Cheltenham - town in Gloucestershire, England

Cheltenham GCHQ doughnut Cheltenham is an historic spa town in England, which started its development in the early 1700s with the discovery of healing waters. It became very popular after the visit of King George III in 1788, and developed further. You cannot take the waters in Cheltenham, but you can visit the Pump Room to get a feeling for the ambience.

Understand

Cheltenham is now probably most famous for the Gold Cup horse race which takes place in mid-March every year. You'll need to book early to find a room, possibly as early as the previous year. Many people accept rooms anywhere within about a radius.

It's also famous for housing the top secret Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) responsible for signals intelligence (SIGINT) for UKUSA by Britain's best computer scientists and mathematicians, in its doughnut-shaped building (designed that way for security reasons).

Get in

By train

See also: Rail travel in Great Britain

Cheltenham Spa station, Queens Road, GL51 8NP, 51.897°, -2.1°. A little outside the metropolitan area and has frequent rail links to London Paddington, Bristol and the south and Birmingham and the north.

There's a regular bus service (D or E) to the town centre from Cheltenham Spa station:

Stagecoach (D or E): Hatherley → Warden Hill → Rail Station → Town Centre → Racecourse → Bishop's Cleeve → Woodmancote

There is an easy walk through Montpellier into the centre (15–20 minutes). An alternative off-road walking route is The Honeybourne Line but there have been muggings at night. It's too far to walk if mobility is an issue, so take a taxi.

By car

The M5 reaches Cheltenham from the north and south and the A40 from the East (from Oxford) is also a useful transport link. Parking is rarely a problem now in Cheltenham, but the one way systems can sometimes get a little confusing. With this in mind a good option would be to use the Park and Ride facility National Park and Ride Directory. If you're planning a day at the races, Cheltenham, has its own Racecourse Park and Ride facility

By bus

Inside of Gloucestershire

There are buses from Cirencester, Stroud and other local villages to Cheltenham once an hour.

Several bus services go to Cheltenham from Gloucester. The most direct, comfortable and convenient of these is the 94 (Stagecoach Gold) bus, which as of March 2018 now operates 24 hours a day (except on Sundays).

Less frequent bus services go to and from Tewkesbury, such as the 41 and 42.

Outside of Gloucestershire

Many national long-distance buses stop at the Royal Well bus station 📍 (behind The Promenade) including the Stagecoach S2 bus service and the National Express bus.

The S2 bus travels from Oxford to Cheltenham several times a day. A single ticket from Cheltenham to Oxford is usually £8.00, but day-return tickets are also available:

The National Express has connections to London Heathrow (and beyond). However it's not possible to buy a ticket at the station outside of office-hours, so buy online or by telephone.

By plane

Nearby Staverton hosts Gloucestershire Airport 📍 (IATA: GLO), which has regular flights to Jersey. There are also many private aircraft there, which can be chartered.

Birmingham Airport (IATA: BHX) and Bristol Airport (IATA: BRS) are each only a couple of hours ' drive (north and south respectively) and offer a wide range of destinations inside and outside of Europe.

It can take several hours to drive to the London airports (Heathrow (IATA: LHR), Gatwick (IATA: LGW), Luton (IATA: LTN) and Stansted (IATA: STN)).

Get around

By car

Cheltenham is relatively easy to get around by car. Tourists should be aware of the one-way system when driving in the town centre, although there are plans to possibly alter this under the Cheltenham Transport Plan.

Most parking in the town is paid and is run by NCP or the town council.

  • St George's Road car park, St George's Rd, GL50 3DT. M-Sa: 8AM-8PM including bank/public holidays, Su: 10AM-8PM. Up to 1 hour: £1.40, Up to 2 hours: £2.60, Up to 3 hours: £3.60, Up to 4 hours: £4, Up to 6 hours: £7.50, More than 6 hours: £10 2018-01-04
  • Portland Gate car park, Portland Gates, GL50 4DW. 24 hours. Up to 1 hour: £1.50, Up to 2 hours: £2.50, Up to 3 hours: £3.50, Up to 4 hours: £4.50, Up to 6 hours: £7.50, Up to 24 hours: £10.50 2018-01-05

By taxi

Taxis are fairly reliable. If you flag a taxi down or get one from the taxi rank you will be charged from the meter, whereas if you book with a taxi company you will be charged considerably less. Most locals use taxis at night as far as the surrounding villages as night-buses are few (apart from a regular link to Gloucester). At night, taxis wait along The Promenade (it can be very busy at pub-closing times). Uber "Local Cab" is available.

By bus

The main bus company is Stagecoach which operates a number of buses around the town, mainly on routes with letters rather than numbers.

The D bus goes from the station through the town centre to the racecourse and on to Bishop's Cleeve. A single from the town centre to the station costs £2.30, and a day ticket for all the Stagecoach services within Cheltenham (Dayrider) costs £4.00.

The Honeybourne Line. The Honeybourne Line is a walking and cycling path that runs from Cheltenham railway station and Queens Road to Tommy Taylors Lane, Pittville Park and Wymans Brook as well as branching off towards the town centre following the river Chelt. It's an ideal way to walk or ride between the town centre and the railway station avoiding main roads. When heading into town (walking away from the train station) use the right hand side tunnel to head for the town centre or use the left hand side tunnel to head to the racecourse. 2021-10-27

See

The Promenade, Cheltenham

  • Promenade, 51.89840°, -2.07799°. The broad, tree-lined Promenade and its continuation into Montpellier Walk (look for the caryatids) and Montpellier Street, the town's smart shopping streets (the chain stores are mercifully elsewhere, in the High Street). Look out for the Neptune Fountain at the south end of the gardens in front of the council offices.
  • Imperial Gardens, 51.89662°, -2.07880°. Colourful display of summer flowers.
  • Pittville Park, 51.91026°, -2.06775°. Laid out in the early 19th century as the centre of the then-new residential area of Pittville. The park is arranged round an artificial lake, with Pittville Pump Room on the hillside at the north-western edge. The Pump Room is open for free visits to see the fine interior and water tasting when it is not being used for events or weddings.
  • Cleeve Hill, 51.93633°, -2.01977°. The highest point of the Cotswolds hill range and in the county of Gloucestershire, at 1,083 feet (330 m). It commands a clear view to the west, over Cheltenham and the racecourse, over the River Severn and into Wales; and to the north over Winchcombe.
  • The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence St, GL50 3JT, 51.901322°, -2.077854°, +44 1242 237431. The museum re-opened in 2013 after a £6.3-million project to expand the building including additional galleries, a performance space, larger cafe and shop and a new home for the Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre. The collection of furniture and other pieces by Cotswold-based Arts and Crafts Movement craftsmen such as Ernest Gimson and Edward Barnsley is particularly good. Free 2017-11-06
  • Holst Birthplace Museum, 4 Clarence Rd, GL52 2AY, 51.90399°, -2.07048°. The Regency terrace house where Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets was born in 1874. Interesting both for the building and for the musical history. £4.50
  • Crickley Hill and Barrow Wake, 51.84514°, -2.10490°. The country park is a site of nature conservation, geological & archaeological interest.
  • Leckhampton Hill, 51.86459°, -2.07513°. A site of Iron Age hill fort and long barrow and famous for its old limestone quarries. One particularly striking feature on the hill is the Devil's Chimney, a substantial pillar of stone left standing next to one of the upper inclines.
  • St. Mary's Church, Clarence St, GL50 3PL, 51.90141°, -2.07649°, +44 1242 519520. Visit M-F 11AM-3PM; Sa 10AM-noon; Service Su 11AM. Dating to medieval times, it has been in continuous use for 850 years. In 2013 it became Cheltenham Minster.

Further afield

Do

Pittvile Pump Room

  • Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, GL52 3JE (10-min walk north of High St), 51.91210°, -2.06730°. Test the waters (and go to concerts) at the Pittville Pump Room.
  • Go to the races at Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Rd GL50 4SH (A mile north of town on A435), 51.9203°, -2.05778°, +44 1242 513014. But only in winter, as (unusually) it's only a jumps-racing course, with frequent fixtures Oct-March. The big event is Cheltenham Gold Cup, held mid-March. 2019-01-19
  • Cheltenham Town FC, Whaddon Rd, GL52 5NA (a mile northeast of town centre), 51.906158°, -2.060211°. They were promoted in 2021 and now play soccer in League One, the game's third tier. Their home ground is Whaddon Road (sponsored as Jonny-Rocks Stadium), capacity 7000. 2021-06-23
  • Swim at Sandford Parks Lido, 51.89363°, -2.07018°. May - Oct, hours vary. The Lido has a 50-m outdoor, main pool (with reserved lanes), a children's outdoor pool, and paddling pool. All the pools are heated to over 70°F (21°C). Café with value hot food. 2017-09-13
  • Cineworld Cinema, The Brewery, St Margaret's Road, GL50 4EF (Just off the High St, behind Tesco), 51.90307°, -2.07607°, +44 871 220 8000 (premium rate from mobiles and many non-BT landlines). The new cinema that put the Odeon out of business. Decent screens, decent sound, comfy seats, expensive popcorn.
  • The Screening Rooms, The Brewery, St Margaret's Road, GL50 4EF, 51.90307°, -2.07607°. Situated next to Cineworld, the Screening Rooms offers larger seating, waiter service and a "no kids after 8PM" policy. It's certainly the best way to watch a film but more expensive than Cineworld. Save money by going during the week and during the day and booking online. £££ 2015-03-29

Events

Cheltenham is known for its events. The Cheltenham Gold Cup and Cheltenham Literature festival are internationally recognised and draw thousands of people each year.

Theatre

The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham has several theatres which host a variety of productions.

Learn

Buy

The Wishing Fish Clock in the Regent Shopping Arcade. At 45 ft (13.7 m), it's thought to be the world's tallest mechanical clock.

Cheltenham is a popular shopping destination in the region. Both Promenade street in the centre and Montpellier have many high end shops; including the House of Fraser department store. The High Street and Lower High Street are where you find all the usual chain-stores. There is also the Regent Arcade shopping centre.

Outside of the town centre itself consists several retail parks with free parking that should fulfil most of a shopper's needs.

  • Gallagher Retail Park, Tewkesbury Road, GL51 9RR, 51.917876°, -2.104633°, +44 8081 565533. Retail park consisting primarily of large Sainsbury's supermarket with gas station, Argos and a café, Next and Sports Direct for clothes shopping and Boots for pharmaceuticals or toiletries. Along with Costa Coffee and Subway. 2021-01-05
  • Kingsditch Retail Park, Kingsditch Ln, GL51 9PX, 51.914335°, -2.098646°. Retail park consisting primarily of a Marks & Spencer: Simply Food and Home stores. There are also McDonald's and KFC restaurants nearby. 2021-01-05
  • Gateway Retail Park, 51.914042°, -2.100533°. Retail park with a Currys/PC World and Smyth's for electronics and toys respectively. There is also a small store called Hillary's that does blinds and shutters. 2021-01-05

If you are travelling into or out from Cheltenham on the A40, it's worth taking a look at the Dunkerton's cider shop near Charlton Kings. It is the latest business venture of Julian Dunkerton, founder of Superdry. If cider isn't your fancy, there is also the Battledown Brewery and Sibling Distillery nearby.

Eat

Budget

  • Pittville Gates, Prestbury Road. Old historical gates located on the edge of Pittville Park with a row of popular fast-food rather than one single restaurant. Very handy for walking back to the town from the racecourse. Pizza, kebab, burgers, Chinese, Indian and British all available. 2023-02-19
  • The Moon Under Water, 16-28 Bath Rd, GL53 7HA, 51.89740°, -2.07235°, +44 1242 583945. Large Wetherspoon's pub with reasonable food for around £7. This is a large and characterless place, but it does have a nice outdoor area at the rear overlooking Sandford Park.
  • The Bank House, 15-21 Clarence St, GL50 3JL, 51.90094°, -2.07590°, +44 1242 240940. Another Wetherspoon's pub more centrally situated.
  • Simpson's Fish & Chips, 75 Priors Rd, GL52 5AL, 51.903195°, -2.04999°, +44 1242 521964. Winner of the UK's Number 1 Fish & Chip Takeaway 2016 award. 2017-12-06

Mid-range

Splurge

  • Le Champignon Sauvage, 24-28 Suffolk Rd, GL50 2AQ, 51.891°, -2.08°, +44 1242 573449. Be punctual. Entry Tu-Sa 12:30PM-1:15PM (last order: 1:30PM) & 7:30PM-8:30PM (last order: 8:45PM). Cheltenham's only Michelin starred restaurant (two stars); 4 AA rosettes; Good Food Guide, 2014 Chef of the Year (David Everitt-Matthias) & Decanter Restaurant of the Year. You are not to use your mobile phone in the dining room and gentlemen are to sit down when they use the lavatory. À la carte lunch or dinner 2 courses: £48, 3 courses: £59, four courses (with cheese and dessert): £69. Set dinner menu: Tu-F two courses £26, 3 courses £32
  • Lumière, Clarence Parade, GL50 3PA, 51.900381°, -2.077282°, +44 1242 222200, info@lumiere.cc. Has a good reputation. 2016-10-28
  • The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie (The Ivy), Rotunda Terrace, Montpellier St, GL50 1SH (nearest station is Cheltenham Spa), +44 1242 894 200. 11:30AM-11PM. 2021-10-27

Drink

The only large nightclubs in town are V (formerly Moda) and Moomoo (formerly Blush), nothing unique but both enjoyable. Popular mainly with students.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe

Cheltenham is mostly a safe town. The so-called "bad areas" though are Hester's Way to the west of the town centre and Whaddon to the north-east.

Connect

As of May 2022, Cheltenham has 4G with EE and Vodafone, and 5G with O2 and Three.

Go next

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

Cheltenham

cheltenham.gov.uk
Date Time:Please wait...Timezone:Europe/LondonPopulation:116,447Coordinates:51.90, -2.08

Gloucestershire

2nd-order administrative division

England

Primary administrative division

United Kingdom

gov.uk
Population:66.5 MDial code:+44Currency:Pound (GBP)Voltage:230 V, 50 Hz