Cheltenham, England

About Cheltenham

Cheltenham is an attractive and peaceful town of 110,000 inhabitants, situated in the county of Gloucestershire, in the picturesque Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty, which annually attracts six million tourists from all over the world. Cheltenham is centrally located, and not far from much larger cities such as London (two hours), Birmingham (40 minutes), Bristol (40 minutes) and Oxford (40 minutes) with direct rail links to all.

Cheltenham has an atmosphere and culture all of its own, mainly due to the many festivals that are held here every year. Its size and diversity make it the perfect place to enjoy being a student:

  • Festivals of Jazz, Literature, Music, Science, Cricket and Folk Music
  • Two indoor shopping centres and many shops
  • Over 35 restaurants, 25 coffee shops and 85 pubs and clubs in the town centre
  • Eleven screen cinema complex
  • Seven screen Odeon Cinema in town centre
  • Cheltenham Racecourse
  • Elegant Regency architecture


The city dates back to Saxon times, but became "established" by the visit of King George III to the Cheltenham Spa in 1788. Modern businesses and the presence of a 7,000-strong student body at the University of Gloucestershire keep Cheltenham youthful and energetic. For these reasons, it is the ideal location for a well-rounded study-abroad experience.

Gloucester

Famous as one of the earliest Roman cities in the UK (the Romans called the city 'Glerum') Gloucester has a population of 109,000 and attracts thousands of visitors each year to its medieval Cathedral and well-preserved 18th century docks. It offers a wide range of arts and cultural opportunities, from the annual Cajun and Blues Festivals to art-house cinema, outdoor theatre and dance performance and classes with live bands performing during the summer.

Gloucester has a great deal to offer with something for all tastes. In many ways it offers the best of both worlds; providing the culture and diversity of a small city, with the peace and quiet of the countryside only minutes away.

  • Great shopping
  • Rich in history and architecture
  • The Guildhall for music, dancing, cinema, theatre and live comedy performances
  • Live band performances during the summer at Gloucester Docks
  • Brand new leisure centre with swimming pool and gymnastic arena
  • Indoor tennis, climbing and ski centre
  • Gloucester Rugby Club

Cheltenham Quick Facts

  • Though Cheltenham’s population is approximately equal to the nearby city of Gloucester, it is not considered a city as it has no cathedral.
  • Cheltenham possesses the only naturally alkaline water in Britain - George III and the Duke of Wellington both bathed there. Today, tourists can enjoy the effects of the waters at the town hall.
  • “Cotswolds” means “sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides,” this is accurate as sheep graze on more than 800 square miles of countryside in the Cotswolds region.
  • Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, northwest of Philadelphia, is one of Cheltenham, England’s “twin towns.” Others include Annecy, France; Gottingen, Germany; Sochi, Russia; and Weihai, China.

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