The Upper Bath Road – 200 Years of Trading History

Uncover the history behind Cheltenham’s thriving Bath Road community

This walk explores the Upper Bath Road, the main southern urban business district of Regency and Victorian Cheltenham. Here the rapidly developing town overtook earlier industrial enterprise to the south, also absorbing the fields, streams and country byways.

A horse-drawn Tramroad was punched northwards, towards Cheltenham, through the rural landscape of this area in 1810 to serve the stone quarries on Leckhampton Hill. This partly determined the later street pattern and provided employment to many who lived here.

Meanwhile, enabled by Act of Parliament in 1813, the New Bath Road eventually cut a swathe through the farmland to become the principal highway leading southwards from the High Street. The shopkeepers and small businesses attracted to the area serviced the inhabitants of the large mansions and elegant terraces to the west and a growing working-class population in the neighbouring streets.

Tour Information

Beginning at the junction of Great Norwood Street and Andover Road (the ‘Norwood triangle’) the route takes us southward to The Norwood Arms, before turning into the Upper Bath Road shopping district. From here we will head north to Thirlestaine House, at the junction of Bath Road and Suffolk Road. Along the way we will stop to look at some landmark buildings and touch upon their history. The area is very well provided with places to shop and for refreshment.

The walk takes about an hour but can be shortened by choosing the “Skip” option to select the next point of interest. If you'd prefer to select your own route, just select "Free Roam Mode" when you start the tour. Please note that you need to be within 50ft of each Point of Interest to open the detailed information. Please swipe left on Point of Interest images to see historic photos of the same location.

An audio version is available under Settings where you can also toggle-on "Auto Map Rotation" to assist with navigation.

TO BEGIN THE WALK, PLEASE STAND AT THE NORWOOD TRIANGLE AND SELECT "START TOUR".

This walk is produced by Cheltenham Local History Society. It was created by Stuart Manton and Andrea Creedon.

For more in-depth historical information see the website www.cheltenhamsouthtown.org.