I had never been to Gloucester before until recently and just like a bus I visited twice in two months. Although Gloucester is a small city and can easily be navigated within a day on foot it offers some interesting sights.

HISTORY

Gloucester’s roots can go back more than 2000 years as a harvesting settlement in the Anglo-Saxon era and became an importnat centre for the Kingdom of Mercia. Gloucester expanded 2000 years ago, ‘Glevum’ was first established as a Roman fort in 48AD. It was later converted into a settlement and granted the official title of ‘Colonia Nervia Glevensis‘ by Emperor Nerva in 97AD – the highest status a provincial town could achieve in the Roman Empire. 

King Henry III was crowned at the St Peter’s Abbey in 1216 – the last time an English monarch was to do so outside of Westminster in London. Elizabeth I granted Gloucester Docks Royal Port status in 1580 that opened up trade links with the rest of the world.

Gloucester was Great Britain’s largest inland port.

WHAT TO SEE

HISTORIC DOCKS

The docks are open all year to walk around however the museums are open 9am -1730. Fifteen Victorian warehouses stand as proud guardians overlooking the port. The docks have become an interesting place to walk around, although the Victorian bustle has long gone. Views include many fine late Victorian era warehouses, a working dry dock, a Mariners Chapel and other dock related buildings that have been found new uses, mostly converted into very sort after apartments.

Where ships once discharged their cargoes there is now an ever changing scene of visiting narrow boats, motor cruisers and the occasional yacht and tall ship. Home to Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet, Gloucester Waterways Museum, The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum and Gloucester Quays Antiques Centre. You will also find a range of waterfront bars, restaurants and coffee shops located within the Quays.

GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL

Gloucester Cathedral is one of the finest medieval buildings in the country and the burial place of royalty. Trace 1000 years of architectural styles. It truly is a beautiful building. There are services every morning at 1030, but after the services everyone is welcomed to walk and around the cathedral and marvel at the magnificent stone carving and stained glass windows.

BLACKFRIARS PRIORY

Blackfriars Priory is the most complete example of a medieval Dominican Priory in Britain. The original medieval cloister that was completed in 1239 includes the scriptorium where the friars were trained for their preaching mission over 750 years ago. The original study cells or carrels are housed in the oldest surviving library building in the country.

WATERWAYS MUSEUM

Take a ‘Journey Through Britain’ in the award winning National Waterways Museum which tells the 200 year story of inland waterways. There are boat trips and book shops to make for a great few hours. Click HERE for more.

PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK

GUILT TRIP

Nestled in the heart of the Gloucester docks Guilt Trip is a very welcoming bar with a beer garden overlooking the canals offering great craft beers and tasty bar food.

PORTIVO LOUNGE

Portivo Lounge is a ‘home from home’, or so it reads on their website. Offering delicious food and drinks at very reasonable prices. Portivo Lounge is a very relaxed place to socialise. As the day changes so does the atmosphere.

THE LORD HIGH CONSTABLE

The Lord High Constable is a franchise of Wetherspoons offering all the pub classics at very affordable prices. Order from the app rather than queuing at the bar to order and your food and drink will be served to the table. Like TANK, this pub offers a beer garden overlooking the canals.

THE FOUNTAIN INN

Tracing back to 1216 this pub is tucked away off pedestrianised street. It offers traditional pub classics and well stocked ales. Dining can be inside or around the cobbled courtyard.

WHERE I STAYED

If you are looking for a great located hotel and kind on the wallet really look no further than The Premier Inn at the Quayside. The rooms are clean, the venue is fairly new and is literally a 5 minute walk from the docks, that then continue into Gloucester city centre.

MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF GLOUCESTER

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