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Town and Borough in Gloucestershire, England
Photo: Arpingstone, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Cheltenham is an historic spa town in England, which started its development in the early 1700s with the discovery of healing waters. It became very popular after the visit of King George III in 1788, and developed further. You cannot take the waters in Cheltenham, but you can visit the Pump Room to get a feeling for the ambience.
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The broad, tree-lined Promenade and its continuation into Montpellier Walk (look for the caryatids) and Montpellier Street, the town's smart shopping streets (the chain stores are mercifully elsewhere, in the High Street). Look out for the Neptune Fountain at the south end of the gardens in front of the council offices.
Colourful display of summer flowers.
Laid out in the early 19th century as the centre of the then-new residential area of Pittville. The park is arranged round an artificial lake, with Pittville Pump Room on the hillside at the north-western edge. The Pump Room is open for free visits to see the fine interior and water tasting when it is not being used for events or weddings.
The highest point of the Cotswolds hill range and in the county of Gloucestershire, at 1,083 feet (330 m). It commands a clear view to the west, over Cheltenham and the racecourse, over the River Severn and into Wales; and to the north over Winchcombe.
The museum re-opened in 2013 after a £6.3-million project to expand the building including additional galleries, a performance space, larger cafe and shop and a new home for the Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre. The collection of furniture and other pieces by Cotswold-based Arts and Crafts Movement craftsmen such as Ernest Gimson and Edward Barnsley is particularly good.
The Regency terrace house where Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets was born in 1874. Interesting both for the building and for the musical history.
The country park is a site of nature conservation, geological & archaeological interest.
A site of Iron Age hill fort and long barrow and famous for its old limestone quarries. One particularly striking feature on the hill is the Devil's Chimney, a substantial pillar of stone left standing next to one of the upper inclines.
Dating to medieval times, it has been in continuous use for 850 years. In 2013 it became Cheltenham Minster.
One of the largest Roman villas in the UK.
Historic castle, notable for being amongst other things the final resting place of Henry VIII's sixth wife, Catherine Parr, who is buried in the chapel.
Test the waters (and go to concerts) at the Pittville Pump Room.
But only in winter, as (unusually) it's only a jumps-racing course, with frequent fixtures from October-March. The big event is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, held in mid-March.
"The Robins" were relegated in 2024 and now play soccer in League Two, the fourth tier. Their home ground is Whaddon Road (sponsored as Jonny-Rocks Stadium), capacity 7000.
The Lido has a 50-m outdoor, main swimming pool (with reserved lanes), a children's outdoor pool, and a paddling pool. All the pools are heated to over 70°F (21°C). Café with value hot food.
The new cinema that put the Odeon out of business. Decent screens, decent sound, comfy seats, and expensive popcorn.
Cheltenham's oldest theatre, it has been serving the town since 1891. It has had an expensive refurbishment and still produces to top-class, West-End productions. Tickets are available from the box office by phone or online.
The town's community-run theatre since 1945. The people of Cheltenham have enjoyed the notable facility of their own theatre, in which talented amateurs from all walks of life can work together with a single purpose; the presentation of nonprofessional drama of exceptionally high standards to the theatre-going public.
Cheltenham's magnificent town hall also hosts the odd production along with being used as venue for events.
Old historical gates located on the edge of Pittville Park with a row of popular fast-food rather than one single restaurant. Very handy for walking back to the town from the racecourse. Pizza, kebab, burgers, Chinese, Indian and British all available.
Large Wetherspoon's pub with reasonable food for around £7. This is a large and characterless place, but it does have a nice outdoor area at the rear overlooking Sandford Park.
Another Wetherspoon's pub more centrally situated.
Winner of the UK's Number 1 Fish & Chip Takeaway 2016 award.
An entertainment/eating complex located behind the Lower High Street. Here you will find a selection of rather boring international chain restaurants including Nando's, Prezzo, Frankie & Benny's and Real China. Parking available (paid). Great if you like eating on industrial-estates.
Offers some nice (if slightly pricey) bar food in a Regency-style building, and a good Sunday lunch.
Reasonably posh and nice. Very popular.
Wonderful converted 19th century church churchdb.gukutils.org.uk/GLS115.php, elegantly decorated with good Italian food and wine. Family/baby-friendly in the daytime.
Cheltenham's only Michelin starred restaurant (two stars); 4 AA rosettes; Good Food Guide, 2014 Chef of the Year (David Everitt-Matthias) & Decanter Restaurant of the Year. You are not to use your mobile phone in the dining room and gentlemen are to sit down when they use the lavatory.
Has a good reputation.
The Ivy
A luxurious country pub with 28 bespoke bedrooms, rolling landscapes and seasonal dining.
Established wine bar in Montpellier, located on Suffolk Parade. Worth finding to enjoy the "posh" side of Cheltenham. Popular with Cheltenham College on Friday/Saturday when it can be very busy. Ask the locals for other lesser known restaurants and bars nearby. Montpellier is not easy to explore without local knowledge.
A slightly out-of-the-ordinary bar that takes real ale very seriously offering lots of variety. Also sells lager, cider and food. Large rear garden for drinking in
A wide array of ice cream shakes made from delicious and not so delicious ingredients.
A popular bar with frequent entertainment and has a large heated outdoor area for smokers. Serves both local and known-brand drinks.
formerly Blush
Located in the centre of the town; many amenities are within easy walking distance.
Located right on the east side of town, making it easy to get to from Oxford or London.
Smart stylish B&B in a Victorian villa. No dogs.
17th-century coaching inn with good restaurant and rooms.
formerly The Montpellier Chapter
Upscale hotel in Georgian townhouse, dog-friendly.
Georgian villa got up in modern style, good dining. No dogs.
Elegant B&B in a Georgian town house. Dog-friendly, no children under 16.
Not extremely exciting, but quite a few chain shops on two levels. Its biggest attraction is the Wishing Fish Clock which blows bubbles every hour.
A large department store.
A fairly large branch of the British chain store, with a large food hall and clothing section.
Retail park consisting primarily of large Sainsbury's supermarket with gas station, Argos and a café, Next and Sports Direct for clothes shopping and Boots for pharmaceuticals or toiletries. Along with Costa Coffee and Subway.
Retail park consisting primarily of a Marks & Spencer: Simply Food and Home stores. There are also McDonald's and KFC restaurants nearby.
Retail park with a Currys/PC World and Smyth's for electronics and toys respectively. There is also a small store called Hillary's that does blinds and shutters.
Has a wide range of ciders and other high-end foods including cheeses and condiments.
By car
The M5 reaches Cheltenham from the north and south and the A40 from the East (from Oxford) is also a useful transport link.
By bus
There are buses from Cirencester, Stroud and other local villages to Cheltenham once an hour.
By plane
Nearby Staverton hosts Gloucestershire Airport (GLO), which has regular flights to Jersey. There are also many private aircraft there, which can be chartered.
By taxi
Taxis are fairly reliable. If you flag a taxi down or get one from the taxi rank you will be charged from the meter, whereas if you book with a taxi company you will be charged considerably less.
By bus
The main bus company is Stagecoach which operates a number of buses around the town, mainly on routes with letters rather than numbers.
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Birmingham, West Midlands · International · BHX
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