November, 2015 – Graham Miln

Gloucester

My family’s quizzical response to our wanting to visit Gloucester for a day trip was not entirely unjustified. Gloucester is not high on the list of must see cities in the United Kingdom. Yet our trip last December has been a source of fond memories over the year.

The city was helped by being covered in a beautiful layer of frost when we got off the train. The crisp clear morning air combined with glittering frost covering every surface dispelled any preconceived notion of a drab uninspiring destination.

We arrived by train on a bright but freezing day.
We arrived by train on a bright but freezing day.

Frost covered the benches.
Frost covered the benches.

It is worth noting the train platforms in Gloucester are long; where we stepped down from the train had me wondering if we had even reached the city proper. In both directions were industrial looking buildings and a platform that stretched on and on. We had arrived. It was just a bit of a walk to the station buildings and then into the centre.

We arrived by train on a bright but freezing day.
We arrived by train on a bright but freezing day.

Gloucester is not unlike Hereford or another regional county town. The usual selection of shops and cafes are here, along with a cathedral that dominates the list of must see sights.

Gloucester cathedral rises into the sky
Gloucester cathedral rises into the sky

Gloucester cathedral
Gloucester cathedral

Inside Gloucester cathedral
Inside Gloucester cathedral

Recent wooden chairs
Recent wooden chairs

Infinite waterfall font
Infinite waterfall font

Towering stain glass window inside Gloucester cathedral
Towering stain glass window inside Gloucester cathedral

Inner courtyard of Gloucester cathedral
Inner courtyard of Gloucester cathedral

In the cathedral grounds a robin flitted close by.

Robin on a frost covered bench
Robin on a frost covered bench

A robin flitted around us
A robin flitted around us

What we were unprepared for was the redevelopment of the docks. Now an area proudly labelled as Gloucester Quays. A once industrial section of the city transformed into apartments and a factory outlet centre. All very new and busy with shoppers.

A sail boat is docked visible between two old warehouses
A sail boat is docked visible between two old warehouses

A sign reads “Welcome to Gloucester Quays”
A sign reads “Welcome to Gloucester Quays”

Walkways jut out into the water
Walkways jut out into the water

A house boat floats in the water
A house boat floats in the water

Seagulls swoop over the water
Seagulls swoop over the water

A seagull peers back at me
A seagull peers back at me

Converted barges sit in the harbour
Converted barges sit in the harbour

Renovated warehouses have become modern apartments
Renovated warehouses have become modern apartments

Having been I can recommend a day trip to anyone passing nearby. I am not sure I can recommend specific sights or things to do, but we spent our time easily wandering around. Gloucester turned out to be a surprisingly photogenic town.