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Cheltenham’s Regency splendour
“Rarely have I seen such a place that so attracted my fancy”
Charles Dickens, writing about his visits to Cheltenham
Cheltenham became a spa town in 1716. According to
legend the first medicinal waters were discovered when
pigeons were noticed pecking at salty deposits which
had formed around a spring.
MEDICINAL
Cheltenham’s future was foretold by the
author Daniel Defoe, who predicted that
WATERS WERE
‘The mineral waters lately discovered are
DISCOVERED
what will make this town more and more
WHEN PIGEONS
remarkable and frequented’.
WERE NOTICED
The Spa Waters
PECKING AT
In 1788 King George III came to drink
SALTY DEPOSITS
the waters, followed by many other
aristocratic and distinguished figures
of the period, and Cheltenham’s
transformation into a fashionable resort began.
Nobles, Royals, Writers
Regency Cheltenham
Over the following decades the town developed in the
Most of the town centre lies within a conservation area
architectural style famously popularised by the Prince
of outstanding national importance; Regency town
Regent in Brighton, with sweeping classical terraces and
houses, characterised by the rich patterning of intricate
elegant villas set in landscaped estates around broad
ironwork balconies, surround the leafy Promenade and
tree-lined walks.
historic squares. With its colourful, award-winning
gardens – many of which survive from the original
It was envisaged by one of its leading developers in
Regency pleasure grounds – and impressive range of
1824 as “the first English garden city with houses set
top quality shops and restaurants, Cheltenham today
among formal avenues and gardens”. That vision has
has a cosmopolitan ambience which is greatly enhanced
fortunately been retained, making Cheltenham the most
by its historic architectural setting.
complete Regency town in England – a town designed
specifically for leisure and pleasure. The town was
Little remains of medieval Cheltenham beyond the
patronised by a stream of noble and royal visitors,
parish church of St Mary’s (notable for its 14th century
including the Duke of
stained glass, especially the tilting tracery of its rose
Wellington and Princess
window), but following its early 19th century heyday,
(later Queen) Victoria.
the town continued to attract an eclectic mix of
Distinguished literary
interesting building in the Victorian era.
figures who have taken
Pre-eminent are the neo-Gothic school
the waters include ST MARY’S,
buildings of Cheltenham College with its
Lord Byron and
NOTABLE FOR 1896 chapel derived from that at King’s
Jane Austen.
ITS 14TH
College, Cambridge, and the Ladies’
College built in the French-Gothic style
CENTURY
with a remarkable bronze dome.
STAINED GLASS
Pictures: Upper row: Imperial Gardens. St Mary’s church. Ornamental Ironwork. London Road. Glass window at St Mary’s church.
4
Lower row: Regency Architecture. Municipal Offices. Left: Taking the Waters. Above: Montpellier Gardens.
Call for more information on 01242 522878
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