Gloucestershire (a spa town, The Cotswolds and ancient forest)
Gloucestershire is a fairly large county in southwest England. It’s home to the city of Gloucester, the pretty spa town of Cheltenham and lots of pretty villages.
Mostly it’s taken by the Cotswolds, England’s largest landscape. This is full of lovely walking country and honey-coloured stone cottages.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe (learn how to upright an overturned sheep). Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms, cliffs and toxic plants/trees. Daffodils are popular here year-round but know they are like all bulbs unsafe near pets.
At the coast, keep dogs away from nesting birds and sand dunes. Read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside. Check beach bans before travel.
Gloucester: A Historic Cathedral City
Gloucester is one of England’s most historic cities, not the prettiest but very interesting anyway. The docks are worth a visit, althoughg most of the warehouses are now museums and shops.
The Cotswolds
This is England’s largest national landscape and covers several counties, but most are here. Often a place where rich tired rock stars go to retire, it’s home to many pretty villages.
Bourton-on-the-water is one, though it does suffer from overtourism. Some locals are fed up with people coming off coaches to take photos then getting back on again, without absorbing the history.
Cheltenham: Culture and Elegance
This is a really pretty town. Known for its Regency architecture, it’s costly to live here but the buildings are lovely, and like Tunbridge Wells in Kent, it has healing spa waters.
The Forest of Dean
This is one of England’s oldest forests, home to lots of wildlife. Including wild boar, so never disturb them. Related to pigs, they are gentle but could attack to protect their young. So also keep dogs away.
