A Very Bridgerton Day Out in Cheltenham  

A Picnic at Pittville Park 

On a warm summer’s day, there’s nothing more refined than a picnic and promenade around a park. A simple pastime, yet one of life’s greatest pleasures, Pittville Park offers a breath of fresh air, sublime greenery and the opportunity to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Place your blanket under the shade of a tree and enjoy a selection of delicious local treats, just be careful with your gossip, you never know who may be listening… 

This author is never one to discourage some of the park’s more pulse-raising activities, so why not unravel your competitive spirit with a round of pitch & putt or a game of tennis? For a more leisurely affair, hire a boat for a tranquil paddle on the lake.

Pittville Park is the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features the outstanding Pump Room and lakes. These grounds are no mere patch of grass, rather, grade listed under the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, with the Pump Room as a grade 1 listed building.  

Enjoy the Idleness of an Afternoon Tea 

No Bridgerton day out in Cheltenham could be complete without the indulgence of an afternoon tea. Think the finest crockery, dainty sandwiches, delicate cakes and, of course, plenty of tea.

As one would expect, there are plenty of fine establishments for an afternoon tea in Cheltenham including The Restaurant at Ellenborough Park, The Regency Tea Rooms and Once Upon a Tearoom where you can partake in an edible bouquet to flaunt on your afternoon promenade. That’ll certainly catch some attention. 

Frequent the Modiste 

In this age, there may not be many social occasions for a tailored ballgown, however, that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to wow the Ton with your impeccable sense of style.

Cheltenham offers a colourful array of independent clothing shops for your perusal, so whether you’re looking for something handmade, vintage or even a bargain at a charity shop, there are plenty of opportunities to secure that purchase that’ll make you feel like the diamond of the season.  

Step back into 1818 

Modern readers, join us in the height of the Regency period with a visit to Cheltenham’s famous Promenade – a place to see and, indeed, be seen. The Cheltenham Promenade has a reputation as one of the best preserved and most beautiful thoroughfares, boasting nostalgic charm alongside ample independent cafes, shops and bars.
 
Spend the day browsing local arts and crafts then continue your leisurely promenade through Long Garden, an ever-changing delight of ornamental plants and the home to the Statuesque Neptune Fountain, famously modelled on the Trevi Fountain in Rome and added to the park in 1893. 

A Day at the Races 

Thinking back to the drama of Season 2’s trip to the races, it would be criminal not to mention the very same for your very Bridgerton day out (perhaps with a little less of the theatrical).  

Feel the anticipation as the riders take their place, the thrill of the jumps, the adrenaline of the final stretch. Will you be cheering on the firm favourite or routing for the underdog?  

Once a popular place to court, the races now serve as a grand day out for all - no chaperone required. Cheltenham Racecourse hosts races throughout the year, with the Cheltenham Festival bringing together the best horses, trainers and jockeys for an event like no other. Tweed at the ready, there are fortunes at stake.  

The Tasting of Fine Wine

Now, polite society decrees only 2 glasses of wine are to be sipped in a social setting. Luckily for you, dear reader, this author’s lips are tightly sealed for this next Cheltenham experience. 

While our fine ladies of Bridgerton may not partake in such indulgences, can we not speculate on what goes on behind closed doors? Perhaps a wine tasting experience reflects a little more of our Regency-era pastimes than one may initially suspect… 

Cheltenham Local Wine School offers an informative and exciting wine tasting experience, refining your palate to tune into the delicate flavours of wines, grouped by grape or country. They offer wine tasting experiences throughout the year, suitable for a range of levels and budgets.  

Rest your Weary Head 

A day out in Cheltenham, while exhilarating, can often leave one feeling in need of a good rest, and no hotel quite suffices like Cotswold Grange. Built in the 1800s and Grade II listed, the hotel maintains its Regency heritage while offering guests modern comforts with individually-designed and styled rooms fit for couples, solo travellers and families. 

Perfectly located between Cheltenham Racecourse and the town centre, you don’t need to call upon a carriage to whisk you between places, they’re all an ample walking distance (unless you’re feeling fancy, of course).