Gloucester Waterfront

Historic Gloucester Docks

Gloucester's Historic Docks are the UK's most inland port. The City was granted port status by Queen Elizabeth I in 1580, which led to a boom era for the City of Gloucester. The Gloucester waterfront is surrounded by Victorian Warehouses, a spectacular site. You can discover the history of Gloucester Docks on a guided tour of the area.

Today these warehouses are home to a mix of uses from award winning visitor attractions to offices and residential flats. However Gloucester Docks still keeps a magical feeling and this is why it has been chosed as the set for a number of films and TV series including Amazing Grace and the Onedin Line.

Gloucester Docks is home to two award winning attractions. The Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks tells the story of the Gloucester Waterfront, the people who worked on it and the wildlife that lives there. The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum brings to life the important role of the Gloucestershire regiment over the years.

The dry dock at Gloucester Docks is an amazing place to watch ships being repaired using traditional methods, this can be anything from modern boats to spectacular tall ships. If you want to get a feel of how the Docks would have been within their heyday, why not visit the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival. You can explore the mighty ships and enjoy a wide range of family entertainment. A full events programme occurs in Gloucester Docks with everything from a Boat Jumble to Dragon Boat Racing. Check out the events page for more details.

Attractions in Gloucester Docks

• The Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks
• Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
• Gloucester Docks Tours with Gloucester Civic Trust Guides

Gloucester Quays

Gloucester Quays is the newest addition to the Gloucester Waterfront. Located next to Gloucester Docks, the Quays offer a designer oulet centre, antiques centre and a new restaurant quarter overlooking the water. With up to 60% off designer brands this is the place to shop.

Attractions at Gloucester Quays

• Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet Centre
• Gloucester Antiques Centre

Sail Away on Gloucester/Sharpness Canal and the River Severn

Those wishing to explore the Gloucester Waterfront further can take a number of boat trips and boating holidays along the Canal and River. Gloucester Leisure Cruises offer scheduled 45 minute boat trips on the canal and a range of special trips including sunset, blues and even Santa's Grotto cruises.

If you wish to explore the canal or River Severn for longer, take a holiday cruise aboard the Edward Elgar. This 11 cabin ship offers the unique opprtunity to view the stunning Severn Vale from the water.

The Severn Bore

The Severn Bore is one of Britian's few truly spectacular natural phenomena. It is a large surge wave that can be seen in the estuary of the River Severn, where the tidal range is the 2nd highest in the world, being as much as 50 feet (approx 15.4m). There are various places within Gloucester that give you the opportunity to view the Severn Bore.

Attractions on the Severn

• Gloucester Leisure Cruises
• English Holiday Cruises

So whatever you have planned, the Gloucester Waterfront is packed full of exciting attractions and things to do from Gloucester Quays to the Severn Bore.