Cheltenham Hotels

Cheltenham is also where Big Brother watches you from – it’s the base of GCHQ or the Government’s Communications Headquarters with its state of the art electronic surveillance equipment – housed in an odd doughnut shape building. As you would expect of so prosperous a town, Cheltenham has more than its fair share of upmarket department stores, one of which, Cavendish House, dates back to 1823, as well as plenty of classy wine bars and restaurants, boasting one with two Michelin stars – Le Champignon Sauvage. No wonder folk have voted Cheltenham best place to live in Britain. Cheltenham is also where the hit BBC series Butterfiles was filmed and has naturally been used as a backdrop for plenty of its period dramas.

Cheltenham’s Top 10

Cheltenham Events

The Times Cheltenham Science Festival takes place in June at a number of venues including Cheltenham Town Hall. Hear from some of the biggest brains in the business.

The Cheltenham Festival of the Performing Arts brings together more than 300 competitors in one of the oldest of the town’s art festivals. It’s been going since 1926.

Cheltenham Racecourse plays host to Greenbelt, a hugely Christian arts and music festival in August. £25 for a day pass.

Wychwood is an annual folk and world music festival held at Cheltenham Racecourse. Top line-ups guaranteed. £37 for a day pass, in June.

The HSBC Cheltenham Music Festival takes place throughout June and July. A treat for the senses but make sure to book ahead as the best performances get sold out quickly.

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival (‘one of the UK’s classiest and most eclectic jazz festivals’ – The Guardian) takes place in April/May each year.

The Cheltenham Cricket Festival takes place during July and features Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and costs £90 to watch all matches.

Cheltenham Farmers Market comes to town during July at the Promenade. The best of local produce to buy.

During July enjoy free open air concerts by top bands at one of Cheltenham’s most beautiful parks, Montpelier Park.

In October make sure you take in The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. The best writers and thinkers pitch up for 10 days of thought- provoking discussions, debates and readings.

When to Go

· The climate in Cheltenham is usually warm and sunny during the summer months, with late spring and May in particular a pleasant time to visit.

· During a good summer Cheltenham temperatures can rise to around 25°C or higher, usually during the months of July and August, but temps of 23°C are more normal and enjoyable for sightseeing. Winter temperatures drop to around 5°C in the coldest months with frosts occurring occasionally and the chance of light snowfall most likely after Christmas.

· Cheltenham, like everywhere else in the UK is prone to unpredictable weather fronts and some years are wetter than other. That said, rainy weather rarely lasts for more than a day or two at a time, but bring an umbrella just in case.

Getting There

· National Express run a frequent service to London, a journey which takes around three and a half hours, and costs roughly £17 at present but you can often get far cheaper tickets if you book to travel at unsociable times. Buses also run to most other UK cities. Oxford is only £6.50 one way.

· Cheltenham Spa railway station has a service which runs to London, takes around two and a half hours and costs around £50. Cheltenham also has a direct rail link with Bristol, Bath and Gloucester.

· The nearest airport to Cheltenham is Bristol International, which can be reached in around 50 minutes if travelling by train or an hour by bus.