Car Hire Gloucester

Gloucester, the historic cathedral city and county town of Gloucestershire with approximately 132,000 residents, serves as a major regional hub with exceptional accessibility via the M5 motorway, A40 to South Wales, A38 to Tewkesbury and A417 to Cirencester and the Cotswolds.

Spring brings mild temperatures ideal for exploring the magnificent Norman Cathedral (filming location for Harry Potter), the Victorian Docks with their converted warehouses and the city’s well-maintained parks. Summer provides warm weather perfect for canal boat trips, riverside walks along the Severn and visiting nearby attractions including the National Waterways Museum and Gloucester Quays shopping outlet. Autumn showcases stunning colours throughout Gloucester Park and the surrounding Severn Vale countryside, whilst winter offers atmospheric visits to historic sites including the medieval ruins and timber-framed buildings in the city centre, with cosy indoor attractions such as the Museum of Gloucester and traditional pubs providing respite from the elements.

Attractions In Gloucester

Visit cathedral city heritage and historic docks attractions, featuring magnificent Norman cathedral architecture, restored Victorian warehouses, excellent museums, shopping centres and scenic canal walks through the historic port area.

Gloucester Cathedral

Your journey begins at this magnificent cathedral on College Green, where the impressive 4.8 rating from over 7,500 visitors confirms its status as Gloucester’s premier attraction. This architectural marvel combines Norman and Gothic styles, serving as the final resting place of King Edward II and housing medieval stained glass windows. You’ll recognise filming locations from Harry Potter movies, whilst guided tours reveal centuries of fascinating history. The cathedral welcomes visitors with free entry, though a £5 donation supports ongoing preservation efforts.

Greyfriars

You’ll discover this remarkable heritage building on Greyfriars Street, open daily from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, representing layers of religious history spanning centuries. Originally founded as a Franciscan friary in 1231, the Berkeley family funded its rebuilding in Perpendicular Gothic style around 1518, incorporating earlier church elements. The site survived only briefly before falling victim to Henry VIII’s dissolution of monasteries in 1539, creating a fascinating glimpse into England’s religious transformation.

St Oswald’s Priory

Available for exploration throughout day and night hours on Archdeacon Street, this ancient priory landmark holds profound historical significance dating back to the 880s-890s. Founded by Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians and daughter of Alfred the Great, alongside her husband Æthelred, both later found their final resting place here. You’ll appreciate how the builders used recycled Roman stones in construction and the priory once housed the sacred bones of St Oswald, connecting Anglo-Saxon heritage with earlier civilisations.

Gloucester Docks

The historic docks area provides year-round access to one of Britain’s finest examples of Victorian warehouse architecture and maritime heritage. You’ll enjoy the transformation of this once-bustling commercial port into a vibrant destination featuring monthly artisan markets, seasonal festivals and riverside dining options. The scenic waterfront offers perfect photography opportunities, whilst the preserved warehouses showcase their original names and architectural details, creating an atmospheric blend of history and contemporary leisure activities.

Gloucester War Memorial

This significant memorial on Trier Way stands accessible day and night, commemorating the city’s military sacrifice within the beautiful setting of Gloucester Park. You’ll find the surrounding parkland popular with families, joggers and dog walkers, featuring children’s playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and a historic bandstand. The weathered statue of Queen Anne overlooks the nearby cricket ground and you might discover the historic plaque commemorating the hoover’s inventor at adjacent Park House.

St. Michael’s Tower & Gloucester Civic Trust Heritage Centre

You’ll uncover fascinating local history at this heritage centre housed within St Michael’s Tower, where engaging exhibits reveal Gloucester’s rich past through interactive displays and artefacts. The location provides perfect opportunities to explore the surrounding historic quarter, with dog-friendly establishments like The Comfy Pew offering welcoming atmospheres and quality refreshments. The centre serves as an excellent starting point for understanding Gloucester’s development from Roman settlement to modern city, with knowledgeable staff providing additional insights.

Nature In Art

Located at Wallsworth Hall, this unique museum and art gallery operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM until 4 PM, celebrating artistic interpretations of the natural world. You’ll explore several rooms containing paintings, drawings, sculptures and pottery inspired by plants and wildlife, housed within a beautiful period building and gardens. The wheelchair-accessible venue includes a sculpture trail, resident artist workshops and a reasonably priced café serving light lunches, making it perfect for art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Folk Of Gloucester

Operating Tuesday mornings 10 AM to 12:30 PM and Thursday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM on Westgate Street, this impressive cultural centre combines museum exhibits with event hosting capabilities. You’ll appreciate the building’s architecture alongside displays showcasing Gloucester and regional history through carefully curated artefacts and interactive exhibits. The peaceful Tudor garden recreation provides tranquil outdoor space and the venue’s café offers refreshments in a historically atmospheric setting perfect for reflection.

Museum Of Gloucester

This comprehensive local museum on Brunswick Road welcomes visitors Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM and Sundays, 11 AM to 3 PM, offering engaging exhibits spanning natural history to human heritage. You’ll discover fascinating collections including dinosaur teeth and claws found locally, alongside man-made artefacts from various historical periods presented in family-friendly displays. The well-maintained facility attracts visitors of all ages with polite, knowledgeable staff and ideally located premises providing excellent accessibility to the city centre.

National Waterways Museum Gloucester

Housed within Llanthony Warehouse at the docks, this informative museum operates Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM, celebrating Britain’s canal heritage. You’ll explore comprehensive displays documenting waterways’ history in and around Gloucester, understanding how these vital transport links shaped regional development. The surrounding regenerated dock area showcases original warehouse names and architectural features, whilst the museum provides detailed insights into canal construction, operation and the people who worked these historic waterways.

Planning to explore the wider region? Consider visiting these nearby locations:

• Longford
• Quedgeley
• Barrow
• Randwick
• Newent
• Cheltenham
• Stonehouse
• Stroud

Soldiers Of Gloucestershire Museum

You’ll discover compelling military history at this excellent museum in Custom House at the docks, open daily Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM and Sundays 11 AM to 5 PM. The wonderfully designed exhibits engage both adults and children with interactive computer screens and hands-on experiences, including dress-up opportunities. Excellent value family tickets at £10 for two adults and three children make this accessible and the comprehensive displays chronicle the noble and varied history of Gloucestershire’s military regiments.

The House Of The Tailor Of Gloucester

This charming museum and gift shop on College Court operates Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 4 PM, celebrating Beatrix Potter’s beloved tales in the actual setting that inspired The Tailor of Gloucester story. You’ll find delightful details throughout the narrow building, including knitted mice hidden under teacups and a television area where children can watch animated stories. The friendly staff enhance your visit to this hidden gem and the second-floor museum provides additional insights into Potter’s creative process.

Jet Age Museum

Open weekends from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon at Meteor Business Park, this exceptional technology museum celebrates Gloucestershire’s aviation heritage through expertly curated displays. You’ll experience hands-on opportunities including sitting in authentic Vulcan and Trident cockpits, whilst knowledgeable volunteers share fascinating insights about local aircraft industry contributions. The museum operates on donations rather than entry fees and the on-site café provides perfect ending points for your visit with refreshments and further discussions.

Robinswood Hill Country Park

This beloved country park welcomes visitors daily from 8:30 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, earning an impressive 4.6 rating from over 1,500 reviews for its outstanding natural beauty and recreational opportunities. You’ll enjoy free parking and barbecue facilities, children’s play areas and diverse hiking trails leading to spectacular viewpoints across the Malvern Hills. The challenging climb to the summit rewards you with panoramic vistas and the wildlife sculpture trail provides educational entertainment for families throughout your visit.

Barnwood Park And Arboretum

This lovely family destination on Church Lane in Barnwood remains continuously accessible, providing peaceful green spaces perfect for picnics and children’s activities despite surrounding urban development. You’ll appreciate the tranquil environment featuring duck ponds where little ones can feed waterfowl, extensive grass areas for games and play and walking paths suitable for all ages. The park’s central Barnwood location creates a surprising oasis of calm, offering families quality outdoor time away from busy roads.

Over Farm’s Farm Park

You’ll experience countryside adventure at this popular attraction in Over, where reasonable entry fees around £9.99 include access to all activities throughout your visit. The farm provides hands-on animal feeding experiences, tractor rides and seasonal events like foam parties that delight children of all ages. Farmer Rover, the friendly mascot, interacts with visitors throughout the park and amenities include bouncy pillows, woodland walks and well-maintained facilities, ensuring memorable family days out.

Gloucester Prison Events

Daily tours from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon provide extraordinary access to this authentic former prison, preserved exactly as it appeared when operations ceased in 2013. You’ll join guided tours led by former prison governors sharing historical facts alongside fascinating anecdotes about prison life and operations. The 2.5-hour experience flies by with engaging storytelling and film-like atmospheric interiors, creating educational entertainment that brings local history to life for visitors of all backgrounds.

Ultimate Warriors

This exceptional leisure centre on Metz Way operates Monday through Thursday and Sundays 9:30 AM to 5 PM, with extended Friday and Saturday hours until 8:30 PM for ninja warrior activities. You’ll challenge yourself on thoughtfully designed obstacle courses featuring sprung floors and mini inflatables for younger participants. The clean, well-maintained facility offers fantastic food options and exemplary staff service, creating welcoming environments where visitors can test physical abilities and enjoy active entertainment experiences.