Best Landmarks in Gloucestershire

16 landmarks

1. 
   01
   Historical landmark4.4★5,879 reviews

   Broadway Tower

   Broadway Tower is an iconic 18th-century Gothic folly perched atop Broadway Hill, the second-highest point in the Cotswolds at 312 meters. Designed by architect James Wyatt and envisioned by Capability Brown, it was built in 1798 as a romantic landmark and beacon. The hexagonal limestone tower with turrets and battlements houses a museum across three floors and offers panoramic views spanning up to 16 English counties from its rooftop platform. Its rich history includes roles as a printing press site, an Arts and Crafts retreat, and a Cold War observation post.

   Daily 10:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs

   82 min drive · 41 km·Middle Hill, Broadway WR12 7LB

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2. 
   02
   Monument4.7★463 reviews

   William Tyndale Monument

   The William Tyndale Monument is a striking 111-foot tower perched atop Nibley Knoll near Dursley, Gloucestershire. Erected in 1866, it honors William Tyndale, the pioneering translator of the English Bible, who was born nearby and martyred for his work. Visitors can climb 121 steps to a viewing gallery offering panoramic views over the Vale of Berkeley, the River Severn, and the distant Black Mountains of Wales. The monument stands as a testament to Tyndale’s courage and lasting influence on English religious history.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–2.5 hrs

   28 min drive · 14 km·Nibley Knoll, Dursley

   Show on map William Tyndale Monument
3. 
   03
   Historical landmark4.8★404 reviews

   Painswick Beacon

   Painswick Beacon, an Iron Age hillfort summit near Painswick in Gloucestershire, offers spectacular 360-degree views across the Cotswold Hills. Rising to 283 meters, this grassy ridge is a popular scenic spot along the Cotswold Way, featuring tranquil walking paths, nearby woodland, and a golf course. Visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas stretching to the Malvern Hills, Forest of Dean, and Brecon Beacons on clear days, making it a cherished natural landmark rich in history and natural beauty.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–3 hrs

   14 min drive · 7.1 km·Painswick, Stroud GL6 6SZ

   Show on map Painswick Beacon
4. 
   04
   Church4.7★247 reviews

   Church of St Peter and St Paul, Northleach

   A magnificent 15th-century perpendicular Gothic church in the heart of Northleach, this architectural masterpiece stands as a testament to the town's medieval wool-trading wealth. Built by prosperous merchants who poured their riches into its construction, the church features soaring arcades, intricate stonework, and remarkable brass memorials depicting wool traders in their finest furred gowns. Known unofficially as the 'Cathedral of the Cotswolds,' it remains one of the finest parish churches in England and the most striking reminder of Northleach's golden age.

   Daily 9:00–17:00Time to spend 0.8–2 hrs

   56 min drive · 28 km·Mill End, Northleach, Cheltenham GL54 3HL

   Show on map Church of St Peter and St Paul, Northleach
5. 
   05
   Bridge4.3★178 reviews

   Over Bridge

   Over Bridge, also known as Telford's Bridge, is a historic single-span stone arch bridge spanning the canalised West Channel of the River Severn near Gloucester. Designed by the renowned engineer Thomas Telford and opened in 1830, it was the lowest road crossing of the Severn until the 1960s. Now pedestrian-only, it offers scenic views and a glimpse into early 19th-century engineering innovation.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs

   29 min drive · 14 km·Horseshoe Dr, Highnam, Gloucester GL2 8BZ

   Show on map Over Bridge
6. 
   06
   Landmark4.9★110 reviews

   Haresfield Topograph

   Perched on the Cotswold escarpment near Stroud, Haresfield Topograph is a distinctive three-dimensional map landmark offering sweeping views across the Severn estuary toward the Forest of Dean and Brecon Beacons. This Grade II listed structure serves as both a viewpoint and educational tool, helping visitors identify prominent features in the surrounding landscape. Set within mixed woodland and open grassland, the site combines natural beauty with historical significance, having been a location of Iron Age and Roman settlements.

   Time to spend 1–4 hrs

   7 min drive · 3.5 km·Cotswold Way, Stroud GL6 6PP

   Show on map Haresfield Topograph
7. 
   07
   Museum4.5★105 reviews

   Dr Jenner's House

   Discover the birthplace of vaccination at Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. This Queen Anne house was home to Edward Jenner, the pioneering scientist who developed the smallpox vaccine. Visitors can explore Jenner’s study, the historic Vinery, the modern Physic Garden, and the Temple of Vaccinia where Jenner vaccinated locals free of charge. Open Sundays to Wednesdays from 11am to 4pm, this museum offers a unique glimpse into medical history and Jenner’s diverse interests beyond science.

   Mon–Wed 11:00–16:00 · Sun 11:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–2 hrs

   34 min drive · 17 km·Church Ln, Berkeley GL13 9BN

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8. 
   08
   Historical landmark4.1★95 reviews

   Greyfriars

   Greyfriars in Gloucester is the evocative ruin of a Franciscan friary founded around 1231. The site features the remains of its 16th-century church, a blend of medieval architecture and later adaptations. Once a thriving religious community, the friary was dissolved in the 16th century and later repurposed. Today, Greyfriars offers a tranquil historic atmosphere amid the city, with its elegant arches and stonework telling stories of centuries past.

   Daily 9:00–17:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs

   26 min drive · 13 km·Greyfriars, Gloucester GL1 2TG

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9. 
   09
   Historical landmark4.5★55 reviews

   Nympsfield Long Barrow

   Nympsfield Long Barrow is a 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial site perched atop the Cotswold escarpment in Gloucestershire. This ancient chambered tomb, part of the Cotswold-Severn group, features exposed burial chambers and offers spectacular panoramic views over the Severn Valley. Visitors can explore the site’s historical significance as a communal burial place, admire its ritual architecture, and reflect on local legends that enrich its mysterious atmosphere.

   Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs

   13 min drive · 6.5 km·Cotswold Way, Gloucestershire GL11 5AU

   Show on map Nympsfield Long Barrow
10. 
    10
    Historical landmark4.1★54 reviews

    Somerset Monument

    The Somerset Monument is a striking 100-foot tall stone tower erected in 1846 near Hawkesbury Upton in Gloucestershire, England. It commemorates Lord Robert Edward Somerset, a distinguished general in the Napoleonic Wars, especially noted for his role at the Battle of Waterloo. Set atop the Cotswold escarpment, the monument offers commanding views over the surrounding Vale and stands as a prominent historic landmark within a rich rural landscape.

    Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs

    38 min drive · 19 km·Hawkesbury, Badminton GL9 1BQ

    Show on map Somerset Monument