Luxury Weekend in Cheltenham
If you are looking for a luxury break away then a weekend in cheltenham could be just the thing. There are so many places to stay, eat and things to see that a Weekend Escape in Cheltenham is ideal if you are looking to get away for a few days.
Staying in Cheltenham is a good place to start as it is set in the beautiful area of the Cotswolds. It is in an ideal location offering an abundance of Hotels, Spas, restaurants, bars and beautiful shops. Not to mention the Race course and with the festival scene you will easily find something to do. Cheltenham can be good for couples, friends, short breaks, luxury weekends away and even a hen weekend in Cheltenham.
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So if you are looking for a luxury weekend away in cheltenham where you can sip champagne or shop to your hearts content lets look at how to spend your time and find out what you really do not want to miss.
Book yourself a luxury weekend in cheltenham and explore what this stunning regency town has to offer, Things to do in Cheltenham
As this Regency town of Cheltenham is on the edge of the Cotswolds a few days here can easily be incorporated in to a weeks break. If not just 48 hours in Cheltenham has lots to offer as a weekend break in its own right.
Cheltenham is best-known as a spa town mainly because of King George III. He came to cheltenham in 1788 after a spring had been discovered.
So what is cheltenham like? You can expect to discover all sorts of sides to your visit in Cheltenham as it truly is a delight. You will find unique street art, great shopping and stylish boutique hotels and historic places to visit.
Not only that Cheltenham is surrounded by gorgeous countryside and has great tourism and gorgeous Georgian architecture as well as boutique shops, stylish restaurants and pretty parks. In fact you will be spoilt for choice.
Getting around in Cheltenham
Cheltenham is quite a compact city and you can easily do most of the town on foot. You can walk to the promenade for shopping, Pittville Park to visit the Pittville Pump room and its spa waters or stroll around Montpellier gardens. You can walk to the Brewery quarter for restaurants and bars or take a picnic to one of the local parks.
Going Shopping in Cheltenham town luxurious shops
Not only does Cheltenham have some of the best top class shops such as John Lewis, The White stuff, Bang and Olufsen it has many boutique shops. The best places to shop in Cheltenham are;
- The Promenade Shops along the high street promenade are typically more regular retail brand style shops. Here you will find all of your favourite fashion stores, home stores and department stores. The Regent Arcade is here which is a huge undercover shopping precinct linking the Promenade with the high street.
- Montpellier Montpellier in Cheltenham is an unique shopping district. Here you will find chic boutiques, stylish bars and beautiful restaurants nestled in amongst historic and iconic buildings.
- The Suffolks If you want to shop in the Suffolks it is a short walk away from the Montpelier district. Here you will find Georgian Terraces and Victorian townhouses with independent boutiques and artisan shops.
- Tivoli in Cheltenham is one of the smallest shopping areas. Here you are find little rows of shops which are always used by the locals.
- Bath Road, Last but not least head up to Bath road for a busy street full of a wide variety of independent food shops. You will also find great great cafes and pubs here too. Not to mention one off boutique shops thrown in.
Where to Eat in Cheltenham
There are so many different restaurants and Gastro pubs to try in Cheltenham. You can expect to find all of the big name brands that you would find when eating out in London too, let’s take a look at a few of them now. Here are few of my favourites that you will not want to miss as the food scene in this regency town takes a lot of beating.
The brewery Quarter
First up try the Brewery Quarter for a large range of eateries. The Brewery Quarter is in Henrietta Street just Cheltenham and it’s a place to go if you’re looking for something to eat. Here you will find all of the big name food brands from Five Guys to Nando’s and even the Botanist. It is also the home of many leisure attractions, here you will find a Hollywood bowl, cinema and even an escape room called Escape Hunt. You can find out what’s going on in the year in the Brewery Quarter by checking out there website.
Other Luxury restaurants to try in Cheltenham.
Kibo Japanese Bar and Kitchen
Kibo is a Japanese kitchen serving traditional sushi and Ramen. It is a stylish restaurant with moving image pictures on the walls definitely a place to visit even if it’s only for cocktails but you really must try the sushi and the Japanese Ramen!
Champignon Sauvage
If you’re looking for fine dining why not try the Michelin star restaurant the Champignon Sauvage.The Champignon Sauvage has as one star Michelin and serves a la Carte lunch and dinner with a selection of fish meat in a modern French style.
The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie Cheltenham
The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie is definitely worth a visit ! There are many Ivy restaurants all over the country but this one is unusual. Not only do you know you are going to get good food and cocktails but it’s such an amazing building! It is housed in the restored rotunda building at the top of Montpeliler which was also once a bank! it even still has the huge safe doors which they still use in their kitchen inside. Plus of course the bar has to have a race horse!
Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar
Memsahib Gin and tea bar is a great hidden gem in Cheltenham. Not only does it serve the finest teas and gins but it serves food of a Indian and British cuisine! Great for afternoon day time or evening Visits
Cheltenham Brasserie Blank
The Cheltenham Brasserie Blank is a French with a British twist style brasserie serving extensive fresh and a seasonal à la carte menu. You will find everything from potted crab here to pheasant sausage served with truffle mash!
Victorias at the Queens Hotel Cheltenham.
Victorias is a fine dining restaurant in the beautiful Queens Hotel. It serves the very best of British cuisine. Sourcing ingredients from local artisan producers and farms, serving fresh, seasonal and premium quality dishes in a stunning surrounding.
You can see more or Cheltenham’s finest eatery’s here.
Things to do in Cheltenham
Take part in a festival in Cheltenham
Take part in the festival Cheltenham scene. It is well known for its festivals such as the Cheltenham Literature festival amongst many others such as Jazz, Music festivals and even science festivals.
Have a day at the races
Enjoy the Cheltenham races or the Cheltenham Festival Horse Racing. The Cheltenham Festival in March is a highlight of the Jockey club racing calendar. Cheltenham Gold Cup is a four day long event and brings in large crowds. If horse racing is not what you are after then it may be best to avoid this time. They even have a new Year meet up too!
Try a walking tour
We went on a tour with a local expert blue badge guide Sean Callery from Off Beat Cotswolds. Sean was a Joy to listen to with his historic tales of Christmas in Cheltenham. It’s a wonderful way to see the town and he is a mindful of historic information!
We spotted so many things along the route with Sean including an octagonal post letter box dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria and many interesting statues such as one of Gustav Holst the composer who was born in the town. He also showed us some of the many and little birds hidden all over the city.
These birds are part of the Pigean art project in Cheltenham. It is said that Cheltenham’s spa water was discovered in 1716 when pigeons were found gathering and pecking around a spring. near Ever since then the pigeon has been a symbol of Cheltenham’s spa water heritage. The pigeon also features as a motif on the Cheltenham Coat of Arms and on cast-iron finials on the town’s fingerpost signs.
Visit the Pittville pump room
The Pitteville Pump room is a grade 1 listed building in Pittville Park. It is the last and largest of the spa buildings to be built in Cheltenham. It is set in stunning park grounds and stil has the original pump for the spa water inside. You can also grab some lunch here in the The Garden Bar.
Explore Cheltenham at Christmas
Exploring Christmas in Cheltenham is the perfect to get in to the festive spirit. You will find an array of wonderful things to do at Christmas time in Cheltenham from the light switch on’s to Ice skating! There are also many pop up Christmas markets too.
Book a Theatre show at the Everyman theatre
See a West end Musical show this year at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. You can even book a pantomime at Christmas. Last year saw Jack and the Bean Stalk which was great fun for adults and children alike. You can book your tickets direct with the Everyman theatre.
Where to stay in luxury in Cheltenham
For a luxurious break away you will want to stay in luxury, be it for your girly weekend or your romantic break for two. Here are two of my favourites places to try in luxury in Cheltenham.
Ellenborough Park luxury 5 star hotel
If you are looking for a luxurious weekend break then look no further than Ellenborough Park. Ellenborough is a hotel and Spa as well as a beautiful historic building on stunning grounds. Ellenborough Park is a top class 5 star hotel and 15th century English country estate in close proximity to the Cheltenham race course. It is perfectly situated on the edge of the Cotswolds and just a short drive from Cheltenham town centre with all of its things to do.
Ellenborough Park is also one of the finest Spas in the area with plenty of different room styles and suites to stay in. It is also the place to come for a traditional British cream tea!
Queens Hotel
The Queens Hotel is a in a fabulous location in the centre of town making everything you want to do easily accessible. The Hotel has a grand exterior and is one of the most beautiful houses of Cheltenham’s Regency streets. The hotel overlooks the Imperial Square and Gardens and sits alongside impressive Cheltenham Town Hall.
It is a a luxury boutique hotel with a restaurant bar and amazing rooms with all of the mod cons. The listed open staircase is however the centre of attention here with with the same wallpaper as the Houses of Parliament! The Victoria restaurant serves British classics as well as its amazing Queens Hotel Tiffin Afternoon Tea. Take a look at this review of the Queens hotel in Cheltenham here and also 10 reasons you have to stay at the Queens hotel here.
I experienced this Luxury Weekend in Cheltenham as part of a remarkable weekend with Visit Cheltenham. All thoughts and opinion are my own and you can read more about a staycation in Cheltenham here.
