Culture
English culture encompasses everything from vintage fashion to futuristic architecture crowned with swish rooftop restaurants and bars. Culture old and new fuses effortlessly in our big cities, where Victorian museums host cutting-edge modern artists. And you’ll find hoards of cultural activities in the countryside and along the coast too. Follow sculpture trails hidden in woodlands, walk in the footsteps of your favourite fictional characters on a film or literature tour, catch a film screening in the grounds of a Tudor mansion and stop by one of numerous art galleries popping up in seaside resorts on your cultural holidays.
Discover a vibrant arts scene within the Forest of Dean
Discover a cultural scene that really breathes life in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Uncover the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
For lovers of the great outdoors, the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst showcases giant pieces created from materials you might find in the Forest.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Visit the home of the Dymock Poets in the Forest of Dean
In the quiet village of Dymock, literacy history was being made by six of the finest poets of the early 20th century.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Spot Poldark at Chavenage House
Come and see 'Trenwith', the Poldark family home, actually 'played' by Chavenage House in Tetbury and you may spot Aiden Turner as Ross Poldark!
Location: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Explore the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Combine art and the great outdoors as you follow a charming sculpture trail through woodlands in Gloucestershire.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Discover Laurie Lee Country
Take inspiration from the BBC adaptation of the classic novel ‘Cider with Rosie’ and follow in the footsteps of author Laurie Lee through the Slad Valley.
Location: Slad village near Stroud, Gloucestershire
Get to the heart of the crafty Cotswolds
Allow yourself to be dazzled – and perhaps, learn to dazzle yourself – at a place where art comes to life.
Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Explore the rooms and grounds of Snowshill Manor
From suits of Samurai armour to antique bicycles of all shapes and sizes, there are about 22,000 reasons to take a nose round Snowshill Manor.
Location: Snowshill, Gloucestershire
Retrace the Cotswolds’ Arts and Crafts movement
Explore William Morris's Cotswolds as you relive the area's arts and crafts movement in Chipping Campden and Broadway.
Location: Chipping Campden & Broadway, Gloucestershire
From Alice to Potter, scout out Gloucester's famous film locations
Seek out Gloucester’s cathedral and docks to see why the city is becoming such a firm favourite with film and TV producers in Hollywood and the UK.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
See musical legends at Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Swing into springtime in style at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, one of the leading Jazz events in England.
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Walk through history at Berkeley Castle
Walk in the footsteps of Wolf Hall’s real historic characters, and also the actors who went on to play them at Berkeley Castle.
Location: Berkeley, Gloucestershire
May the force be with you in Puzzlewood
See where scenes of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens were filmed as you explore the enchanting woodlands of Puzzlewood.
Location: Coleford, Gloucestershire
A Tale of Two Gardens and a Lasting Friendship
Experience two world-famous gardens just 6 minutes’ walk from each other - the Arts and Crafts masterpiece Hidcote Manor and historic Kiftsgate Court.
Location: Gloucestershire
Discover the magic of film and TV within the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Discover a gateway to the far-away worlds of star warriors, magicians and the ancient lands of legendary, mythic heroes and villains.
Location: Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Get lost in Gloucestershire's finest gardens
Experience two world-famous gardens just six minutes’ walk from each other - the Arts and Crafts masterpiece Hidcote Manor and historic Kiftsgate Court, created by lifelong friends.
Location: Gloucestershire
October events: Enjoy the beauty of words at the Cheltenham Literature Festival
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, one of four main Cheltenham Festivals, is one of the longest running literature festivals in the world.
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire