The capital of The Cotswolds is Cheltenham, which has been a health and holiday spa town resort since the discovery of mineral springs in 1716. The spa waters continue to be taken recreationally at Pittville Pump Room, built for this purpose and completed in 1830. Horse racing began in Cheltenham in 1815, and became a major national attraction after the establishment of the Gold Cup Festival in 1902. Whilst the volume of tourists visiting the spa has declined, the racecourse still attracts thousands of visitors. |
