Pictures of England
 Exploring the most Picturesque & Historic parts of England..

Pictures of Gloucester

a Historic City in the county of Gloucestershire

Gloucester Cathedral

About Gloucester

Looking at the lively City we see today, it is hard to believe that Gloucester was once a tiny port on the River Severn. When the Romas came, they named the port Glevum and fortified it in order to guard the roads to Wales. The gates of the old Roman town lie beneath Gloucester's main streets - Southgate, Northgate, Eastgate and Westgate. Visible remains from the Roman period can be seen in the City Museum.

Gloucester prospered and thrived throughout the centuries but it's abiding triumph is a legacy from the Norman period, it's inspiring and lofty Cathedral. Historically, the Abbey of St.Peter, Gloucester was founded before the Norman Conquest, however, as with many other English abbeys, was reformed soon after the arrival of the Normans. Serlo, was the first Norman abbot and it is he that began the existing building in 1089 when the main work was completed in time for the consecration of 1128. The east end of the Cathedral was remodelled by skilled London masons after Edward II was buried there. The Cathedral has an impressive nave lined with piers supports Romanesque, triforium and clerestory. The trancepts and choir are among the earliest examples of Perpendicular style. The memorial window to the dead of the Battle of Crecy in 1346, is the largest stained glass window in England and depicts the Coronation of the Virgin. Measuring 72ft x 38ft this window is one of the glories of this great Cathedral. The cloisters of the Cathedral date 14th-century and show the earliest surviving fan vaulting. In the south walk, carrels-miniture studies, used by monks for reading and working. Rising majestically to form a landmark above the city is the magnificent pinnacled Cathedral tower, an addition of the 15th-century. The bell tower houses the heaviest medieval bell in England. This great Cathedral is a glorious historical treasure chest. A place of elaborate beauty, the Cathedral has a magical atmosphere and is a constant source of fascination and amazement. Interestingly, most latterly the Cathedral was used for scene's shot for the Harry Potter film.

This is a City that has a great deal to offer, it has beautiful old buildings, attractive gardens and parks and miles of lovely waterways. Gloucester Docks have been mostly refurbished and the buildings are a joy. The docks and waterways are thronged with gaily coloured craft, a trip on the river is not to be missed - it will be a source of constant delight.

Historic buildings to see include; Bishop Hooper's Lodging, The Guildhall, Blackfriars, House of the Tailor of Gloucester, the National Waterways museum and the antique centre is housed in a converted 19th-century warehouse in the docks area.

The City is surrounded by fine Gloucestershire countryside, mostly agricultural interspered with lovely old villages, showing glowing Cotswold stone properties and some, belonging to an earlier period, have magnificent half-timbered black and white houses and cottages. There are many splendid churches to be seen including the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey and there are the famous 'wool' churches of the many prosperous Cotswold villages scattered throughout Gloucestershire. Other historic buildings include - Ashleworth Manor and Tithe Barn, Berkeley Castle, Frampton Court, Llanthony Priory, St.Briavels Castle, The Forest of Dean Railway and the Heritage Centre at Wooton-under-Edge, to name but a few. There are several Wildlife and Waterfowl sancturies in Gloucestershire as well as fields full of Hops, and Orchards bright with rosy red apples, ripe pears and golden plumbs. The City offers a wide cultural experience and there are plenty of pleasant inns and public houses both in the City centre and surrounding towns and villages. This is a place to be enjoyed and from which you will take many memories.


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 Gloucester

Gloucester Cathedral(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)Pictures
Gloucester Docks(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)Pictures
Robinswood Hill Country Park(2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction S)Pictures
Painswick Rococo Gardens(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction S)Pictures
Crickley Hill Country Park(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction E)Pictures
Holst Birthplace Museum(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction E)Pictures
Pittville Pump Room(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction NE)Pictures
Westbury Court Garden(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction W)Pictures
Frampton Manor(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction SW)Pictures
Frampton Court(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction SW)Pictures
Tewkesbury Abbey(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction N)Pictures
Old Baptist chapel(9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction N)Pictures
Flaxley Abbey(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction W)Pictures
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction SW)Pictures
Littledean Hall(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction W)Pictures

All attractions in Gloucester
All attractions in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Gloucester

Ashleworth, a Picturesque Village in the county of Gloucestershire (4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction N)
This is a lovely pastoral village set beside the west bank of the River Severn, in the middle of a typical rural Gloucestershire landscape.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Birdlip, in the county of Gloucestershire (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction SE)
The winding drive up the steeply rising hill to the ancient village of Birdlip provides magnificent views all around
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Deerhurst, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction N)
Deerhurst is a spacious small village set amid the rich pasturelands of the glorious Gloucestershire countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cheltenham, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.2 miles, 11.7 km, direction E)
Cheltenham, the very mention of this grand old town conjurs up not only images of gracious georgian houses but also of superb...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Frampton on Severn, a Picturesque Village in the county of Gloucestershire (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction SW)
An ancient interesting village with a village green surrounded by beautiful half timbered properties
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bisley, in the county of Gloucestershire (9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction SE)
The village of Bisley is all charm. It has an excellent collection of very fine buildings as well as some interesting local folklore.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tewkesbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction N)
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

Eastcombe, in the county of Gloucestershire (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction S)
Eastcombe is a beautiful hilltop village nestling in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Aston Ingham, in the county of Herefordshire (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction W)
This is a serene pastoral village set in the rolling agricultural landscape of the valley of the River Wye.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Duntisbourne Abbots, in the county of Gloucestershire (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cleeve Hill, in the county of Gloucestershire (10.6 miles, 17.0 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

Slimbridge, in the county of Gloucestershire (11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction SW)
A visit to Slimbridge in the county of Gloucestershire not only offers the opportunity to explore a wealth of wildlife habitation, but the chance to savour some of the loveliest scenery in the Shire.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Nailsworth, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction S)
Nailsworth is a handsome town that has a history stretching back to beyond Roman times.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bredon, in the county of Worcestershire (12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction NE)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Winchcombe, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction NE)
To experience the quintessentially English town of Winchcome, is to part-take of a miscellany of pure delights.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Gloucestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Gloucester Station(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
M5 Junction 11A(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 11(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NE)
Cheltenham Spa Station(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)
Bristol International Airport(39.2 miles, 63.0 km, direction SW)
Birmingham International Airport(45.9 miles, 73.8 km, direction NE)
Gloucester to London(94.0 miles, 151.2 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Gloucester

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Gloucester center
Station Hotel(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Edward Hotel(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
The New Inn(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
New County Hotel(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Holiday Inn Gloucester / Cheltenham(1.7 miles, 2.8 km, direction E)
Ramada Hotel & Resort Gloucester(2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction S)
Hatherley Manor Hotel(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction NE)
Ramada Bowden Hall Gloucester(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SE)
Hatton Court Hotel(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction S)
Express By Holiday Inn Gloucester South(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction S)
All hotels in Gloucester

User Login

C.S.Lewis

UK Hotel Search

*Stay in London from just £13 per night!!*

Enter destination:

(town, attraction, airport, postcode or hotel name)
Select date:
Nights:
Rooms:

Picture Tours

More