A Moving Guide to Gloucester

Gloucester’s rich culture, quaint streets and fascinating attractions are a constant reminder of the city’s proud heritage. What began as a simple Roman fort over two millennia ago has since transformed into one of the UK’s most inviting cities, boasting a range of pubs, entertainment venues and attractive house prices. If you’re interested in moving, why not try Gloucester? This article will tell you everything you need to know about the south-west city.

Gloucester town

Why move to Gloucester?

Entertainment & Culture in Gloucester

In Gloucester, entertainment and culture go hand in hand. Gloucester Cathedral is the city’s most famous tourist attraction, with a cloister that you may recognise from the Harry Potter films. Here is a list of Gloucester’s top attractions, venues, restaurants and events:

Tourist attractions

  • Gloucester Cathedral 
  • Museum of Gloucester
  • Walls Ice Cream Factory
  • Gloucester Docks
  • Gloucester Quays
  • Blackfriars

Entertainment Venues

  • Gloucester Guildhall
  • ATIK
  • Jax Bar & Club
  • Kingsholm Stadium
  • Kings Theatre Gloucester
  • Sherborne Cinema Gloucester

Bars and Restaurants

  • The Fountain Inn
  • The New Inn
  • The Pelican Pub
  • Sebz Café Tapas Restaurant
  • Café René

Gloucester-specific events

  • The Three Choirs Festival
  • Cheese Rolling
  • Gloucester Rugby Union 
Gloucester bars and nightlife

In and Around Gloucester

The city offers some beautiful outdoor spaces, including Robinswood Hill Country Park. Stunning walking routes and scenic nature trails envelop the park. A broad mix of wildlife can also be found throughout — look out for rare birds and wild foxes.

Nearby to Gloucester lies the Cotswolds, a beautiful collection of medieval villages famed for their picturesque setting. The popular UK holiday destination is just a short drive from Gloucester.

For a day out in the sun, the Weston-Super-Mare beach is a little over an hour away. This classic sandy beach features all your seaside favourites. Enjoy fish ‘n chips, candy floss and a selection of fairground rides on the pier. You can also find the beach’s famous sand sculptures and a charming town centre just a short walk away.

What you need to know before you move to Gloucester

Schools & Education in Gloucester

Many schools in Gloucester have been labelled as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors. Check out some of the most reputable primary and secondary schools across the city:

Highest rated secondary schools in the city

  • Sir Thomas Rich’s School
  • Denmark Road High School
  • The Crypt School
  • The King’s School
  • Ribston Hall High School

Highest rated primary schools

  • Elmbridge Primary Schools
  • St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
  • Kingsholm Church of England Primary School
  • Longlevens Junior School
  • Tredworth Junior School

For a further list of schools, visit the Gloucester City Council website.

Transportation in Gloucester

Gloucester’s transport links help you to quickly and easily navigate through the city. Various bus routes run throughout the day and connect to all the city’s main areas and attractions. Gloucester Railway Station, located just a short walk from the City Centre, keeps you connected to the rest of the UK, with regular trains across the country. A few miles west of the city, Gloucester airport offers regular flights to Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Bus

  • Gloucester to Cheltenham — 20 minutes
  • Gloucester to Stroud — 25 minutes
  • Gloucester to Cotswolds — 1 hour

Train

  • Gloucester to London Paddington — 1 hour 53 minutes
  • Gloucester to Cardiff — 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Gloucester to Bristol — 54 minutes

Plane

  • Gloucester to Isle of Man — 55 minutes
  • Gloucester to Jersey — 1 hour

Emergency Services in Gloucester

There are plenty of fire stations, hospitals and police stations throughout Gloucester. 

The main emergency services in Gloucester include:

  • Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
  • Gloucester Police Station
  • Gloucester Fire and Rescue Service

Housing in Gloucester

Despite house prices increasing in recent years, Gloucester remains a considerably cheaper place to live than its neighboring town, Cheltenham. 

Average house prices

  • Flat – £127,148
  • Terraced house – £182,232
  • Semi-detached house – £223,686
  • Detached house – £351,284

Popular areas

Family-Friendly: Longlevens
Thanks to the high volume of schools in the area, including Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School, Longlevens is one of the most family-friendly areas to live in Gloucester. Aside from its tight-knit community, Longlevens is loved for its many amenities, including a library, post office and shopping centre.

Young & Vibrant: Quedgeley
Quedgeley is a vibrant suburb, situated along the left bank of the River Severn. With several good schools in the area, plus a shopping centre and sports centre, Quedgeley is one of the key locations for young couples.

Upmarket: Tuffley
Tuffley is known for its striking green spaces, with many of the houses having incredible rural views across the Severn vale. There are many schools in the area, including the Crypt School, an outstanding Grammar School. The area retains a rural feel while offering many amenities, including two libraries, a community centre, a sports centre and a shopping centre.

The Move to Gloucester

Here at Simon Long Removals, we can help you make a smooth transition into a new home in Gloucester. Whether from abroad or within the UK, our removals services incorporate everything you need for your move, including packing, transporting and unloading of your possessions. With over 20 years of experience, our team guarantee to provide an efficient and hassle-free moving day.

If you’d like to enquire further about our services, get in touch with our team today.