The tower and south side of Gloucester Cathedral

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.

  • 从伦敦出发About 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

区域

Where to begin

The Gloucester city centre and docks guide has 13 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay.

前往方式

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.

火车

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.

机场

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 We do not publish timetables or fares.

步行

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.

Visit Gloucester: getting around →

最佳出行时间

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.

Summer6 月至 8 月

The rhythm and blues festival and the Medieval Fayre; the docks and canal are at their liveliest.

冬季November to February

Christmas markets at Gloucester Quays and a quieter cathedral; the Cajun and Zydeco Festival is held in January, according to Wikipedia.

常见问题

出行前须知

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.

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图片来源

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits