Our top ten Gloucestershire attractions

Gloucestershire is a vibrant county, overflowing with stunning landscapes and cultural heritage. There is a huge amount to do here and to help you decide, we have picked our ten favourite Gloucestershire attractions.

1 Tewkesbury Abbey

Tewkesbury Abbey dates back to 1102 and is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in the country, with a Romanesque tower and many beautiful stained glass windows. The buildings surrounding the Abbey are worth seeing too, with lots of Tudor-style dwellings to be found in the nearby area. Better still, it is free to enter and tours with a guide cost just £4.

2 The Forest of Dean and Wye valley

Skirting the border of England and Wales, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty popular with walkers and cyclists. The entire Forest of Dean lies in the county of Gloucestershire. This is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and there are some fantastic nature reserves to be found here. Keep your eye out for wild boar and fallow deer in the ancient woodlands.

Discover glamping in the Forest of Dean here.

3 Woodchester Mansion

The spooky Woodchester Mansion is a stunning Victorian Gothic stately home that was suddenly abandoned half way through construction in 1873. Exploring this beautiful and mysterious building allows you to see the building techniques of the time and delve into the fascinating history of the time. This is a highly unique attraction that is well worth making an effort to go and see.

4 Symonds Yat

Symonds Yat is a lovely little village split in two by the river Wye. One side of the village lies in Gloucestershire and the other in Heredfordshire. There is no bridge here, you must cross from one side of the village to the other via a hand hand-pulled cable ferry (the nearest road crossing is 5 miles away). It is also famous for Symonds Yat Rock, a high point which looks out over the spectacular gorge formed by the river here.

5 Dr Jenner’s House

Dr Jenner’s House is a hugely interesting museum in the country home of Dr Edward Jenner, an important scientist who pioneered the smallpox vaccination in the 18th century. This museum is highly entertaining and educational, with a good dose of gore that will keep older children amused.

6 Cheltenham

The historic spa town of Cheltenham is well worth taking a day to wander around. There are stylish shops and restaurants, beautiful regency architecture, and many parks and gardens to explore. The Montpellier district is particularly attractive. Recently rebuilt with four new floors, the Wilson Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum is one of the county’s cultural highlights, particularly noted for its collections from the Arts & Crafts period.

7 Sudely Castle

The immaculate and glorious gardens of Sudely Castle should not be missed and the impressive castle itself is a great building to explore. This castle dates back to the 12th Century, has a fascinating history and is, of course, haunted!

8 The Cotswolds

A good portion of the Cotswolds lies in Gloucestershire. This is a very popular Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty full of soft rolling hills and charmingly English villages. The fantastic landscapes here, from woodlands and meadows to the famous wolds, are best explored on foot, by bike, or on horseback. This region is full of -beauty spots perfect for a picnic and is a popular holiday destination in its own right.

9 Berkeley Castle

Located in an estate spanning a whopping 6000 acres, Berkeley Castle is not only an incredibly impressive building but also offers a wide variety of areas to explore. The castle itself has a long history of war and battle, with the keep dating back to the 12th century. 

10 Dragonfly Maze

The brilliant Dragonfly Maze in Bourton-on-the-Water is a deservedly popular attraction with both children and adults. There are clues to collect as you work your way through solving the maze. Bourton-on-the-Water is a lovely village and you can easily spend the day there.

Gloucestershire is a county filled with lush green landscapes and unspoilt historic buildings. There really is something here for people of all ages and interests - if you visit even a couple of our top ten attractions you are sure to be wowed by what the county has to offer.