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Top Things to Do in Gloucestershire, England - Gloucestershire Must-See Attractions

Things to do in gloucestershire, explore popular experiences, popular cities in gloucestershire.

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• Symonds Yat Rock
• St Mary's Church
• Wye Valley and Forest of Dean
• Clearwell Caves
• The Forest of Dean
• Westbury Court Gardens
• Cotswolds Day Tour From Stratford Upon Avon Moreton In Marsh
• Cotswolds Summer Adventurer Tour
• Private Day Tour from Bath to Wonderful Wales with Pickup
• Briery Hill Llamas
• Hopewell Colliery
• Aerospace Bristol
• Chedworth Roman Villa

Places to visit in Gloucestershire

Elegant spa and market towns and stately homes presiding over rolling, green landscapes. Welcome to Gloucestershire. Trek between the honey-hued clusters that make up the picture-perfect Cotswold villages or cycle off the beaten track through oaks and beeches in the huge Forest of Dean – brake for wild boar and roe deer! An ever popular family day out, Gloucestershire towns will give you glimpses of regency high life and medieval market squares. This west county's lively sporting calendar is packed with high-end horse races, county cricket and even annual Double Gloucester cheese rolling. There’s never a shortage of attractions in Gloucestershire.

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A weekend in Gloucestershire

From Double Gloucester to Harry Potter.

Location: Gloucestershire

Heart-pumping mountain biking in the Forest of Dean

Feel the adrenaline flow through you as you experience downhill mountain bike tracks in the Forest of Dean.

Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Try a canoeing adventure along the River Wye

Become one with the water as you canoe through the rapid waters of the River Wye.

Discover a vibrant arts scene within the Forest of Dean

Discover a cultural scene that really breathes life in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Uncover the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

For lovers of the great outdoors, the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst showcases giant pieces created from materials you might find in the Forest.

Visit the home of the Dymock Poets in the Forest of Dean

In the quiet village of Dymock, literacy history was being made by six of the finest poets of the early 20th century.

Spot Poldark at Chavenage House

Come and see 'Trenwith', the Poldark family home, actually 'played' by Chavenage House in Tetbury and you may spot Aiden Turner as Ross Poldark!

Location: Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Explore the resting place of the last of Henry VIII’s six wives

Sudeley Castle’s magnificent gardens are world-renowned, providing variety and colour from spring through to autumn and the grounds are the final resting place of Katherine Parr.

Location: Winchcombe, Gloucestershire

Explore the Regency spa town of Cheltenham

This pretty spa town in Gloucestershire is the perfect place to explore and base yourself for a Cotswold sojourn.

Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Explore the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

Combine art and the great outdoors as you follow a charming sculpture trail through woodlands in Gloucestershire.

Discover Laurie Lee Country

Take inspiration from the BBC adaptation of the classic novel ‘Cider with Rosie’ and follow in the footsteps of author Laurie Lee through the Slad Valley.

Location: Slad village near Stroud, Gloucestershire

Slow things down in Hidcote Manor Gardens

Forget about the outside world for a few hours in this perfect spot of Gloucestershire.

Location: Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

Experience rock climbing in the picturesque Wye Valley

The spectacular Wye Valley cliffs offer a unique and beautiful playground for what is now one of the UK's largest participation sports.

Walk in the footsteps of Romans at Chedworth Roman Villa

Discover 4th-century Roman England at Chedworth.

Location: Fossebridge, Gloucestershire

Don’t be afraid to make a splash at Cotswold Water Park

Cotswold Water Park has more than 150 lakes to choose from – offering all kinds of watersports. Take your pick!

Location: The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

Go shopping for retro clothes on a Cotswolds vintage tour

Visit the Cotswolds and discover vintage treasures on a carefully designed retro-themed driving tour.

Location: Tewkesbury or Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

Get to the heart of the crafty Cotswolds

Allow yourself to be dazzled – and perhaps, learn to dazzle yourself – at a place where art comes to life.

Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Spoil yourself with a bit of luxury at Ellenborough Park

Indulge in classically beautiful surroundings and enjoy a hotel that strives for excellence.

Seek out wild garlic flowers amongst Gloucestershire’s woodland

Wild garlic flowers are pretty little things to spot on a summer’s ramble in the Cotswolds, and make for a delicious addition to your salad bowl.

Indulge with the Cotswolds' Pudding Club

Join a foodie revolution where pudding is king in the Cotswolds.

Location: Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire

Explore the rooms and grounds of Snowshill Manor

From suits of Samurai armour to antique bicycles of all shapes and sizes, there are about 22,000 reasons to take a nose round Snowshill Manor.

Location: Snowshill, Gloucestershire

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A skyline of dreaming spires, domed theatres and college gargoyles. Oxford inspires. Pack up picnics for pauses in deer parks, meadow flood plains and exotic botanic gardens in this central-southern city.

Visit Bristol, Banksy’s town and experience a wide range of attractions for all the family. From stunning bridges to modern museums, this South West city has something for everyone.

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There is a plethora of amazing days out in Gloucestershire - from wildlife parks to historic castles, there are many wonderful days out in Gloucestershire to enjoy!

Take a look at our Great Days Out in Gloucestershire Guide - we're sure you'll find exciting things to do in Gloucestershire for the family, things to do in Gloucester, planning a group visit to the Cotswolds or school trips for exciting adventure activities in the Forest of Dean.

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From butterflies to birds and anteaters to giraffes, Gloucestershire has an abundance of great animal and wildlife park visitor attractions.

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Ashleworth Tithe Barn

Bredon barn, chastleton house, chedworth roman villa, crickley hill, dyrham park, hailes abbey, horton court, lodge park and sherborne estate, minchinhampton and rodborough commons, things to do around gloucestershire.

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Gloucestershire

Things to do in gloucestershire, explore popular experiences, popular cities in gloucestershire.

Tours & Sightseeing

Top Attractions in Gloucestershire

Cultural & Theme Tours

Private & Custom Tours

Multi-day Tours

Likely to sell out.

Outdoor Activities

What travellers are saying.

• Symonds Yat Rock
• St Mary's Church
• Wye Valley and Forest of Dean
• Clearwell Caves
• The Forest of Dean
• Westbury Court Gardens
• Cotswolds Day Tour From Stratford Upon Avon Moreton In Marsh
• Cotswolds Summer Adventurer Tour
• Private Day Tour from Bath to Wonderful Wales with Pickup
• Briery Hill Llamas
• Hopewell Colliery
• Aerospace Bristol
• Chedworth Roman Villa

Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Things to Do in Stroud (Gloucestershire, England)

15 Best Things to Do in Stroud (Gloucestershire, England)

Five different valleys converge at the town of Stroud in the southwest Cotswolds.

For hundreds of years the fast-flowing rivers and plentiful sheep in these valleys helped drive a lucrative textile industry.

There used to be around 150 textile mills here, producing fabrics like Stroudwater Scarlet, which was used for British Army uniforms.

Snooker table felt and the coating for Wimbledon’s tennis balls are still manufactured locally.

Although most of the mill buildings survive, the woollen trade has now departed and communities of artists have taken its place.

One renowned resident from the art world was the modern sculptor Lynn Chadwick, whose estate at Lypiatt Park can be visited on Heritage Open Days.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Stroud :

1. Cotswolds and the Stroud Valleys

Stroud is on the southwest cusp of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The bucolic countryside in this region is as English as it gets, with rambling grassy hills and valleys sprinkled with houses built from the golden underlying limestone.

Around Stroud you can strike out into the Five Valleys – Cam, Slad, Painswick, Chalford and Nailsworth – on walks and bike rides, where you’ll encounter former mills and lovable villages that sprouted during the Industrial Revolution.

Chalford is a delight, with its labyrinth of steep lanes and townhouses built by rich clothiers in the 18th and 19th centuries.

2. Stratford Park

A refined Victorian landscape park, Stratford Park is a Green Flag winner in 56 acres on the north side of the town.

Up to 1935 this was a private estate, and the 17th-century mansion at its heart is now the first-rate Museum in the Park.

Below the mansion the park has a lake and miniature railway, while the collection of mature trees is one of the best in the region and features monkey puzzles, a cedar of Lebanon, Indian bean trees and western red cedars.

There are more than 800 trees in all, many planted when the parkland was laid out in the late 1890s.

As well as a well-appointed children’s area, the park has a public leisure centre with a 100-station gym, tennis courts and indoor and outdoor pools.

3. Museum in the Park

The beautiful 17th-century wool merchant’s house in Stratford Park has hosted Stroud’s town museum since 2001. With a modern extension and a neighbouring purpose-built art gallery, the museum has been planned to pique the interest of all-comers.

More than 4,000 objects are displayed, including dinosaur bones, a 17th-century doll, a Stroudwater scarlet uniform and some of the first lawnmowers ever manufactured.

Some other exciting pieces are a local inn sign from the 1700s, a Bronze Age bracelet, a Medieval axe head, a rare Baughan motorcycle from 1929, a 6th-century Saxon brooch and an 18th-century blunderbuss.

Standouts in the painting collection are landscapes depicting the Five Valleys and their mills in the Georgian and Victorian period.

4. Historical Trail

Information boards have been set up around Stroud’s historic centre, labelling buildings and recording some fascinating events that took place on these streets.

Easily downloaded, the trail is no more than a mile, so won’t take long, but has lots of riveting snippets.

A good starting point is St Laurence’s Churchyard.

In 1807 this was the scene of the Delmont Duel, the last duel to take place on British soil.

Fought by two army lieutenants, the duel resulted in the death of Joseph Francis Delmont, while the victor John Sargeaunt spent the rest of his life in exile in America.

The Old Town Hall (1570) and the neighbouring Shambles Market outdoor form a pretty scene in the oldest part of town.

Selling household items, fresh produce, cheese, specialty foods and collectibles, the market is in business in Fridays and Saturdays, 08:00 – 16:00.

5. Woodchester Park

Five miles southwest of Stroud is a sumptuous National Trust estate in the parkland of an unfinished Victorian mansion.

Woodchester Park was landscaped in a picturesque valley in the 18th and 19th century, and has acres of woodland to navigate, as well as ponds and little remnants from the estate like an ice house, cottages, gatehouse and boathouse.

There’s a 3.5-mile circular walk via the cute lakeside boathouse, while in the woods children can negotiate the play trail, equipped with stepping logs, wobble beams, climbing frames, balance bridges and rope swings.

6. Woodchester Mansion

The mansion at Woodchester Park (1870) demands closer inspection.

This Gothic Revival building was ordered by the ship-owner William Leigh and was constructed over 12 years until the workmen downed tools when Leigh died.

The building looks complete from the outside and is even decorated with gargoyles, but inside is missing floors, plaster and fittings.

After Leigh passed away his family abandoned the project, as the Gothic Revival design wasn’t to their taste, and the mansion’s position deep in the valley was expected to lead to problems with damp.

Close by are the remains of the stables that belonged to the house Leigh demolished to make way for his new home.

7. Stroud Farmers’ Market

Every Saturday from 09:00 to 14:00 the Cornhill Market Place and its intersecting streets are the setting for one of the UK’s top farmers’ markets.

Since it was launched the market has featured in national newspapers and won the FARMA Best Farmer’s Market in the UK award in 2013. Shop here for regional cheese, free range poultry, high-quality crafts, preserves, tea, artisan soaps, Cotswold wine, cakes, charcuterie, great vegetarian and vegan food, Isle of Wight garlic, craft beer and much more than we could ever list here.

Many of the stalls are occupied by producers in the Stroud area so you’ll be happy to know you’re supporting local businesses.

8. Stroudwater Navigation

Stroud is linked to the River Severn by an eight-mile canal completed in 1759. The waterway served the local woollen industry, shipping coal to mills and carrying cloth out to markets.

When it was completed it formed part of a system that connected Bristol by water to London.

The canal was lucrative even after the advent of railways and was only abandoned just after the Second World War.

A restoration of the waterway is currently underway, but the canal-front textile mills and houses, and much of the infrastructure along the way has been regenerated.

The Royal Geographical Society has laid out a three-mile walk on the towpath between Stroud and Stonehouse, with a guide you can download on your phone.

Even on this short route you’ll see lots of bridges, mills, warehouses and locks.

9. Subscription Rooms

A cultivated Neoclassical monument on George Street, the Subscription Rooms is a performing arts venue built from Cotswold stone in 1833. Here you can get in touch with the Five Valleys’ arts scene at concerts, plays and dance performances in the 450-seater Ballroom.

There’s also a busy schedule of concerts by well-known touring rock, pop and folk acts, along with classical ensembles and soloists.

In September there’s the annual Stroud Theatre festival, and on any given day there’s sure to be an art or photography exhibition at the George Room.

Stroud’s tourist information centre is also at the Subscription Rooms, and you’ll be interested to know that that Beatles performed at this venue in 1962.

10. Cloth Mills of the Five Valleys

The Five Valleys have a rich cloth-making heritage going back centuries, even before the arrival of Huguenot artisans fleeing persecution from France.

Initially powered by the streams running through the valleys, there were 150 mills when the trade was at its peak in the 19th century.

Wool was always in plentiful supply thanks to the herds of sheep grazing on the sides of the valleys.

Although there are repurposed mills throughout the valleys, only two out of 150 mills continue to make cloth.

Lodgemore Mills and Cam Mill outside Dursley have roots extending back to the Middle Ages.

Together they produce the coating for the tennis balls used at Wimbledon, as well as the green felt for snooker tables.

The Stroudwater Textile Trust site posts details of open days and tours at sites like the stunning St Mary’s Mill, which has a 19th-century waterwheel and Stanley Mill, where carding machines and spinning mules are still in place.

11. Coaley Peak

A favoured rest stop on the long-distance Cotswold Way National Trail, Coaley Peak is a scenic lookout 15 minutes by car from Stroud.

In these 12 acres of former farmland, now wildflower meadows, there are magnificent vistas over the Severn Vale.

You can bring a blanket and picnic and pass an hour or two idling over the views surrounded by wildflowers.

The exposed setting makes for wonderful kite-flying, while you could also use this pastoral scene as the first step on walk on the Cotswold Way or into the neighbouring National Trust (Frocester Hill) and Woodland Trust sites.

12. St Mary’s Church, Painswick

There was a church close by in Painswick before the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

Nothing remains of this building, but St Mary’s Church merits a peek as it has a big spectrum of architecture spanning 500 years up to the middle of the 19th century.

The oldest stonework is in the chapel on the north side of the nave, dating to 1377. The nave and tower are from the end of the 15th century, while the Perpendicular chancel was completed in the middle of the 16th century.

Go in for a good look at the baptismal font, carved in 1661 and replacing one lost during the Civil War.

Outside, the churchyard is atmospheric for its clipped yews and solemn chest tombs sculpted by local masons.

The oldest is for the yeoman, William Loveday who died in 1623.

13. Miserden Garden

Looking over the Golden Valley, Miserden is an 850-acre estate around a gorgeous old house dating to the 1620s.

The garden, first planted at the same time, is open to the public and is set off by the surrounding Cotswold hills.

Edwin Lutyens, the foremost landscape architect of the early 20th century, designed the fabulous topiary yew walk, along with the mixed borders of herbaceous plants, roses, clematis and shrubs full of colour until winter.

There’s a holdover from the 17th century in the form of venerable mulberry tree, while the little stream, fountain and stone summerhouse are comparatively recent arrivals built to celebrate the new millennium.

14. Lypiatt Park

The 20th-century sculptor Lynn Chadwick lived at this Medieval and Tudor house less than ten minutes from the centre of Stroud.

Chadwick’s work is in the collections of the Musée National d’Art Moderne, the Tate and New York’s MoMA. What makes Lypiatt Park so special is the Lynn Chadwick Sculpture Park, which boasts 32 of his works in hilly parkland.

Unfortunately neither the house nor the grounds are open to the public, but you can visit on Heritage Open Days (subject to prior booking), normally around September each year to marvel at the Sculpture Park.

15. Select Festival

Stroud puts on a major textile-based arts festival every spring, from the end of April to the start of June.

Scheduled throughout these weeks are talks, exhibitions, workshops and master classes for visual and applied arts.

These are held at venues all around the town, like the Subscription Rooms and the Museum in the Park.

In 2018 there was an outdoor sculpture exhibition in Miserden Village, a tapestry art exhibition at the Museum in the Park and a busy collectables and antiques fair at Lansdown Hall.

On two weekends during the festival you can check out the Select Trail, when more than 70 artists, designers and crafters around Stroud and the Five Valleys open their studios to the public and put on self-curated exhibitions of their own work.

15 Best Things to Do in Stroud (Gloucestershire, England):

• Cotswolds and the Stroud Valleys
• Stratford Park
• Museum in the Park
• Historical Trail
• Woodchester Park
• Woodchester Mansion
• Stroud Farmers' Market
• Stroudwater Navigation
• Subscription Rooms
• Cloth Mills of the Five Valleys
• Coaley Peak
• St Mary's Church, Painswick
• Miserden Garden
• Lypiatt Park
• Select Festival

Top Things to Do in Gloucester, Cotswolds

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

10 of the Best Historic Sites in Gloucestershire

Nestled amongst the cotswold hills, forest of dean and river severn are some historical gems not to miss in gloucestershire..

Lucy Davidson

19 may 2022, @lucejuiceluce.

Gloucestershire, a country in South West England, is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as early as the 10th century. The area, which includes the Cotswold Hills, part of the River Severn and the entirety of the Forest of Dean, has witnessed a range of significant historical events.

The Battle of Tewkesbury took place in Gloucestershire in 1471, and proved to be one of the most decisive of all battles in the Wars of the Roses. Similarly, the last battle of the English Civil War took place in 1646 close to Stow-on-the-Wold.

Today, the county is home to a number of fascinating historic sites which attest to its varied heritage. From medieval abbeys to Jacobean manor houses, here are 10 of the best historic sites in Gloucestershire that you can visit today.

1. Chedworth Roman Villa

Located in a beautiful valley in Cheltenham are the remains of one of the grandest Roman villas ever discovered in Britain. Evidence of the first stone structure at Chedworth Roman villa dates to the 2nd century AD, and consists of three detached buildings of a few rooms each. Over the following centuries, the villa was extended until it was at its most lavish in the 4th century AD; it featured large bath houses, stunning mosaic floors and marble features. However, it was abandoned after the Roman Empire pulled out of Britain in 410AD.

Centuries passed, and it was not until a gamekeeper unearthed it in 1864 that the full scale and grandeur of the villa was discovered. The outline of the villa was then reconstructed by placing local stone on top of surviving walls, and a lodge and museum were built nearby. In 1924, the property was passed to the National Trust. Today, the remains of the villa – including the stunning mosaics and sophisticated flushing toilets – are open to the public.

2. Berkeley Castle

Located in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, Berkeley Castle is a grade I listed building that dates to the 11th century. Originally a motte-and-bailey castle, it was held by three generations of the Berkeley family. Much of the castle dates from the 14th century, when it was expanded. It is known as having been the likely site of the murder of King Edward II , and for having been visited by Queen Elizabeth I .

Today, the castle is the third-oldest continuously occupied castle in England (after the Tower of London and Windsor Castle ), and the oldest to continuously be both owned and occupied by the same family. Visitors can enjoy the finely decorated rooms which feature chandeliers and silver lamps, as well as paintings dating from the 16th to 20th centuries, fine furniture and a spider’s web ceiling.

3. Thornbury Castle

Grade I listed Thornbury Castle is a Tudor castle located in Thornbury. Construction on the castle began in 1511 as an additional residence for the Duke of Buckingham. When the 3rd Duke of Buckingham was beheaded for treason in 1521 on the orders of King Henry VIII , the castle was confiscated by Henry, who lived there for 10 days with Queen Anne Boleyn in 1535. After the Civil War , the castle fell into disrepair; however, it was renovated in 1824 by the Howard family.

Today, the castle is a 26-room luxury restaurant and hotel as well as a popular wedding venue. From 1966 to 1986, it was operated as one of the UK’s top restaurants by Kenneth Bell MBE along with Nigel Slater and Simon Gault. Today, it maintains an excellent reputation for its food.

4. Gloucester Cathedral

Located in the north of Gloucester near the River Severn, Gloucester Cathedral originated in around 678 AD with the foundation of an abbey, which was later dissolved by King Henry VIII . A church of St Peter was built in the same location in 1058. It consists of a Norman nave, with a notable monument in the cathedral being a shrine to Edward II of England, who was murdered at the nearby Berkeley Castle in 1327.

Today, the cathedral is a practicing religious building as well as a tourist attraction. Popular features are a stained glass window which depicts the earliest images of golf, which dates to around 1350, and a carved image of people playing a ball game, which is believed by some to be a very early image of medieval football.

5. Hailes Abbey

Richard of Cornwall is said to have founded this abbey following his involvement in a near-fatal shipwreck. The abbey was consecrated in 1251. In 1270, the abbey acquired a vial that was said to contain the Holy Blood. It then became a popular pilgrimage destination. Hailes Abbey fell victim to Henry VIII’s Reformation in 1538 , when the phial of Holy Blood was removed from the site and found to be ‘honey clarified and coloured with saffron’.

Today, the site is home to the stunted yet elegant ruins of the abbey – the cloisters’ fine arches remain, overgrown but dignified. Nothing’s left of the church, save the outlines of its foundations. There’s also a fascinating little museum displaying items from the site, including floor tiles, carved ceiling bosses and an exceptionally rare fragment of a 14th-century monk’s spectacles. A free audio tour really brings the site to life.

6. Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre was constructed in the early 2nd century to hold a capacity of 8,000 spectators. Located in the major Roman city of Corinium, today known as Cirencester, Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre would have attracted visitors from around  Roman Britain .

Though Corinium was the second-largest city in Roman Britain after Londinium , following the Roman retreat from Britain in the 5th century however, the once-thriving community rapidly declined. The amphitheatre fell into disuse as a centre of entertainment. It was briefly used as a medieval fortress, then it was abandoned again until the Abbot of Cirencester began using it as a rabbit warren.

Today, Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre is managed by English Heritage and is open to the public. Very little of its structure remains however its large earthworks are still visible, giving an insight into the size of the former theatre – one of the largest in Britain.

7. Sudeley Castle

Grade I listed Sudeley Castle in Sudeley, near the Cotswolds, is part of a 1,200-acre estate in the Cotswold hills. It was initially built in 1443 on the site of a former 12th-century fortified manor house. It was later seized by the crown, becoming the property of King Edward IV and King Richard III , who built its famous banqueting hall. King Henry VIII and his wife Anne Boleyn visited the castle in 1535, and it later became the resting place of King Henry VIII’s final wife, Catherine Parr. The castle was used as a military base during the First English Civil War , then was besieged and slighted by parliament. It remained in ruins until it was purchased and turned into a family home in 1837.

Today, the castle is known for its stunning interiors, art collection and its 10 gardens covering some 15 acres. It remains one of the few castles left in England that is still a private family residence.

8. Newark Park

Situated on top of the Cotswold escarpment, Newark Park is made up of a 750 acre estate which features a former Tudor hunting lodge, built in 1550. Over successive centuries the lodge changed hands and was added to, most notably by the Low family of London, who significantly extended the building in 1672 by adding a four-storey building to the west. In 1949, the property was gifted to the National Trust, who initially turned it into a nursing home. After falling into a state of disrepair, it was saved by Texan architect Robert Parsons in the 1970s, who highlighted many of the property’s original features.

Today, the informal gardens at Newark Park are popular amongst visitors. The National Trust hosts a range of events throughout the year such as Easter trails, a classic car show, a Christmas weekend and outdoor theatre performances.

9. Stanway House

A Jacobean manor house near the village of Stanway in Gloucestershire, Stanway House was constructed in the late 16th and early 17th century for the Tracy Family, the Earls of Wemyss and March, who still live there. A Grade I listed building, it is known for its elegant furniture, fascinating gatehouse, 14th century tithe barn, 18th century water garden, church and parkland.

The current Earl of Wemyss and March has pursued a programme of restoration for years, such as on the 18th-century water garden, which features a single jet fountain that reaches 300 feet high, making it the highest fountain in Britain, and the highest gravity fountain in the world. Today, the house and grounds are open to the public on a limited basis every year.

10. Odda’s Chapel

One of the most complete surviving Anglo-Saxon churches in England, Odda’s chapel lay undiscovered for centuries, its walls hidden amongst the winding rooms of a 17th-century farmhouse, Abbot’s court. The nave had been converted into a kitchen, while the chancel was used as a bedroom. Originally established by the eponymous local nobleman in the 1050s, it was dissolved by during the Dissolution of the Monasteries , at which point it became a farmhouse.

In 1865, a local vicar realised that there had once been a chantry chapel nearby. However, it was only in 1885 during repairs to Abbot’s Court that a blocked Anglo-Saxon window was discovered hidden behind plaster. Today, the chapel is open to the public. Walks in the area are also popular. 

17 of the most accessible attractions in Gloucestershire

Find a family day out that’s fun for everyone as SoGlos rounds up 17 of Gloucestershire’s most accessible attractions.

Promising a home for life for all of its residents, Lilian Faithfull Care is a charity that’s proud to put people before profit. It provides expert residential, nursing and dementia care to people across Gloucestershire at its seven homes and Secret Garden day care hub, with independent living apartments available, too.

With gorgeous gardens, fascinating cultural venues and unique attractions to explore in Gloucestershire, people of all ages and abilities have plenty of fun places to visit that are inclusive for all.

In this hot list, SoGlos rounds up 17 of the most accessible attractions for a day out that every family member can enjoy.

Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power

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Home to a collection of adorable rare breed farm animals, as well as wildlife walks and outdoor play areas, Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power is a wonderful day out for little ones and grown-ups.

Offering a multi-sensory experience ideal for guests with learning disabilities, listening posts for visually impaired visitors, wheelchair access throughout the park and wheelchairs available to borrow, it offers fun and educational activities for everyone.

The Museum of Gloucester

From Roman ruins to the Birdlip mirror, the Museum of Gloucester has an impressive collection of historical artefacts, as well as paintings and artwork, all within its beautiful Victorian building in the heart of Gloucester.

With level access on both floors, a Changing Places toilet and plenty of room around the exhibitions, its ideal for wheelchair users — plus, staff at the museum have disability awareness training to make visitors feel safe and welcome, too.

Westonbirt Arboretum in Tetbury

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With 15,000 trees from all over the world, Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury is a nature lover's paradise. Along with walking routes of varying difficulty, the fully accessible STIHL Treetop Walkway lets visitors marvel at all the beautiful colours from 13 metres up in the tree canopy.

Assistance dogs are welcome to come along and mobility scooters are available to hire for free when booking tickets.

Gloucester Cathedral

The jewel in Gloucestershire’s architectural crown, Gloucester Cathedral is both breath-taking and accessible. People of all ages and abilities can enjoy wandering its famous cloisters and taking in the stunning stained glass windows.

The cathedral offers disabled parking spaces, accessible toilets, self-operated lifts and wheelchairs to borrow, as well as a hearing loop in operation throughout. There are sensory boxes available, featuring tactile, olfactory and audio objects, ideal for people with complex disabilities, and a Traditions Box to borrow, designed for people living with dementia.

Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford

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The whole family can enjoy a roarsome day out at Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford. Come face to face with giraffes with ramp access to the giraffe house, see Asiatic lions in their enclosure with windows that are all viewable from a wheelchair or take a leisurely trip around the park and see what other animals you can spot.

As well as being flat with plenty of wide open space, Cotswold Wildlife Park also has a Changing Places toilet and free wheelchair hire. Plus, registered blind visitors can come along free of charge.

Batsford Arboretum in Moreton-in-Marsh

The beautiful Batsford Arboretum in Moreton-in-Marsh has a multitude of colourful trees, shrubs and bamboo, including an impressive collection of Japanese flowering cherry trees.

While some parts of the arboretum are tricky to access from a manual wheelchair, electric wheelchair and mobility scooter users should have no problems. Wheelchair users aren’t charged entrance fees to the arboretum and less mobile visitors can hire an all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter for £2.50 for a two-hour slot. Disabled parking and toilets are both available, too.

Cattle Country Farm Park in Berkeley

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Fluffy bunnies, cheeky piglets and friendly goats are just some of the cute animals to meet at Cattle Country Farm Park in Berkeley, with paths around the park and most of the farm trail being wheelchair accessible.

On top of that, wheelchair users receive free admission; there are concessionary rates for disabled visitors; and assistance dogs are welcome to come along, too. Less mobile guests can also book a wheelchair in advance to use on their visit.

Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe

The historic Sudeley Castle allows visitors to feel like Tudor royalty for a day, as they explore the former home and final resting place of Henry VIII’s sixth wife, Catherine Parr.

There is an accessible route through the garden, though manual wheelchair users may need some assistance on gravel areas. Staff can also provide directions for guests who aren’t able to use the grass bank to access the church. The church itself, the pheasantry and adventure playground are all accessible and there are disabled toilets inside the castle, too. 

Slimbridge Wetland Centre

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With level access on all paths around the site, step-free entry to most hides, a wheelchair accessible wild safari and an accessible observation tower and observatory, Slimbridge Wetland Centre is an ideal day out for wildlife lovers.

There are also mobility scooters to hire from £10 per day, plus designated disabled parking spaces, a Changing Places toilet, as well as fixed and portable hearing loops in key locations across the site for anyone hard of hearing — fully-trained assistance dogs are welcome, too.

Corinium Museum in Cirencester

Cirencester’s award-winning Corinium Museum tells the story of the Roman capital of the Cotswolds, with thousands of artefacts from tools to jewellery on display.

It offers full disabled access, with lifts to upper floors; step free access to the Roman Garden, shop and cafe; and Braille interpretation for many of the museum’s interactive exhibits. There’s also a hearing loop in reception, the shop and the lecture theatre.

Perrygrove Railway in the Forest of Dean

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For a joyful afternoon aboard a quaint vintage train, families can explore beautiful woodlands at Perrygrove Railway in the Forest of Dean.

The trains are wheelchair accessible, with ramps at two of its stations and a designated area in some carriages. Its treehouses are also wheelchair-friendly, so every family member can take in the exhilarating views from the tree tops!

Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water

Flamingos, parrots and penguins are just some of the colourful creatures to see at Birdland Park and Gardens in the picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water.

Set on a flat picturesque garden, it proudly describes itself as one of the most accessible attractions in the Cotswolds, with wheelchair access throughout, guide dogs welcome and wheelchairs available to hire for free when reserved in advance, for visitors who need them.

Cotswold Motoring Museum in Bourton-on-the-Water

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Get a chance to see the famous TV toy car Brum, alongside an extensive collection of vintage cars, bikes and toys at the Cotswold Motoring Museum .

With disabled and wheelchair access throughout museum, much of the surrounding area in Bourton-on-the-Water is flat too, making it ideal for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.

Jet Age Museum in Gloucester

Showcasing Gloucestershire’s aviation heritage, the Jet Age Museum in Gloucester holds an exciting range of aircraft, from the early days of flight right up to the modern day. Some of its volunteers have even flown in the aircraft on display!

The free attraction is ideal for disabled visitors too, as the museum offers disabled parking spaces, level access to all the indoor attractions and the cafe, as well as accessible toilets which are suitable for wheelchair users.

Nature in Art in Gloucester

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With displays from artists in residence rotating weekly, along with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition available until Sunday 7 April 2024, there's plenty of inspiration to be found at Nature in Art in Gloucester.

Set in an impressive manor house, there's a ramp leading up to the entrance of the building, making it easy to access, as well as a lift to get wheelchair users to the second floor galleries. There's also three disabled parking spaces directly outside, a disabled toilet located in the education centre and a brightly lit, open-plan cafe to head to for lunch after browsing.

National Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks

Plenty of native wildlife is waiting to be spotted at the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester — with adjustments made to ensure those with disabilities can join for the adventure.

There are accessible toilets located on the ground floor of the museum and all the exhibits are well-spaced to allow plenty of room for wheelchair and mobility scooter users to get around. The second floor of the museum can be accessed via lift and guide dogs are permitted. There's also an enhanced audio facility on each individual display for the visually impaired.

Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester

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A certified Disability Confident organisation, Kingsholm Stadium provides all the facilities required for disabled guests to get in on the action and excitement of live sport.

Home of Gloucester Rugby , the stadium is easily accessible with all entrances featuring wheelchair access gates, as well as disabled parking spaces. Two stands at the stadium also include a number of front row spaces for disabled visitors and their carer/helper; and stewards are on hand at each match to help assist and direct spectators to the disabled toilets at the Malvern Tyres stand.

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