Cheltenham

Cheltenham is a very special place.  A spa town of 116,000 people, cradled by beautiful Cotswold hills, famous for its lovely regency town centre, its cosmopolitan shopping and dining and its world-class sporting and cultural festivals and as the home of intelligence base GCHQ.

Cheltenham is also home to successful businesses, outstanding schools and thriving communities. But the town does face challenges – from tackling the inequalities that defy its affluent image, to defending local services and treasured green spaces.

Politically, the Cheltenham parliamentary seat has been closely fought between Lib Dems and Conservatives for many years.  It is currently held by Conservative Alex Chalk with a slim majority of 2569. For ten years before 2015 it was held by Liberal Democrat Martin Horwood and for 13 years before that by Lib Dem Nigel Jones, now Lord Jones of Cheltenham.  Cheltenham Borough Council has 32 LibDem councillors who form the borough administration, 6 Conservatives and two from a local third party.  Gloucestershire County Council is currently Conservative-run, although 7 out of the 10 Cheltenham seats are held by LibDems.

In this section of the website you can find out more about Cheltenham’s festivals, businesses, communities, councils, MPs past and present, MEPs, local NHS, schools and colleges.

If you’re planning to visit, follow one of the following links for details of what to do and where to stay.  See you soon!