Cheltenham Spa

Fancy a stay-cation? Well The Optimist's taking the hard work out of deciding where to go - by choosing for you! In each of my insider's guides, I'll pick a different UK destination, then give you a run-down of all its hotspots and highlights. To make my compendiums a bit different to the average guidebook though, I'll be sharing those little known gems that are usually missed by tourists, for those that want to experience something out of the ordinary on their visit.

And where better to begin than the glorious regency town of Cheltenham? Renowned for its stunning Georgian architecture; its Spa buildings, statues and fountains offer a multitude of backdrops for photo opportunities, plus its rows of townhouses and enormous villas mean you can play 'dream house bingo' for hours on end. The town's steady flow of visitors leaps up during race meets and its jazz, science and food festivals also attract large crowds - they attract big names too, last year's Literature Festival featured the likes of J.K. Rowling and Benedict Cumberbatch so it's often well worth bagging tickets. Montpellier gardens, Sandford Park, Pittville Park, Imperial Gardens ... Cheltenham certainly isn't short of green spaces and with plenty of intimate cafes all over town, it's easy to find a quiet spot to relax in. There's plenty of bars and restaurants to take your fancy in the evening too - many of which offer live music. For a little touch of Paris in the heart of Gloucestershire, end your night with a walk along The Promenade where you can stroll under a canopy of twinkling lights - particularly magical at Christmas time. Vibrant, sophisticated, relaxing and quintessentially British, take it from The Optimist, Cheltenham is a treat.

If you're looking for something a little different though, there's more to see besides the beautiful buildings and away from the crowds. But shhhhhh, let's keep these quiet.

Cafe's, Bars and Restaurants

The restaurant designers of Cheltenham are very creative folk. In every corner of the town, neglected old buildings have been snapped up and transformed into unique eateries. Both Revolution and Zizzi Ristorante are housed in dramatic church buildings whilst Jamie's Italian makes brilliant use of the former county court.

But Cheltenham's premier eating spot and the inspiration for the town's other characterful dining experiences has to be The Daffodil. Once an art-deco cinema, The Daffodil is now an award winning restaurant boasting an elegant dining hall with regular live jazz performances and a cocktail bar on its balcony. It also doubled as a filming location for the upcoming series of the BBC's Sherlock, so expect it to become a fan-hotspot once the episode airs.

Shopping

Recent renovation work in Cheltenham's town centre has made it something of a destination for shoppers but if you want a unique shopping experience, try heading away from the high street and visiting some of these:

You'll struggle to leave Olive, a painfully enticing two storey boutique opened in 2010, empty handed. Once the oversized jumpers and tea dresses in the window have beckoned you in, you can delve into its rails of beautifully cut jackets, jeans and blouses. Their collections of chic modern pieces with a nod to the vintage are achingly covetable and there's always a new stack of speciality magazines and unusual gifts to fawn over too. All in all, it's a must visit for a discerning clothes lover.

For something a little more eclectic, try Bath Road Market. Unassuming from the front, the greenhouse-like building stretches back for miles and houses a multitude of stalls and a cosy cafe tucked away at the back. A veritable emporium, you'll find everything from vintage clothes to arts and crafts and upcycled furniture. The traders change on a weekly basis, so there's always something new to discover.

When you head back to the centre of town, see if you can spot some of Cheltenham's fabulous buskers. It's often worth stopping at a pavement cafe and having a listen.

Other Delights

On New Barn Lane, not far from the end of Albert Road, you'll find the entrance to a public footpath which winds around the village of Prestbury on a route that bypasses the back of the Racecourse. You get a fantastic view of the stands, and if you happen to take to the trail on a competition day, you can catch a glimpse of the riders mid-race without having to pay an admission fee. Whilst you're enjoying the fresh, country air, walk a little further through the fields and you'll soon see a stunning vista of the Gloucestershire hills. 

At the other side of town, there's yet more to see, a lot more in fact, because you can see the entirety of Cheltenham from the top of Leckhampton Hill. There's a steep public trail up to the top, originating at the visitor's car park on Daisy Bank Road, but we recommend the slightly flatter trail leading from the car park off Hartley Lane which takes you right to the summit and gives you the most incredible view.

Take our word for it, you won't regret taking a trip to this stunning town.

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