There is so much to discover and enjoy here in Gloucestershire, from the great outdoors to arts and culture, sports, and socialising, to fine food and great shopping.
It’s a diverse and complex place – regularly identified as a highly desirable place to live. But it’s also a place with pockets of deprivation. The ICS is committed to working with its partners to deliver long-term solutions to deep-rooted social and economic issues and ensure that the county is a place where everyone can thrive.
As well as being the gateway to the Southwest, we are well connected to the rest of the country and within easy travelling distance of Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, and London.
Whatever you are looking for, you are sure to find it here in Gloucestershire.
Diverse Towns and Cities
Gloucester, the county town, has plenty to offer and is everything you would expect from a vibrant, multi-cultural British city.
It is home to one of the finest medieval buildings in the country; its breath-taking cathedral has formed the backdrop of many scenes in Doctor Who and the Harry Potter films. From the Victorian Docks to the array of restaurants and shops at Gloucester Quays, the city is a unique blend of historic charm and modern attraction.
Cheltenham is the county’s cultural heart, resplendent with its celebrated Georgian architecture and world-renowned festivals of literature and music. The famous racecourse is home to the Gold Cup.
Stroud is home to an award-winning farmer’s market, while Cirencester is a beautiful town in the heart of the Cotswolds.
A Centre of Innovation
Whilst perhaps best known for its stunning landscapes, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and protected Green Belt land, Gloucestershire also enjoys a prosperous economy and an excellent track record of securing available government funding, which means the county is well placed to recover from the economic challenges of the pandemic.
Our partners the County Council have worked hard to move projects forward that will secure future growth, including a multi-million pound transport and highways infrastructure programme, an ambitious economic growth agenda to provide 100,000 new homes, businesses, shops and leisure facilities over the next 30 years, and they are making significant progress with our climate change commitments.
