Gloucester is a mid-sized city located close to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, knowns for its 11-century Cathedral and docks. Buying a property here provides residents with opportunities to access the best the West Country has to offer.
Property Prices In Gloucester
Average property prices in Gloucester stand at £232,204 (as of the middle of 2020) – almost the same as the UK average of £231,185.
Semi-detached properties in the city sell for an average of £229,129 according to data collected over the last twelve months. Detached properties fetch £337,600, and flats go for an average of £185,633. Prices in Gloucester are up more than 9 per cent since 2017 and 3 per cent in the last twelve months.
Best Areas To Buy And Local Amenities
Gloucester offers several attractive suburban and urban areas for buy to let investors, first home and regular property buyers.
Inner-city areas include Wotton and Elmbridge close to the Gloucester Royal Hospital, and Kingsholm – an urban residential community just outside of the centre. For property investors, these areas offer excellent value investments and a chance to buy impressive period Regency and Victorian properties.
In recent years, the Gloucester Docks and Quays have become popular areas for buyers, thanks to their historical location and easy access to leisure and shopping amenities. A shopping centre on St Ann Way features multiple outlets and a range of prestigious brands.
Hucclecote was once a village outside of the city but has since been subsumed by urban development. This area falls within the Tewkesbury District Council, not the Gloucester City Council. It is close to one of the city’s main business parks, making it an ideal location for working professionals.
Those looking for quieter residences may want to consider Innsworth, an attractive village to the north of the town. This area, just outside the ring road provides excellent access to the Meteor Business Park, Gloucester Airport, and the Brickhamptom Court Golf Complex.
Things To Do
Gloucester is an old Romano-Celtic settlement whose history stretches back more than one thousand years. In that time, it has become an important hub in the West Country and the county town for surrounding Gloucestershire.
Residents can benefit from the Gloucester Docks and Gloucester Quays – two excellent examples of urban regeneration. Old mills and waterside warehouses now host a plethora of places to eat, shops and relax. The docks are also well-suite for strolls and taking in the city’s unique atmosphere.
Gloucester is home to the National Waterways Museum, located in the Llanthony Warehouse. This impressive venue offers a comprehensive activity of canals in England, plus the opportunity to go boating, canoeing, kayaking, cycling and fishing.
The Robinswood Hill Country Park is perfect for families with children and dogs, offering plenty of space and excellent amenities.
At the centre of the city sits Gloucester Cathedral. This fascinating and beautiful building features recently-renovated stained glass windows, full regalia, and the cloisters used to film the Harry Potter movies.
Schools
Gloucester is home to some of the best primary and secondary schools in the country, providing parents with plenty of excellent choices for where to send their children. Ofsted rates a considerable number of schools in the county as “outstanding.”
Sir Thomas Rich’s School – secondary academy with more than one thousand pupils – regularly comes out as one of the top schools in the city. The school achieved 100 per cent 5+ GCSEs pass or above at the last count, compared to a national average of 60 per cent.
Denmark Road High School is another local treasure. This gender-selective girls academy was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2012.
Parents may also want to consider The Crypt School, a mixed grammar school on Podsmead road close to Podsmead, White City and Lower Tuffley. Ninety-eight per cent of students passed five or more GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
Transport Links
Gloucester Railway is located close to the town centre across Black Dog Way. The terminus sits just off the main Bristol to Birmingham line and connects to London Paddington, Birmingham New Street and Cardiff Central. The station is around a five to ten-minute walk from the main shopping distinct, with regular services running throughout the day.
Gloucester runs an excellent bus service that services all local suburbs plus select locations in surrounding Gloucestershire, including nearby Cheltenham. The bus and train stations sit opposite each other, providing excellent links for those looking to make regular use of national rail services.
For cars, Gloucester sits on the M5 motorway which connects Bristol in the south and Birmingham in the north. Parking options in the city are generally good.
