Cheltenham
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By train
Frequent rail links to London Paddington, Bristol and the south and Birmingham and the north. The station is a little outside the metropolitan area. There is a regular bus service (D) or an easy walk through Montpellier into the centre (15-20 minutes). It's too far to walk if mobility is an issue, so take a taxi.
By car
The M5 reaches Cheltenham from the North and South and the A40 from the East (from Oxford) is also a useful transport link. Parking is rarely a problem now in Cheltenham, but the one way systems can sometimes get a little confusing. With this in mind a good option would be to use the Park and Ride facility National Park and Ride Directory
If you are planning a day at the races Cheltenham, has its own Racecourse Park and Ride facility. Alternatively, you can combine the races with a visit to the classic Cotswold town of Winchcombe and take a steam train from there to the racecourse. There are special racegoer trains in Gold Cup week.
By bus
There are buses from Cirencester, Stroud and other local villages to Cheltenham once an hour. National bus services are also available. National Express stops at the Royal Well station (behind The Promenade) for easy links to London Heathrow and beyond. It is not possible to buy a ticket at the station outside of office-hours, so purchase online or by telephone.
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Montpellier Walk
The broad, tree-lined Promenade and its continuation in Montpellier Walk (look for the caryatids) and Montpellier Street, the town's smart shopping streets (the chain stores are mercifully elsewhere, in the High Street.
Pittville Park, laid out in the early 19th century as the centre of the then-new residential area of Pittville. The park is arranged round an artificial lake, with Pittville Pump Room on the hillside at the north-western edge. The Pump Room is open for free visits to see the fine interior and water tasting when it is not being used for events or weddings.
Imperial Gardens (off the Promenade) with its colourful display of summer flowers.
Use the town as a touring base - it's very much part of the Cotswolds.
January - March
October - December
Information not available
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