Lady’s Exciting Guide to Things to Do in Cheltenham

One of my favorite things to do in the UK is discover the country’s pretty towns and villages. And Cheltenham is certainly one of them. I’ve been here countless times since moving to London, and on each trip I discover more to love about it. If you want to experience it for yourself, read on for A Lady in London’s guide to things to do in Cheltenham.

Cheltenham

On the edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham is a historic spa town known for its stunning Regency architecture, beautiful gardens, and great shopping.

There’s a famous racecourse here for horse racing fans, and plenty of good restaurants for food lovers.

How to Get to Cheltenham

Cheltenham is easy to get to as well. Trains from London take around two hours, some including a change along the way. There are rail services to Cheltenham from other parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, too.

Once you arrive at Cheltenham Spa station, it’s less than 10 minutes in a taxi to the town center. Alternatively, you can take a local bus from the station to the heart of town.

Where to Stay in Cheltenham

If you’re staying for more than a day, there are a lot of great accommodation options in Cheltenham. The town is rife with hotels, and there are apartment rentals if you want a more local experience.

If you’re looking for a hotel, I recommend Ellenborough Park. I’ve stayed here and had a great time. It’s just outside town and has a country house feel with the benefit of being right near all the best things to do in Cheltenham.

If you want something more intimate, look no further than The Bradley. This stylish 5-star boutique bed and breakfast is set in a listed Regency townhouse.

It’s right in the thick of things and conveniently located for sightseeing and shopping.

Things to Do in Cheltenham

It’s worth staying for more than a day, as there are so many things to do in Cheltenham you could easily spend two or three days here.

And given it’s on the edge of the Cotsowlds, it’s a great jumping-off point for exploring the prettiest Cotswolds villages and countryside.

Gardens in Cheltenham

But there’s a lot of green space in Cheltenham, too. The Imperial Gardens are a beautiful place to sit and soak up the scene, and the Montpellier Gardens have pretty flower beds and lots of space to relax in.

Bigger still, Pittville Park dates back to 1825 and has a boating lake and historic Pump Room. The latter is a symbol of Cheltenham’s former identity as a Regency spa town.

Shopping in Cheltenham

One of the most popular things to do in Cheltenham is go shopping. There’s no shortage of opportunities for retail therapy here, from high street shops to vintage stores and chic boutiques.

Montpellier Street and Montpellier Walk are good places to start. They run parallel to one another and have a range of shops and cafes. They’re also beautiful streets in their own right.

The Promenade is another popular shopping street in Cheltenham. There are a lot of staple high street names here.

And that’s to say nothing of High Street and Regent Street, both of which have more shops to explore.

Historic Architecture in Cheltenham

One of my favorite things to do in Cheltenham is walk around and take in the historic architecture. There are a lot of places to see it, from Cheltenham Town Hall to the Royal Crescent.

On this visit, I spend time walking down Montpellier Street and the Promenade, which dates back to 1818. I also explore side streets like Well Walk.

I love that every road I turn down lures me along and leads me to another heritage building or under-the-radar highlight.

Hidden Gems

Along those lines, I stumble upon a great hidden gem on this trip. Venturing down a street off St George’s Place next to a pretty yellow coffee shop, I find myself in Jenner Gardens.

This atmospheric square is a 19th-century graveyard-turned-secret garden. Named for Edward Jenner, a Cheltenham local and pioneer of vaccination, it’s lined with historic tombstones and bursting with yellow roses and other seasonal blooms.

There’s heritage architecture all around, and it’s an atmospheric haven away from the busy shopping streets.

Museums

Another of the best things to do in Cheltenham is visit The Wilson. This museum is famous for its important Arts and Crafts Movement furniture collection.

The museum offers free entry, and I always enjoy popping in when I’m in town. There’s something new to see or discover on every visit, and temporary exhibitions, a lively cafe, and a gift shop keep things fresh.

Where to Eat in Cheltenham

Speaking of cafes, eating is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Cheltenham. From casual places to Michelin-starred restaurants, the town has something for every budget and palate.

I once enjoyed a great breakfast at Boston Tea Party on Clarence Street. This restaurant has a fun atmosphere and good options for breakfast and brunch.

I’ve also dined at Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham. This acclaimed restaurant is an institution in town, and it’s worth booking ahead for a special tasting-menu meal.

Cheltenham Festivals

In addition to the everyday highlights, one of the top things to do in Cheltenham is attend a festival. There are a lot of them throughout the year that are worth a trip. From horse racing to literature, they span a variety of themes.

Cheltenham Festival

The most famous festival in town is the Cheltenham Festival. This horse racing event takes place every year and is one of the biggest and most important of its kind in the UK.

I went to Cheltenham Racecourse once and had a great time watching the races and taking in the scene.

Cheltenham Literature Festival

Established in 1949, the annual Cheltenham Literature Festival is one of the world’s longest established literary events.

Celebrating all things reading, writing, and storytelling, over 600 figures from all genres participate in hundreds of workshops, talks, debates, interviews, and more.

I’ve been to this festival and I love the mix of events and the layout of the venue. It’s a fun place to indulge your inner book lover.

Best Things to Do in Cheltenham

I hope you’ve been inspired by this guide to Cheltenham. It’s a beautiful place to visit, whether for one day or three, a special event or just for fun. I hope you enjoy all the great things to do in Cheltenham when you go.

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