What's on inGloucestershire

One of the more laid back English counties, old Gloucestershire has a particularly English charm, seemingly unworried about marketing its features in the same way that its neighbor, the Cotswolds, does so well. A county of rustic stone villages, elegant Regency architecture and gothic cathedrals, as well as the obligatory landscape of rolling pastures, forests and walking trails, Gloucestershire would seem to have it all.

That includes a fascinating history; Gloucester and Cirencester were important roman cities and were at the epicenter of the Roman roads networks which had a huge impact on the layout of the whole United Kingdom. As such there a number of fascinating Roman sites worth a visit (such as Chedworth Roman Villa) in both cities and throughout the county.

The region also became a part of Mercia, the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom and then later, in the Middle Ages became a hub for the wool trade. As such there are hundreds of impressive historic sites across the county, from the historic houses and castles such as Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, Berkeley Castle, Snowhill Manor, or Rodmarton Manor. Other highlights include the Tudor country house of Thornbury Castle, the 15th century Southam de la Bere mansion and the magnificent mansion and estate of the Beauforts in Great Badminton.

Also essential to visit are the Pittville Pump Room in the Regency Spa Town of Cheltenham, the spectacular abbey in Tewkesbury, the church in Circencester and the cathedral of Gloucester. Others come for the Cheltenham Races, or to stroll around the gorgeous waterways and the National Waterways Museum in the historic Gloucester Docks. Lastly, there are the scenic wonders of the countryside with the tiny stone villages, green fields and the beeches and oaks of the Forest and Dean. A charming county.