Blog 212 Gloucester, Cheltenham Literature Festival and Briarfield Campsite #CheltLitFest
- Keef Hellinger
- Oct 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 20
Created by KeefH Web Designs, October 19th, 2025, 9.15 PM
Motorhome trip No61: 13th-17th October 2025
Travel blog summary
NOTTS-> Arle Court, Cotswolds -> NOTTS 204 miles
We spent a lovely 4 days in the Cotswolds again after a few days celebrating Annie's Bro's birthday the previous week this time with our dear friends Pete & Joy. What is it we always say? 284 years between us around the table now but still going strong. This time we revisited the fabulous Gloucester for a day and spent 2 days at the wonderful Cheltenham Literature festival taking in 4 interesting talks , buying numerous books and supping copious amounts of warmed mulled wine to keep out the cold, well that at least was our excuse.
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OVERVIEW
We headed out from home at about 10.30am. We had packed up over the preceding few days. So it was M1/A42/M42/M5 and a short mile down the A40 to the lovely Briarfield's campsite, it once was an ACSI site but to my knowledge no longer. We last visited in the Summer of 2015 when the site looked a whole lot different. Still the convenience of the bus is wonderful even if your old persons bus pass had expired, hooray me new one has arrived so I will no longer feel guilty even without a valid bus pass I don't look a whole lot younger #smile When we were last in Cheltenham there was a car and music festival on so this was 80 year's worth of festivals in Cheltenham.
Set in the heart of Regency Cheltenham, the festival site buzzes with culture and conversation. Montpellier Gardens becomes a vibrant hub each October, with elegant marquees nestled among autumnal trees. The main tent, buzzing with literary luminaries and eager audiences, hosts headline talks, while smaller venues offer intimate panels, book signings, and workshops. Pop-up cafés and bookstalls line the paths, creating a festive, intellectual atmosphere. The site’s layout encourages serendipitous encounters—between authors and readers, ideas and inspiration. Whether you're dashing between events or lingering over coffee, the site’s charm and energy make it the beating heart of the Literature Festival. #AI
Here is an overview slideshow created by KHWD of the whole shebang!
BRIARFIELD CAMPSITE
Located just off the M1 1 mile down the A40 this is a hugely convenient and well tended campsite that we have been to before back in ? , it is now quite different much of the grass and pitches replaced by hard standing and its major benefit still remains , the closeness right outside the site to 2 bus stops, one to Gloucester the other to Cheltenham, what could be better for 4 oldies with bus passes? #hintsandtips #CheltLitFest
Briarfields Campsite at Arle Court offers a peaceful, well-maintained base just outside Cheltenham, ideal for exploring the Cotswolds or attending local festivals. With spotless facilities, level pitches, and excellent transport links—bus stops to Cheltenham and Gloucester are right outside—it’s perfect for both motorhomes and tents. The adult-only policy ensures a quiet, relaxed atmosphere, while nearby shops and eateries add convenience. Whether you're touring historic towns or enjoying the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Briarfields combines comfort, location, and tranquility. Its friendly staff and thoughtful layout make it a top pick for seasoned campers seeking a hassle-free, restful stay in Gloucestershire. #AI
FUN IN GLOUCESTER
Up early we breakfasted and then headed out of the site to catch the 94 bus into Gloucester City centre arriving at the very modern bus station. We then walked through the city centre, with some very interesting old buildings, half timbered etc. My personal favourite was the Clock makers shop with its almost Germanic outer bell time feature. Just wonderful.
After that and discovering even more about Annie's rellie King Richard 3rd we came to the fabulous Docks area which we have been to before. It was surprisingly quiet but all the old warehouses now used as posh pad dwellings and the barge cafe's plus fab history boards made for a lovely time. We headed to the Gloucester Quays mall so we could shop until we dropped and then as a little to early for lunch having baulked at the price of the docks museum, went to Weatherspoon's where believe it or not a pint of Ruddles was £1.89 , i thought I'd time travelled back to the late 70s. We then had a lovely Greek lunch, just super before walking back thru the dockyard area and city centre to catch the 94 back to the Briarfields site.
Once the bustling heart of Britain’s inland shipping network, Gloucester’s historic docks now blend industrial heritage with vibrant modern life. Victorian warehouses line the quayside, their red-brick facades repurposed into museums, cafés, and apartments. The National Waterways Museum anchors the area, telling the story of canal life and trade. Tall ships and narrowboats still moor here, echoing the maritime past. Cobbled walkways lead visitors past restored cranes and dry docks, while the shimmering canal basin reflects the city’s transformation. Gloucester Quays, a designer outlet housed in former warehouses, adds retail energy to the scene. The area buzzes during festivals, with food stalls, music, and heritage tours drawing crowds. Just steps away, the cathedral spire rises above the skyline, linking the docks to the city’s medieval core. Whether you're after history, shopping, or waterside strolls, Gloucester Docks offers a rich, atmospheric experience steeped in character and charm. #AI
Once back at the site we had our trad cheese and bikkies, wine and port, indeed all eat, drink and be merry apart from maybe not so merry playing Trivial Pursuits travel version. The ladies trashed us blokes with ease. A very pleasant evening.
THE CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL #CheltLitFest
I saw 4 sessions, one with Pete - PMQs unpacked. Very interesting analysis but poor repeat questioning (6 in total) from Kemi to Kier, I think the panel gave a unanimous thumbs up to Kier. This was in the Town Hall, much more comfortable and less cramped seating than the next venue. All 4 of us saw the Exploring the world in later life session up in the big tent in the Montpellier gardens arena, interesting and Joy bought the signed book by the lady who had down around India in 80 trains. Then the next day Annie and I saw the stone mason and the Art Historian discussing Craftlands: rediscovering Britain's lost arts, OK but Annie's comment that no women were on the panel was a big omission. Again at the Town Hall, then maybe what was "save the best to last" at the town hall all 4 of us saw Ed Davey and the truly inspirational Lindsey Burrows telling us all rightly why Who cares for our Carers is important. too right!!! The town hall coffee shop was also a huge hit. Pete got a signed copy of Sir Ed's book with dedication no less. I had wanted a copy of Ben Elton's autobiography What have I done, even though he and Michael Palin were on the previous week and I got one of the few remaining copies for one of the many huge Waterstones popup shops about town, mine specifically at the Montpellier gardens site. I also bought Edie a children's novel in the Waterstones kids shoppe.
There was also a whole set of free literary events in and around town as well as at the main Montpellier gardens site and a very well produced guide to those free event. Maybe take a look at the slideshow to view that guide, suggest running in full screen mode and stopping on the pages you are interested in. #enjoy
There were over 100 free events light up the 2025 Cheltenham Literature Festival, transforming Montpellier Gardens and Cheltenham Town into a vibrant, accessible celebration of books and ideas.
From 10–19 October, the Festival Village hosts 30% of the programme as free-to-see, including fantasy map-making, community writing showcases, fairytale ceilidhs, and the immersive Wonderland adventure. Families can drop into The Den for crafts, comics, and storytelling, while adults enjoy Lit Crawl, VOICEBOX, and post-event discussions in The Huddle and Times Square. Whether you're a curious newcomer or seasoned book lover, the free programme offers something for all ages.
See some of the people you could see, Ken Follett was also there promoting Circle of Days that I bought for Annie, plus sites around town plus the Montpellier gardens main layout.
Here is a link to some of the many posts on Faceache about the Festival Note you may need to be a FB person to view but I'm not sure, just try it!
SAYONARA
Farewell until next time folks
It is such fun travelling with our dear pals and a Literary Festival was a first for us, but we really enjoyed it.
complete by 20/10/25 for publication😀