Gloucester: The Complete Guide
Gloucester is a cathedral city located on the River Severn situated between the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean. It is the most inland port in the UK, Gloucester has a proud industrial past, intertwined with a rich history that dates back to Roman times. Combine this with an ever-changing and developing city, and Gloucester offers the perfect mix of old and new.
Gloucester was founded by the Romans and became an important city and colony in AD 97 under Emperor Nerva as Colonia Glevum Nervensis.
It was granted its first charter in 1155 by Henry II. In 1216, Henry III, aged only nine years, was crowned with a gilded iron ring in the Chapter House of Gloucester Cathedral. Gloucester’s significance in the Middle Ages is underlined by the fact that it had a number of monastic establishments, including: St Peter’s Abbey founded in 679 (later Gloucester Cathedral), the nearby St Oswald’s Priory, Gloucester founded in the 880s or 890s and Llanthony Secunda Priory, founded 1136. The town is also the site of the siege of Gloucester in 1643, during which the city held out against Royalist forces in the First English Civil War.
Visiting Gloucester for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Gloucester on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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13 Best places to See in Gloucester
This complete guide to Gloucester not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Gloucester and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
Museum of Gloucester
| Hours: PEAK SEASON (February half-term to end October half-term) Tuesday-Saturday | 10am-5pm and Sunday | 11am-4pmOFF-PEAK SEASON (End October half-term to February half-term) Tuesday-Saturday | 10am-4pm and Sunday | 11am-3pm | Website | Distance: 0.60km
Visiting Museum of Gloucester
Greyfriars Priory, Gloucester
Location: Greyfriars Walk, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2EZ | Hours: Any reasonable daylight hours | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 0.60km
Visiting Greyfriars Priory, Gloucester
Blackfriars Priory Gloucester
| Hours: The priory is open Sunday to Tuesday from 10am to 3pm | Website | Distance: 0.70km
Visiting Blackfriars Priory Gloucester
The House of the Tailor of Gloucester
Location: 9 College Court, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2NJ | Website | Distance: 0.70km
Visiting The House of the Tailor of Gloucester
Gloucester Cathedral
| Website | Distance: 0.70km
Visiting Gloucester Cathedral
Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
Location: Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, Commercial Road, The Docks, Gloucester, UK | Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (10am - 4pm) including EasterPlease note that the last entry is at 3pm. | Price: Adult £5.00 per ticket Child £3.00 per ticket Concessions £4.00 per ticket Family £12.00 per ticket | Website | Distance: 0.80km
Visiting Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
Gloucester Waterways Museum
Location: National Waterways Museum Gloucester, The Docks, Gloucester, UK | Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Open daily over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, 2nd to 5th June. | Price: Adult (16+) £8.50. Child (6-15) £5.00. Child (5 and under) Free. Family £20.00. Concession £7.50. Boat trips charged seperately. | Website | Distance: 1.00km
Visiting Gloucester Waterways Museum
Gloucester Historic Docks
Visiting Gloucester Historic Docks
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal
| Website | Distance: 9.60km
Visiting Gloucester and Sharpness Canal
Chedworth Roman Villa
Location: Chedworth Roman Villa, Cheltenham, UK | Hours: 10am-5pm Apr-Oct, to 4pm mid-Feb–Mar & Nov | Price: adult/child £10.50/5.25 | Website | Distance: 22.10km
Visiting Chedworth Roman Villa
Hailes Abbey
| Hours: 10am-6pm Jul & Aug, to 5pm Easter-Jun, Sep & Oct | Price: adult/child £5.90/3.50 | Website | Distance: 24.30km
Visiting Hailes Abbey
North Leigh Roman Villa
Location: North Leigh, Witney, Oxfordshire , OX29 6PZ | Hours: Open any reasonable time during daylight hours| Price: Free | Website | Distance: 56.00km
Visiting North Leigh Roman Villa
Old Wardour Castle
Location: Old Wardour Castle, Tisbury, Salisbury, UK | Hours: 10am-6pm Apr-Sep, 10am-4pm Oct, 10am-4pm Sat & Sun Nov-Mar | Price: adult/child £5.40/3.20 | Website | Distance: 92.60km
Visiting Old Wardour Castle