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How
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| Gloucester,
M5 Junctions 11-12, from Cheltenham
A40 west |
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Gloucestershire
Features
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Gloucestershire
Guides & Maps
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 Gloucester
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Originally
known as 'Glevum', the city of Gloucester was established
as a garrison by the Romans to guard the lowest crossing point
of the River Severn.
After
the Roman city was abandoned it was revitalised as an important
Saxon royal burg or fortified town. The Norman kings often
made Gloucester their residence and it was here that William
the Conqueror decided to carry out the Doomsday survey. William
also ordered the construction of a new abbey church at Gloucester's
Benedictine monastery.
St
Peter's Abbey became an important place of pilgrimage after
the murdered King Edward II was buried here in 1327. A great
phase of building work in the 14th century produced the earliest
example of Perpendicular architecture in England.
In 1541,
following the Dissolution of the Monastries, the abbey church
was saved when King Henry VIII established it as a cathedral.
In the
Middle Ages Gloucester became a signficant inland port. Iron
ore was transported from the nearby Forest of Dean and the
port was vital to the city's medieval wool trade. owever,
its importance was undermined by the rapid growth of nearby
Bristol. To revive Gloucester's fortunes artifical docks,
and the Sharpness and Gloucester Canal linking them to the
mouth of the Severn, were opened in 1827.
No longer
used for shipping the Victorian
warehouses at Gloucester Dock mark Britain's most inland port.
Today, the 15 buildings house award-winning museums, specialist
shops, cafés, bars and restaurants and make a facinating day
out for all the family. Highlights include the National
Waterways Museum, Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, Antiques
Centre and Merchants Quay Shopping Centre. Guided walks
in the summer and boat trips from Easter to October.
Gloucester's
main thoroughfares still follow the old Roman roads and meet
at the Cross. The current street plan of the city is a direct
legacy of the Saxon occupation.
The chief
glory of Gloucester is its cathedral. The east window is the
largest medieval stained glass window in the world. The cloisters
of Gloucester Cathedral were used as locations are familar
to Harry Potter fans as parts of the films were shot here.
Two miles
north of the city at Twigworth is 'Nature in Art'. Housed
in a fine Georgian mansion, this is the first museum in the
world to be dedicated exclusively to artworks inspired by
nature.
South
of the city centre lies the 250 acre Robinswood Hill Country
Park.
Crowds
often gather south of Gloucester to watch the dramatic Severn
Bore. This surge wave, up to 2m in height, regularly forms
in the Severn Estuary and travels upstream in three or four
unbroken waves.
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| Location
Map of Gloucester |
What
To See -
Gloucester Tourist Attractions
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 East
Gate Viewing Chamber, Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1
1HP, this underground chamber reveals the remains of defences
and the Eastgate of the city since it was established as a Roman
fortress in around AD 68. The site includes Roman remains, the
base of a 13th century tower and the Tudor 'horse-pool' where
wagons and livestock were washed. Open: May- Sept: Sat only.
Tours starting from Gloucester City Museum & Art Gallery, Brunswick
Road Tel: 01452 396131 for times |
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| Gloucester
Antique Centre,1 Severn Road, Gloucester, GL1 2LE, follow
tourist signs from M5 to Historic Docks, with 5 floors, housing
over 140 dealers, an extensive collection of antiques and collectables.
Jewellery, porcelain, lamps, brassware, clocks, stamps, railwayana,
collectable toys, books and pictures. Browsing makes for a
full day's entertainment. Open: all year, Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00
Sun and Bank Holidays: 13:00-17:00 ( charge at weekends and
Bank Holidays ) |
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| Gloucester
City Museum and Art Gallery, Brunswick Road, Gloucester,
GL1 1HP, housed in a Victorian building in the heart of the
city, the museum has been collecting archaeological finds, fine
and decrative arts and natural history specimens since the 1860's.
Roman artifacts on display include the Rufus Sita tombstone,
the Birdlip Mirror and the world's oldest complete backgammon
set. Hands-on exhibits and interactive computer displays. Paintings
include works by Gainsborough and Turner. Exhibitions and events. Open:
all year, Tue-Sat: 10:00-17:00 Tel: 01452 396131 |
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| Gloucester
Folk Museum, 99 - 103 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1
2PG, dedicated to social history, the museum is housed in three
historic timber-framed buildings. Nos. 99 - 101 is a late-15th
century merchant's house and the arched oak beams of the original
shopfront can still be seen. Exhibits include Gloucester bank
notes, civil war relics and children's toys. Buildings house
a Dairy, Ironmonger’s shop and Wheelwright and Carpenter workshops. Exhibitions,
activities and demonstrations throughout the year.Garden and
courtyard. Open: Tue-Sat: 10:00 17:00 Tel: 01452 396868 |
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James City Farm, Albany Street, Tredworth, Gloucester,
GL1 4NG, at this inner city farm visitors can enjoy hands on
contact with farm animals such as pigs goats, sheep, rabbits,
ducks and geese.Several rare breeds including the local Gloucester
Old Spot pigs and curly Cotswolds Lambs. Outdoor picnic area.
Open: Summer: daily Apr-Sept: 09:30-17:00, Winter: Oct-Mar Tue-Sun
10:00-16:00 Tel: 01452 305728 |
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Nature
in Art , Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, GL2 9PA, on the
A38, 2 miles north of Gloucester, opened in 1988, Nature in
Art was the first museum dedicated exclusively to fine, decorative
and applied art inspired by nature. Temporary exhibitons, artists
in residence, art courses and events. The museum is housed in
Wallsworth Hall, a Georgian mansion. Open: Tue-Sun and Bank
Holiday Mon, 10:00-17:00. - Closed 24-26 Dec Tel: 0845 450 0233
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| Robinswood
Hill Country Park , Gloucester, 2 miles south of city
centre, off A4173, 250 acre country park with walks with views
of the city and surrounding countryside. Nature, geology and
horse trails and a guided walk programme. Rare Breeds farm.
The Gloucester Wildlife Trust has a visitor centre in the park
with an exhibition and shop ( 09:00-17:00 Tel: 01452 38333 )
Open :daily all year. Closes at dusk. |
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Westbury
Court Garden,
at Westbury-on-Severn, GL14 1PD, 9 miles south-west of Gloucester
on A48 , the water garden at Westbury Court was created between
1697 and 1705 - the layout is still as it was originally planned.
. A programme of renovation by the National Trust has restored
the garden .
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Where
To Stay in Gloucester
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Crest Way, Barnwood Gloucester GL4 3RX
MAP
Situated just off the M5, this contemporary hotel offers modern accommodation and an extensive range of leisure and business facilities.
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Shurdington Road Brockworth Gloucester GL3 4PB
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In a spectacular setting at the foot of the Cotswold Hills, close to junction 11A of the M5, this hotel is also ideally situated for visitors to Cheltenham and Gloucester. Just 1.
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44 Southgate Street Gloucester GL1 2DR
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Located in Gloucester’s city centre, the New County Hotel offers free Wi-Fi and has an on-site contemporary bar and restaurant. Gloucester Cathedral and its impressive stained-glass windows are just 300 metres away.
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Guest
Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels
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Barbers Bridge, Rudford Gloucester GL2 8DX
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Over 400 years old, this listed barn had been carefully restored to offer modern facilities whilst retaining the charm of yesteryear.
More Information...
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Gloucester Road Hartpury Gloucester GL19 3BT
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Accommodation at Watersmeet has recently been refurbished. Three stock ponds are now providing an abundance of home-reared fish which are being stocked annually.
More Information...
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Sawmills End Corinium Avenue Gloucester GL4 3DG
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Just a 5-minute drive from the M5 motorway and newly built in 2010, The Ibis Gloucester offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Gloucester.
More Information...
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Gloucester GL1 2LE Tel: 01244 357717
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This delightfully welcoming holiday property offers cosy accommodation including three bedrooms, a bathroom with an attractive roll top bath, two sitting rooms with open fires, original wooden floors, and a dining room that overlooks the River Severn....
Sleeps up to 6 in 3 bedrooms
. Pets allowed. Changeover Day: Sat Price Guide: 350.00-800.00
Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
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Brimpsfield near Gloucester GL4 8LL Tel: 01244 357717
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The Leverets is a quality stylish ground floor barn conversion, on a smallholding in Gloucestershire, in an area full of lovely countryside and pleasant walking....
Sleeps up to 6 in 2 bedrooms
. Changeover Day: Fri Price Guide: 148.00-525.00
Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
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Cranham near Gloucester GL4 8HF Tel: 01244 357717
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Broadridge Mews is a lovingly converted first floor mews property in the grounds of the owners’ home near the village of Cranham, just five miles from Gloucester....
Sleeps up to 4 in 1 bedrooms
. Pets allowed. Changeover Day: Fri Price Guide: 197.00-434.00
Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
More Information |
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Days Out in and around Gloucester
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Towns near Gloucester To Visit - straight line distance:
Painswick Tourist Information (5.98 miles) Cheltenham Tourist Information (7.68 miles) Stroud Tourist Information (8.49 miles) Tewkesbury Tourist Information (9.52 miles) |
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Information
Centre
. 28 Southgate Street
Gloucester
GL1 2DP
Tel: 01452 396572 |
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