Visitors guide to Cheltenham

Whether you're visiting Cheltenham for a weekend break or week-long holiday, make the most of the Regency town with SoGlos.com's definitive guide to where to stay, eat, shop and much more.

Introduction to Cheltenham

Cheltenham is a beautiful Regency town situated in the English county of Gloucestershire, with a 300-year history as a destination for tourists from across the UK and beyond – thanks, in no small part, to the discovery of a natural mineral spring back in 1716.

King George III visited Cheltenham in 1788 to ‘take the waters’, paving the way for its transformation into a fashionable leisure resort, and today Cheltenham has become known as a hub of excellent accommodation, fine food and upmarket shopping – not to mention the home of National Hunt horse racing.

Whether you’re a couple taking a romantic weekend break or a family planning a fun-filled holiday, make the most of your time with SoGlos.com’s definite visitors guide to Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Hotspots - Welcome to Cheltenham from Escargo Marketing Ltd on Vimeo.

Where to stay in Cheltenham

A visitor’s dream, most of Cheltenham’s popular accommodation venues are situated within easy walking distance of the town centre. Many include excellent bars and restaurants, they come in all shapes and sizes and there are plenty of luxurious choices – plus a few more budget options too.

See SoGlos.com’s dedicated venue listings for Cheltenham hotels and Cheltenham bed and breakfasts. And don’t miss SoGlos.com’s Gloucestershire hotel reviews for a critic’s insight into Cheltenham accommodation.

Cheltenham Hotspots - Staying in Cheltenham from Escargo Marketing Ltd on Vimeo.

Things to do in Cheltenham

Whether on a day trip, weekend break or week-long holiday in Cheltenham, you won’t run out of things to see and do.

Open throughout the year, check out SoGlos.com’s dedicated venue listings for Cheltenham attractions, Cheltenham days out, Cheltenham museums, Cheltenham art galleries, Cheltenham theatres and Cheltenham live music.

Eating out in Cheltenham

A gastronomic hot bed, Cheltenham includes a plethora of fine dining, bustling bistro and relaxed gastropub eating out establishments – spanning cuisines from around the globe.

The most notable is the two Michelin Star Le Champignon Sauvage Restaurant – attracting foodies from around the world thanks to its reputed French cuisine, run by chef David Everitt-Matthias and his wife Helen since 1987.

Cheltenham Hotspots - Eating Out in Cheltenham from Escargo Marketing Ltd on Vimeo.

See SoGlos.com’s dedicated venue listings for Cheltenham restaurants, as well as the more specific Cheltenham British restaurants, Cheltenham French restaurants and Cheltenham Indian restaurants categories – plus the Cheltenham gastropubs venue category. For a critic’s guide, see SoGlos.com’s Gloucestershire restaurant reviews.

Shopping in Cheltenham

Cheltenham enjoys an excellent reputation as a hotspot for fashion and style, playing home to independent boutiques and international design houses alike. The town’s must-visit shopping area is the tree-lined Promenade, while Montpellier and the bustling High Street should also be included in any sprees of retail therapy.

Cheltenham Hotspots - Shopping in Cheltenham from Escargo Marketing Ltd on Vimeo.

Notable shopping arcades and centres, meanwhile, include Regency Arcade and Beechwood Arcade on the High Street, plus The Brewery with its range of shops, restaurants, bars and a cinema – proving popular as a destination.

Events in Cheltenham

Dubbed the festival capital of Britain, Cheltenham enjoys an enviable reputation for its varied line-up of annual events which take place through the year.

Some of SoGlos.com’s favourite Cheltenham calendar highlights include:

Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup in March
Cheltenham Jazz Festival in April/May
La Vie en Bleu in May
Cheltenham Science Festival in June
Cheltenham Music Festival in July
Cheltenham Cricket Festival in July/August
Greenbelt Festival in August
Cheltenham Literature Festival in October

See SoGlos.com’s dedicated Cheltenham events calendar for the most up-to-date guide to what’s on, and don’t miss the Gloucestershire festivals guide and Gloucestershire wacky events guide.

Sport in Cheltenham

No guide to the area would be complete without including Cheltenham Racecourse – famous the world over as the home of National Hunt racing – situated just beyond Pittville Park and overlooked by Cleeve Hill. Popular annual fixtures include Cheltenham Festival Trials Day, Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup, The Showcase and The Open – with a day at the races promising a thrilling day out, and the chance to try your luck betting on the gee gees.

Cheltenham Hotspots - Cheltenham Racecourse & Festivals from Escargo Marketing Ltd on Vimeo.

Cheltenham also plays host to another world-famous sporting spectacle in the form of the annual Cheltenham Cricket Festival – the longest running event of its kind in the world – held in the grounds of the prestigious Cheltenham College. While Cheltenham Town FC’s Abbey Business Stadium hosts The Robins’ home matches throughout the season.

For everything from clay shooting and hot air ballooning to flying aeroplanes and helicopters, see SoGlos.com’s dedicated Cheltenham sport and outdoor venue listings.

Getting around Cheltenham

The easiest and most cost-effective means of getting around Cheltenham is on foot – with most of the town’s accommodation, restaurants, shops, museums and more being centrally located. When visiting places of interest outside the town centre, check local bus timetables before considering hiring a car.

Cheltenham’s main bus station is situated in the town centre, while the main railway station is a 20-minute walk or five-minute taxi ride away. If you do use a car, there are plenty of well-signposted car parks in and around the town, but be warned the one-way system can be taxing.

Map of Cheltenham

See SoGlos.com’s Google-powered Gloucestershire Interactive Map to explore Cheltenham in amazing detail – including everything from accommodation and restaurants to attractions, museums, gardens and much more.

Sponsored by Escargo Marketing

SoGlos.com’s visitors guide to Cheltenham is proudly sponsored by local company Escargo Marketing, responsible for produced the stunning selection of ‘Cheltenham Hotspots’ videos showcased on this page. For more information email info@escargomarketing.co.uk.

SoGlos.com
30 January 2011