| CHELTENHAM is situated about 10 miles east of Gloucester
close to where the River Chelt, a tributary of the River Severn, breaks through the
western edge of the Cotswolds. A church is known
to have existed at Cheltenham as early as 803. The town is first mentioned in documents in
1223, when the benefit of markets, fairs, and the hundred (feudal administrative division)
of Cheltenham were leased to the local manor. After the discovery of three mineral springs
in 1716 and the ensuing erection of a pump room in 1738, Cheltenham rapidly became
fashionable, its popularity being assured by a visit by King George III in 1788. Many
Georgian buildings, wide tree-lined avenues, and open spaces survive today in the
contemporary urban plan.
Possibly most famous in the modern era for horse racing -
the Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the nation's classics - Cheltenham, is an excellent
centre point to tour the Cotswolds for those who enjoy the liveliness, hustle and bustle
of city life.
The town is also famous as an educational centre, the main schools being Cheltenham
College (founded 1841), Cheltenham Ladies' College (1853), and Dean Close School (1886)
and a teacher-training college. The town has an opera house, a civic playhouse and several
museums and galleries. After World War II annual festivals of music and literature were
established. |
