Christmas Spa-Rkle!

Cheltenham’s Montpellier area sprang to life with the discovery of its natural springs in the 19th century, and now it’s a vibrant shopping, drinking and dining destination.

- Jane Leigh

Far from the Madding Crowd… well, the district of Montpellier is just a short step away from the bustling centre of Cheltenham but, with a rich variety of specialist shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, it feels in a world of its own.

The area sprang to life with the discovery of natural springs in the early 19th century, on a site known as Trafalgar Field, now Montpellier Gardens. That led to the establishment of the Montpellier Spa, with the success of that enterprise leading to extensive development of the area.

The buildings included the Rotunda as a Pump Room, due for a December opening as the county’s first branch of The Ivy. The venue quickly became a magnet for the rich and famous of the time, with the Duke of Wellington, hero of Waterloo, amongst the visitors. And while the new incarnation of the Grade One listed Rotunda will doubtless attract today’s celebrities, the bistro promises that a proportion of tables will be available for walk-in customers too, enabling everyone to enjoy the new facility.

Montpellier Gardens began life as pleasure gardens for patrons of the Pump Room, at one time featuring a glass house, Chinese pagoda and ornamental fountain. During the war years of the 20th century they were used for training, exercise and for the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign: today the restored and redeveloped gardens form a popular attraction, with a bandstand (the venue for summer concerts), tennis courts, play areas, planting and seating for public enjoyment.

The warmth of the Georgian stonework gives Montpellier a welcoming air, while the walkways and alleys provide a village feel away from the traffic of the main street. And where else is the visitor greeted by 32 caryatids, female figures which make up the columns supporting the businesses of Montpellier Walk? The statues date from the 1840s and bring a touch of classical elegance to the shopping experience.