Cheltenham Attractions, Cotswolds, Gloucester
Cheltenham’s fame and grandeur can be traced back to the discovery of a spa in this once-sleepy Cotswolds town in 1716.
Neptune Fountain, Cheltenham
History
Cheltenham developed rapidly over the next century as the rich and famous, from Kings and Queens to artists and admirals flocked to take the curative waters, which were thought effective for a wide range of ailments.
Nowadays Cheltenham is considered to have the best preserved Regency architecture in Britain.
Cheltenham Regency architecture
Attractions
Cheltenham’s many attractions include the Pittville Pump Room, built by Joseph Pitt to the north of the town centre before he went bankrupt in the 1820’s and the Neptune Fountain, designed by Joseph Hall, the town’s borough surveyor at the time. It is modelled on the magnificent Trevi Fountain in Rome. The Promenade is the town’s main shopping area and also includes the Municipal Offices, a fine example of Regency architecture.
The Holst Birthplace Museum at 4 Clarence Road celebrates the life of Gustav Holst (1874 –1934), the composer of The Planets.
The Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum contains work by William Morris as well as ceramics from The Netherlands and China. (Note the Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum was closed for renovation until 2013 and reopened as The Wilson).
Cheltenham Attractions; Cheltenham Regency architecture
Parks
Cheltenham also boasts some lovely parks and gardens: the large Pittville Park, Montpellier Gardens, Imperial Gardens and Sandford Park with its open-air 1930s lido.
Cheltenham is also a city of festivals chief among them the classical music festival in July along with a jazz festival in April and May, a science festival in June and a folk music festival in February.
For horse racing fans the annual four-day Cheltenham Festival in March is a must. The steeplechase event at Cheltenham Racecourse in Prestbury Park attracts visitors from all over Britain and Ireland.
Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre
77 Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 1PJ
Tel: 01242 522878
Snowshill Manor
Within easy travelling distance of Cheltenham are many other things to see. These include Snowshill Manor, Chedworth Roman Villa, Sudeley Castle, the Gloucester Docks and also Hailes Abbey.
Access – Getting There
Cheltenham is 2 hours, 10 minutes from London Paddington, around 45 minutes to an hour to Bristol Temple Meads and also 10 to 15 minutes to Gloucester.
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