Campsites in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire is a county in the South West of England known for its attractive and typically English countryside full of rolling green hills and charming villages.  Containing the Forest of Dean, the Severn Vale and a large portion of the Cotswold Hills, there are endless opportunities for enjoying the outdoors here.  The region also has a rich cultural history with many fascinating buildings and towns to explore.

Don’t Miss

• Woodchester Mansion
• Symonds Yat
• The Forest of Dean
• Cheltenham
  

 

Unearthing a Roman past

There is no end of beautiful buildings to visit in Gloucestershire, all of which come with interesting histories. Tewkesbury Abbey, Sudeley Castle and Berkeley Castle‎ are popular highlights.

Beautiful and mysterious Woodchester Mansion is a must see.  This gothic house was abandoned half way through its construction in 1873 and offers an atmospheric and spooky opportunity to see the building techniques of the time. If you want to step further back in time, visit Chedworth Roman Villa where you can see recently excavated mosaics.

There are some fantastic museums in the county. Dr Jenner’s House is a wonderful if somewhat gory museum covering the life and history of the man who pioneered the smallpox vaccination.

Located on the Gloucester Docks, the Gloucestershire Waterways Museum tells the history of the waterways of the county and there are historic boats to climb aboard and explore. Also worth a look is Gloucester Folk Museum which has a wide range of exhibits dedicated to social history.

The Jet Age and Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museums both boast fascinating collections, while the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection is perfect for all ages. 

Next up, the Wilson Museum depicts Cheltenham's history and has an interesting art gallery too. But the Corinum Museum is a favourite that can immerse you in life in the area as an ancient Roman.

If you fancy taking your explorations underground, visit the Clearwell Caves. The 9 huge caverns and connecting passages here date back to Neolithic times and are now a working mining museum.

Finish up with a round of fascinating buildings with incredible gardens, such as Stone House, Hidecote, Kifsgate, or Snowshill Manor. You can also dig deep in Gloucestershire’s religious past at the St Mary de Lode Church or Tewkesbury Abbey’s medieval magnificence.

Don't forget, the city of Gloucester has a rich history that stretches back to Roman times, so it's worth dedicating time to strolling its streets and the dock area is particularly interesting.

The spa town of Cheltenham is a centre for arts and culture in the region and has some wonderful Regency architecture. 

Symonds Yat is an amazing little village that straddles the river Wye and belongs on any visitors list. The nearest bridge is 5 miles down the road, so to get from one side of the village to the other you have to use the unusual hand-pulled cable ferry.  The scenery around there is stunning - don't miss a trip to Symonds Yat Rock, which offers fantastic views over the river gorge.

Out and about in Gloucestershire

Good portions of both the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and the Cotswolds Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty can be found in Gloucestershire. 

Walking and cycling and horse-riding are great ways to explore both of these areas.

Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean is a must visit.  You can follow twisting, maze-like pathways past gnarled tree roots through the mossy gullies of the forest. 

Also in the Forest of Dean is the excellent Westonbirt National Arboretum, which offers a highly picturesque landscape with over 14,000 labelled trees.

The Cotswold Water Park is a large area of lakes and wetland where you can enjoy hours of watersports - sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and boating. It’s also a lovely area for birdwatching, walking and cycling.

The River Severn splits the county from north to south and the famous Severn Bore, a large tidal surge wave, travels all the way up to the city of Gloucester.  It is one of the biggest bores in the world and one of the UK’s most spectacular natural phenomena. You can surf or ride the bore, or you can just watch it from many locations along the River Severn, popular spots include Minsterworth, Over Bridge and Stonebench.

Other outdoor activities include admiring the beautiful natural Clearwell Caves and wandering down to the Gloucester Docks to watch the world go about its business. Or, how about taking in the view at Cleeve Hill for a walk that really stretches your legs?

Having a day out at the famous Cheltenham Racecourse is a classic thrill in the area and discovering old steam trains at Avon Valley Railway is the perfect retro activity.

Adventures for families

There is plenty to keep the whole family entertained in Gloucestershire. Cotswold Farm Park has loads of fun and education for animal lovers.  The Barn Owl Centre provides an unforgettable experience for people interested in these fascinating birds, be aware you must book in advance.

If your little ones light up at the sight of animals, try the Cotswold Falconry Centre where spectacular flying displays show off the birds’ natural abilities. Birdland park and Gardens has over 500 feathered friends on hand, too, and feeding the penguins on site is a daily delight.

The Dragonfly Maze in Bourton-on-the-Water is a real hit with both children and adults – don’t miss it.

The Dean Forest Railway is a great way to enjoy the lovely Gloucestershire countryside and a good choice for rainy days and those who are less mobile. Another great pair of options is Perrygrove Railway & Treetop Adventure and Go Ape at Forest of Dean which both offer fun days out among the trees to see the best of Gloucestershire.