Beatrix Potter’s children’s story ‘The Tailor of Gloucester’ has made helped make Gloucester famous across the country. The city grew from a Roman settlement known as ‘Glevum’, which was built near the River Severn in the 1st century. Its cathedral dates back to a minster originally built in the 7th century, which was rebuilt at the order of William the Conqueror. At this time it was St Peter’s Abbey – it did not become a cathedral until 1541. It was also in this century that Queen Elizabeth I awarded Gloucester its port status. The city grew over the following centuries, with its development boosted by the arrival of the railway.

There are a number of fascinating museums in the area documenting such diverse topics as national waterways and children’s toys. There is also a wealth of opportunities to watch and get involved in the arts, with many concerts and plays to choose from. In addition, its proximity to the Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds makes Gloucester an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.