Tours for Groups

Cheltenham is a great place to visit as a group, with (limited) coach drop-off at Royal Well Bus Station in the centre of town and Arle Court Park & Rode pre bookable coach parking a few minutes drive from the town centre.  We have a number of qualified and sought-after tour guides in the town, including Anne Bartlett and Owen Bowles, who runs Ogbow Tours, both qualified Blue Badge Tour Guides and The Cheltenham Promenaders. 

Alternatively, you can arrange and lead your own tour of the town, by following this free self-guided tour of Cheltenham or the Cheltenham Public Art Trail. We have also jotted down some brief itinerary ideas for you...

St. Mary’s Minster 

Church Street (off Clarence Street) GL50 3JR

The Parish Church, dating from the mid 11th century, is Cheltenham’s oldest building and bears the royal coat of arms commemorating George III’s visit in 1788. Features include 14th century window tracery and a broach spire, a large rose window, a canopied piscina, baptistery with lierne vaulting and many interesting memorials – note especially the one to Henry Skillicorne, who developed the first spa; his inscription is believed to be the longest single memorial text for any historic figure in the country! 

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

Cheltenham Racecourse GL50 4SH | 01242 621405

Experience travelling on a heritage railway and enjoy a relaxing journey through the glorious Cotswold countryside. The 24 mile return trip over the full line between Cheltenham to Laverton takes approximately 1½ hours, the single trip about 35 minutes. Cheltenham Racecourse station is located in the grounds of the racecourse itself about a mile out of town, and has plenty of free parking.  

Group info: discounts are available for groups of 10+ who book in advance, to make a booking please e-mail: [email protected]. Coach drivers travel free - please enquire for details.

Holst Victorian House

Cheltenham, GL52 2AY | 01242 524846

Enjoy a tour of the Holst's birthplace and see the piano he used to compose 'The Planets'. Discover how he developed into a world-class composer by listening to original manuscripts written when he was a schoolboy. Experience his modest middle-class family life through Victorian rooms and learn about Regency Cheltenham.

Group info: Maximum of 25 people per group, please book in advance

The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum

Cheltenham GL50 3JT | 01242 237431

Cheltenham’s award winning art gallery and museum houses an internationally significant museum collection of exceptional quality and variety, including changing displays of Designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection, fine art collections, and The Paper Store, which is home to fascinating archives relating to Antarctic explorer Edward A. Wilson, Cheltenham’s history and the Emery Walker Library. The temporary gallery spaces offer an exciting programme of changing exhibitions . The varied programme is of the highest quality and is designed to offer something for everyone.

Group Info: Guided Tour of The Wilson - Discover more about the history of The Wilson and its diverse collections. These fascinating 45 minute introductory tours are led by gallery guides. 

Arts and Crafts Movement Tours - Explore the Wilson's renowned Arts and Crafts Movement collection, with an insightful 45 minute tour led by experienced guide and speaker Dave Walton. Minimum of 10 people, maximum of 20, please book in advance 

Cheltenham Racecourse 

Cheltenham, GL50 4SH  |  01242 513014 

Cheltenham Racecourse offers non-raceday guided tours of its grounds, with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to stables, grandstands, executive boxes and the racecourse. Guided by official tour guides, you’ll enjoy famous sights around the course and finish with tea, coffee & biscuits.  Group info: Minimum of 30 people required for tour. Please book in advance.

Cheltenham Theatre Tours

As well as taking in a show (for which group discounts are available), our theatres offer guided tours to groups, so you can take a peek at what's going on.