scenes while walking around ◎ ⸻ 👣Travel tips ・There are also plenty of cafes and cute antique shops in the area. ・This area also has a local market and a canal-side walkway. ・A spot that will appeal to everyone, whether you love architecture, history, or film. ⸻ 📸Photogenic points ・Corridor with light streaming in (morning) ・The facade and spire in front of the cathedral ・Take a photo looking up at the fan vaulted ceiling! ⸻ Gloucester Cathedral is a majestic and tranquil space that somehow evokes memories of nostalgic movies. "Magic" may actually be closer than you think. #Englandtourism #Englandtrip #GloucesterCathedral #HarryPotterfilminglocation #Britisharchitecture #Europetrip #solotravel #absolutelyfreetravel #coupletravel #cathedraltour #medievalgothicarchitecture

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my jaurney was great in gloucester new place everyweek i will go there

🏚️🏚️ The New lnn Hotel 🏚️🏚️ Have you ever tried to stay in a hotel with great historical character? Today I found a 600-year-old inn in Gloucester 🏨🏘️, in addition to the inn it is actually a very characteristic bar, starting December 8th, every day will have a performance, To know what there is, quickly go to their website to see! This time I stayed in a 👤single room, and a 👥double twin room! ! The price is almost the same, in fact, the most important thing about staying in a hotel is, clean environment, good soundproofing rooms, this one The new lnn is right for you, no matter eating, drinking and playing do not have to go out! ! Today I went to eat sushi 🍤🍥🍢 the name is called - kokoro Gloucester Address - 5 Northgate St, Gloucester GL1 2AH I had the curry fried pork chop rice and seaweed salad for a total of £13.90 The fried pork chop 🧆🧆🍗🍗 can be eaten, very crispy, but unfortunately the curry sauce is not hot enough, if it is hotter it will be very tasty! ! #The New lnn Hot #kokoro Gloucest #tommy takes you to a hotel #hotel sleeper report

Was lucky enough to spend a few days in the UK during the winter to enjoy the cold and serenity. Though we were not blessed with snow we did encounter some beautiful scenery. The tranquility totally took our breath away, with clear crisp air, it was just what the body mind and soul needed to wind down and recharge our batteries. #cotswolds #Lacock Abbey #bath #Oxford

a relaxed and quiet city #hosted

You must try #InTownThaiCuisineInGloucester. These dishes are authentic at a very reasonable prices. Beautiful & cute atmosphere. Staffs are great, supportive and very nice.

Gloucester really is a British treasure city! I first knew about Gloucester because its church was one of the filming locations for the Chamber of Secrets in the second Harry Potter film. I have always wanted to come here to take pictures of the same scene. Today I finally came, put on my robe, and came to Gloucester Cathedral to pose for beautiful photos. In addition to this, Gloucester Cathedral is also worth visiting. The sunlight shines through the colored glass paintings and is reflected on the colorful walls, which is particularly beautiful. The church is very big. When we were walking around, an old staff member came to tell us the best tour route and chatted with us. He was very friendly. In addition to the church, the city of Gloucester is also very nice, with pleasant scenery and many shopping malls. The day we went there happened to be a Ben & Jerry's ice cream promotion, and everyone could get a box of ice cream. I just searched on the train and found that Gloucester was participating in the promotion. I enjoyed it and got a free box of ice cream! #Overseas Travel#UK

#infinitypool Getting There - Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping - #themepark

Currently traveling south east Asia