Cheltenham, also known as Cheltenham Spa, is the Cultural Centre of the Cotswolds and one of the biggest towns in Gloucestershire. With its beautiful Regency architecture, fantastic facilities and home to world-renowned festivals throughout the year, Cheltenham is regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK.
Want to learn more about the different areas of Cheltenham?
Check out our Expert Guide: Places to Live in Cheltenham.
Schools in Cheltenham
There are a number of excellent schools within the Cheltenham area, many of which are rated Outstanding by Ofsted - use our Locrating tool in the Property Details page to search for schools in your preferred location now.
Things of Interest in Cheltenham
The world famous Cheltenham Racecourse is the self-proclaimed home of Jump Racing. Hundreds of thousands of racing fans flock to Prestbury Park each year to soak up the electric atmosphere. Situated in 350 spectacular acres in the beautiful Cotswold Hills, it’s a stunning sight.
Cheltenham Town Football Club compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. ‘The Robins’ were founded in 1887 and play their home fixtures at The LCI Rail Stadium which is more traditionally known as Whaddon Road, a 10 minute walk from the town centre.
Aside from The Festival with its world-famous Gold Cup race, Cheltenham is host to a variety of other well-known festivals throughout the year. From Jazz to Classical Music, Science, Food and the acclaimed Literature Festival, the events bring a real buzz to the town and attract visitors from all over the world.
There are a number of diverse shopping areas in Cheltenham, with something for everyone. A pedestrianised High Street runs through the centre of the town and is home to the big retail chains, not least John Lewis, which is opening a brand new flagship store in the town in 2018. Regent Arcade Shopping Centre boasts over 60 separate shops and seven restaurants and Cheltenham’s famous tree-lined avenue, The Promenade, offers designer brands and Cavendish House, a department store dating back to 1823. Further independent boutiques and specialist shops can be found in the Montpellier area, a 5 minute walk from The Promenade.
Built in 1830, Pittville Pump Room is the last and largest spa building built in Cheltenham. A Grade I listed building, it stands at the northern end of Pittville Lawn with landscaped grounds running down to a lake. The building contains the original Pump, made of marble and scagliola, and spa waters are still fed by electric pumping today.
Formerly known as Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum, The Wilson was rebranded in 2013 after a major rebuild costing in the region of £6 Million. Particularly noted for its Arts and Crafts collection of furniture, textiles, ceramics, carvings, silver and jewellery, The Wilson is recognised as an outstanding collection of international importance and has received Designated status. Admission is free.
The Everyman Theatre was opened as The Opera House in 1891 and was designed by Frank Matcham who also designed the London Palladium and other important British theatres.
Travel In and Around Cheltenham
Cheltenham is located within easy access of the M5 – travelling south from the Midlands from junction 10 and from the South West from junction 11. The A40 runs through Cheltenham linking the London / South East and Wales.
Cheltenham Railway Station is just a short 5 minute drive from the centre of Cheltenham. On the Plymouth to Edinburgh line, there are regular services to Bristol, Birmingham and beyond, as well as direct services to London and Cardiff.
Coaches run frequently from Cheltenham to many UK destinations.
Places to Explore in Cheltenham
Cheltenham has many beautiful parks and gardens, all with some historic interest:
- Imperial Gardens - Each year, approximately 25,000 bedding plants are used to produce the magnificent floral displays enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. It is home to the statue of Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets and a native to Cheltenham, and acts as a venue for both the Science and Literature festivals.
- Montpellier Gardens - Close to the town centre, the gardens are an important part of Cheltenham's regency landscape. Many of the buildings surrounding the gardens are Grade I listed and the gardens house the Big Top venue for both the Jazz and Literature festivals.
- Pittville Park - Opened in 1825, it’s the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features tennis courts, boating lake, skateboard park and a fantastic multi-sensory play area for children which was completely redesigned in 2016.
- Sandford Park - Situated at the end of the High Street, Sandford Park is one of Cheltenham's lesser known treasures. The recreational side of the park is adjacent to Sandford Lido and is popular for picnics and games. It even has its own boules court!
- Sandford Parks Lido - Built in Art-Deco style and complete with 3 pools, a cafe and play area, the Lido is a hugely popular destination between May - September. The main pool has also been recognised by the Amatuer Swimming Association as the only officially measured 50 metre outdoor swimming pool in England!
Take a look at our blog: All You Need to Know About Living in Cheltenham
Did You Know…?
- The Festival attracts over 60,000 people each year over the week and is worth £100 million to the Gloucestershire economy.
- The Hare and Minotaur sculpture, erected on The Promenade in 1995, was bought with £50,000 raised by public subscription.
- Cheltenham was a market town as far back as 1226.
- GCHQ moved to Cheltenham in 1952, continuing the work of Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire which was set up during WW2 to break the German Enigma code.
- Richard O’Brien was born on March 25, 1942 in Cheltenham. He is a writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer and is best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show.
Contact Us
With an office in the centre of Cheltenham, we have a love and in-depth knowledge of the local area and are happy to share that with you. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, let or sell a property in and around the area, contact our friendly team of estate agents in Cheltenham today and request a free property valuation.
