Living in Cheltenham

Cheltenham is known for its strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere. Local residents often participate in neighbourhood groups, charity events, and nationally celebrated festivals. There is a strong tradition of volunteering and civic involvement, aided by active community centres throughout the town.

Regular farmers' markets and street fairs take place in the town centre, while local parks such as Pittville Park, Montpellier Gardens, and Sandford Park serve as green hubs for leisure, picnics, and informal sports. The annual music, jazz, science, and literature festivals create focal points for town life, drawing residents together alongside visitors.

For outdoor activities, Cheltenham provides access to Cotswold walks, golf courses, and cycling routes, blending community life with the best of rural Gloucestershire surroundings. Families, retirees, and young professionals alike find numerous opportunities to get involved locally, shaping Cheltenham as a socially rich and active town.

Cheltenham is generally regarded as a safe place to live compared to urban centres of similar size, with crime rates lower than national averages for towns of its type. Neighbourhood policing is visible and proactive, fostering a sense of safety in residential areas and around schools. Central areas can see occasional incidents linked to the night-time economy, but these are closely managed by local police and community wardens.

Regeneration and investment in lighting, CCTV, and community safety schemes have contributed to improved safety, particularly in town centre and park areas. The town also has a number of neighbourhood watch groups and active resident associations, strengthening community cohesion and response to local concerns.

Parking in Cheltenham offers a variety of options, ranging from on-street parking in residential zones to several centrally located multi-storey car parks and pay-and-display facilities. Residents can apply for on-street permit parking schemes, especially in areas around the town centre and near the station. Traffic levels can increase during festivals and major events, requiring some planning in advance.

The road network is robust, with Cheltenham sitting close to major routes such as the M5, A40, and A417, which offer direct connections to regional towns and cities. Brief journeys to the Cotswolds and neighbouring areas are straightforward, while key cities are easily accessed by car:

• Gloucester – approx. 20 minutes via A40 (9 miles)
• Tewkesbury – approx. 25 minutes via M5 (14 miles)
• Cirencester – approx. 35 minutes via A417 (17 miles)
• Bristol – approx. 60 minutes via M5 (43 miles)
• Birmingham – approx. 1 hour 15 minutes via M5 (55 miles)

Most residential districts have access to road networks, but central Cheltenham can experience congestion during peak hours and during festival seasons.

Cheltenham boasts a dynamic food and drink scene with options ranging from sophisticated dining to cosy pubs and relaxed cafés. The town centre features a strong mix of independent and chain restaurants, offering everything from contemporary British to global cuisine. The Promenade and Montpellier districts are particularly known for stylish bistros and coffee shops.

Pubs in Cheltenham are a mix of historic inns and modern gastropubs, many with beer gardens and live music. Popular places include The Daffodil, housed in a former Art Deco cinema, and the atmospheric Sandford Park Alehouse. Takeaways and street food pop-ups are abundant, especially during Cheltenham's many festivals.

Nightlife caters largely to a crowd who enjoy cocktail bars, laid-back pubs, and occasional live music venues. The town has a handful of nightclubs for late-night dancing, as well as a respected theatre scene, with the Everyman Theatre at its heart. Most venues offer a relaxed but stylish atmosphere rather than an all-night party setting.

School quality: Cheltenham excels in both its state and independent schools, many of which achieve high Ofsted ratings and national recognition. This makes the area particularly attractive for families seeking the best in education.

Parks and green space: The town is abundant in parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, such as Pittville Park and Hatherley Park, ideal for family outings, picnics, and outdoor activity.

Childcare: There is a strong selection of nurseries, pre-schools, and out-of-school care providers throughout Cheltenham, catering to the needs of working parents.

Safety: Cheltenham’s neighbourhoods maintain lower crime rates and benefit from active community policing, providing extra peace of mind for families.

Family activities: Families enjoy easy access to museums, leisure centres, the Wilson Art Gallery, soft play areas, and participation in Cheltenham’s renowned family-friendly festivals and events throughout the year.

Cheltenham is a pet-friendly town with ample green space and walking routes, making it an ideal place for dog owners and pet lovers. Parks such as Pittville Park, Montpellier Gardens, and the nearby Cotswold countryside provide extensive opportunities for daily walks and outdoor adventures with pets.

There are several well-established veterinary practices and pet shops across the town, as well as dog-friendly pubs and cafés where pets are welcome. Most rental and owned homes in residential areas are accommodating of pets, although it is advisable to check restrictions with landlords when renting.

Public spaces and local initiatives encourage responsible pet ownership, and many local events are specifically tailored to include pets and their owners. Overall, the general attitude towards pets in Cheltenham is positive and inclusive, reflecting the area’s family-friendly culture.

Cheltenham benefits from strong transport links, making it accessible for both local residents and commuters. The mainline Cheltenham Spa railway station provides regular direct services to Birmingham, Bristol, London Paddington, and Cardiff. Local bus services operated by Stagecoach West and other providers connect neighbourhoods and nearby towns.

The M5 motorway runs just west of Cheltenham, giving fast road access to major cities, while the A40 links the town to Oxford and further east. Public transport is reliable, with a centrally located bus station, and the National Express coach stop offers direct services to destinations across the UK. Bristol Airport is approximately an hour’s drive, providing international and domestic flights. Birmingham Airport is also accessible in just over an hour by car or train.

Typical commute times:

• Gloucester – approx. 20 minutes by car or train
• Birmingham – approx. 1 hour by train
• Oxford – approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by train via connections
• London – approx. 2 hours by direct train to Paddington
• Bristol – approx. 1 hour by train or road

Schools in Cheltenham are highly regarded, spanning a wide range of choices across the educational spectrum. The town is particularly noted for its outstanding independent and state-funded schools, attracting families from across Gloucestershire and beyond.

Primary schools:

St James’ Church of England Primary School is a popular choice in Cheltenham, rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted in October 2014. Holy Apostles’ C of E Primary is another well-regarded option, noted for its strong community ethos. Warden Hill Primary School received ‘Good’ in its most recent Ofsted inspection. Leckhampton C of E Primary, consistently oversubscribed, is praised for its inclusive, high-achieving environment.

Secondary schools:

Pate’s Grammar School is renowned nationally, rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2013 and regularly topping state school league tables. Balcarras School is another highly sought-after secondary, judged ‘Outstanding’ since 2014 for its academic results and broad curriculum. Cheltenham Bournside School and Pittville School both offer wide subject options and strong extracurricular programmes.

Colleges and Sixth Forms:

Cheltenham Ladies’ College is one of the leading independent girls’ schools in the UK, celebrated for academic excellence and heritage. Dean Close School provides a co-educational, independent learning environment with strong boarding traditions. Gloucestershire College operates a major campus here, delivering both vocational and academic qualifications for school leavers and adults.

Universities:

The University of Gloucestershire has campuses in Cheltenham, including Park Campus and Francis Close Hall, specialising in creative arts, media, and business studies. This local university presence supports a lively student community and serves as a centre for lifelong learning and cultural activities.