Where is Gloucestershire?
Gloucestershire is a county in the West Midlands of England. The capital city is Gloucester, which has a population of about 118,000 people. It covers an area of 2,568 square miles and has borders with six other counties – Herefordshire to the west; Worcestershire to the south-west; Oxfordshire to the east; Wiltshire to the north-east; Warwickshire to the north-west and Somerset comes close by on its western border.
Areas in Gloucestershire
There are many areas to choose from in Gloucestershire. The county can be split into three main sections: the Cotswolds, the Severn Vale and Forest of Dean. The most popular areas from home buyers in these sections include:
Chipping Campden – A popular village in the heart of the Cotswolds that is now extremely sought-after. It was once known as “the town of tumbling waters” due to its abundance of springs and brooks, which are still present today.
Stow on the Wold – A market town located in the north Cotswolds that is well known for its antique shops and beautiful countryside.
Cheltenham – The most famous of all towns in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham is a Regency spa town that is popular with tourists and home buyers alike. It offers a wide range of amenities, including excellent schools and lively nightlife.
Gloucester – The county town of Gloucestershire, and the largest city in the region. It is a historic port that has seen many changes over time, but still retains a lot of its heritage today.
Tewkesbury – A small market town located between Cheltenham and Worcester with excellent transport links to both cities. Tewkesbury is known for its beautiful abbey and charming streets.
Parkend – A small village in the Forest of Dean, Parkend is a great place for those who are looking to enjoy rural living with access to amenities.
Universities in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is home to the University of Gloucestershire, which was founded in 2001 and is located across four campuses, and the Royal Agricultural University.
University of Gloucestershire –The University of Gloucestershire is located in Cheltenham and offers a wide range of courses. The university has over 11,000 students studying across the various colleges and faculties and specialises in business, media and sports courses.
The Royal Agricultural University – RAU is located in Cirencester and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in agriculture, food and business. The university has a strong focus on land-based subjects and pastoral care.
Top Schools in Gloucestershire
The country of Gloucestershire has some of the best schools in the country, including:
Gloucester Cathedral Junior School – Rated as Excellent with Outstanding features by Ofsted, the Gloucester Cathedral Junior School is a private school for boys and girls aged between three and eleven years old.
Gloucester that caters for students from Year Seven to Year Eleven.
Cheltenham Ladies’ College – Cheltenham Ladies’ College is an independent school for girls aged three to eighteen years old. The school caters for students from Nursery through to Sixth Form, offering private education with a focus on music and drama.
The Cheltenham College – Rated as Outstanding by Ofsted, the Cheltenham College is an independent boarding & day school that serves boys between eleven and eighteen years old.
Wynstones School – Wynstones is a school for children with special needs, catering to students of any age between two and nineteen years old. The school caters especially well for those who have learning difficulties or are on the autistic spectrum.
Population of Gloucestershire
The population of Gloucestershire is just over 460,000 according to the 2011 Census. The population is spread out fairly evenly throughout the county, with a few concentrations in certain areas, such as Cheltenham and Gloucester.