Gloucester Docks is a fantastic place to stroll around and explore Gloucester's heritage, now with a modern twist!

The area around Gloucester Docks is an ever changing place and has much to offer you on a visit. The imposing Victorian warehouses remind you of the bustling trading days of years gone by with a few other nods to the past dotted around, such as the old weighing cranes and the tramlines.

Whilst you may no longer see trading vessels making their way into the Docks you will see a glorious array of narrow boats with their decorative exteriors and adornments alongside sailing ships. Why not take a boat trip or pleasure cruise on the Queen Boadicea II where you can experience a forty-five minute trip along the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal or the King Arthur which heads down the River Severn towards Tewkesbury.

A view across the main basin at Gloucester Docks with the King Arthur cruise boat in the foreground.

Having recently taken the forty-five minute trip on the Queen Boadicea II, we can recommend it. To view everything from the water is an experience in itself and gives you a completely different perspective. This is true whether you are a resident of Gloucester or a visitor. The commentary by the skipper is both interesting and amusing and reminds us of the part she played in helping our heroes during the rescue at Dunkirk.

The Oliver Cromwell Pedal Wheeler is moored in the Docks at Alexandra Quay, offering holidays and entertainment such as Showboat Nights and is a lovely looking vessel, well worth a look over and perhaps a peek through the windows.

Narrowboats complete with pretty flowers in the Victoria basin in Gloucester Docks.

The SULA Lightship, a former lightship from the Humber Estuary, is permanent resident in Llanthony Wharf and you will see it in all its' bright red glory on the other side of Llanthony Bridge. Here you can take a guided tour, indulge in one of the holistic therapies on offer or simply browse the well-stocked shop.

Staying on dry land, it is a pleasant experience to walk around this part of Gloucester. An assortment of cafe's have opened now and you have a choice of Ontoast, Cafe Tucci, Cafe Corretta, Upstairs Downstairs and Coots where varying selections of food and drink are on offer. Fosters onThe Docks with a waterside conservatory and varied menu and The Tall Ship with daily fresh seafood choices are the two public houses in Gloucester Docks. The Vinings Restaurant is newly built alongside The Vinings Warehouses and provides you with Indian Cuisine.

A nod to Gloucester's past with tramlines and old weighing cranes.

There is more to do here than you might think when you first arrive. The Gloucester Waterways Museum, itself located in a Grade II listed warehouse can offer you an insight into the historic Gloucester Docks as well as the past uses of the waterways and history of the concrete tug. The museum caters for all ages too as many hands on experiences are available to you, including lock navigation, boat racing and building a boat. Perhaps surprisingly, you can also learn about the flora and wildlife that lives happily alongside the canal.

Not far from the Museum is the Grade II listed Mariners Chapel which I am sure can tell more than a story of two of Gloucester Docks. Built in 1849 by a local resident, William Wingate, it provided spiritual comforts to sea-farers, water workers and docks workers, not only from varying classes as shown by their Sunday dress at worship, but also from a range of Nationalities. Gloucester Port was extremely hectic in those days. It is still used for worship by a small congregation.

The Mariners Chapel in Gloucester Docks is well worth a visit during your visit to Gloucester.

It is hard to imagine that Victoria Basin was once home to a Military Camp, spread far out from the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. Here you can find out about The Gloucestershire Regiment, to give them their formal name, otherwise affectionately known as The Glorious Glosters, and investigate the archives of over three hundred years of Regimental history, take part in childrens quizzes and study the uniforms and medals amongst many other experiences on offer.

On Severn Road, just behind the West Quay, and opposite the old Arts and Crafts Centre (The Arts and Crafts Centre has now relocated to College Green close to Gloucester Cathedral) is the home of Upstairs Downstairs, a family run business selling a large variety of antiques, glassware, collectables and miscellanea. They also have a super coffee shop with freshly brewed coffee. What could be more fitting for an antiques business than to look out across the historic Gloucester Docks!

It is easy to spend an hour or so inside Upstairs Downstairs looking at antiques and collectables. We recommend the coffee in the coffee shop!

Inside Upstairs Downstairs, there is a chandlery operated by R&B Canal Art. Of service to canal boat and narrowboat owners using Gloucester Docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, the chandlers offer a good selection of accessories for boat owners including coal, oils, batteries and pumps. Also worth browsing is the large collection of canal art and canalware on sale, including model narrowboats, watering cans, teapots and rolling pins. Although designed for use on a narrowboat, we think they look very pretty around the house and garden.

Just sitting and watching, taking in the scenery and thinking of days gone by can just be enough at Gloucester Docks, or perhaps do that just as a break before you move onto the shopping and eating experience of Gloucester Quays.

Gloucester Docks is a jewel in the crown of Gloucester and whatever else you are visiting us for, please do take time to stroll around and explore this special area.