Throughout the hotel corridors are photos and information displays about historic buildings, events, festivals, and people important to Gloucester. The gallery has sections upon Roman, Medieval, and Victorian, periods.
There is an extensive section upon the Docks and the history of the development of the river, as well as the locks and dry docks that are still in use today. You can read about how the warehouses were used and details on seamen timber handlers dock labourers and upon the canals, tramways and railways that were linchpins of Gloucester’s development.
Other sections show; views of the cathedral from different angles; historic buildings of the city centre; the Severn Bore; the Tall Ships and Crucible festivals; and many of the well-known characters that have had an influence on the development of Gloucester.
The Roman Gloucester section of the gallery is very relevant to the Edward Hotel. The Hotel sits on London Road, which was the final stretch of the Roman road that led from London via Cirencester and finished at Gloucester’s North Gate. This was the main route from the South and East into Wales via three bridges that crossed the River Severn.
There was a cemetery to the east side of London road where a number of roman bodies have been found. In the process of excavation the archaeologists found one of the largest ever Roman plague pits. A few hundred meters to the west was the first Roman Gloucester fort – Kingsholm. The Edward Hotel is surrounded by Roman History, in fact there was a saying “If you scratch Gloucester you will find Rome”.
The gallery has photos showing re-enactments of medieval history in Gloucester. Gloucester remained an important city throughout the Norman and Plantagenet ages with Witans (parliaments), and courts being held here regularly. Henry V held the last parliament in Gloucester. There are many historic buildings in Gloucester that can be visited especially during heritage weekends.
A wander around the gallery before exploring the city provides a great foundation. There is so much history to discover here. There are pamphlets of guided walks of the city available from Reception.