Devon Holiday (7 to 15 August 2026): Day 1: (7 August 2026) Worksop to Gloucester

We had decided to set off to Devon a day early and have a night in a hotel on the way. G and E stayed in Gloucester: S and C near Bristol and the BCs near Swindon.

"This travelling lark is very tiring"

Firm Friends

"I like pizza - in fact, I like anything"

"Do you like my smart look?

It's always pizza time!

Our journey was punctuated by several hold ups but eventually we made it to the wonderful Gloucester South services on the M5 for a delicious and enormous sausage roll and chips. It was touch and go whether this service are would ever be built as there was strong opposition from the service ares to the north and south of here and also from the environmental lobby who pointed out that it was on the very edge of the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Gloucester South Services. It's a farm shop stop run by farmers who source items locally and who donate around 3% of the non-fuel takings to Gloucester Gateway Trust, funding community-drive development in Gloucestershire. It has no franchise eateries and it has also forbidden any video or gambling machines.

After that it was just 20 minutes to the hôtel and we quickly checked in and headed off to find the Cathedral. It was very hot and the Cathedral proved very elusive but we eventually found it. Unfortunately, by the time we go there it was 5.15pm and it was closed. A man did apear at the side entrance and G asked him what time it opened in the morning. The answer was 10am, so a visit inside might be for another day.

Our initial impression of Gloucester was that there were a lot of people around who seemed to be 'on something' and being loud about it and there was a lot of graffiti around. However we had clearly taken the wrong route to the Cathedral and fortunately that was not the case walking back.

First of all on the way back, we came across a lovely pub - a 15th century coaching inn - with a shady courtyard and enjoyed a drink - G said it was just about the best bitter he'd ever tasted - and we made friends with the numerous dogs there. for more see - The Fountain Inn

We then found the Historic Docks area (see - Gloucester Docks which was really lovely and which had clearly been well regenerated. We were still full after lunch so we didn't bother with any tea unlike Catherine and co who enjoyed pizza alfresco.