Forest of Dean

The Royal Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley have an interesting and historical past. The beautiful forest and landscape provide breathtaking scenery and a popular recreation facility for the nearby town of Cheltenham and the City of Gloucester.

The Royal Forest of Dean covers around 27,000 acres. Unlike some forests in the UK this woodland has been well preserved and a wide variety of trees and shrubs make it a hikers paradise.

There is also plenty to do and see with an abundance of attractions which you can find all about by clicking on the links in the right hand column. The Wye Valley, best viewed from Symonds Yat Rock, separate England from Wales and provide spectacular views across the countryside.

In 1938 the Forest of Dean became the first designated National Forest Park in England.

The official Royal Forest of Dean website can be found at www.forestofdean.gov.uk/

For more photographs of the Forest of Dean click here

 

Gloucester

The City of Gloucester has a lot more to offer than people realise. It is within a few miles of the town of Cheltenham, famous for it's Regency buildings. The Forest of Dean with its breathtaking beauty and views over the river Wye is only a short drive away. It has it's own impressive Cathedral and the Gloucester docks are a popular tourist attraction.

Gloucester used to be a Roman fortress. It gets its name from the Roman name for the town which is Glevum. Today Gloucester is a city with a fine Cathedral and some very worthy attractions nearby. Gloucester Docks and the Forest of Dean are popular tourist destinations.

The Cotswolds and surrounding area of Gloucester is notably one of the most pleasant areas of natural beauty in the country and with easy access to all parts of the UK this city is well worth a visit. The links on this page will tell you a lot about the County of Gloucestershire and the nearby attractions that you might like to visit.

For more photographs of Gloucester click here

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral was established in 1541 by King Henry VIII. However, long before this time there had been an Abbey and God has been worshipped on this site from early Saxon times. The Great Cloister by Abbot Horton, completed by Abbott Frouster is dated 1381-1412. Extensive work and restoration of the Cathedral took place in 1968 and the Cathedral was given a new roof.

This is a wonderful example of a Cathedral with a history going back 900 years. The magnitude and serenity of the building with its beautiful cloisters will leave a lasting impression on the visitor. The stained glass windows are intricate works of art in their own right. A visitor to Gloucester should certainly take in this impressive building with its close proximity to the main shopping centre of Gloucester and within easy walking distance of the Gloucester Docks.

Adjoining the Cathedral is King's School which has been educating children for hundreds of years. One feature of the Cathedral is the cloisters which apart from being in an excellent condition, lead through to a small courtyard where the full scale of the building can be viewed from within the cloister walls.

For more information visit the official Gloucester Cathedral website at www.gloucestercathedral.uk.com

For more photographs of Gloucester and the Cathedral click here

 

Gloucester Docks

Gloucester is an old Roman city. Its choice as a major centre for Roman occupation would have been based on its proximity to the River Severn. Gloucester Docks were once a hive of Industrial activity. Local products such as wool, cloth, agricultural products and iron would have been shipped from here in medieval times.

In 1580 Queen Elizabeth I bestowed upon Gloucester the status of a port and a new customs house was opened. This new status led to the expansion of Gloucester Docks and in the 1800's this was a busy and influential port for the region. The addition of a canal enabled the larger ships to travel without restrictions of the tidal flow. This canal runs from Berkeley directly to the Docks.

Gloucester Docks is one of the main attractions of the city of Gloucester. Old warehouses have now been converted and where there was once decay and dereliction, there is now a new kind of activity and renaissance of the shipping that these docks were famous for.

Today you will see leisure cruises, canal boats, motor launches and an array of shipping passing in and out of Gloucester Docks. Gloucester has done a fine job in revitalising its dockyard and utilising existing buildings for the purposes of museums, antique shops, restaurants and retail outlets.

The main attractions here are the National Waterways Museum, the shopping complex with its gift shops and woollen wares, the antique shops and the Gloucester Regiment Military Museum. Tall ships are seen from time to time at Gloucester Docks and the 'Onedin Line' was filmed here. Allow at least half a day for a visit round the Gloucester Docks. Ideal for families with small children. A river cruise should keep them amused for a while.

For more photos of Gloucester and Gloucester Docks click here or view Gloucester Docks on You Tube

 

Bishops Cleeve

Bishop's Cleeve is almost a town although it still retains its village status. Bishops Cleeve is close to Cheltenhanm but it falls under the Local Authority District of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The church, shown above is St Michaels and All Angels which is a Norman church rebuilt in the 17th century.

The village is situated alongside the village of Woodmancote at the foot of Cleeve Hill. The village of Woodmancote and Bishops Cleeve are separated by the railway line which also acts as the border for the two villages. Other villages close by include Southam and Gotherington.

The village can be traced back to the 8th century and the Domesday Book in 1086 shows that approximately 100 people lived in Bishops Cleeve. The village still has a Tythe Barn and some of the older houses date from the 12th and 13th centuries.

This is a busy and thriving community with major employers situated here. Smiths Industries and Zurich Financial Services along with new housing and shops have all led to the expansion of the village.

The old railway line that runs through Bishops Cleeve had been closed but is now part of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway ( GWR ) and steam trains are now a regular feature as they pass through the village on their way to the Cheltenham Racecourse.