Car Hire Southam

Southam, the village featuring traditional honey-coloured limestone architecture, enjoys excellent accessibility via the A40 and A46 corridors, positioning you perfectly for exploring this charming corner of Gloucestershire. The area experiences typical Cotswold weather with pleasant summers averaging 19°C and mild winters around 6°C, while the local population of approximately 1,200 residents maintains that perfect village atmosphere you’ll discover throughout your driving adventures.

Southam serves as an excellent base for exploring the northern Cotswolds, offering direct access to Winchcombe’s historic abbey ruins and railway heritage, Sudeley Castle (4 miles) and numerous walking opportunities including sections of the Cotswold Way National Trail and Gloucestershire Way

Attractions In Southam

Experience peaceful village atmosphere and rural heritage, featuring traditional architecture, community facilities, countryside walks and convenient access to surrounding market towns and regional attractions.

Pittville Park

Graceful swans glide across the large lake whilst families enjoy peaceful moments in this exceptional green space at Prestbury, Cheltenham. You’ll find the delightful animal area featuring rabbits and various birds particularly enchanting, along with excellent play facilities that make this constantly accessible park worthy of its outstanding 4.7 rating from over 4,500 delighted visitors.

Sudeley Castle

Katherine Parr’s final resting place lies within the church grounds of this magnificent historical treasure in Winchcombe, where centuries of royal history flow through every carefully preserved room. We highly recommend exploring the stunning gardens and fascinating exhibitions that have earned an impressive 4.6 score from over 4,000 visitors who’ve experienced this remarkable heritage site firsthand.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Scenic countryside unfolds before you during nostalgic steam-powered journeys from Churchward House in Winchcombe, where exceptionally friendly staff provide clear explanations and ample free parking awaits. The onboard kitchen offers reasonably priced family meals during your heritage railway adventure, operating Tuesday through Thursday and weekends from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM with an exceptional 4.8 average from over 1,400 reviews.

Imperial Gardens

Colourful flower displays create an enchanting sanctuary at Imperial Square in Cheltenham. Originally laid out in the 1830s, the gardens were designed to complement the prestigious Imperial Hotel (later known as the Queen’s Hotel). A focal point of the gardens is the ornate Victorian fountain, which adds a touch of grandeur to the surroundings. The nearby restaurant and bar complement your visit beautifully, whether you’re planning intimate gatherings or larger celebrations in this charming 24-hour accessible setting that seamlessly blends nature with modern conveniences.

Devil’s Chimney

The Devil’s Chimney is a striking natural limestone pinnacle located on Leckhampton Hill, just above the village of Shurdington near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Standing approximately 15 metres tall, this dramatic rock formation is a remnant of centuries of quarrying activity on the hillside, when Cotswold stone was extracted for building throughout the region. The pillar earned its evocative name from local folklore, with various legends suggesting it was either carved by the Devil himself or served as his chimney rising from the underworld below.

The Wilson Art Gallery And Museum

Antarctic exploration legacy comes alive through compelling exhibitions at this cultural gem on Clarence Street in Cheltenham, where Edward Adrian Wilson’s Cheltenham connections take centre stage. The displays are thoughtfully arranged across multiple floors, encouraging gradual discovery from top to ground level, with Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM, providing ample time for thorough exploration.

Exploring the broader region becomes effortless when you consider these nearby destinations:

• Cheltenham
• Teddington
• Barrow
• Tewkesbury
• Cowley
• Stanway
• Longford
• Gloucester

Winchcombe Museum

Remarkable local history insights await you at this charming museum on Winchcombe’s High Street. Notable exhibits include displays on the town’s association with Sudeley Castle, police memorabilia showcasing Winchcombe’s role as a former police headquarters and agricultural implements that illustrate rural life in the Cotswolds. Also, there’s the Winchcombe meteorite exhibit which the little ones will love. The knowledgeable staff are genuinely enthusiastic about sharing fascinating exhibits and stories, creating an immersive experience during weekend tours from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon, complete with a lovely gift shop.

Sandford Park

Birdsong fills the air during exceptional morning experiences at this tranquil sanctuary on High Street in Cheltenham, where peaceful reflection opportunities abound in serene natural surroundings. We find the atmosphere particularly calming during early hours, though you’ll want to respect this lovely space and help maintain its tranquil character, with weekday access from 8:30 AM to 4 PM ensuring plenty of quiet time.

Cleeve Hill Iron Age Camp

Spectacular views extending across to the Malverns and Black Mountains reward visitors to this outstanding example of an Iron Age multivallate hillfort near Cheltenham. Dating back approximately 2,000 years to the Iron Age, this archaeological site encompasses around 22 hectares and features substantial earthwork defences, including banks and ditches that would have provided protection for the settlement within. The camp’s strategic position on the hilltop afforded its Iron Age inhabitants commanding views across the Severn Vale and surrounding countryside.

Beesmoor Brook Water Wheel

Industrial heritage meets local folklore at this atmospheric abandoned watermill from 18th-century Waterhatch Farm near Cheltenham, where overgrown millponds add mysterious charm to the historical site. Local legends of ghostly apparitions provide fascinating conversation starters and glimpses into the area’s rich storytelling traditions, making this a particularly intriguing stop for those interested in both mechanical history and supernatural tales.

The Allen’s Redwood

Living commemoration takes root in this unique memorial tree at Dewberry Close in Cheltenham, where a redwood grown from seed continues thriving despite weather damage along its trunk. You’ll find this remarkable example of how personal commemorations can flourish through natural monuments rather than traditional stone memorials, offering a touching reminder of enduring love and the power of living tributes.

The Neptune Fountain

Built in 1893, this striking fountain at 83 Promenade showcases Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, commanding his trident from a shell chariot as four dramatic horses surge from the waters. This Victorian masterpiece stands proudly before the Municipal building, its intricate work and classical design making it an unmistakable landmark. The fountain’s grand scale and mythological imagery create a captivating focal point that effortlessly draws the eye of every passerby.