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Gloucester
A Norman abbey turned cathedral, Victorian docks and a Roman street plan on the Severn
Gloucester was founded as the Roman colony of Glevum in AD 97 and is now the county town of Gloucestershire, on the River Severn between the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. Its four main streets still meet at The Cross. The cathedral began as St Peter's Abbey in about 679; it is the burial place of King Edward II, and it features in scenes from the Harry Potter films.
From the cathedral, Westgate Street runs past St Nicholas' Church to the river, and Southgate Street leads to the Greyfriars ruins, St Mary de Crypt and the docks. Gloucester Docks, linked to the Severn Estuary by the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, hold the National Waterways Museum and the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, with the Gloucester Quays outlet centre beside them. About 132,000 people live in Gloucester and its suburbs.
- From LondonAbout 2.5 hoursVisit Gloucester's figure; Great Western Railway runs direct from London Paddington
- From BirminghamAbout 1 hourAccording to Visit Gloucester
- Roman foundingAD 97As the colony of Glevum under Emperor Nerva
- PopulationAbout 132,000Including suburbs, according to Wikipedia
Areas
Where to begin
The Gloucester city centre and docks guide has 13 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay.
Sights
Highlights across Gloucester
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Gloucester Cathedral
Former St Peter's Abbey, founded around 679; burial place of King Edward II, seen in scenes from the Harry Potter films.
National Waterways Museum Gloucester
Canal & River Trust museum in a Victorian warehouse at Gloucester Docks, on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
Museum of Gloucester
The city's main museum, on Brunswick Road, reopened in 2011 after renovation.
Greyfriars
English Heritage ruins of a friary church founded about 1231 and rebuilt around 1518 by the Berkeley family.
St Oswald's Priory
Grade I listed ruins of a priory founded in the 880s or 890s by Æthelflæd, daughter of Alfred the Great.
St Mary de Crypt Church
Grade I listed church first recorded in 1140, next to the Greyfriars ruins.
St Nicholas' Church
Grade I listed church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust; its truncated spire is a city-centre landmark.
St Mary de Lode Church
Grade I listed church just outside the cathedral grounds, thought by some to stand on the site of a very early Christian church.
Photos
1 / 3Getting there
Arriving in Gloucester
Gloucester station is a 7-minute, flat walk from the city centre, according to Visit Gloucester. Great Western Railway runs from London Paddington, Reading, Bristol and Worcester; Birmingham and Bristol airports are about an hour away. Check operators for times and fares.
Train
Great Western Railway runs direct services from London Paddington, Reading, Bristol and Worcester, with services to Birmingham too. Visit Gloucester gives London as about 2.5 hours away.
Airports
Birmingham and Bristol airports are each about an hour away, according to Visit Gloucester.
By road
Gloucester is on the M5: junction 11 from the north and junction 12 from the south.
Journey times are Visit Gloucester's figures, checked on 3 November 2026. We do not publish timetables or fares.
On foot
The station is a 7-minute flat walk from the centre. The cathedral, The Cross and the docks are all walkable; the docks are south-west of The Cross along Southgate Street.
Best time to go
Gloucester through the year
The cathedral, docks and museums are open all year. Wikipedia lists the Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival (late July and early August), a summer Medieval Fayre on Westgate Street and the Three Choirs Festival every third year; Visit Gloucester lists the Gloucester Quays Christmas Markets.
The rhythm and blues festival and the Medieval Fayre; the docks and canal are at their liveliest.
Christmas markets at Gloucester Quays and a quieter cathedral; the Cajun and Zydeco Festival is held in January, according to Wikipedia.
FAQ
Good to know before you go
Which Harry Potter scenes were filmed at Gloucester Cathedral?
Wikipedia says the cathedral features in scenes from the Harry Potter films; the cathedral runs its own tours.
How far is the station from the cathedral?
Visit Gloucester says the station is a 7-minute flat walk from the city centre; the cathedral is just north of The Cross.
What is at Gloucester Docks?
Victorian warehouses on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, the National Waterways Museum, the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum and the Gloucester Quays outlet centre.
Nearby places
Guides near Gloucester
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Photo credits
- Gloucester (header): Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Gloucester city centre and docks: Jongleur100, Public domain, source
- Gloucester Cathedral: Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- National Waterways Museum Gloucester: Jongleur100, Public domain, source
- Museum of Gloucester: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Greyfriars: David Stowell, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Oswald's Priory: Philafrenzy, CC0, source
- St Mary de Crypt Church: Dave Kelly, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Nicholas' Church: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- St Mary de Lode Church: Philafrenzy, CC0, source
- St Michael's Tower: Philafrenzy, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum: Jonathan Thacker, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Gloucester Quays: Jongleur100, Public domain, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Plan it properly
More guides for Gloucester
- Where to stay in GloucesterWhich area suits which traveller, with every stay we have checked.
- Getting around GloucesterWith and without a car, from official transport pages.
- When to go to GloucesterMonth-by-month weather, daylight and what to pack.
- Rainy-day ideas in GloucesterIndoor things to do, by area.
- Events in GloucesterFestivals, markets and seasonal events from the organisers.
- Attractions in GloucesterSights and museums with entry and access flags where verified.
Keep exploring