Pictures of Cheltenham
About Cheltenham
Cheltenham, the very mention of this grand old town conjurs up not only images of gracious georgian houses but also of superb thoroughbred horses thundering round the town's famous Prestbury Park race-course. Cheltenham is never more alive that it is each March when the race-course plays host to the famous Gold Cup horse race. Then, many thousand of visitors flock to the town and especially racegoers from Ireland, all hoping that this illustrious meeting will indeed bring them - the luck of the Irish.
The life of this town began as a typical Cotswold village but owing to the discovery on a mineral spring a Pump room was built here in 1738. The town then received the personal approval of George 111 and within a few short years architects were commissioned to build a new town. The result was wide boulevards and gracious houses that attracted many people of wealth and education to settle here. They came as much for the medicinal properties of the waters as for Cheltenhams' fashionable elegance. Many of the beautiful buildings in the town are attributed to Papworth, and Forbes designed and built the Pump room - both these men were celebrated Architects of their day.
The composer, Gustav Holtz, was a pupil at the towns Grammer school. His family home still exists today and is instantly recognised by the brass commemorative plaque displayed to the front of the building.
Cheltenham has wonderful gardens, flowers bloom here in great profusion presenting the visitor with a riot of colour. There are wonderful expanses of grass on which to sit and while away an hour or two enjoying the music played by visiting bands.
The famous promenade is full of intoxicating shops, all with a vast array of merchandise. In fine weather many of the cafes and pubs place tables and chairs outside thus giving the town a 'continental' atmosphere.
From its humble origins Cheltenham has developed into a busy, thriving, cosmopolitan town which is a joy to visit at any any time of the year.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Cheltenham
| Holst Birthplace Museum | (0.5 miles, 0.7 km) | Pictures |
| Pittville Pump Room | (1.1 miles, 1.8 km) | Pictures |
| Crickley Hill Country Park | (3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Sudeley Castle | (6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Tewkesbury Abbey | (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Old Baptist chapel | (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Gloucester Cathedral | (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Gloucester Docks | (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Robinswood Hill Country Park | (8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Hailes Abbey | (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Chedworth Roman Villa | (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Painswick Rococo Gardens | (8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Bredon Tithe Barn | (9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Snowshill Manor | (11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Birdland | (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
All attractions in CheltenhamAll attractions in GloucestershireComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Cheltenham
Cleeve Hill in the county of Gloucestershire (3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction NE)
Otherwise known as the Cleeve Cloud, Cleeve Hill is the highest point of the Cotswolds rising to a height of 1083 ft. Spread out below is the town of Cheltenham and its famous Prestbury racecourse, home of the Cheltenham Gold Cup meeting.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Birdlip in the county of Gloucestershire (5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction S)
The winding drive up the steeply rising hill to the ancient village of Birdlip provides magnificent views all around
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Winchcombe in the county of Gloucestershire (6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction NE)
To experience the quintessentially English town of Winchcome, is to part-take of a miscellany of pure delights.
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Deerhurst in the county of Gloucestershire (6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction NW)
Deerhurst is a spacious small village set amid the rich pasturelands of the glorious Gloucestershire countryside.
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Gloucester in the county of Gloucestershire (7.2 miles, 11.7 km, direction W)
Looking at the lively City we see today, it is hard to believe that Gloucester was once a tiny port on the River Severn.
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Tewkesbury in the county of Gloucestershire (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NW)
Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire is an historic market town, situated near the Cotswolds, it has a beautiful Abbey over 500yrs old and lots of historic buildings and alley ways.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ashleworth in the county of Gloucestershire (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction W)
This is a lovely pastoral village set beside the west bank of the River Severn, in the middle of a typical rural Gloucestershire landscape.
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Duntisbourne Abbots in the county of Gloucestershire (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction S)
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Bredon in the county of Worcestershire (9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction N)
The lush greenery of Bredon Hill forms a dramatic back-drop to this pretty village which is the start of a string of villages threading their way towards the Cotswolds.
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Bisley in the county of Gloucestershire (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction S)
The village of Bisley is all charm. It has an excellent collection of very fine buildings as well as some interesting local folklore.
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Sedgeberrow in the county of Worcestershire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction NE)
The countryside is mostly laid to farmlands full of ripened corn and across the rolling landscape there are grassy meadows grazed by sleepy cattle and sheep.
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Snowshill in the county of Gloucestershire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NE)
For anyone looking for a peaceful retreat in which to spend a few idyllic days in glorious countryside, could do no better that visit the picturesque village of Snowshill, high on the Cotswold escarpment above Broadway and the old town of Evesham.
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Eastcombe in the county of Gloucestershire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction S)
Eastcombe is a beautiful hilltop village nestling in the heart of the Cotswolds.
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Elmley Castle in the county of Worcestershire (12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction N)
Elmley Castle is one of the most beautiful villages in England
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Upper Slaughter in the county of Gloucestershire (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction E)
Tranquillity is the keynote for this enchanting hamlet which is best explored on foot.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in GloucestershireComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Cheltenham Spa Station | (1.0 miles, 1.7 km) |
| M5 Junction 11 | (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction W) |
| M5 Junction 10 | (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction NW) |
| Gloucester Station | (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction W) |
| Birmingham International Airport | (41.0 miles, 66.0 km, direction N) |
| Bristol International Airport | (44.9 miles, 72.3 km, direction SW) |
| Cheltenham to London | (87.9 miles, 141.5 km, direction E) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Cheltenham
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Cheltenham center |
| The Big Sleep Hotel | (0.1 miles, 0.1 km) |
| Mercure Queen's Hotel Cheltenham | (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) |
| The George Hotel & Montys | (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) |
| Central Hotel | (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) |
| The Cheltenham Townhouse Hotel | (0.5 miles, 0.9 km) |
| Clarence Court Hotel | (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) |
| North Hall Hotel | (0.6 miles, 1.0 km) |
| Cotswold Grange Hotel | (0.7 miles, 1.1 km) |
| Hotel On The Park | (0.7 miles, 1.1 km) |
| Wishmoor House | (0.9 miles, 1.5 km) |
| All hotels in Cheltenham |