2019 Staycation Inspiration: A year in Cheltenham...

Visit Cheltenham, The Festival Town.

A wonderful mix of the traditional and the new, Cheltenham nestles against The Cotswolds as an escape without leaving behind the entertainment and culture of a big city.

There’s the astounding array of world class festivals.

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Cheltenham plays host to some of the world’s most famous festivals. There’s the world’s longest-running literary festival, The Cheltenham Literature Festival (October), which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2019. The Music Festiva (July) which was 70 year’s old in 2019. Plus, the Jazz (May) and Science (June) Festivals. And of course, not forgetting the fourth largest sporting event in the UK - Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival, home of the legendary Gold Cup in March . There are plenty of other experiences to choose from in Cheltenham’s vibrant events scene – including the Light Up Cheltenham (February), along with the Poetry (April), Paint (September) and Wellbeing (September) Festivals and many, many more.

There’s the striking Regency architecture.

As the UK’s most complete Regency town, Cheltenham is brimming with history. So, as you stroll along the promenade, it’s easy to see why it became the hip 18th century hang out for holidaying Brits, after the enterprising Henry Skillicorne unearthed its health-giving spa waters – even gaining the Royal Seal Of Approval after the visit of the then-reigning monarch, George III. Drop into Holst Birthplace museum to see how our famous Cheltenham born composer lived as a boy or, explore The Wilson Museum and Art Gallery to find out more about Cheltenham’s history or view some of the amazing collections around the Arts & Crafts movement or Chinese Pottery.

There’s the smorgasbord of food.

Cheltenham is also an exciting foodie destination, with so many unique restaurants to explore and discover. In 2019, 16 of Cheltenham’s restaurants were mentioned in the Michelin guide. There really is something to suit every palate – from David Everitt Matthias’s Michelin-starred ‘Le Champignon Sauvage’ to the no-sushi Japanese Grazing eatery ‘Koj’ run by the eponymous Masterchef finalist, to The Coconut Tree whose chefs bring you their unique Sri Lankan street food.

There’s an abundance of great shopping
Cheltenham is without doubt the Cotswolds shopping capital. With its main shopping streets filled with high street favourites such as John Lewis, House of Fraser, Urban Outfitters and H&M, to the historic shopping ‘Promenade’ featuring dedicated shops for Jo Malone, Toast, Anthropology and Oliver Bonas. Also in the centre of town are the areas of Montpellier and the Suffolks – Regency streets full of unique independents.

There’s the buzzy nightlife.

Whether you’re enjoying a night out in The Brewery Quarter, taking in the arts at one of our four theatres, or simply relaxing in one of Cheltenham’s unique bars, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

So, visit Cheltenham, The Festival Town – your oasis of calm, creativity and culture. We're so excited for what 2019 will bring and cannot wait to get started! Here's just a snapshot of the vibrant, exciting and bustling town of Cheltenham, which is a year-round short-break destination. Racing, Festivals, Shopping, Foodie Destination abound.

So what are you waiting for? Why not put Cheltenham on your travel map for 2019?