Gloucester Local Area Guide

With its rich, vibrant history and cultural heritage, Gloucester is an area that offers so much for families looking to move to the area. With superb transport links to the M5, it’s a prime spot for commuting. For leisure purposes – there’s so much to see and explore, as the county is located within the stunning Cotswolds, covering 800 square miles of bucolic countryside. We explore this historic city, sitting close to the River Severn, and everything all around in this Gloucester area guide.

History of Gloucester

Any area guide should start with the simplified context of Gloucester’s rich and varied history. For instance, Gloucester’s cathedral provides a stunning backdrop to the city. The building, originally founded in 681 is most notably the resting place of King Edward II. Film fanatics will be keen to know that in more recent times, the cloisters were used in three of the Harry Potter films.

The rich history of the city isn’t just confined to the cathedral. There are many half-timbered and gabled houses still in existence from the earlier periods of Gloucester’s emergence as a bustling hub during the medieval period too.

Points of Interest in Gloucester

No area guide is complete without a mention of the popular spots in the city. Wherever you travel in Gloucester there will be something to captivate you. With the tranquil gardens at Batsford Arboretum and the majesty and grandeur of Sudeley Castle and Gardens, there really is an attraction for every taste. The Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre offers a regular adrenalin rush for families that love sport and want action-packed places to visit! Living in Gloucester is a very enjoyable experience according to the locals and visitors, thanks to the rich culture and history of the city.

Transport options

Gloucester is well situated to get to many places throughout the UK. It’s conveniently located for the M5 motorway, which is an important point in the Gloucester area guide since it runs to the east of the city. Junction 11a serves the central part of the city with the A38 connecting the city to Tewkesbury and Bristol, respectively.

The railway station operates routes into Wales and Cheltenham, Birmingham and London, Bristol and Weymouth making it an ideal central spot to get to many locations through the country, with relative ease.

Average housing prices

If you’re reading this guide in the hopes of moving there, we have a breakdown of the housing market in Gloucester. The average house price in Gloucester in 2023 stood at £274,073 and the majority of house sales arose from people purchasing semi-detached properties. These sold for an average price of £279,951. 

The market for terraced properties reveals that the average price people would pay for a house of that size in the area was £218,144. A detached property in Gloucester would fetch around £418,584.

In comparison to the previous year, sold prices were 5% down on the previous year and 4% up on the 2021 peak of £262,324.

Health, safety & hospital facilities

Voted as the 15th happiest place to call home in the United Kingdom by RightMove in 2022, Gloucester is regarded as a safe place to live with lower crime rates compared to other major cities. There are low numbers of theft as a common crime with records showing a decrease year on year. With excellent hospital facilities, a 24-hour Accident and Emergency department, numerous GP Practices, Dentists, Orthodontists and Opticians there are plenty of options for health facilities.

Community events, businesses and organisations

Gloucester’s population of just over 132,000 people means it’s a thriving hub, with a great sense of community spirit and belonging. Guides online are packed with new events every weekend. There are some fantastic unique events that the city is a proud home to, such as The Three Choirs Festival and the Annual Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival, the latter taking place every July and August. 

The city boasts some fantastic cultural venues too such as the main Museum of Gloucester, but its Tailor of Gloucester house, dedicated to the memory of Beatrix Potter is a must-see. 

It’s a particularly proud sporting city, with Kingsholm Stadium being the host of Gloucester Rugby, and Meadow Park is the home of the local football club. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club was founded here in 1870 and the team has always played in every top-level domestic cricket competition in England. Each summer they play host to the Cheltenham Cricket Festival. 

Throughout the year the city is a vibrant space to be and if dining out is something you’re keen on, there are plenty of wonderful dockside eating experiences to be had in the city, with a wide range of tastes, from French, Greek and traditional British pub grub catered for. 

Looking to study? Schools, Universities & Colleges

Then again, maybe you’re reading this Gloucester area guide in order to make some plans for your educational future. You’re in luck. The city is home to three well-renowned schools: The Crypt School, Gloucester which is now situated in Podsmead and was originally founded in 1539, the historic King’s School founded by King Henry VIII, and Sir Thomas Rich’s School built in 1666. There are also two schools for girls; the High School for Girls formed in 1883 and Ribston Hall High School for Girls. 

Comprehensive education is well catered for, with Henley Bank High School, St Peter’s Catholic High School and Chosen Hill School, Severn Vale School. There are also three academies, Beaufort Co-operative Academy, Gloucester Academy, and Churchdown School Academy. 

The city is home to one of three campuses of the University of Gloucestershire. These are based at Oxstalls situated just outside the city centre.

Thinking of moving to Gloucester? Our professional team here at Move Property Sales & Lettings provides a tailored service that will meet your needs. We’ll make the entire process simple for you, whether it’s your first move or a relocation. We take a dynamic approach to property sales, so you’re always in the safest of hands we’ll answer any questions you have such as “What is it like to live in Gloucester?” Our local branch on Longsmith Street is where you’ll find our dedicated sales and lettings team who are passionate about life in Gloucester and the many opportunities the property market provides in the area.

Useful Links

Gloucester City Council
Gloucester.gov.uk
Our Gloucester Branch
Our Properties to Let in Gloucester
Our Properties for Sale in Gloucester