Gloucester Civic Trust runs 18 Guided Tours of Gloucester City, available on a daily basis (not Sunday) from April till September available on an advanced booking basis. They start at 11.30 from St Michael’s tower at the Cross in the centre of Gloucester. Tours last approx’ 1.5 hr, they are organised by local volunteer Civic trust guides. There is a nominal charge of £4.00 per person.
The civic trust tours will run out of season if booked in advance and if the minimum charge is matched.
Gloucester Cathedral Tours run all year (Covid permitting); winter season they run approx’ 11 till 3, Sundays approx’ 12 till 2.30, tours taking about 45 minutes. Special event days at the Cathedral can affect tour times.
The Cathedral’s Crypt, Library, Treasury and Tower are all open at various times April till October (Covid permitting). The Tower has 269 steps to negotiate (up and down!), once at the top you can see for up to forty miles. The 12 bell mechanisms are interesting too. The Cathedral library and archives are open most Wednesdays, there fee is £5.
Roman remains of Eastgate can be viewed at weekends via the City museum. These are hidden gems that should be displayed more readily. Check times in advance rather than turn up.
Ghost Tours no longer run on a daily basis but do run on a more random basis so call 07910003180 to check if one is available. Gloucester is meant to be the 10th most spooky place in Britain so keep your eyes peeled.
Trips depart from the dockside at the museum for either the River Severn or the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, midday, 1.30pm and 2.30pm April to October, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays throughout the period, plus weekdays 1 May to 30 August
Speciality Tours are often available. These must be booked and paid for in advance £4.00 per head, minimum of 4 persons. Topics such as; Roman Gloucester, Medieval churches, Robert Raikes, Beatrix Potter, Priories, Docks, and famous characters of Gloucester, can be covered. Contact The Edward Hotel for more details
Look out for Heritage weekends where historic buildings often closed to the public are opened. These weekends will offer talks upon important events and topics concerning Gloucester. The same applies to the History festival.