We are looking at a visit to London and visiting some friends in Cheltenham. What is the best way to get to Cheltenham from London? How would we get around Cheltenham if we do not drive? Any hotel recommendations for that area? Thanks.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32700 posts
Paddington station in London, GWR railway (tautology) to Swindon (takes about 53 minutes), about a 13 minute connection, GWR to Cheltenham (takes just over an hour), around 2 and a quarter hours all in.
Buses or walk or taxi around Cheltenham.
Do you want to get to an outlying village or town, or will you be in Cheltenham? Can your friends collect you from the station?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I do not think our friends can get us at the station in Cheltenham. Any recommendations for accommodations there? What else can we see around Cheltenham?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6503 posts
Cheltenham isn’t that large and easy to walk around. There is a National Express bus (if I remember correctly) from Victoria Station to the bus stop in town. The two times I’ve been to Cheltenham, I stayed at the George Hotel, and Hotel du Vin. They are within walking distance to the bus station in town and a block from each other. I preferred Hotel du Vin. Other people from my company have stayed at Queen’s Hotel. Glad you have friends there, since there is little to do right in the town, other than walk around. Believe the train station is a little over a mile from the center of town.
When I was there on business, I had a rental car and was able to visit some of the Cotswold villages, as well as Stratford Upon Avon, and Tewksbury.
Posted by
Sevilla
1291 posts
You probably don't want to drive around Cheltenham anyway, as it has a very confusing one-way system that, I assume, was designed by a drunk. It's not a big town (depending on just where your friends live), so taxis shouldn't be expensive for getting around
I've only stayed in the town for work, so used dull business hotels, but if that suits then the Holiday Inn Express is fine, reliable and central, if unexciting.
Montpellier is probably the nicest part of town to stay in with interesting architecture, nice gardens and squares, lots of independent shops and bars, plus the poshest school pupils west of Eton. Queens Hotel would be convenient.
But can't your friends recommend somewhere? They'll know what's convenient for them too.
One of the best things to see is to take the short rail journey to Gloucester and see its magnificent cathedral. The rest of Gloucester is nothing to write home about, perhaps, but the cathedral and close are fantastic and not to be missed.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6503 posts
Emma, but they find any of Hillary’s missing emails? GCHQ isn’t in the center of town and would be a decent walk. It is an interesting looking building.
Posted by
392 posts
Pitville Park and the Pump Room are nice places too. It's a town for relaxing in really rather than seeing 'sites'. I agree with previous poster about taking a visit to Gloucester Cathedral. If you've seen Harry Potter films you'll recognise the cloisters.