Car Hire Gloucester - Mini guide to Gloucester

Set in the lush Severn Valley on the doorstep of the beautiful Cotswold Hills and their famous villages, the city of Gloucester has a vibrant, lively atmosphere combined with rich historic past, and is home to a magnificent Norman Cathedral and historic docks, as well as a wealth of museums and shops.

At the heart of the city, close to the Cathedral is the House of the Tailor of Gloucester, the actual shop that Beatrix Potter used as a model for the Tailor's home in her famous story ‘The Tailor of Gloucester’. The city centre offers both modern shopping precincts, as well as small narrow streets with interesting shops selling arts, crafts and other curios. A short walk away from the centre are the Historic Gloucester Docks, home to the fascinating National Waterways Museum, and also boasting unique attractions including a four storey Antiques Centre, as well as waterfront bars, cafes and restaurants and a family picnic area.

A short drive east of the city is the spa town of Cheltenham, which retains a cosmopolitan atmosphere and offers stylish shopping opportunities amidst fine Regency architecture, set against the backdrop of the Cotswold Hills. Further into the heart of the Cotswolds you can enjoy picturesque villages, distinctive market towns containing everything from attractive cottages and imposing manor houses to impressive churches all built in glowing stone. Exploring the surrounding countryside to experience the magnificent landscape of rolling hills and tree-lined valleys, is a perfect way to accompany a visit to the city.

Gloucester is conveniently linked with London via the M4 and M5 motorways, making it a convenient 90 minute drive from Heathrow airport, 2 hours from Gatwick or 3 hours from Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal. There are also hourly trains departing from London Paddington station.

The major suburbs in Gloucester are: Abbeymead, Barnwood, Elmbridge, Hucclecote, Longlevens, Matson, Podsmead and Quedgeley.