Best places to live in Gloucestershire

Published May 22, 2024

5 mins read

If you are considering your next house move, and looking for beautiful countryside surroundings with charm in abundance, why not explore some of the best places to live in Gloucestershire?

Nestled in the rolling Cotswolds hills, Gloucestershire has it all, from postcard-worthy beauty to charm around every corner.

Whether it’s the regal heritage of Cheltenham or the agricultural heart of Berkeley and beyond, many delightful towns and villages across the county make ideal places to live or settle down for good.

Here are just a few of the best places to live in Gloucestershire to help you with your property search.

Cheltenham

First on our list of best places to live in Gloucestershire is Cheltenham. Known as a spa town thanks to its mineral waters that have been attracting health-conscious visitors since 1716.

Cheltenham boasts stunning Regency and Georgian architecture marked by elegant rows of cream, stone and brick terrace houses, parades and villas.

Iconic residential roads include the Promenade, Montpellier and Suffolk Square, along with the lavish houses of Battledown, Charlton Kings and the Park.

Top-rated schools like Cheltenham College, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Dean Close, and Balcarras draw families here.

The town is home to various cultural festivals for literature, jazz, science and food, as well as the world-famous horse racing of Cheltenham Racecourse.

Attractions like the Wilson Art Gallery, museums, botanical gardens and numerous parks provide plenty to do.

By night, locals and visitors alike enjoy the buzzing restaurant scene, with eateries like The Daffodil highlighting excellent local produce — along with the many traditional pubs and cocktail bars.

Stow-on-the-Wold

An endearing market town in the Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold charms visitors with its bustling traditional square surrounded by lovely buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Antique shops, galleries and independent boutiques line postcard-perfect streets and alleyways like Digbeth, Sheep Street and Nelson’s Square.

Surrounded by rolling hills offering scenic walks and cycling trails, this historic town delivers English countryside appeal wrapped up with modern comforts and aesthetically pleasing honey-hued Cotswold stone architecture.

Locals and foodies flock to the popular monthly farmers market showcasing local produce while pubs and tearooms serve artisanal fare.

Nearby attractions include the majestic St Edwards Church, an ancient Iron Age fort, mazes and parks. With quirky events like the annual Sheep Race drawing crowds, Stow retains a lively community calendar.

Moreton-in-Marsh

Situated along the Roman Fosse Way in North Cotswolds, Moreton-in-Marsh boasts Anglo-Saxon roots that blossom in charming tea rooms, inns, galleries and boutiques.

The weekly market has operated since the 13th century, now bringing locavores and tourists flocking to a High Street dotted with lovely stone buildings.

Moreton also provides services like health centres and sports facilities for the many surrounding villages.

Popular places to live nearby include Batsford, Little Moreton and Moreton Heights overlooking the river and hills that offer scenic walks straight from your doorstep.

With two train stops connecting Moreton to London and beyond, it makes an accessible base to explore the Cotswolds. The bustling yet cosy feel integrates history and practicality into an ideal English country town.

Cirencester

Known as the “Capital of the Cotswolds”, Cirencester is both a regional hub and a historic market town brimming with character.

Wander the Roman museum and gothic St John Baptist Church before grabbing lunch at the modern Australian café Jesse Smith’s or a pint at The Fleece, a cosy wooden-beamed inn.

Cirencester draws shoppers to independent boutiques down quaint Beeches Lane as well as luxe brands clustered around Market Place.

Foodies indulge at The Lounge speciality restaurant, the Michelin-listed Barnsley House or Thomas Street’s many eateries.

Previously voted the best place to live in the southwest. Surrounded by scenic countryside, the town also provides access to renowned schools like Royal Agricultural University.

With sites like Corinium Arena, and Blues music in local pubs and festivals all year long, Cirencester seamlessly blends affluent heritage with a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Stroud

Nestled in the tranquil Five Valleys, Stroud has undergone a renaissance from its industrial wool and cloth mills history to become today’s captivating hub of arts, culture and independent retail.

Nearby country estates offer fine dining at The Painswick or Woodchester Valley Vineyard. Festivals like literature’s Godsfield or innovative music event Nozstock attract all ages while STRUT markets showcase local designers.

Surrounded by rolling hills and meandering waters, Stroud provides country charm with urban appeal thanks to artisan culture blending old textile roots and new creative endeavours into a uniquely modern market town.

Minchinhampton

Sitting high on a hilltop overlooking the Amberley Valley, the rural town of Minchinhampton displays quintessential Cotswolds beauty.

The historic Market Square bustles on market days while the 12th-century Holy Trinity Church stands sentinel.

Enjoy lunch at The Old Crown Inn before rambling across Minchinhampton Common — 500 acres of scenic walks around ancient burial mounds and one of England’s oldest cricket pitches.

Nearby attractions range from Westonbirt Arboretum to Woodchester Mansion and Castle, Tetbury’s boutiques, and Cheltenham’s horse racing.

With a golf club, community centre, and stone cottages tucked along curving lanes, “Minch” retains its quaint village charm.

For a taste of authentic Gloucestershire country life enveloped within idyllic pastoral landscapes just 15 minutes from Nailsworth and Stroud’s conveniences, Minchinhampton delivers old-world appeal with modern connectivity.

Tetbury

Showcasing honey-coloured Cotswold stone, Tetbury’s charming offerings have attracted residents from Prince Charles to London creatives looking for an upmarket country aesthetic.

The Monday Market Place draws shoppers to chic boutiques showcasing fine antiques, jewellery and British craftsmanship, while Highgrove House and Westonbirt National Arboretum are nearby.

Savour afternoon tea at elegant hotels like The Ormond or cosy in front of the fire at classic pubs and wine bars that spice up the foodie scene.

With active clubs, societies and events year-round plus schools feeding into royal patron Prince Charles’ beloved Highgrove Estate, Tetbury life merges rural splendour with modern sensibilities.

Stroll Medieval weavers’ cottages and the Georgian town centre to discover why it is the pride of the southern Cotswolds.

Winchcombe

Once the capital of the Mercian Kingdom, rich history now runs through Winchcombe’s charming cobblestone streets like Saxon Church Walk.

Dined in by royalty through the ages, The White Hart Inn offers locally reared meats and valley views while boutiques line traditional timber-framed buildings.

Hidden Hailes Abbey and Sudeley Castle exhibit mediaeval grandeur. Weaving along the Cotswold Way or hiking sectioned routes, Winchcombe provides ample walking access across the lush farmlands and vineyards nearby.

With a bustling street market and events like the walking and folk festivals, Winchcombe is a small but vibrant hilltop town that forges modern comfort amidst a timeless setting in the Isbourne Valley.

Brewery tours at the Lion, affordable country home options and proximity to the A40/M5 motorway signal Winchcombe as the next undiscovered find for idyllic Cotswolds life within reach of London.

Painswick

Next on our best places to live in Gloucestershire list is Painswick. Dubbed “Queen of the Cotswolds”, its charming buildings nestle amidst the tranquil Painswick Valley perfect for scenic walks to the forested Painswick Beacon.

The historic wool town channels idyllic English charm down narrow streets lined with Regency stone houses and shops leading up to the 14th century St. Mary’s Church.

Local venues such as Rococo Garden are popular with residents and of course Painswick golf course is right on the doorstep. And there are seeal cosy village pubs too, including The Falcon Inn and Royal Oak Inn.

Surrounded by wildlife-rich landscapes like the deer park Slad Valley immortalised by Laurie Lee yet only miles from Cheltenham and Gloucester, Painswick attracts with its unspoilt village ambience and Cotswolds splendour.

Neighbourhoods in Edge and Sheepscombe ooze photogenic rural beauty belying Painswick’s modern amenities and transport links that bridge history with 21st-century comfort.