Gloucester
Gloucester is one of a trio of historic places that enjoy a great location between the Cotswolds and the Wye Valley Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This gentle rural area at the head of the Severn Valley, close to Cheltenham and Stroud, is also a key link between Bristol and Birmingham, sharing the M5 motorway and an easy commuting route to both cities. Gloucester successfully combines its history and heritage with modern amenities for modern families. The majestic cathedral, the historic docks with their Victorian warehouses, the shopping centres and the Gloucester Quays riverside leisure quarter, join forces to make this a great place for a new home.
Location location
A place in the country and an easy drive to work are a win-win combination for Gloucester. The M5 is the main road link, meeting the M4 at Bristol and the M6 at Birmingham. The drive time to Bristol from Gloucester is around 50 minutes, to Cheltenham it’s half an hour, to Worcester it’s 45 minutes and into Birmingham it’s just under an hour and a half. The train journey from Gloucester to London Paddington, via Swindon and Reading, takes around an hour and 50 minutes, to Bristol Parkway it’s half an hour and to Bristol Temple Meads it’s about 50 minutes. Bristol Airport is 40 miles away and Birmingham Airport is 60 miles away.
Sport and Leisure
For those who enjoy sport and fitness, Gloucester has much to offer. The Kingsholme Stadium is home to Gloucester Rugby, the GL1 Leisure Centre includes a swimming pool amongst its facilities and the Oxstalls Sports Park at Plock Court has 4 outdoor tennis courts and 6 indoor courts that you can enjoy all year round. There’s also football, hockey, rugby and cricket there. Sport and leisure in the great outdoors is on hand too, with kayaking on the River Wye, and hiking, biking and horse-riding in the Forest of Dean.
Going to school
Gloucester has a great range of primary schools to choose from, and for secondary education there’s a choice of Grammar Schools, Independent Schools, High Schools and Academies. Gloucestershire College of Further Education is right in the heart of the town.
Out and about
Gloucester will keep you entertained with cinema, theatre, museums and galleries. The great outdoors is just waiting for you to explore too. The Wye Valley, the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds not only offer beautiful unspoilt countryside but a pick of historic picture-perfect villages to visit, for a browse in their local shops and lunch in their country pubs.