Cheltenham Tourist Attractions
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The residential town of Cheltenham (5mi/8km from Gloucester; pop. 87,200) was made a popular spa resort in 1716 with the assistance of George III and Wellington. Its many trees give it the aspect of a garden city. There is no finer shopping street in England than the Promenade, and there are numerous other handsome streets of the Regency period. The Cheltenham festival of Contemporary Music is held in July.
Town Hall
Set amongst the lawns of trees of the Imperial Square is the richly adorned town hall of Cheltenham. Its interior is most notable for the three symbols of the oak, books and pigeons, each of which represent a different aspect of the city.
Promenade
The centerpiece of the Promenade is a massive fountain of Neptune, the god of the sea.
St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church has a beautiful rose window.
Art Gallery and Museum
The Art Gallery and Museum in Clarence Street has a good collection of Dutch masters.The Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum contains an internationally renowned collection of arts and crafts, furniture, metalwork, paintings and textiles, many inspired by William Morris. It also presents the history of Cheltenham, Britain's most complete Regency town.Small temporary exhibitions of costumes are frequently mounted.
Schools
Cheltenham has two famous schools, Cheltenham College (founded 1841) and Cheltenham Ladies' College (1853).
Parks
Cheltenham's many parks include Pittville Park, which contains a lake, the Pumproom and a museum, and Prestbury Park, famous for the National Hunt steeplechases.
Lodge Park
Lodge Park is located in the Sherbourne Park Estate that was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1982. The property is an excellent example of a Cotswald estate that would include a village, planted valley and high, bleak land to the south.During the 17th C it served the deer coursing park, providing excellent views over the course and the parkland.
Festival of Literature
This week-long festival brings together writers from throughout Europe and North America for open discussions, debates and talks. A children's festival is also held on the sidelines, with plays, films and musical performances.
International Festival of Music
This festival showcases top British musical talent, with performances of chamber, orchestral, jazz and folk music, as well as opera.In this spirit, several premieres are featured every year and new compositions are at the center of the program.The festival runs for two weeks in early July in venues including the Pittville Pump Room, the Everyman Theatre and the Town Hall.Fringe events and lectures are also held along-side the festival.
Regent Arcade
A great arched roof extends over the Regent Arcade while mirrors along the numerous stairs and elevators create an interesting and entertaining environment for shoppers.
Wishing Fish Clock
This incredible creation by Kit Williams features a clockface with peeping mice, an egg-laying duck and bubbles that spurt out to the tune of 'Forever Blowing Bubbles'. To catch a bubble means that a wish is to be made, thus the name of the clock.
Birthplace of Gustav Holst
The famous composer of 'The Planets' was born here - Gustav Holst. It has since been turned into a museum commemorating the composer's life.
Everyman Theatre
The Everyman Theatre is located in the heart of Cheltenham. It presents the very best drama, dance, comedy and theatre year round.
Montpellier
The region of shops and shaded walkways known as Montpellier is focused around the Green Rotunda.
Surroundings
Guiting Power
Guiting Power is a small village with ancient cotswold stone buildings. The Guitings are named for their position on the upper reaches of the Windrush in the northern Cotswolds (Gyte means flood). Power was the name of the family who settled the area.
Kemerton
Kemerton is 8mi/12km north of Cheltenham. Kemerton Camp, an Iron Age hill fort, and Kemerton Court, from the late 16th century are a couple of the more notable historic sites. The Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve is an important wildlife site.
Northleach
Northleach is located 8mi/15km southeast of Cheltenham. The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Northleach is an impressive building that dates from the 12th century. The town has a cricket club and a tennis club.
Keith Harding's World of Mechanical Music
The Keith Harding Museum contains collections of antique clocks, musical boxes, automata and musical instruments. Winner of 'Come to Britain' award in 1988.
Notgrove - Long Barrow
This Neolithic burial mound is located near Notgrove. The chambers contain human remains, opening off from a stone-built central passage.
