25 reasons to visit Cheltenham in 2025

Cheltenham is gearing up for an unforgettable 2025, with a year packed full of exciting events, landmark anniversaries, and new experiences. The Festival Town is set to shine with a series of unmissable moments.

Embark on a culinary adventure through our award-winning food and drink scene, marvel at world-class sporting action at Cheltenham Racecourse, raise a toast to 80 years of Cheltenham Festivals, or simply sit back and enjoy the simpler, moment-to-moment experiences that make our Regency Town so special.

Read on for our top 25 reasons why Cheltenham is the place to be in 2025...

Lumiere Chef John Howe, Deya Brewery, Food at KIBOU, The Team at Beefy Boys

Fabulous Food & Drink

 

A true foodie destination, Cheltenham is filled with an unbeatable blend of independent eateries, fine dining establishments, flavourful street food and award-winning producers. No matter where you go, your taste buds will not be disappointed!

    

1. Award Winning Eats

 

Dedicated foodies searching out the best in fine dining establishments will feel right at home in Cheltenham. At the pinnacle, we have Lumiere, an intimate and innovative Michelin Star restaurant, recently rated number 9 in Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurants list. Michelin Star and 4-Rosette restaurant La Champignon Sauvage consistently receive rave reviews from visitors and critics. While Cheltenham’s premiere rooftop bar & restaurant Nook on Five recently took home the 2024 Diner Choice award from Open Table.

Looking for something a little more low-key but with equally excellent food? Cheltenham has got you covered. Burger lovers can experience the fourth-best burger in the world, The Oklahoma Onion Boy, at The Beefy Boys on Regent Street. Get a taste of East Asia at Cheltenham’s own KIBOU, serving delicious sushi, or how about an award-winning curry from Mahal, Curry Corner or Prithvi? All within a 15-minute walk of one another.

 

2. Local Producers

 

Cheltenham is fortunate to be home to many home-grown food & drink producers, including two gin distillers: Piston and Sibling Distillery, brewers of the UK’s best beer of 2024 DEYA Brewing Company, Ritual Coffee Roasters, Dunkertons Cider, and a stunning Cotswold vineyard at Dryhill House. All these suppliers provide opportunities to taste and try their products on-site and discover more about the creation process with tours and talks.

Local food and drink producers can also be found at the Farmers Market on the pedestrianised Promenade twice a month and at the Suffolks Sunday Market several times throughout the year. So, whether you’re after cured meats, aged cheese, tart chutneys, or delicious local ales, it’s the perfect place to build a delicious food hamper.  

 

3. Food & Drink Festival

 

A staple of Cheltenham’s busy summer season, Cheltenham’s Food & Drink Festival has brought people together over a love of good food for 17 years. Featuring demonstrations from some of the best chefs and wine experts in the UK, live music, talks, tastings, and delicious food from artisan food producers.

For the last three years, Cheltenham has also played host to Food + Drink Week, a weeklong celebration of everything food and drink our town has to offer. 2025 is expected to be bigger and better than ever, so keep checking back here for more information.

Cheltenham Paint Festival, Pittville Pump Room, Fresh: Art Fair, a GWSR Steam Train

Amazing Art & History

 

A fascinating blend of the old and new, Cheltenham has a rich tapestry of opportunities to discover and explore history and art.

 

4. Local Attractions

 

Cheltenham has several art galleries and museums that are open year-round. Starting on Suffolk Parade, visitors can venture on a cultural crawl through Montpellier and the town centre via 10+ local galleries, or head straight for the main event at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, which features a diverse range of temporary and permanent displays.

Venture slightly out from the town centre towards Pittville Park to find Holst Victorian House, the birthplace of composer Gustav Holst in 1874. Beyond that, in Pittville Park proper, is the stunning Grade I listed Pittville Pump Room, featuring a free immersive heritage trail that brings the history of the iconic building to life.

 

5. Heritage Open Days

 

Heritage Open Days is the largest, community-led festival of history and culture in England with thousands of volunteers and organisations taking part from towns across the country.

Every September Cheltenham gets in on the action, allowing visitors to seek out hidden places and heritage sites across the town that may otherwise be inaccessible to the public. Frequent highlights of the week-long event include Dean Close School, Cheltenham Masonic Hall, and backstage tours at the Everyman Theatre.

 

6. Fresh: Art Fair

 

Britain’s biggest regional art fair, Fresh: Art Fair at Cheltenham Racecourse is a wonderfully relaxing way to see over 50 leading galleries in one convenient place. From exciting new talent to renowned names, visitors can browse and buy works from across the UK and beyond.

Expanding in scope every year, 2024 saw live demonstrations from sculptor Robert Fogell, paper cutter Alison Russell, and a living art installation from Beyond Repair Entertainment.

 

7. Cotswold Festival of Steam

 

Embark on a journey through time to a bygone era of steam power at the GWSR Cotswold Festival of Steam.

The smell of the coal, the clack of the tracks, chugging past scenic Gloucestershire countryside in vintage carriages, The Festival of Steam is a magical weekend for railway enthusiasts, families, and history buffs.

With 2025 marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway, it's never been a better time to get onboard.

 

8. Cheltenham Paint Festival

 

Although it's not confirmed whether The Paint Festival will return for another year in 2025, the awe-inspiring street art can be explored all year round with the handy Paint Festival app. Featuring a map and audio guide, visitors can discover new and old pieces from across the years, from multi-story high murals to tucked-away gems you might otherwise miss.

Pittville Park Boathouse, View from Leckhampton Hill, Slimbridge, Cotswold Farm Park

Outdoors & Nature

 

The borough of Cheltenham borders the Cotswold AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty), is surrounded by hillsides on all sides, and is filled with green spaces within. So, wherever you are in the borough, you’re only a stone's throw away from picturesque walks and natural attractions.

 

9. Local Walks & Hills

 

For one of the best views of Cheltenham and Gloucester, head up to Crickley Hill. Jointly owned by The National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, this distinctive landmark contains evidence of an Iron Age Hill Fort and is readily accessible with an on-site car park and café.

Leckhampton Hill, on the other hand, features a rural Limestone landscape, the mysterious Devil’s Chimney with all its spooky myths, and the remains of several limestone quarries. The hill is also crisscrossed with multiple downhill mountain bike trails for those looking for a thrilling outing on two wheels.  

Finally, there’s Cleeve Hill, which towers over Cheltenham and affords exceptional views too. Featuring the highest point in the Cotswolds and a rustic golf course which proves a challenge for keen golfers.

Not feeling up for much of a climb? There are plenty of award-winning green spaces within the town centre to explore. In 2024, seven of Cheltenham’s parks and gardens - including Montpellier Gardens and Pittville Park - gained or retained Green Flag status, the international quality mark for parks and gardens.

 

10. Cotswold Farm Park

 

For a wonderful family day out filled with lambs to feed, rabbits to cuddle and a whole assortment of other adorable farmyard animals to interact with, look no further than Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, just 30 minutes from Cheltenham.

As the home of rare breed conservation, visitors can meet over 50 flocks and herds of farm animals, including Gloucestershire Old Spot Pigs and Highland cattle.

There’s also a wide variety of indoor and outdoor play areas, wildlife walks, and an on-site restaurant serving seasonal food and Adam’s 'Rare Breed' pale ale, with dinner often accompanied by stripped-back musical performances by local artists.

 

11. Slimbridge Wetland Centre

 

Taking home Gold in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024 as ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’, Slimbridge Wetland Centre is deserving of all its accolades and is worth the short drive (roughly 35 minutes) to get there from Cheltenham.

With an amazing array of wildlife - from all six species of flamingo to the resident otters, common cranes, and dragonflies, WWT Slimbridge is a wetland paradise. This stunning reserve is unique to the South-West with something for every season such as wild bird feeds, tours and talks, canoe experiences, and the delightfully messy Mudfest.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Literature Festival, Lions at Large, Science Festival

Major Festivals & Events

 

Rightly known as The Festival Town, Cheltenham hosts a thorough year-round calendar of events and festivals. No matter what time of year you visit there is sure to be something happening.

 

12. Cheltenham Festivals

 

2025 is a landmark year for Cheltenham Festivals, marking its 80th year of bringing brilliant festivals to the town!

Cheltenham Music Festival was first established in 1945 to “uplift peoples’ spirits with beauty and culture” after the war. This was followed by Cheltenham Literature Festival in 1949, the world’s longest-running Literature Festival. The Jazz and Science Festivals were established in 1996 and Science 2002 respectively.

Convening established and emerging artists, writers, thinkers, and musical maestros. These distinct festivals celebrate all avenues of culture and learning, priding themselves on a spirit of curiosity and welcoming bold performances.

What’s more, this year the Jazz Festival (30 April – 5 May) will be bolstered by the return of the Cheltenham Big Wheel. Allowing visitors to experience unparalleled views across our Regency skyline in between gigs.

 

13. Lions at Large

 

In the summer of 2025, a roarsome new art trail lands in Gloucestershire. This free Wild in Art event will see over 30 large Lion sculptures, painted by local artists, arrive on the streets of Cheltenham and Gloucester from July to September, alongside a pride of little Lions lovingly created by local schools.

Seek out each of the dazzlingly unique and colourful Lions in streets, parks, and open spaces across our two towns, before joining the pride for a fantastic farewell weekend once the trail is over. The Lions will then be auctioned to raise funds for proposed new cancer care facilities in Cheltenham. Honestly, what’s not to love?  

Wychwood Festival, Summer Jam, 2000Trees

Mesmerising Music

 

Cheltenham takes great pride in playing host to an eclectic array of annual musical festivals, events, and intimate gigs across the year. From alternative to acoustic, heavy metal to classical, and everything in between, all tastes are catered for in our Regency Town.

    

14. Wychwood

 

A firm favourite for families, the Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse marks the beginning of good summer vibes in Cheltenham. With music, comedy, workshops, and entertainment to suit all ages, comfortable camping facilities (including hot showers!), and a Local Legends initiative that’s putting money back into local schools and clubs, all set amongst the idyllic backdrop of the Prestbury Hills.

 

15. 2000Trees

 

Winner of the “Best Medium Sized Festival” category at the UK Festival Awards three years running (2022-2024) 2000Trees has established itself as one of, if not the best, alternative music festivals in the whole of the country. Oozing character, what sets 2000trees apart from the competition is arguably the people; with a sense of common culture, kinship and collective wellbeing bringing this quirky community together. Headliners this year include Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap and American rock band Taking Back Sunday.

 

16. Mini-Festivals

 

Alongside the larger-scale events, there are several ‘mini-festivals’ taking place across Cheltenham throughout the summer. In June, it’s Exfest at the Exmouth Arms on Bath Road, in July we have the Summer Jam in the Cheltenham Brewery Quarter, the official warm-up for Lakefest Festival, while in September it’s all about FrogFest at The Frog & Fiddle on Cheltenham’s lower High Street. With a diverse range of up-and-coming talent to enjoy, these miniature festivals are the perfect way to while away a hazy summer afternoon in Cheltenham.

Live music can also be enjoyed year-round at Cheltenham venues, such as the Bacon Theatre, Everyman, Town Hall, Pittville Pump Room, and The Centaur. See what's coming up here!

Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham Town FC, World Open Snooker, Prescott Hill Climb

Sublime Sport

 

Whether you’re partaking or just spectating, Cheltenham has plenty of sporting events and festivals to get your blood pumping in 2025.

 

17. Cheltenham Racecourse

 

The home of jump racing, Cheltenham Racecourse features a comprehensive yearly schedule of horse racing action. Starting from day one in 2025 with the New Year’s Day Raceday, followed by the Festival Trials Day in January and the big one, The Cheltenham Festival, in March. Featuring four days of world-class, heart-thumping action, nothing feels like Cheltenham!

Of course, horse racing isn’t the only sporting event coming to Cheltenham in 2025. For the third year running, The British Open will be returning to the Centaur Arena in September. Promising unrivalled sporting drama and blockbuster clashes, the prestigious world-ranking event is a must-see for snooker fans. 

   

18. Prescott Hill Climb

 

The Prescott Hill Climb and Bugatti Owners Club, situated between Cheltenham and Winchcombe, is THE place for motorheads of all shapes and sizes, from the British and Midland Hill Climb Championships in April to their Classics, Historique, and Italia specials in May for discerning car connoisseurs. In June, the much-loved Prescott Bike Fest returns to the Hill Climb for those who prefer the rush of two wheels to four.

 

19. Cricket Festival

 

A highlight of the summer, the Towergate Cheltenham Cricket Festival is the longest-running cricket festival in the world, with the first match being played between Surrey and Gloucestershire in 1872. Set amongst the pristine surroundings of Cheltenham College, this quintessentially English event is a great attraction for avid cricket fans, new supporters, and big cricketing stars.

 

20. Cheltenham Town FC & Gloucester Rugby

 

With a full calendar of matches across the two venues, and 7,000 and 16,000-capacity stadiums respectively, football and rugby fans are spoilt for choice in Cheltenham and Gloucester. Catch the best of EFL League Two action as Cheltenham take on Walsall on the 4th of January, while rugby supporters should not miss Gloucester vs Scarlets in the European Challenge Cup on the 10th of January.

Cheltenham High Street, Suffolks Market, Guild of Craftsmen

Stand Out Shopping

 

Boasting a wide array of independent shops and businesses nestled amongst high-street favourites, Cheltenham’s buzzing town centre and surrounding outlets provide a complete shopping experience for visitors. 

 

21. Cheltenham Town Centre

 

For the best of independent and artisan shops head to the Suffolks and Montpellier districts, the home of stylish eats and chic boutiques, from fashion and lifestyle to art and antiques, all surrounded by period townhouses and Regency architecture.

The Cheltenham Promenade, High Street and Regent Arcade, on the other hand, are the best places for favourite big-name brands like John Lewis, Urban Outfitters, Primark, Sweaty Betty, Hatchards and so much more.

  

22. Elkstone Studios & Cotswold Outlet

 

From an old farmyard to a vibrant destination, Elkstone Studios near Cheltenham is a dynamic retail hub for the modern shopper. Visitors can browse design showrooms and fashion boutiques, unwind at the food hall and aesthetics studio, or get their trainers on for some Padel Tennis, the fastest-growing sport in the world.

Coming early summer 2025, meanwhile, is the new Cotswolds Designer Outlet on the outskirts of Tewkesbury.  Promising a luxury shopping experience where “global brands and local materials combine to deliver an inspiring guest experience.” Currently, it’s uncertain what brands will be opening their doors at the outlet so keep your eyes peeled for more info later this year.

Sara Pascoe, Everyman Theatre, SIX the Musical, Jeremy Clarkson

Exquisite Entertainment

 

Head to Cheltenham in 2025 to discover exemplary entertainment for everyone to enjoy, filled with vibrant theatre productions, top-notch comedy, and famous faces around every corner. 

 

23. Theatre Performances

 

Cheltenham is home to not one, not two, but several incredible theatres touting an impressive lineup of performances and shows throughout the year. Highlights at the Everyman in 2025 include Six, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Murder on the Orient Express. The Bacon Theatre, meanwhile, is filled with back-to-back hits by international tribute acts including Oasiz, Frankie’s Guys and Fearlessy Taylor (Swift). While at the Cheltenham Playhouse it’s all about the Cheltenham Fringe, Cheltenham’s newest festival, that celebrates a wide variety of music, theatre, film, drag, poetry, comedy and more come May. 

Elsewhere, while not strictly a theatre, the prestigious Cheltenham Town Hall is the place to see the best in standup comedy in Cheltenham. Big names playing the venue in 2025 include Rob Beckett, Jimmy Carr, Dara O Brian, and Sara Pascoe.

 

24. Famous Faces and Film Locations

 

With various ‘celebrity-run’ businesses in Cheltenham, and famous faces flocking to the Cotswolds in droves, there’s always chance you might bump into somebody you recognise around our Regency Town.

Fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper and Superdry boss Julian Dukerton can often be spotted frequenting local Cheltenham businesses, many of which they own, such as No. 131 and The Tavern. Close friends of Luther star Idris Elba, in 2023 the acting giant played a DJ set Julian’s Dunkertons Park. Fingers crossed we may get a repeat in 2025.

Elsewhere, BBC Countryfile regular Adam Henson can be found at Cotswold Farm Park when he’s not filming, and fans of The Apprentice may recognise ambitious businesswoman Sophie Wilding from the 2022 series, owner of Imperial Haus.

Further afield, we can’t not mention Jeremy Clarkson and his ever-growing countryside empire. His new pub, The Farmers Dog, is roughly 40 minutes from Cheltenham and has recently hosted the likes of Ellen DeGeneres.

There’s no end of celebrities to spot at The Cheltenham Festival in March, with the likes of Emilia Fox, Ben Miller, Alexander Armstrong, and Hollywood star Jamie Dornan having all been spotted in previous years.

Regarding famous film locations, head to Gloucester Cathedral for a magical insight into the world of Harry Potter. Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean has appeared in several films including Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. BBC’s Poldark and Wolf Hall both feature Berkeley Castle in their productions, whilst Cheltenham’s Town Hall can be seen in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.  

Gloucester Docks, Cotswold Sunset, a Wild Boar, Badminton Horse Trials

Beyond Cheltenham

 

We’ll admit, we’re cheating a little with our 25th reason, there’s so much to see and do in the area around Cheltenham that it’s impossible to fit into one paragraph! Ideally located on the border of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham is the perfect base to get out and explore the countryside and get a taste of Cotswold living.

 

25. Explore the Cotswolds 

 

Romantic Road

 

Featured in The Telegraph as one of the Great British Drives, The Romantic Road is a single or multi-day driving tour through quintessentially English countryside, starting in Cheltenham.

Using our Regency Town as a base, there are four routes to choose from that take explorers through gorgeous Cotswold scenery along some of the region’s most beautiful roads.

Leaf-lined avenues, cosy pubs, picturesque picnic spots, and charming Cotswold towns and villages, there is plenty to see and do on each of the routes.

 

Tewkesbury Abbey – 20 mins

 

You can’t go very far in Tewkesbury without seeing the Abbey. In addition to some fine Norman architecture, don’t miss the 15th-century stained glass and unique roof bosses. Visit on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and you’ll be greeted by two friendly black Labradors named Eric and Florence as well. 

Outside of the Abbey, visitors to Tewkesbury can get a full appreciation of the beautiful riverside town’s local history at the Heritage Centre. Complete with portable guides and interactive games to take you from the earliest settlers through the Wars of the Roses, Civil War, and Industrial Revolution.

 

Gloucester Historic Docks – 25 mins

 

Step through time at Gloucester’s Historic Docks, Britain’s most inland port.

A remarkably complete example of a Victorian port, the docks feature 15 late Victorian era warehouses, a working dry dock, Mariners Chapel, and a collection of other dock-related buildings that have found new leases of life as restaurants, shops, cafes, and fascinating museums.

Eat to your heart's content at the Gloucester Food Dock, shop till you drop at the designer outlets of Gloucester Quays or explore the history of Gloucester at the National Waterways and Soldiers of Gloucestershire museums.

 

Stroud Arts – 30 mins

 

A haven for creative types, Stroud is known as a centre for contemporary arts. Many writers, artists and craftspeople live in the five sweeping valleys encircling the town, made famous by Laurie Lee’s 1959 novel “Cider with Rosie”.

Visitors to the town in June and October shouldn’t miss the Stroud Arts Festival, which has been bringing the best of music, poetry, drama, art, and dance to the region for 78 years, as well as the month-long SITE Art Festival, where open-studio tours allow a glimpse into artists’ homes and studios.

 

Forest of Dean – 45 mins

 

Are you a lover of the outdoors, looking to immerse yourself in nature? Consider adding a stop-off to the Forest of Dean to your Cheltenham itinerary.

Alongside Puzzlewood, the Forest of Dean offers a wealth of opportunities for making the most of the great outdoors, from fantastic bike trails to a magical 8.5-mile trip through medieval woodland on The Dean Forest Railway.

Those looking to gain a deeper insight into the denizens of the forest should investigate a Wildlife Safari with Ed Drewitt. Explore the Forest of Dean at dusk and spot some of its shy mammals, wild boar, fallow deer, and foxes, as well as beautiful birdlife.

 

Badminton Horse Trials – 55 mins

 

Is Cheltenham’s packed racing calendar still not enough equestrian action for you? Then maybe it’s time to check out the Badminton Horse Trials.

Based at the stunning Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century, the Badminton Horse Trials are one of only six five-star grade equestrian competitions worldwide.

Horses and riders complete the competition over 4 days, each with a different discipline to master - dressage, show jumping, and a 4-mile cross-country course filled with structured and natural obstacles.

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With all of these reasons to head to Cheltenham this year, you'll no doubt want to book a stay! Check out our guides to help plan your stay.