Destination guides > Europe > England > Heart of England > Gloucestershire > Gloucester
Gloucester
This city on the River Severn was once an important inland port. Its history goes back to Roman times when the city was a major provincial centre and its importance increased in the Norman period when William the Conqueror met here frequently; however in the Middle Ages the port began to decline as trade picked up in Bristol.
Nowadays Gloucester's waterways are popular with leisure craft travelling Britain's canal system and its historic docks have been revived with pubs, shops, cafés and the National Waterways Museum.
Practical information
Gloucester Tourist Information Centre
28 Southgate Street, Gloucester
Tel (01452) 396572
Website www.gloucester.gov.uk/tourism
Open Jan-Jun Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Coming & going
BUS & COACH
National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) coaches go to Birmingham, Bristol and London. Stagecoach buses 94 and X94 run between Cheltenham and Gloucester.
TRAIN
There are frequent trains to Birmingham, Bristol, Cheltenham, Leeds, London (Paddington), Manchester and Penzance with services operated by CrossCountry and First Great Western
Hostel accommodation
There are no hostels in Gloucester. The closest hostels are in Cheltenham and Stow-on-the-Wold.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Gloucester Cathedral
This beautiful cathedral features fan vaulted cloisters and the tomb of Edward II.
College Green, Gloucester
Tel (01452) 528 095
Website www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Admission £3 donation
Open summer 8am-6pm daily; winter 8am-5pm daily
Gloucester City Museum & Art Gallery
This museum has exhibits relating to Gloucestershire's history including dinosaur bones, Roman artefacts and the famous Birdlip mirror. The adjoining art gallery displays paintings by Gainsborough and Turner.
Brunswick Road, Gloucester
Tel (01452) 396 131
Website www.gloucester.gov.uk/citymuseum
Admission free
Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm
Gloucester Folk Museum
Housed in a historic timber-framed Tudor building, this museum has displays on local history that include exhibits on the Port of Gloucester and the Civil War.
99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester
Tel (01452) 396 467
Website www.livinggloucester.co.uk
Admission free
Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm
National Waterways Museum
Located on the historic Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, this museum recounts the 300-year history of Britain's canals and inland waterways. It features historic boats, hands-on exhibits and a floor dedicated to trade on the waterways.
Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester Docks, Gloucester
Tel (01452) 318054
Website www.nwm.org.uk
Admission £3.95
Open 10am-5pm daily
