Out & About in Cheltenham

Cheltenham is an affluent spa town located in Gloucestershire, England. It has a population of around 120,000 and is situated less than one hundred miles from London. The town is also within touring distance of the beautiful Cotswolds and the famous Roman city of Bath. Cheltenham Racecourse is a popular feature in the area and a much-loved venue by horse racing enthusiasts across the country, who flock to the grounds each year to enjoy the spectacle of the Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham Town Hall is a notable landmark in the area, as too is the curious bronze sculpture, 'The Minotaur and the Hare', which resides on the town's Promenade - fascinatingly peculiar! Furthermore, Cheltenham is regarded as the most complete Regency town in England, which refers to its preservation of sublime Regency style architecture.

Shopping

Cavendish House is something of a focal point on the Cheltenham Promenade. The department store opened in 1823 and is a truly splendid landmark in the area. It also signifies the town's importance in the retail industry, as Cavendish House quickly established itself as a leading shopping department. The store is now part of the popular House of Fraser Group.

The Regent Arcade and Beachwood Shopping Centres offer busy yet friendly shopping environments and include popular stores such as River Island, Ann Summers, Wallis, Holland & Barrett, The Link and Animal. For kids, there is also a Disney store in the Beachwood Shopping Centre, which sells just about everything Disney from toys and figurines to decorations and clothing.

Montpellier Street shops include more specialist stores such as The Ballroom (fashion) and Fourmark (Arts and Craft). The Promenade is awash with household name department stores, from Oasis and Gap to Dorothy Perkins and Burton. There are also plenty of electrical, computing and telecommunications stores on these streets, including Dixons and the Carphone Warehouse. In short, just about every shopping outlet imaginable can be found on the streets of Cheltenham.

Food and Drink

Considering that Cheltenham is widely regarded as being amongst the more affluent parts of England, it should come as no surprise that the town plays host to a number of fine restaurants, bars and cafés. Le Champignon Sauvage, for example, has received fine reviews and was awarded two stars from the highly regarded Michelin Red Guide and Harden's Guide - no mean feat in the slightest. Le Champignon Sauvage is certainly one for the dessert lovers, having also been awarded the 'Egon Ronay Dessert Chef of the Year' award!

Moran's Eating House is also popular amongst the Cheltenham locals and has been in business for over twenty years. Other exquisite restaurants in Cheltenham include the Langton, which offers a supremely modern culinary experience set in a beautiful Regency style listed building, and the Daffodil, which is set, quite remarkably, in a rennovated art deco cinema! Visitors to Cheltenham will also be able to enjoy popular high street offerings such as Burger King and McDonalds, whilst it is advised that no trip to the town is complete without a pub meal in the adorable Hollow Bottom.

Arts and Entertainment

As a spa town, Cheltenham has a vibrant entertainment scene. The Playhouse Theatre is a popular venue amongst traditional play lovers, whilst a more diverse theatrical experience can be sought from the Bacon Theatre, which offers physical theatre, classical ballet and live music. Furthermore, the Bacon Theatre, in conjunction with the Cheltenham Film Society, screens a delightful range of old and new independent movies that offer something a little different to their Hollywood counterparts.

Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum is also well worth a visit and currently hosts a series of fantastic exhibitions, including the Edmund de Waal commission and Newlyn Arts and Crafts display. Collections comprise of Bronze Age swords and Egyptian artefacts to other sundry items and paintings.

Hotel and Travel

As to be expected, there are plenty of fine places to stay in Cheltenham. Starting with the spacious and tastefully decorated Clarence Court Hotel, guests have noted a great range of facilities coupled with a warm, friendly service. The Greenway Hotel is one of the more luxurious hotels in Cheltenham, whilst a stay in the Holiday Inn Express is also well worth the money.

Visitors to Cheltenham will also be tempted to choose cheaper accommodation simply because the quality is still relatively high and the town itself has such a wealth of restaurants and bars that very little time may be spent in the hotel itself!

Cheltenham can be accessed by road via the M5 motorway and the A40 and A417, and the town itself is easily navigated by car, bus, bicycle or on foot. Cheltenham Spa railway station serves over one million passengers each year and operates various routes in all directions, including those to Birmingham and London.