Podcast episodes — Cheltenham

Browse the latest episodes from Spotlight on Cheltenham.

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Date Night Delights: Six Romantic Restaurants in Cheltenham

In this episode of Spotlight on Cheltenham, I, Solomon Prescott guide you through six restaurants perfect for a romantic evening. Whether you’re after Michelin‑star elegance, atmospheric rooftop views, intimate bistro charm, or bold flavours in subtle surroundings, every choice here delivers on food, ambience, and that special spark. All six places have a solid online presence, so booking or browsing ahead is easy. Featured Restaurants: Lumiere Website: lumiererestaurant.co.uk Address: Clarence Parade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3PA What makes it special: Cheltenham’s newest Michelin‑starred restaurant. Elegant, ingredient‑led fine dining with menus paying homage to British produce. Perfect for a truly memorable meal. Prithvi Website: prithvirestaurant.com Address: 37 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7HG What makes it special: A modern Indian restaurant that reimagines traditional dishes with refined techniques, offering tasting menus, artful presentation, and warm, atmospheric surroundings. The Nook On Five Website: thenookcheltenham.co.uk Address: The Quadrangle, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1PZ What makes it special: Cheltenham’s only rooftop restaurant. Combine gourmet modern‑British dishes with sweeping views—especially stunning around sunset. An elevated setting for date night. Purslane Website: purslane-restaurant.co.uk Address: 16 Rodney Road, Cheltenham, GL50 1JJ What makes it special: A relaxed fine‑dining restaurant with a focus on sustainably sourced seafood, seasonal British ingredients, and intimate service. It’s ideal for a calm but elevated meal. Petit Coco Bistro Website: petitcoco.co.uk Address: 2 Bath Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1YE What makes it special: Classic French bistro charm in the heart of town. Think candlelit atmosphere, farmhouse decor, and comforting, beautifully executed French‑style dishes. Great for a cozy date. The Mahal Website: themahalrestaurant.com Address: Montpellier Drive, Cheltenham, GL50 1TY What makes it special: Opulent setting with decor to match, offering progressive Indian fine dining. Owners strive to create not just flavour, but an experience—luxurious, elegant, and perfect for special occasions.

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Spotlight on Cheltenham

Wellness in Cheltenham: Six Places to Reset & Recharge

In this episode of Spotlight on Cheltenham, I, Solomon Prescott take you through six wellness‑focused spots around town that help you reset, recover, and renew. Whether you need gym power, recovery therapies, quiet strength training, or restorative fitness and water experiences, these places help you find balance. Each has an active presence—either a website, strong social media, or both—and a real address so you can plan your wellness outing with ease. Featured Wellness Businesses: Contrast Wellness Website: contrastwellness.co.uk Address: Newlands Park, Cheltenham, GL52 3PE A dedicated recovery & wellness studio offering contrast therapy, compression therapy, sports massage, and treatments to help you feel at your physical peak. Leisure at Cheltenham Website: leisureatcheltenham.com Address: Tommy Taylors Lane, Cheltenham, GL50 4RN A large multi‑facility centre with gym, indoor and outdoor pools, wellness suite (spa/sauna etc.), café, plus classes. Ideal for a full reset. Juvenate Health & Leisure Club (Cheltenham) Website: juvenatehealthandleisure.com Address: Leonardo Hotel, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 0TS Offers gym, heated indoor swimming pool, spa, steam room, saunas and group‑fitness classes. A spot where you can sweat, soak, steam, whatever your reset mode. The Studio Cheltenham Website: thestudiocheltenham.com Address: Cheltenham (The Studio is located in central Cheltenham, exact address listed on their site) A high performance fitness studio combining strength training with dynamic reformer Pilates. Classes, private sessions—great if you're looking for effort plus elegance in your wellness routine. Alchemy 16 Website: alchemy16.com Address: Imperial Square, Cheltenham (luxury studio in a distinguished location) A boutique wellness and fitness studio focused on bespoke training and a high‑end wellness environment—perfect for those who like their reset with style and attentive detail. BEET Raw Juice Kitchen Website: beetcheltenham.com Address: Cheltenham (they deliver throughout Cheltenham, and have a shop/pick‑up location) For days when wellness starts inside: cold‑pressed juices, gut‑reset cleanses, wellness shots. Great for nutrition‑based resets that complement physical recovery.

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Spotlight on Cheltenham

Sweet Fix: Six Dessert Spots in Cheltenham

In this indulgent episode of Spotlight on Cheltenham, I, Solomon Prescott guide you through six dessert destinations that are not only sweet on the palate but also on the map (and the screen). Each of these places understands the importance of presence — online or in‑person — and delivers exceptional treats, from viral pancake cakes to spectacular doughnuts and classic gelato. Here's where to find them, what makes them special, and how you can check them out online. Featured Dessert Places: Creams Café Website: creamscafe.com Address: The Brewery Quarter, Unit D1 Block B, High Street, Cheltenham GL50 3FF Highlight: A lively dessert restaurant offering gelato, waffles, crepes, cakes, puddings, milkshakes, scoopshakes, smoothies – all in a stylish, vibrant space that makes every visit feel like a treat. Guilt Trip Coffee & Donuts Website: guilttripcoffeeanddonuts.co.uk Instagram: @guilttrip_uk Address: 5 Ormond Place, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1JD Highlight: Known for indulgent, handmade doughnuts and specialty coffee, this spot pairs creative flavours with bold aesthetic and a strong social following. SISU Pancakes Instagram: @sisupancakes Address: Cheltenham town centre (exact street available on their social) Highlight: Famous for its viral pancake cakes—towering, buttery, and layered with spectacular frostings—SISU is flavour innovation embodied and social media gold, with over 9,000 followers. The Steamhouse (Cheltenham) Website: thesteamhouse.co/locations/cheltenham Address: Unit 3, Crescent Bakery, St George’s Place, Cheltenham GL50 3PN Highlight: A bakery‑café hybrid offering freshly baked bagels, pastries, sweet “doughies,” and stellar coffee—an ideal stop for a balanced sweet and savoury treat. No. 131 – The Terrace Website: no131.com/the-terrace/breakfast/ Address: 131 The Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 1NW Highlight: Elegant and refined, The Terrace offers full breakfasts with dessert touches (think pancake stacks, sweet pastries, colourful fruits)—served in a beautiful, relaxed setting. Baker & Graze Website: bakerandgraze.com Address: 48 Suffolk Road, Cheltenham GL50 2AQ Highlight: A beloved bakery café known for its excellent pastries, sourdough loaves, creative brunch bowls, and sweet‑treat specials—online they consistently engage followers with fresh, mouth‑watering content. Summary Six top dessert destinations in Cheltenham, each current and connected — whether through a fully maintained website, a dynamic social media presence, or both: Creams Café Guilt Trip Coffee & Donuts SISU Pancakes The Steamhouse No. 131 – The Terrace Baker & Graze

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Spotlight on Cheltenham

Culture Crawl: Six Theatres, Galleries & Live Music Venues

In this episode of Spotlight on Cheltenham, I, Solomon Prescott will guide you through six vibrant cultural venues that showcase the town’s creative heartbeat. From historic theatres and grand concert halls to intimate galleries and local music hotspots, these places illuminate Cheltenham’s rich arts scene and are alive with performances, exhibitions, and community spirit. Featured Cultural Venues: Everyman Theatre — A Grade II–listed architectural gem on Regent Street, offering a year‑round programme of theatre, musicals, comedy, and film in its historic Frank Matcham‑designed auditorium. The Playhouse — A charming community theatre housed in the former Montpellier Baths (built 1806/7), run entirely by volunteers since 1958, nurturing local amateur performances and theatre magic. Cheltenham Town Hall — A grand Regency hall and hub for live music, comedy, festivals, exhibitions, and cultural events, complete with a café and ambient garden bar. The Bacon Theatre — Nestled within Dean Close School, this mid‑sized venue hosts professional theatre, live music, films, dance, and community events, alongside the seasonal Open‑Air Theatre Festival in the Tuckwell Amphitheatre. The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum — Cheltenham’s main public art gallery and museum, home to diverse visual collections, exhibitions, and the “We Are Creators” artist development programme fostering local creative talent. The Frog & Fiddle — A beloved High Street pub and live‑music venue since 1998, complete with teapot cocktails, darts, karaoke, pool, a barn‑style performance space, and local gigs—including the annual “Frogfest.”

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Spotlight on Cheltenham

Independent Finds: Six Local Shops to Treasure

In this episode of Spotlight on Cheltenham, I, Solomon Prescott explore six of the most charming independent shops in town that offer something you won’t find anywhere else. From sustainable fashion to vintage designer pre-loved pieces, timeless jewellery, handcrafted gifts, and family-owned stores with heart—these boutiques are the kind of spots where you walk in curious and leave as converts. Here’s your curated map to Cheltenham’s one-of-a-kind shopping scene: Featured Independent Shops: Bodega — A boutique of cool, casual women’s fashion nestled at 34 Suffolk Parade. Expect relaxed dresses and accessories from carefully chosen brands. The Union Project — Eco-conscious and style-forward, this shop in Cambray Place offers modern streetwear with a focus on sustainable, long-lasting fashion. Beatrice von Tresckow — A vibrant, colourful boutique on Montpellier Walk, offering unique, slow-fashion designs crafted by the designer herself. James of Montpellier — Located in Montpellier Courtyard, this menswear store delivers sharp, classic tailoring and customer-focused service—also offering private appointments. The Cuckoo’s Nest — A hidden gem at 9 Great Norwood Street specializing in high-quality, pre-loved designer handbags—sustainable luxury with true personality. Roots & Fruits — Located at 250 Bath Road, this family-run deli and grocer blends thoughtful layers: fresh produce, custom flower arrangements, and a true neighbourhood feel.

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Spotlight on Cheltenham

Cheltenham After-Hours: Six Cocktails That Shine

For this second episode of Spotlight on Cheltenham, I, Solomon Prescott invite you on a twilight tour of six exceptional cocktail bars that define the after-hours scene in town. From theatrical mixology to speakeasy charm, rooftop views, and a rum lover’s paradise, these six venues deliver not just drinks, but experiences—perfect for romantic evenings, spirited meetups, or a late-night adventure. Featured Bars: The Alchemist, Promenade Known for its theatrical cocktails served in test tubes, beakers, and other playful vessels—with smoke, bubbles, and flare to match each drink presentation.— Memsahib's Lounge, tucked beneath the Promenade A hidden, speakeasy-style basement bar where expert bartenders infuse gin with tea for unexpected and elegant flavor combinations. Cocktail-making masterclasses add to the allure. KIBOU, Regent Street A Japanese-inspired cocktail bar featuring signature drinks served in a visually striking setting complete with lavish murals and projector animations. The Nook on Five, Cheltenham rooftop The town’s only rooftop bar—offering stylish cocktails paired with sweeping views over Cheltenham’s Regency rooftops, crafted by expert mixologists. The RumBar Gin & Juice, No. 131 Promenade The beating heart of nightlife with over 400 gins, live DJs on weekends, and a vibrant terrace—ideal for dancing or sipping small-batch spirits under the stars. 33 The Rum Bar, just outside town A cozy, dog-friendly rum and cocktail bar celebrated for its curated collection of more than 150 rums, happy-hour deals, and indulgent yet intimate atmosphere.

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Spotlight on Cheltenham

Cheltenham Eats: Best Brunch Spots in Town

In the debut episode of Spotlight on Cheltenham, I, Solomon Prescott will guide you through six of Cheltenham’s most irresistible brunch cafés still serving up weekend delights. From elegant terraces to cozy bakeries and stylish hotel dining, this episode is your go-to audio map for a perfect morning in town. Whether you're after toast with a twist, freshly baked pastries, or a refined eggs royale in beautiful surroundings, you'll find your next brunch favourite right here. Businesses Featured: WoodKraft — 13 Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HE; woodkraftcheltenham.com — A family-run café offering inventive brunch dishes, artisan coffee, and an inclusive, dog-friendly atmosphere Baker & Graze — 48 Suffolk Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2AQ; bakerandgraze.com — Known for award-winning bakery goods, ricotta pancakes, pastries, and creative brunch menus The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie — Rotunda Terrace, Montpellier Walk, Cheltenham, GL50 1SW; theivycheltenhambrasserie.com — Beautiful grand setting serves modern British brunch classics with a touch of elegance Chaplais Kitchen / Chaplais Deli — 15 Rotunda Terrace (Chaplais Kitchen) & Tivoli (Chaplais Deli), Cheltenham; linked via VisitCheltenham listings — Artisan deli and café offering gourmet brunch items, pastries, and breakfast in both stylish Montpellier and Tivoli locales Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar — Malmaison Cheltenham (Promenade), Cheltenham; listed on VisitCheltenham — Modern British brunch with a French twist, in a chic boutique hotel setting No. 131 — The Terrace — 131 The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NW; no131.com — A stylish option inside No. 131 offering full English breakfast, smashed avocado, buttermilk pancakes, juices, and a beautifully inviting atmosphere

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