30 Things to do in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire | Escape the everyday

We spent one of the best weekends in the UK visiting Cheltenham. The beautiful village on the edge of the Cotswolds is charming and lively. There are plenty of things to do in Cheltenham, and through our complete guide, we will walk through the cobblestone streets.

Cheltenham is famous mainly for the racecourse, the many festivals and, of course, the curative spa properties of the water. However, we suggest other places to see in Cheltenham besides the usual attractions. The village in Gloucestershire is friendly, and life seems to go slowly, with fabulous people always smiling and ready to catch up with you. Cheltenham features a leafy boulevard and long promenades, with many green areas that make your stay even more pleasant.

Visiting the most complete Regency town in the UK, you will discover that there are many experiences in Cheltenham you should book for. Going on an intense bike tour around Pittsville, exploring the Spa facilities or marvel at walking through Montpellier District. This and more through our guide exploring the most exciting thing to do in Cheltenham.

Cheltenham is on the border of the Cotswolds, and the weather might vary a lot depending on the season.

Generally, the hottest months are the second part of June, July and early August. The average temperature during the summer in Cheltenham is about 22°C; however, when we visited the town, it was a glorious day with about 31°C, but it was a one-off experience.

You should consider that even if it’s hot during the day, the temperature drops dramatically at night. The average temperatures at night are around 10-13 °C. So pack a jumper or jacket just to be on the safe side. Like all the UK, also Cheltenham has a significant rainfall even in July and August, which are the driest months.

Talking about the best time to explore the Cotswolds, we can say clearly it is Spring. However, even though your main goal is to get the best shot, we suggest checking out also for Autumn, with more rain but lively and unexpected colours.

The beautiful Cheltenham in Gloucestershire is on the edge of the Cotswolds in South-West England, mid-way between Birmingham and Bristol, near Gloucester. The unique natural area is surrounded by hills and greenery, with Cleeve Hill, the highest point of the Cotswold area, reaching 330 metres.

Cheltenham is one of the best places to visit if you want to explore the Cotswolds. The quintessential town is just 88 miles from London, 38 miles from Bristol and 41 miles from Birmingham. The town is reachable easily by public transport, making it perfect for a weekend away in England. 

From London

You can reach Cheltenham from London by taking a direct train from Paddington Station. The distance is about 143 Kilometres and takes around 1 hour and 54 minutes with GWR to reach the destination.

There are about 33 trains departing on weekdays, starting from 7:28 am every 20 minutes. The last departure from London is at 9:33 pm. During the weekend, the first train is at 8:15 am, and the last leaves the platform at 8:37 pm. The single ticket costs about £18.90, but an early booking costs less. Check the tickets here.

From Manchester

There is a quick connection between Cheltenham and Manchester which takes around 2 hours and 17 minutes. The two places are away just 176 Kilometres with 24 trains per day travelling through the route approximately every 50 minutes. The first train leaves Manchester at 6:00 am, and the last departure is around 7:00 pm. The ticket for Manchester to Cheltenham costs £36,50 in second class.

From Liverpool

As per Manchester, also Liverpool has a quick link to Cheltenham, with about 51 trains per day, departing approximately every 15 minutes taking 2 hours and 20 minutes to cover the track. The first train leaves at 5:10 am and the last from Liverpool at 11:46 pm. The ticket cost about £36,00 per single journey.

From Bristol to Cheltenham

Bristol is the closest location to Cheltenham, with 52 kilometres between the city and the town. The train ride is very short and takes just 30 minutes, with the first departing early in the morning at 6:13 and the last leaving Bristol around 22:10. There are about 40 trains per day during the week and 25 during the weekend. The ticket is very cheap and costs only £5.30, making a weekend in Cheltenham very affordable.Check the tickets available.

From Cardiff

Cardiff is close to Cheltenham, with the two cities about 37 minutes train ride distance. There are 37 trains serving the track, and they leave approximately every 23 minutes, with fewer departures at the weekend.  A single ticket for Cardiff to Cheltenham costs about £10,50. Read our full guide about Cardiff here.

Check also our list of free things to do in Cardiff.

Hiring a car in the Cotswolds

Tips for Driving in the Cotswolds

The incredible landscape of the Cotswolds is the perfect scenery for a road trip in England. However, even though hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore more in less time and discover remote villages, everything comes with a but.

The dirt roads of the Cotswolds are not for everyone, and you must be careful. Visiting the Cotswolds in winter, you should be ready for it and check the weather forecast before your trip. It’s easy to find snow, travelling into the Cotswolds in late January and February, and the one-lane roads are not ideal for beginners.

If you are coming from Europe or the US, driving in England can be challenging at first. You might be used to driving on the right-hand side of the road and switching to the other side; driving into narrow lanes needs time to adjust. Practice in a parking lot when renting your car, and take a spin on the highway to get confident with it.

The little town of Cheltenham is definitely vibrant but not very large. We suggest you plan a perfect weekend with plenty of things to do in Cheltenham. 

Staying longer in Cheltenham might allow you to explore the Cotswolds, have a fantastic day trip to Gloucester, or explore the wonderful Wye Valley. We have included some perfect day trips from Cheltenham to help you plan.

How to get around Cheltenham

Cheltenham is the perfect walkable town in Gloucestershire. The beautiful town centre is open only for pedestrians, making it easy to shop around.

The easiest way to get around Cheltenham is by taxi. From the train station to our hotel was quite far walking, about 40 minutes and not knowing the area we reached by taxi. The tariff for a taxi in Cheltenham is fair, and a 10/11 minutes drive costs about £9. We also took a cab to the racecourse away from the town centre.

We also used public transport, and we can assure you it is reliable also exploring little villages around. We took the bus from Whichcombe to Cheltenham, which took only 20 minutes. You can pay on board also by card, and the new buses have AC and plugs to charge your phone. There is public transport for every little village, and you can practically get around Cheltenham and its surroundings just by bus.

The Wilson Cheltenham Art Gallery Museum

The Wilson Gallery, officially established in 1898, is reopening its doors in July 2022 after an extended closure and extensive renovation. The Art Gallery and Museum is named after Edward A. Wilson, an Antarctic explorer born in Cheltenham. The hall hosts paintings of national relevance and particular objects from the fascinating history of Cheltenham.

It’s free to enter the Wilson Cheltenham Art Gallery, and you can enjoy the coffee shop area. 

Location | Clarence St, Cheltenham

Admire the Georgian architecture at Regency Cheltenham

Even though the Cheltenham Regency is just half of the original project, it is still impressive. The structure was supposed to be a circular series of white buildings; instead, money lasted just for half-moon, as is today’s construction. Nevertheless, we loved these places for the calm and the stylish buildings with good Georgian charm.

The so-called Regency era lasted from 1811 until 1820 when King George III fell sick and his son, Prince Regent George IV, assumed control of the monarchy. This was one of the wealthiest areas in town then, and today, the high-end houses are mostly offices, hotels and b&B, and private clinics. All around the Regency of Cheltenham pastel-coloured buildings enrich the atmosphere characteristic of the early 19th century. We discovered this place while on a walking tour, and it was nice to learn about the history that made the place at the edge of the Cotswolds so notorious.

Location | Royal Well Rd

Row your boat in Pittville Park

Our cycling path through the Honeybourne line took us to Pittville Park, one of the largest green areas of Cheltenham. The park is midway between the town centre and the racecourse. The park has many places to relax and find shades in summer and a cosy lake. You can rent your boat, just reach the Boat House Cafe. Rowing in Pittville Park is one of a kind experience, and you will reconnect with nature in a peaceful location. The bridge that crosses the two sides is picture-perfect.

Relax by the kiosk, take an ice cream or indulge in local homemade cakes. The boat costs £11 per hour, and they will also equip you with a life jacket.

Location | Pittsville Boat House

Have a drink at Pittville Pump Room

We reached the edge of the Pittville pump room to discover this fantastic sightseeing of Cheltenham. Working out your itinerary, you should check if there is an event around; as Cheltenham is well known as the festival city, it might be happening in Pittville Park. The Pump Room is often used as scenery for ceremonies, concerts or events like the Cheltenham Music Festival.

The intern of the Pittville Pump Room follows the charming style of the surroundings and the high-standard town buildings. We arrived there on a hot day in June and found shades under the lovely blue pergola at the Pump Room entrance. We then found a seat at the Heritage Deco Cafe’, had some drinks and watched the slow lifestyle of the locals. Many kids were around, and people were working with their laptops, enjoying the nice summer weather. We thought that Cheltenham was perfect for escaping everyday life in busy cities.

Location | Pittsville Pump Room

Learn about the history of Cheltenham

The walking tour in Cheltenham was one of the most exciting activities in town. We learned a lot about the town and how it became popular, establishing the anonymous settlement in one of the most visited curative spas in the whole country.

The village started about 1200 years ago as a little Anglo-Saxon settlement. Eventually, it became a market town, thanks to its favourite geographic position. However, only in 1716 did Cheltenham turn into a vacation spa town resort, primarily thanks to Captain Henry Skillicorne, which turned the little mineral spring into a profitable land.

The first Spa in Cheltenham was where today is the Ladies’ College, and there are not many remains of the old settlement. The Spa attracted aristocracy, and many others opened following the first. The city attracted influential people and aristocrats who started building villas and Regency around the mineral springs.

Attend a festival in Cheltenham

As said before, Cheltenham is well known for its beautiful festivals. Therefore, we were invited by the local tourism to attend the insane balloon fiesta.

The remarkable event that takes place at the Cheltenham Racecourse attracts many people. The afternoons are dedicated to hot air balloons, concerts, attractions, games and full stalls. Check out the following dates for the balloon fiesta.

Down below, we have highlighted some other exciting festivals in Cheltenham:

Cheltenham Festival Horse Racing

Held in March, the Festival sees four days of horse racing culminating in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This is a must to attend if you like horseracing.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

The Cheltenham Jazz festival is one of the most attractive events in town, welcoming over 20,000 visitors every year. There are many activities on stage throughout the weekend. The main festival area is in the posh Montpelier District, with the Montpelier gardens in a grand slam. It is a mix of free and ticketed performances that involve the whole town.

Cheltenham Science Festival

Cheltenham Imperial Square offers one of the most exciting and interactive activities during the Science Festival in June.

Cheltenham Music Festival

The Festival of Music has been held in Cheltenham since 1945 in a few iconic locations in town. The most notable sites are the Town Hall, the Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham College Chapel, Art Centre, the Tewkesbury Abbey and more public and private places.

The fantastic programme produces a magnificent musical tour that is a sensory masterpiece and features the most refined classical talent in the world. This rich and varied programme makes use of the stunning Cotswolds surroundings. The Music Festival is a unique thing to do in Cheltenham and is unmissable on a town guide.

Catch the show at Everyman Theatre

The Everyman Theatre is an institution in Cheltenham, in operation since 1891 in a beautiful Grade II Listed building. Catch the latest show, from Opera performances to ballet, musicals and plays. Step by for a show while visiting Cheltenham, or just take a coffee break from exploring at the bar.

LOCATION | Regent St

Indulge in local cheese at the Cheeseworks

A few steps away from the Everyman Theatre is a tiny traditional cheese shop. The Cheesework is an independent shop on Regent Street, a road already filled with bars and restaurants.

This shop in the heart of Cheltenham is among the most stocked cheesemongers in Britain. Stepping in, you will smell the nice cheese and get overwhelmed by the quantity and quality from British Reserva to well-known European cheeses.

We bought some to eat on the spot with a freshly baked baguette and some pieces to take home. Looking for perfect souvenirs from Cheltenham, definitely, cheese is among these.

LOCATION | Regent St

Cheltenham Racecourse

We have been at the Cheltenham Racecourse twice while staying in town, and both times not to watch a race.

The famous racetrack is a few miles away from the town centre, in Prestbury Park, and every year attracts people from everywhere in Europe, passionate about horses and races.

However, the Cheltenham racecourse is also the space where most of the local festivals take place, like the famous balloon fiesta.

LOCATION | Evesham Rd

Few things to know about the Queens Hotel

The Queens hotel was built to be the biggest hotel in England at the time. The little town on the edge of the Cotswolds was acquiring notability thanks to the Spa and the discreet tourism that these attracted.

The facility included luxury features and its own Spa centre. However, despite the massive investment for that time, the first year from opening, it didn’t go as expected and was eventually sold for a much smaller price than the costs.

In front of the Queens Hotel is a commemorative stand, which initially featured two cannons used in Sebastopol and turned into metal to supply the bloody WWII. The centrepiece between the Imperial Gardens and the Queens Hotel it’s a memorial to commemorate the lives lost in Crimea.

Relax in a Spa | Things to do in Cheltenham for couples

Cheltenham is a Spa Town created by a single water spring. Even though the first spot is today close to the public, several hotels offer spa retreats and packages.

The best way to take advantage of the curative water is to stay in a hotel with spa facilities. This activity is perfect for a couple of retreats and a relaxing weekend in the UK.

Where to stay in Cheltenham for a Spa Retreat

The Greenway Hotel & Spa

The Greenway Hotel and Spa is part of the Eden boutique hotels and is first on our list. The charming countryside and elegant Elizabethian estate feature luxury stay and relaxing spa facilities. The structure is perfectly immersed in the Cotswolds hills, making a perfect scenery for a few days in Cheltenham.

DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham

Another unique hotel to discover is the DoubleTree by Hilton. If you followed us on Instagram you have seen our stories around the Hilton Hotel in Barbados and understand why they are a perfect combination of luxury and relaxing staying for us. This hotel is in a Georgian Manor and offers complimentary WiFi, free parking, and lovely manicured grounds overlooking Lilley Brook’s 18-hole golf course. The Spa, beauty salon, and exercise centre are available to guests.

Have a pint at the Brewery Quarter

For obvious reasons, the Brewery Quarter of Cheltenham is one of our favourite spots in town. The whole area is located near the end of the High Street, easy to reach from the city centre, but also from where we stayed, the Cotswolds Grange. So a visitor can spend hours roaming around the shops, the entertainment venues and experiential dining restaurants.

One of the most interesting places to visit is the Brewhouse and Kitchen, which offers interactive experiences taking you to discover the secrets behind the production of tasty beers. Note down this place as one of the most interesting things to do in Cheltenham in the evening.

Hop on the scenic steam train

One of the most exciting activities was to hop on the scenic train ride across the Cotswolds on board an old carriage of the Great Western Railway. You can already smell it before getting on board; imagine the engine running and the smoke produced by the coal from the high chimney.

It seems to step back in time, running along the Honeybourne line, perfectly maintained. Even the staff and the ticket office will take your memory back to the old movies. The line was active in the 1900s, connecting Cheltenham with Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham.

The route was suspended in 1976 but today revived as a historical line, departing every day from the Cheltenham Racecourse to Broadway for a 28 miles roundtrip. All the stations have been restored, keeping the old touch, with some museums showing photos and part of the historic line.

The ticket costs £25 and allows you to get on and off of the train for a whole day. Making the best of it, you can explore every single cute village in the Cotswolds covered by the line.

Shop at the Regent Arcade

The city centre is vivacious, and most boutiques and shops are concentrated along High Street, Regent Street and Post Office Lane. You can also get to the local shopping centre, the Regent Arcade. This area has most of the well known shops you can find in cities, but also a particular clock.

The wishing fish clock of Cheltenham in the shopping centre since 1985 is a complex structure. The clock features a figure of a goose laying golden eggs, a family of mice trying to escape the snake on top of the clock, and It also blows bubbles every half an hour.

LOCATION | High Street Cheltenham

Look out for the Cheltenham street art

We couldn’t imagine that Cheltenham has so much impressive street art. While strolling around the town on our rented bike, we spotted a few murals on the Honeybourne Line, an internal cycle and footpath that cut in two the town taking you from the local train station to the beautiful Pittville Park.

However, you can find murals everywhere in Cheltenham; some of the most impressive is in the Brewery Quarter, in the Chelt Walk Car Park, featuring works of the local artist Andy Davies and Curtis Hylton.

Street art is highly valued in Cheltenham, which dedicates an entire festival to this form of expression. In July, the spry and creativity take over the town as the Cheltenham Paint Festival starts to colour the facade of the buildings and empty walls. Looking for things to do in Cheltenham, you can’t miss walking around discovering masterpieces for free.

Learn stories and legends at St. Mary’s Minster

We went for a walking tour in Cheltenham with Cheltenham Promenaders. It was so interesting to understand the evolution of this place from a little tiny unknown village to a charming modern town. Cheltenham is definitely maintaining some reminiscences of the mediaeval structure, looking at the Parish Church, which converted into Cathedral just about 10 years ago.

The beautiful St. Mary’s was under refurbishment of the surrounding gardens to make it more usable by locals, with an amphitheatre and a few benches. However, thanks to our guide, we could enjoy the history behind it, and the rest of the city started to grow around this location and the spring water.

Gothic architecture is still intact and reflects the art of the 13th and 14th centuries. All around graves of notable people of Cheltenham and tribute to the most notable person, Henry Skillicorne, who established the town’s first Spa in the 18th century.

Cheltenham Town Hall

The local government is in a beautiful location, a few steps away along the Promenade, the Imperial Gardens and the Montpellier District. The early 20th-century assembly hall is a magnificent building and is Grade II listed.

You can’t miss passing by the Town Hall, as it is noticeable from the stunning Neptune fountain, inspired by Rome’s Trevi Fountain.

LOCATION | Imperial Square

Walk around Pittville Park

We have already introduced you to Pittville Park many times on this guide, but once again, don’t miss this spot. Among the most interesting things to do in Cheltenham definitely, Pittville Park is unmissable and rich in activities.

The park, established in 1825, is part of the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens and a Grade II listed park. You can take hours walking around, surrounded by nature. The park’s diversity makes it one of our favourites in England so far, as it has a small lake, a larger one, green meadows, and lovely cycle lanes. Also, on one side, Pittville Park welcomes families in very well cured kids’ parks and hosts tennis courts and a golf course.

Snap the best photos of Cheltenham

Our stay at the edge of the Cotswolds was incredible, and we enjoyed our time roaming around the cute town of Cheltenham.

For photography addicts like us, it is not easy to find places that make your creativity get out of the box, as we always look for the cutest places and most intriguing imaginings. Cheltenham is incredible, and there are cosy spots, nice and cute houses and beautiful alleys.

The Promenade is just a long lane of insanely fabulous buildings that are picture-perfect. Cheltenham is one of the most beautiful towns in England we have visited so far, and you should take your camera while travelling there.

Check out our Instagram to find inspiration for the best photo spots in Cheltenham.

Walk along the Promenade

The Promenade was one of the first attempts to make Cheltenham pass from an unknown town to a prominent vacational/spa retreat location.

This stretch opened in 1818 and previously was just a passage between desolate lands, muddy and dusty with natural spring surrounding it. The walk today is one of the most charming locations in the county, attracting locals and people from nearby villages.

A stroll down the Promenade should be included in the list of things to do in Cheltenham, even if you are short on time.

There are independent boutiques, delicious coffee shops and restaurants, and well-known retailers. Not far from it, there is the Town Hall, with a magnificent Neptune Fountain, which was inspired by Rome’s Trevi fountain.

Picnic in the Imperial Gardens

It was a pleasant sunny day when we decided to take some cheese at the Cheeseworks and cycle to the Imperial Gardens, just in front of the Queens Hotel. 

The Cheltenham Imperial Gardens are a must-see location in town, frequented mainly by locals, featuring lovely tidy gardens and flowers in full bloom.

On the side of the garden is a nice bar (Garden Bar), perfect for ice cream or a drink, and it is often the stage of festivals and events. Nearby the Imperial Garden, you can go for a stroll around the Montpellier district.

A piece of Florence in Cheltenham | The Strozzi Palace

You might be confused looking at the Strozzi Palace, as it is the exact (smaller one) copy of the magnificent building in Florence, Italy.

You can clearly see the wealth of Cheltenham from this building. One of the quirky things is that the Strozzi Palace was used as an engine house, not properly the shape you expect for this use. However, the building style was to celebrate the new era of Cheltenham in style.

Today the Strozzi Palace of Cheltenham is a stylish, high-end hotel. Check the prices!

Wynnstay House

The stone building was once the oldest infant school in the country. It was open to helping the families working hard around the town and taking care of the pupils and toddlers from an early age. Wynnstay house was opened on 20 July 1830 and could accommodate about 250 children.

It’s famous because it developed the method of teaching “Chalk and Talk”. The building today has been converted into offices.

Synagogue of Cheltenham

Just in front of Wynnstay House is a sign of the diversity of cultures that shapes Cheltenham. The stunning Regency architecture of the Synagogue of Cheltenham often isn’t recognised by people visiting the town.

It is a Grade II listed building founded when Cheltenham was a famous spa town and forced to close in decline in 1903 and just reopened 36 years later. The synagogue was a centrepiece used to rehouse refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe during WWII.

Go on a day trip to Gloucester

About 30 minutes drive south, there is Gloucester, a vibrant city, the region’s central hub. We spent a whole day walking around the Roman-founded city, enjoying the lively cafes, nice boutiques and many historical sights.

The city centre is all taking you back through the glorious époques of Gloucester, from a Roman settlement to Mediaeval times and then Georgian and Victorian architecture.

The city seems divided in two, with the nice city meeting at the centre of cross stress, all pedestrian-only. The most magnificent sight of Gloucester is definitely the gorgeous Cathedral. You can spend hours roaming around the shopping centre, the boutique of antiquaries and lovely restaurants. Away from it, but well connected, there is the riverside. We loved our self drive boat ride on the River Severn. Check out Gloucester Boat Hire for a fantastic experience in Gloucester.

Go on a private tour of Cotswolds Villages

If you are planning a few days in Cheltenham, you should check out a private tour of Cotswolds Villages.

Cheltenham is ideally located just west of the first hills, conveniently from fairytales villages and exclusive locations. It’s also possible to reach the Cotswolds and some villages, taking the picturesque and scenic steam train from the Cheltenham racecourse.

Going on a trip through the Cotswolds, you will experience breathtaking landscapes and incredible architecture.

Explore Winchcombe

We stepped on the steam train, unique public transportation in old times in the area, and the trip was already unbelievable. But, when we arrived in Winchcombe, it seemed like a time loop, back in the old days.

The Anglo-Saxon walled town of Winchcombe is about 20 minutes driving north from Cheltenham and is at the edge of the Cotswolds area.

The origins take back the town as a Roman Hamlet, which maintains today the Mediaeval style and layout. One of the most recognisable landmarks is definitely the Sudeley Castle, which was the final resting place of Queen Catherine Parr. The little village is reachable also by public transport from the centre of Cheltenham, and you can grab a ticket on board for about £3,70 one way.

You can combine Winchcombe with a trip to Broadway, the steam train’s final destination. With a £25 ticket, you can hop on and off the train at each station, experiencing every single village along the way.

Sudeley Castle

We have introduced you to Sudeley Castle. This is one of the few buildings in the county which is still private property. The castle is midway between Cheltenham and Winchcombe.

The story claims that this place was the resting place of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. The castle features beautiful gardens for about 15 acres nestled in the gorgeous Cotswolds. In 1976 the castle was the scenery for the successful movie “Beauty and the Beast”.

Wye Valley

The Wye Valley originates from one of Britain’s most naturally occurring rivers in the mid-Wales mountains and runs south for about 150 miles before joining the Severn. During this time, it forms part of the border between Wales and England. It’s there that the extraordinary Wye Valley is located.

The Wye Valley is a fantastic place for wildlife; therefore, it’s not surprising that the area has several gardens that are worth a day of lazing around. Spending a day or two hiking in the Wye Valley is a must to visit this part of the country.

The main reason that attracts visitors to Cheltenham is the incredible Festival. These events are held in the city all year round, and you can expect everything from sports to cultural events.

Below is a list of festivals, and as you can see, there is a lot to do in Cheltenham.

Where to stay in Cheltenham

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CHELTENHAM

Nowadays booking travel insurance is becoming part of the travelling plan. However, it’s just a precaution, and you should consider it even if you are an experienced traveller.

Planning a trip to Cheltenham, which includes activities like hiking and some other sports, it’s essential to have travel insurance. However, this is not just indicated because medical problems might occur, but also if your luggage gets lost, the connection between trains is delayed.

Also, many rental car agencies will lower the cost of car insurance if you have your Travel insurance, or this might cover the costs of car accidents or damage to the car entirely. For us, having Travel Insurance is the way to enjoy our vacation with peace of mind.

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Q&A Things to do in Cheltenham

Why visit Cheltenham?

We loved our time in Cheltenham; the peaceful town is perfect for a trip away from London, leaving behind the stress of running against time. Here life goes slow, and you can enjoy the parks, a stroll around the pedestrian town centre, or drive out and discover paradise like the Rococo Gardens of Painswick. Visiting Cheltenham during one of the festivals adds a pinch of salt to why the town visits.

Is Cheltenham worth visiting?

YES. Cheltenham is unquestionably a worthwhile place to visit in England. The little town has fantastic spots, gardens, and rich architecture featuring Georgian and Victorian styles.

We encourage you to visit Cheltenham as it has it all, the relaxation and calm of a small county and the needs of a regular city. The festivals are unique and fun, with restaurants and bars lively and surprising.

Is Cheltenham a posh town?

Yes, or it seems that. It might be the architecture or the spotless streets. However, locals are very approachable and always keen to interact with you. The Georgian mansions and hidden gardens are posh, and a few days in Cheltenham can relax body and mind.

Deciding to stay for a luxury staycation in England in Cheltenham is the perfect idea to escape every day from busy cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester.

How many days do you need in Cheltenham?

We found that two days are enough to visit Cheltenham and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. You can organise the perfect weekend in Cheltenham, adding a day trip to Gloucester or a tour of the Cotswolds.

Is Cheltenham safe at night?

YES. We walked from the town centre to our hotel without problems and never felt unsafe. Cheltenham is the safest central town in Gloucestershire and is at the bottom of the District’s list of dangerous towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Cheltenham in 2021 was 63 crimes per 1,000 people.

Is there a direct train from Manchester to Cheltenham?

Yes. The “cross-country” can take you from Manchester to Cheltenham without changes. The direct train stops at Stockport, Macclesfield, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street before arriving at the station of Cheltenham Spa. Check the tickets. There are just a few trains per day, so make sure to book in advance.

Is there a direct train from London to Cheltenham?

Yes, there is a direct train from London to Cheltenham. There are just a few daily departures from London Paddington Station to Cheltenham Spa. The route works perfectly every day and on the weekend (with fewer trains), and it is served by Great Western Railways (GWR). Check the tickets.

WHERE TO GO NEXT?

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