Gloucester

• In 1216 Henry III was crowned King at Gloucester rather than Westminster Abbey due to civil strife in England. The nine year old received his mother's bracelet as a crown, and later became a patron of Greyfriars and Blackfriars, giving oak from his Royal forests for the roofs and other features.

Ideally located in the heart of the country, on the bank of the River Severn and cradled by the picturesque Cotswold Hills, the city of Gloucester has a vibrant, lively atmosphere with a rich, historic past.

Here you will find Roman foundations, Victorian docklands and the magnificent Norman cathedral - recently used as one of the settings in the films 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' and 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'.

Gloucester has been very successful in retaining much of its market town atmosphere while boasting a wide range of modern shops and boutiques, lively modern bars and traditional pubs. The city also has a Premiership rugby team who play at Kingsholm - and is well worth a visit!