What To Do in And Around Cheltenham in UK?

People who visit the United Kingdom often flock directly to London, which is the hub of all activity and entertainment this amazing country has to offer. That being said, London is not just a capital city of the UK, but also the capital of diverse culture, cuisine and various cultural, as well as historical landmarks that everyone should see for themselves at least once in their lifetime.

So if you're interested in visiting pubs, awesome restaurants or other forms of entertainment in the UK, then London is the place to be. However, if you're unsettled by busy city life, the local outskirts rich with unique towns and villages might be a better alternative for you. One such destination is most certainly Cheltenham, a unique town with many things worth discovering and exploring. But what should one do in and around Cheltenham? Well, let's take a look, shall we?

Cheltenham's well-known secrets

If you ever heard of the "Garden Town of England", then you should know it's one of the other names for Cheltenham, also known as Cheltenham Spa.

Located around 95 miles (150km) from London, Cheltenham is renowned as a holiday and spa resort ever since its mineral springs were discovered back in 1716. If you find yourself exploring London and wish to escape to the countryside for a bit, there are 33 direct trains from London to Cheltenham each day and it only takes about 30min to get there.

Speaking of Cheltenham, this Regency town is well-known for its music, science and literature festivals, not to mention a myriad of parks, as well as the "Green Belt" that spans along the fringes of the town. In other words, this small town holds many a secrets that are known to some but worth exploring nonetheless.

Wandering beyond Cheltenham

Once you've completed your exploration of the town, it may be a good idea to venture beyond the borders of Cheltenham and see what else is there. That said, a short distance from Cheltenham is a village of Prestbury where Cheltenham Racecourse is located.

Visiting this historic landmark gives you an opportunity to not only bet on Cheltenham races, but also experience the National Hunt festival that is held for October to April each year. The highlight of this event is the Cheltenham Gold Cup held during mid-March, as horse races are deeply rooted in Cheltenham's history and culture.

If you ask the local populace, they'll say that they love football as much as anyone else in England does but they'll also say that horse races are de facto the national sport in the UK.

The food journey

Visiting museums, festivals, sports events and wonderful nature of Cheltenham can wear anyone down. No doubt you'll grow an appetite for some delirious food in the process. But worry not, Cheltenham may be a small down but it has a plethora of restaurants, gastro pubs and independent eateries that you should absolutely throw yourself at the first chance you get.

To make things simpler, there's something for everyone's preferences and tastes. If you're feeling classy and sassy, you should visit Cheltenham's very own Michelin star restaurant the Le Champignon Sauvage. Other places that are as worthy of your attention as the previous one include places like Restaurant Journey, Garlic & Ginger, The Nook on Five and many, many more.

The shopping spree

Who doesn't like shopping, especially when you're visiting a place for the first time? Well, you're in luck because Cheltenham offers an assortment of shops and malls at more affordable prices than London. After all, the countryside is always cheaper than great city hubs so why not take an opportunity to splurge a bit while you're at Cheltenham.

That being said, Cheltenham does have a lot of shops and malls for a small town. So don't let the size fool you. To help you out, some of the most prominent shops worth visiting include -The Promenade, Montpellier, The Suffolks, Tivoli and Bath Road, to name a few.

There's something of everything for everyone in Cheltenham so all you have to do is decide what you want or need and then begin exploring the town and all its splendors. After all, a shopping spree isn't always about shopping. While you're going about, you'll also visit various places, enjoy wondrous architecture and engage in different activities that this town has in store for you. Therefore, it isn't really a shopping spree but a full experience, instead.

Closing words

The United Kingdom is an amazing country with plentiful history and culture. Exploring a great city like London certainly leaves you in awe but there are other places, more quiet and secluded places that are also worth your time. Cheltenham is most definitely among such destinations that you should give a chance to, especially since small and uniquely charming towns like this one can more than exceed your expectations.