6 December 2014

A DAY OUT IN CHELTENHAM


Even though I've lived in Bristol six years I have only visited Cheltenham once, even though it's less than an hours drive away it has somehow slipped off my radar as a place to go visit. So the other weekend we decided to drive over and explore the city.

Being a regency spa town, it is steeped in history and prides itself on being the cultural centre of the Cotswolds, surrounded by beautiful architecture, promenades and squares. Mix this with Cheltenham's Christmas activities and you're onto a great day out.

We arrived around lunchtime and as a treat we decided to try the rather grande Queens Hotel which overlooks the Imperial Gardens, being such a short walk to the promenade made it a great place to relax before we attempted any Christmas shopping.

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We were shown to our table and because we arrived just as the restaurant was opening we were lucky to have the place to ourselves, which meant we could relax as F sang and chatted at the table. F seemed very pleased with his lunch menu which was illustrated with monsters and as he decided which monster meal to choose I ordered a light salad, while Paul went for a more hearty chicken dish.

After a cheeky glass of wine or two, we were happy and ready to head out and explore the town, but not before I had a quick wander around the hotel. I love architecture and I had heard there was a very impressive staircase – yes I'm a bit geeky like that – plus 175 year old wallpaper designed by A.W. Pugin. As you can see it was quite impressive.

On heading to the promenade I quickly spotted a few shops I wanted to visit, picking up some bargains on the way such as a Globe in the clearance sale at Laura Ashley, this room scent which we use near our radiators and is Christmas in a bottle, plus a marble chopping board which I found in TK Maxx. We also spent ages wandering the boutiques stopping for hot chocolate along the way.

Eventually night started to fall and little yawns could be heard from F so we decided to bundle him back in the car and head home with all our goodies. As we don't go shopping very often – and by that I mean hardly ever as Paul dislikes it so much – it was a nice treat to go somewhere new.

I would definitely recommend a visit, although I'm realising I still have an awful lot of presents still to buy!

*We were invited to dine at the Queens Hotel for lunch which made for a lovely day out. All opinions are 100% my own. 
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6 comments

  1. It looks lovely! Cheltenham is where Cherry conceived so has special memories for me! Matt and I had split up and I'd gone to live in the Midlands with my dad but realised I'd made a mistake and we started meeting up, Cheltenham was halfway between us so we used to meet up in hotels for the night. It was all very fun and romantic! The villages in the Cotswolds are so lovely too x

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  2. This hotel looks absolutely beautiful! Stunning staircase. Would love to visit that town.

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  3. Great post! I was just talking to Boyfriend the other day about Cheltenham - I only went once too the whole time I lived in Bristol. Silly me!

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  4. Oh wow looks like you had a wonderful day and amazing food!! We have only been to Cheltenham once and it's also not that far but this has certainly inspired me to make a date with the OH and head over that way

    Laura x

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  5. We love Cheltenham, its actually our local shopping place of choice. I find it quite an easy and relaxing place to go, even with the kids. Lots of great places to eat (and stop for a snack!). The Queens hotel looks beautiful, great for a break from the shops!

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  6. I love Cheltenham, my best friends parents still live there so I get to visit every so often.

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