SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday 26 June 2016

Exploring Gloucestershire* || With PegasusLife

*This is a collaborative post*

I've really been trying to vary the content I put out on my blog recently. So when PegasusLife asked me to come up with a list of some of my favourite places in Gloucestershire for a blog post, I was excited! If you didn't already know, PegasusLife are a retirement developer, trying to change the way people think about old age with trendy retirement apartments. And their latest development, Steepleton, is located right here in Gloucestershire! There are so many fantastic places to visit in this neck of the woods that I was spoilt for choice when creating this list. I hope I can encourage any locals reading this to get out and enjoy what the local area has to offer, because there really is so much to see and do...

Tewkesbury



 There's just so much to do in this quaint, picturesque little market town! These are three of my favourite things to do.

- If you fancy eating out, I'd highly recommend The Boathouse. Overlooking the River Avon, and serving fine local produce, this is one of the best pubs in town!

- Why not enjoy a boat trip down the River Avon after your lunch? Boat trips run daily through the Summer months from Tewkesbury Marina. A 25 minute journey with plenty of opportunities to take photos of the river and nearby countryside!

- Tewkesbury Abbey is the second largest parish church in the country, and a former Benedictine Monastery. Take a quiet, reflective stroll through the Abbey and soak in the history of this magnificent building! 

Forest of Dean


If you've never visited the Forest of Dean before, have you really lived? Lush countryside, stunning woodland, gorgeous greenery. It really is a beautiful place. These are just a few places you should visit.

- Dean Forest Railway, in Lydney, is a heritage railway that runs through beautiful woodland and countryside. With 5 stops along the way, you can take some time to explore the local area; take in a woodland walk, visit a country pub, or explore Lydney Harbour. 

- If woodland walks are your thing, then you're in the right place in the Forest of Dean. Why not visit the Sculpture Trail; a walk featuring a unique collection of high-quality, contemporary sculptures. 

- And if museums are your thing, there's a few to choose from. The Dean Heritage Centre is set across a stunning and fully interactive five acre site; here you can explore the history of the Forest of Dean, from the Ice Age to the present day. If crime and horror is more your thing, pop on down to Littledean Jail Museum; an 18th century prison housing quirky exhibits on crime, spying and Victorian taxidermy.

Gloucestershire


Gloucestershire's a pretty big place, and I can't give every area a heading of its own. These are three of my favourite places from other areas of the county!

- Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is located near the historic market town of Tetbury. It is perhaps the most important and widely known arboretum in the United Kingdom, with one of the finest tree collections in the world.

- If medieval history is more your thing, a visit to Berkeley Castle is definitely in order. Take a guided tour around the castle, stroll around the gardens and enjoy the Tropical Butterfly House.

- In Cheltenham, you'll find the Holst Birthplace Museum; the Regency terrace house where Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets, was born in 1874. Here you'll find the story of the man and his music, and a fascinating display of personal artifacts, including his piano.

Events



There are so many events going on in Gloucestershire throughout the year that I decided to include just a handful to give you an idea of just a few of the things that are going on practically on your doorstep!

- Gloucester Tall Ships Festival is a mix of on and off water events and includes street entertainment, food and craft stalls, and boat trips. In 2017, the festival will be held from 27th - 29th May.

- Cheltenham plays host to a whole range of festivals throughout the year including, but not limited to, Cheltenham Jazz Festival (April/May), Cheltenham Wine Festival (May), The Times Cheltenham Science Festival (June) and Cheltenham Literature Festival (October).

- Forest Showcase Food and Drink Festival is returning for its 16th year in October and will feature a number of activities and events including cookery lessons, demonstrations, workshops and more.

- A history enthusiast's dream is the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, held every year in July. With exciting, intense battle re-enactments, a vibrant medieval market, period entertainment and much more, this is a wonderful day out for people of all ages!

I hope I've encouraged some of you to get out and enjoy what your local area has to offer. Gloucestershire might be the focus of this post, but with a little sleuthing I'm sure you can find a number of attractions and days out in your area too! Oh, and holler at me if you're a local. I'd love to say hello!

*Collaboration with PegasusLife. You can find my disclaimer here.

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