Hiring a car is a great way to enhance your Gloucestershire and Cotswolds experience. The almost impossibly pretty scenery and the intimate honey-hued villages and towns roll out before you like ribbon, inviting a quick stop off here and a wander there.

Sudeley Castle, along the M5 and around a 45-minute drive from Gloucester, is well worth the journey. Playing an important part in England’s history for over 1,000 years, Sudeley Castle is full of amazing Roman artefacts and has around 1,200 acres of land to walk around and explore.

Within the city, you’ll find the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum – which tells the stories of the area's soldiers since 1694 – plus the Nature in Art gallery and museum, the first museum and gallery in the world to be dedicated to works inspired only by nature.

Of course, as a visitor to Gloucester you can also make the journey west along the A40 from the city to cross the border into Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

This ancient mountain range, with its winding roads, crystal clear lakes and deep valleys makes for some awesome driving experiences. The Brecon Beacons are also your gateway to fantastic walks, amazing wildlife and a wonderfully warm welcome in the villages along the way.

If you want to explore more of what the area has to offer, you can visit the famous city of Oxford along the A40 eastbound, or head south to the city of Bath along the M5. Both are packed full of interesting sights to see and museums and galleries to explore.

Gloucester is an exceptionally attractive city that boasts a great number of historic buildings, including its English Gothic cathedral. Once an important economic city, today Gloucester enjoys a gentler pace of life.

However the city is known for its sport, and rugby fans in particular will find themselves well-catered for – Gloucester Rugby, the team that calls Kingsholm Stadium home, have been around since 1873.

If you have a visit to this cathedral city planned, here are a few things to see and do.

Wander Gloucester Docks

Locals are understandably proud of their docklands and quayside, thanks to their rich history and the recent investment in the area. Imposing warehouses have been converted into busy restaurants and cool shops, and the entire Victorian port has been given an impressive facelift.

However, the atmosphere of days gone by has been carefully preserved – something that eagle-eyed filmmakers have been quick to notice as a number of scenes Hollywood movies have been filmed on these streets.

Look out for the National Waterways Museum where you can learn about the importance of Britain’s 2,000 miles of canals, streams and rivers, and where you can climb on board a heritage boat.

Visit the Cotswolds

It takes no time to reach the various Cotswold villages and towns that are scattered like confetti around Gloucester. Head south east of the city to Painswick, sometimes referred to as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds,’ and located around the midpoint of the Cotswold Way.

A beautiful village, Painswick is also where you’ll find the Rococo Gardens. Originally created in the early 1700s, this whimsical horticultural space is today carefully tended by a dedicated team of green-fingered enthusiasts.

Fairford, a little further from Gloucester, is another highlight. Take a look at the wonderful village church with its medieval stained glass windows, before embarking on a delightful walk along the River Coln.

Shop about

If you enjoy a spot of retail therapy, you’ll find much to tempt you in Gloucester. For high street names choose King’s Walk Shopping Centre or Eastgate Shopping Centre. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more original, head to the Cathedral Quarter near College Street and College Court.

Here you'll find a fun smattering of creative boutiques selling everything from accessories and handmade cosmetics to designer homewares and kids' clothes. Gloucester is also a fab city for antique browsing and four times a year the Medieval Blackfriars Priory holds an impressive Vintage Fair.

See Prinknash Abbey and Park

Set around six miles from Gloucester itself is Prinknash Abbey, which is home to a community of Benedictine monks. The abbey and visitor centre at Prinknash are in themselves well worth the trip but there’s also the chance to get a little closer to nature in the sprawling parkland.

Bird watchers in particular will enjoy this trip as the place is inhabited by scores of wild birds including woodpeckers and pied wagtails. However, winged creatures are not the only ones to call Prinknash home – see if you can spot the majestic reindeer, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys and kookaburra.

Explore this magnificent city and its surroundings with car hire in Gloucester from Hertz.