With its elegant Regency architecture, numerous parks and stylish shops and restaurants, Cheltenham is the jewel in the Cotswolds’ crown. Since its growth in the eighteenth century as a place to “take the waters”, the town has been renowned as a place of health and fitness, graceful living and country pursuits.
Literature, horse racing, food, jazz – and even gin – Cheltenham’s array of festivals is unrivalled. The Literary Festival in October, pictured, draws crowds eager to hear the world’s best known authors, and the National Hunt season gets going in March with the Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham was recently described by The Independent as a “design destination” and it’s easy to see why: the understated sophistication of its Regency architecture and iconic garden squares and parks; its boutique restaurants, premium shops, theatres and museums; and of course, the majestic Cotswolds, with all their typically English charm, are just a stone’s throw away.
Notable recent arrivals in town are John Lewis & Partners, an addition to the already wide range of designer brands, and The Ivy, opposite Montpellier Gardens. Le Champignon Sauvage tempts diners with its Michelin star, and there are many other contemporary places to eat such as No 131, Prithvi and Purslane which offer diverse cuisines and styles.
The town’s independent schools include the world-famous Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Cheltenham College and Dean Close School, all of which are in and around the town centre. St Edward’s Catholic preparatory and senior schools are a short distance from Sovereign View. Three local state secondary schools are rated as outstanding by OFSTED.
