National Express
Places to visit in Gloucestershire
- Ashleworth Tithe Barn
The barn, with its immense stone-tiled roof, is picturesquely situated close to the banks of the River Severn.
Location: Ashleworth, Gloucestershire GL19 4JA
Telephone: 01452 814213
National Trust website: Ashleworth Tithe Barn
Email: ashleworth@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Chedworth Roman Villa
The remains of one of the largest Roman villas in the country provide a fascinating insight into 4th-century Roman Britain. The site was discovered in 1864 on the Earl of Eldon’s estate by a local gamekeeper, and subsequently excavated by his estate workers. More than a mile of walls survives, along with beautiful mosaics, two bathhouses, hypocausts, a water shrine and latrine. Visitors to the museum will discover artefacts from the villa, and an audio-visual presentation brings history to life. The ruins nestle in a wooded combe in the heart of the Cotswolds, with beautiful woodland walks.
Location: Yanworth, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 3LJ
Telephone: 01242 890256
National Trust website: Chedworth Roman Villa
Email: chedworth@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Dyrham Park
Set in a beautiful Gloucestershire valley and surrounded by 110 hectares (272 acres) of garden and rolling parkland, this grand baroque house with spectacular sweeping views towards Bristol was designed by Talman for William Blathwayt, Secretary at War during the reign of William III. Lavish 17th-century collections reflect the fashion for all things Dutch, including paintings and furniture. Later 18th-century additions include furniture by Gillow and Linnell, and the Victorian domestic quarters provide visitors with an intriguing insight into life below stairs.
Location: Dyrham, near Bath, Gloucestershire SN14 8ER
Telephone: 0117 937 2501
National Trust website: Dyrham Park
Email: dyrhampark@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Hailes Abbey
Once a Cistercian abbey, founded in 1246 by Richard of Cornwall and dissolved Christmas Eve 1539, Hailes never housed large numbers of monks but had extensive and elaborate buildings. It was financed by pilgrims visiting its renowned relic, ‘the Holy Blood of Hailes’; allegedly a phial of Christ’s blood.
Location: near Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5PB
Telephone: 01242 602398
National Trust website: Hailes Abbey
Email: hailesabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Hidcote Manor Garden
Hidcote is one of England’s great gardens. Designed and created by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts & Crafts style, it is made up of exquisite garden rooms, each possessing its own special character. Visitors will discover rare shrubs and trees, outstanding herbaceous borders and unusual plant species. The garden changes in harmony with the seasons, from vibrant spring bulbs to autumn’s glorious Red Border. Nestled in the Cotswolds with sweeping views across the Vale of Evesham, Hidcote is appealing all year round
Location: Hidcote Bartrim, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6LR
Telephone: 01386 438333
National Trust website: Hidcote Manor Garden
Email: hidcote@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Newark Park
From its Tudor origins to today, Newark Park contains elements reflecting 450 years of history. The atmospheric house is lived in and is furnished with an eclectic mix of old and modern. Outside, the wild romantic garden and landscape, with fantastic views to the distant Mendips, are breathtaking.
Location: Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 7PZ
Telephone: 01793 817666 (Infoline)
National Trust website: Newark Park
Email: newarkpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Snowshill Manor and Garden
Charles Wade embodied his family motto ‘Let nothing perish’, spending his life and inherited wealth amassing a spectacular collection of everyday and extraordinary objects from across the globe. He bought objects because of their colour, craftsmanship and design, restoring the ancient, golden-yellow Cotswold manor house to display them. Laid out theatrically according to Mr Wade’s wishes, the Manor is literally packed to the rafters with 22,000 or so unusual objects – from tiny toys to splendid suits of Samurai armour. The Manor is surrounded by an intriguing terraced hillside garden designed in the Arts & Crafts style.
Location: Snowshill, near Broadway, Gloucestershire WR12 7JU
Telephone: 01386 852410
National Trust website: Snowshill Manor and Garden
Email: snowshillmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Westbury Court Garden
Originally laid out between 1696 and 1705, this is the only restored Dutch water garden in the country. Visitors can explore canals, clipped hedges and working 17th-century vegetable plots and discover many old varieties of fruit trees.
Location: Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire GL14 1PD
Telephone: 01452 760461
National Trust website: Westbury Court Garden
Email: westburycourt@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Woodchester Park
The tranquil wooded valley contains a ‘lost landscape’; remains of an 18th- and 19th-century landscape park with a chain of five lakes. The restoration of this landscape is an ongoing project. Waymarked trails (steep in places) lead through picturesque scenery, passing an unfinished Victorian mansion (not National Trust).
Location: Nympsfield, near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3TS
Telephone: 01452 814213
National Trust website: Woodchester Park
Email: woodchesterpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons
Rolling hills and wide open spaces rising up above the Stroud Valleys and Severn estuary.
Location: South of Stroud on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds
(Contact The National Trust, Ebworth Estate, Gloucestershire GL6 7ES)
Telephone: 01452 814213 (General enquiries)
National Trust website: Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons
Email: minchandrod@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate
Beautiful Cotswold country estate containing a rare 17th-century grandstand and surrounded by water meadows and parkland rich in wildlife.
Location: North Cotswolds, between Northleach and Burford, Gloucestershire
Telephone: 01451 844130 (Lodge Park); 01451 844257 (Estate office)
(Contact Lodge Park, Aldsworth, Gloucestershire GL54 3PP)
National Trust website: Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate
Email: lodgepark@nationaltrust.org.uk
(All descriptions reproduced with kind permission from the National Trust.)
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