Cheltenham factfile

How to get to Cheltenham
Cheltenham lies in the county of Gloucestershire, around 97 miles from London. The town has good road and rail connections to the rest of the country, and is well-connected to Birmingham International Airport and London airports.

Cheltenham through the ages
Cheltenham has its roots in Saxon times, although it is perhaps best known for its famous spas. In the latter half of the 1700s and early 1800s, the spas brought prestige and prosperity to the town, and a great many visitors—King George III among them.

The town grew rapidly as a result, and today boasts some of the country's best Regency architecture, such as the Promenade and Royal Crescent, the buildings of Cheltenham Ladies College and the gardens of Montpellier Spa.

Shopping in Cheltenham
Cheltenham today is a thriving shopping centre. In and around the High Street, the Regent Arcade and Beechwood shopping centre offer a wide range of designer outlets and high street names.

The area of Montpellier is the place to go for small boutiques and independent outlets, and the Suffolks is a haven for antiques and interiors shops. If you're in search of local produce, check out the farmers' markets every second and last Friday of the month.

Things to see and do in Cheltenham
Cheltenham is the gateway to the beautiful Cotswolds, with its picturesque villages and scenic countryside.

Visitors can explore this historic area on two specially devised routes, the Romantic Road and the Road for Tomorrow, which take in some of the area's highlights, such as Sudeley Castle at Winchcombe, with its magnificent gardens, and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, an all-volunteer steam and diesel heritage railway.

Arts and culture in Cheltenham
Cheltenham hosts a number of famous festivals throughout the year, focused on literature, jazz and folk music, among many other popular themes. The town also plays host to Britain's oldest Cricket Festival. The town also boasts three theatres and a wide-ranging programme of arts events, year-round.

Eating and drinking in Cheltenham
Cheltenham truly does boast the whole range of dining options, ranging from one of the country's ten 2-star Michelin restaurants to gastropubs, ethnic cuisine and budget family eateries. The town also hosts the annual Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival in June.

Cheltenham's claim to fame
Cheltenham is home to the world famous Cheltenham Racecourse, the home of National Hunt racing. The annual National Hunt Festival is a must for race enthusiasts.