When you think about typical rural England, you can’t get much more quintessential than Gloucestershire. We’ll soon have a range of holiday homes for sale in Gloucestershire and if you’re thinking about spending a significant amount of time here, here are 5 of the best places you can visit.
1. Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is arguably one of the most beautiful places you can visit in the UK. Made up of some of the most picturesque villages that you will find, this sprawling mix of farmland and adorable towns will take your breath away at every turn.
The region has hills that rise to more than 300 metres, and culminates at the Cotswold Edge in the west – perfect for scenic walks or adventurous hikes. And if you do work up an appetite, there’s an array of delicious food and drink to be found in the Cotswolds with local cheeses, meats and drinks appearing prominently on the menus of the gastro pubs, old inns, colourful cafes and fine dining restaurants.
2. Forest of Dean
Up against the border with Wales in the west of Gloucestershire is 11,000 hectares of ancient woodland, one of the last remaining expanses of this kind of wilderness in the country. It’s named the Forest of Dean.
There’s so much to do in this magical place including rock climbing or long-distance hikes, or if you fancy something a little more leisurely, you can meander through the forest finding traces of the forgotten mining activity or discovering historic sites like Tintern Abbey, just on the Welsh bank of the River Wye.
3. Tewkesbury
If medieval history and tons of Tudor character is your thing then you’ll love the small town of Tewkesbury. Here, amongst many half-timbered houses, you’ll find the oldest pub in Gloucestershire – the Olde Black Bear which opened way back in 1308!
There’s also the marvellous Tewkesbury Abbey to visit, which has the largest Norman tower in England. It survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries as it was bought by the townsfolk and has kept a lot of its Norman detail and is well worth a visit.
4. Stroud
Stroud is an arty town with steep, winding streets and is even home to a yearly August festival celebrating theatre, art, literature and music. Damien Hirst even has a studio here!
Stroud also boasts beautiful countryside in the shape of the Five Valleys Circuit, a lovely circular and hilly walk that crosses the five valleys that converge on Stroud. While you’re here be sure to make a trip to see the Woodchester Mansion, a wistful Gothic revival house left in stasis since work stopped suddenly in 1870.
5. Tetbury
A historic town with a truly royal connection, Tetbury was a wool and yarn town centuries ago, but now does a roaring trade in antiques. The royal connection we speak of? That’s down to King Charles, who lives on an estate in the area. This, of course, was when he was Prince Charles and now he’s become the reigning monarch it’s unlikely you’ll ever see him here but you can still visit Highgrove Gardens. These gardens were planted and designed by the prince, with the help of botanical experts, in an attempt to conserve and highlight plants and wildlife native to Britain.
Holiday homes in Whitebeam Country Park
Set in tranquil private parkland extending over 12 acres in the heart of the Royal Forest of Dean, we’re excited to be opening a new and exclusive development of 22 luxury holiday lodges.
A beautifully elevated site just two miles east of the Welsh border, our new park features our stunning Signature and Platinum range of lodges. Nestled between trees and just a stone’s throw from the Wye Valley, Area of Natural Beauty, Whitebeam Country Park is perfect for every age. Take a look at our holiday homes for sale in Gloucestershire.
