Cheltenham is famous all over the world for its sport, culture and architecture, so it’s no surprise that the Regency town is a top choice for house hunters in Gloucestershire and beyond.
From its gorgeous period properties to its thriving independent scene, SoGlos shares eight brilliant reasons to move to Cheltenham.
Beautiful period properties in Cheltenham
Known for being the most complete Regency town in the UK, Cheltenham offers house hunters an array of stunning properties to live in – from original Georgian townhouses to modern apartments in converted buildings, boasting beautiful period features.
Cheltenham was voted 'best place to live' in the south west
The Sunday Times declared Cheltenham the 'best place to live in the south west' in 2020 – with its gorgeous buildings, impressive schools, multiple festivals and enviable location close to major cities, all contributing to its win.
A thriving independent food scene in Cheltenham
From colourful Sri Lankan food at The Coconut Tree to some of the best sushi in Gloucestershire at KIBOUsushi, Cheltenham offers excellent independent restaurants cooking up incredible dishes from all over the world, as well as some of the most upmarket bars in the region.
With independent bookshops, boutique clothes shops, jewellers and homeware stores, as well as plenty of places to pick up vintage finds, all giving Cheltenham a vibrant and unique feel.
Cheltenham’s famous festivals
Racing enthusiasts from all over the world flock to The Cheltenham Festival every March for the most prestigious event in the jump racing calendar.
With The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival attracting literary superstars like Bernadine Evaristo, Ian McEwan, Nick Hornby, Dolly Alderton and others to the town every year, as well as putting on unique events like the Lit Crawl, Cheltenham also plays host to the award-winning Cheltenham Music Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Cheltenham Science festival too.
An abundance of green space in Cheltenham
From the lush Pittville Park, which is home to a boating lake, cafés, adventure playgrounds and the magnificent Grade I listed Pittville Pump Room, to Sandford Park with its ornamental fountain and the colourful, flower-filled Imperial Gardens, Cheltenham has plenty of parks to explore.
For anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of town, Lineover Wood offers a chance to get into the forest and discover a glade of ancient beech trees; Cleeve Hill offers stunning views from the highest point in the Cotswolds; while on Leckhampton Hill, explorers can find the Devil’s Chimney – an unusual limestone rock formation with unknown origins.
Impressive schools in Cheltenham
For families, Cheltenham offers a variety of fantastic education opportunities, from nursery and preparatory schools to senior schools, colleges and the University of Gloucestershire.
The town also has several prestigious independent schools, including Cheltenham Ladies’ College, St Edward’s School and Cheltenham College.
Arts and culture in Cheltenham
As well as festivals, Cheltenham is home to the much-loved Everyman Theatre, which hosts everything from ballet and opera to drama, music and comedy – with touring shows, original productions and an award-winning annual panto.
The Wilson art gallery and museum – which is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment – holds a fascinating collection of historical artefacts and fine art; The Holst Birthplace Museum pays tribute to the composer of The Planets, who was born in Cheltenham; while Chapel Arts hosts intimate art exhibitions, live music and theatre performances.
Job opportunities in Cheltenham
Cheltenham is home to the headquarters of some huge national companies – from GCHQ to Superdry, providing impressive employment opportunities to people at every stage of their career.
The Golden Valley Development is also set to create a wealth of new opportunities, particularly for young people, as it aims to secure Cheltenham’s place as the cyber capital of the UK.
