Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire spans smart Regency towns, cathedral cities and quiet Cotswold stone villages, with the Forest of Dean adding a wilder edge to the west. Cheltenham offers elegant streets, festivals and a lively dining scene, while Gloucester's cathedral and docks give a strong sense of history. Cirencester, the unofficial capital of the Cotswolds, mixes Roman remains with independent shops.

For classic Cotswold charm, Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh draw visitors with honey-coloured buildings and easy walking country, while Minchinhampton offers a quieter, more local feel on its common. Towards the Forest of Dean, Coleford, Drybrook and Lydney suit those wanting woodland trails and slower days, and Gorsley and Bitton provide peaceful bases just off the beaten track.

Gloucestershire's accommodation runs from Regency townhouses in Cheltenham to honey-stone guest houses tucked into Cotswold villages, and the county's split character shows in the choice. Cheltenham suits those wanting restaurants, festivals and easy transport links close by, with properties such as Number 8 Cheltenham and Cheltenham View Lodge within reach of the town centre, while smaller B&Bs like Cornerways or Laurel House offer a quieter, more residential base.

Further into the Cotswolds, places such as Chipping Campden draw visitors after honey-coloured architecture and walking country, with The Malt House and Crossways Guest House typical of the converted farmhouses and cottages on offer. Rural options like Pardon Hill Farm B&B, Guiting Guest House and Hope Orchard Bed & Breakfast suit those happy to drive to villages and viewpoints rather than stay in a town centre.

With 326 places listed across the county, it's worth deciding first whether you want Cheltenham's convenience or a Cotswold village setting, as the two experiences differ considerably.

Gloucestershire mixes Cotswold countryside with a working county heritage, and its attractions reflect that split. Gloucester holds much of the industrial and maritime interest, with the Jet Age Museum sitting alongside water-based options like SUP Gloucester, while Cheltenham leans towards indoor pursuits such as The Warehouse Climbing Centre.

Out towards Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh, the pace slows into open-air pursuits: the Cotswold Falconry Centre, fishing at Lakeland Fishery, and long stretches of the Cotswold Way National Trail for walkers wanting to cover ground rather than tick off a single site. Berkeley and Tetbury add their own smaller draws, from riding lessons at The Playmate Childrens Riding School to creative sessions at The Paint it Yourself Pottery Co.

Families after something more novel can try VRXPerience for a change of pace, or a working farm visit at BLACKLION Farm. With sites spread across market towns and open country, it is worth deciding whether you want a day built around one destination or a route that takes in several along the way.

Cheltenham carries much of the county's dining weight, with a regency-town spread of restaurants covering everything from Mediterranean plates at Mezze Garden to relaxed daytime spots such as Brunch Club and Cafe Local. Gloucester's options tend to cluster around the docks and city centre, offering a mix of curry houses, cafes and casual pubs for shoppers and match-day crowds alike.

Further out, Tewkesbury and Coleford keep things more local, with cafes like Colliery Cafe and Coronation Cafe serving town regulars rather than passing trade, while the Forest of Dean edge brings a quieter, more rural pace to eating out. Across the county the choice ranges from Indian restaurants such as The Akash to lakeside settings like Lakeside Cafe & Bar, so it's worth deciding whether you want a proper sit-down meal or something quicker before picking a town.

Gloucestershire covers a lot of ground, from the wooded slopes of the Forest of Dean around Coleford and Drybrook to the flatter, riverside country near Tewkesbury and Westbury-on-Severn, and this variety shows up clearly in its campsites. Forest of Dean Camping and Cadora Woods Glamping sit among trees and old mining tracks, good bases for walkers and cyclists, while spots near Gloucester and Lydney offer easier access to the Severn and its watery, open landscapes.

Elsewhere, farm-based sites such as Spittle Farm Campsite, Chaceley Hall Farm and Hunts Court Huts give a quieter, more pastoral experience, often with fewer pitches and a stronger sense of the working countryside around them. For something more sheltered, Broadstone Retreat, Badger Barn Retreat and Hoarthorns Hideaway lean towards glamping comfort, with wooden cabins or huts replacing tents. Around Moreton-in-Marsh and Dursley, expect a Cotswold feel, with stone villages nearby rather than deep forest.

Gloucestershire suits self-catering well, particularly for anyone using Cheltenham or Gloucester as a base for exploring the Cotswolds. Cheltenham's options run from smart apartments such as the Hamilton Apartment and Holst Apartment to more compact studios like the Bailey Studio Apartment, many within easy reach of the town's Regency terraces, shops and racecourse.

In Gloucester, the Quays area brings a cluster of modern apartments, including Apartments in Gloucester Quays, handy for the docks, cathedral and rail links. Elsewhere, properties like Cosy Cotswolds House offer a more traditional feel for those wanting village surroundings rather than a town centre setting.

Choosing between them often comes down to whether you want city convenience or a quieter cottage base, and how many are travelling, since sizes range from one-bedroom apartments to larger family-friendly houses.