Quick Car Hire Gloucester

Gloucester town guide

The main glory of Gloucester is it's Norman Cathedral with it's peaceful Cloisters, now famous with the younger generation as the setting for Harry Potter films.

Originally a Roman Fort guarding the lowest crossing of the River Severn, Gloucester developed as a port, until the inexorable increase in the size of shipping meant that the docks could not handle modern vessels. In an attempt to stave off the inevitable the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal was constructed to allow vessels to access the docks without risking the treacherous tides of the Severn estuary.

The Severn Bore is best seen in the reaches downstream of Gloucester. Given the right conditions this Tidal Bore races up the river fast enough for surfers to enjoy an exhilarating high speed ride for many miles.

The old dock area is now developed into a visitor area with shops and cafes. It also is home to the Waterways Museum. There are trip boats operating along the Canal for those lazy summer afternoons.

Trips around the city can be taken by boat or by rental car to the Cotswolds-a delightful area well-known for its pretty villages and thatched cottages.