20 Attractions to Explore Near Cotswold Way

A beautiful country park that covers an area of 143 acres of grassland and beechwoods situated on the Cotswold escarpment. Site of archaeological interest with panoramic views and waymarked trails. The park is a haven for nature and home to many birds, reptiles and mammals and is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wonderful variety of wildflowers. Rising above the city of Gloucester, Crickley Hill it also boasts breath-taking views over the Severn Vale, the Brecon Beacon

Great Witcombe Roman Villa was one of the largest Roman houses in Britain and was part of a cluster of very wealthy villas in the Cotswolds area. A rich family lived here, together with their slaves and freedmen, for around 200 years, until the end of the Roman period in Britain. The remains include a bathhouse complex and perhaps the shrine of a water spirit. Mosaic pavements hint at the villa’s opulence in Roman times.

Designed in the 1740s as a fanciful pleasure garden for the owner of Painswick House and his guests, today it’s a place to roam free, to get up close and personal with nature, or to feel the warmth of the sun on your face as you take in the spectacular views of the Cotswold countryside and magical follies.

One of the largest outdoor pools in the country, set in landscaped gardens within Sandford Park. The 50 metre main swimming pool as well as a childrens’ pool and paddling pool are heated to over 70 degrees. Basketball, volleyball and table tennis are also available – all included in the entrance charge. Light refreshments are available at the poolside cafe.

Cheltenham Town Hall is now home to an impressive all-year-round program of major festivals, entertainment, exhibitions and functions. Built in 1902-1903 as a venue for social events, it replaced the Assembly Rooms on the High Street, which had been demolished to make way for a bank. Interestingly, unlike most Town Hall's, this grand building in Cheltenham was not built as the seat for a Borough Council, which is instead found in the Municipal Offices across the road on the Promenade.

The Jet Age Museum is home to a unique collection of historic aircraft and artefacts charting the history of Gloucestershire's rich aviation heritage. The museum is themed on the early development of Jet aircraft, in particular the role played by the Gloster Aircraft Company and other local firms such as Dowty Rotol and Smiths Industries.

Robinswood Hill is a hill and country park to the south of the city centre of Gloucester. Two-hundred and fifty acres of open countryside with viewpoint, pleasant walks and way-marked nature trails that cover the hill. It is home to much wildlife and affords spectacular views of the surrounding area including other hills of Gloucester, the Cotswolds, Malvern Hills, May Hill and on a clear day the Severn Bridges.

Pittville Park is the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features the magnificent Pittville Pump Room and lakes. This park is given a grade 2 listing under the English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens, with the Pump Room as a grade 1 historic building. Pittville Park provides 33ha of parkland, including an ornamental lake with elegant bridges dating from 1827 and a boating lake, formerly known as Capper's Fish Pond.

The Museum of Gloucester in Brunswick Road is the main museum in the city of Gloucester, England. This is a vibrant museum to visit for tourists and locals alike with regular events and exhibitions, exciting activities for children and a café for refreshments. It tell the story of Gloucester through archaeology and natural history, while fine and decorative arts are found on the first floor. The art gallery has a fine collection of paintings, most of which have been donated or bequeathed by loca

The magnificent Gloucester Cathedral was built in 1100 as a Norman abbey church and survived the Dissolution thanks to its historical connection with the monarchy. It has one of the largest medieval stained glass windows in England and an elegant and impressive interior. The diocese covers the greater part of Gloucestershire, with small parts of Herefordshire and Wiltshire. The cathedral has a stained-glass window depicting the earliest images of golf.

The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum is located in Gloucester’s Historic Docks. The Museum displays the remarkable story of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire who have served their regiments since 1694. It depicts their courage, humour, their traditions and their sacrifices in exciting and colourful exhibitions for all ages to enjoy.

Gloucester Waterways Museum tells the story of our wonderful canals and rivers. It was housed in a warehouse at the heart of Gloucester’s fine Victorian docks. you can find out all about the people who lived and worked there – as well as marvel at the original Dunkirk Little Ship floating alongside the working steam dredger.

Gloucester Life Museum is one of the oldest-established museums dedicated to social history. It holds an important and fascinating collection of artefacts from the last few hundred years up to the 1960s and 1970s including a working jukebox.

Cerney House Gardens is a romantic English garden for all seasons. There is a beautiful secluded Victorian walled garden that features herbaceous borders overflowing with colour. There is a well-labelled herb garden and working kitchen garden. The 3.5-acre red brick walled garden has many colourful borders and seating areas. In Spring wander through the Bluebell woods down to the front garden which has more colourful borders.

Stratford Park is a 56-acre park located just outside the center of Stroud, with a great range of facilities to suit all kinds of recreation. The park has won the Green Flag Award on multiple occasions by Keep Britain Tidy and also a Special Innovation Award winner for Community involvement. It was home to a fantastic arboretum and a miniature railway and so many activities are there.

The Museum in the Park is set in the beautiful grounds of Stratford Park. Our collection tells the story of the Stroud Valleys and the wider district, giving you the chance to find out about the people who lived and worked here, from the earliest settlers through to the present day. With over 4,000 objects on display from dinosaur bones to even one of the world’s first lawnmowers, there's something to spark the interest of all of visitors. The collection spans social history, geology, archaeolog

The Cotswold Way is a 102 mile long National Trail running between the market town of Chipping Campden and the city of Bath. The journey along the Cotswold Way starts in the beautiful, historic market town of Chipping Campden. After leaving the town, the trail takes you out onto the Cotswolds escarpment with stunning views from Dover’s Hill, where the annual ‘Olimpick’ games are held.

Nature in Art is the world’s only museum dedicated to all kinds of art inspired by nature. Here you will find a truly diverse range of world-class art: displays embrace two and three-dimensional work in all mediums and styles ranging from Picasso to Shepherd; spanning 1500 years, the collection contains work by 600 artists from over 50 countries.

Cleeve Hill is located on Cheltenham’s North-Eastern edge, on the way to Winchcombe, affording breath-taking views of Cheltenham and the surrounding area. It commands a clear view to the west, over Cheltenham and the racecourse, over the River Severn and into Wales; and to the north over Winchcombe. One f the nice trekking destination and also you can spend some good time in the middle of nature.

The Thames & Severn Canal was built ten years after the Stroudwater Canal and extended its route to Lechlade. With many locks climbing through the picturesque Golden Valley to the famous Sapperton Tunnel it then winds its way to Lechlade on the Thames – a 36 mile cross-country route.