From watching competitors chase wheels of cheese downhill to discovering the plethora of fairy-tale castles to dressing up for a day at the races, the wild, wonderful and wholly eclectic county of Gloucestershire provides unlimited entertainment. Including part of the Cotswold Hills, the entire Forest of Dean and dissected by the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain, it is a paradise for adventure-seekers and city-slickers looking to replace the daily grind with something far, far more exciting.

As perfect for donning your boots and wandering through landscapes of unparalleled bucolic beauty as it is for slipping on your glad rags for an afternoon at the polo club, Gloucestershire has something for everyone. With roots dating back to the 10th Century, it is a county rich in history and studded with more old market towns, historic buildings and natural beauty spots than you could possibly see in several trips. Set an agenda full to the brim or go with the flow; it won’t be long before this beautiful county is well and truly under your skin.

Home to some of the finest establishments in the country, not to mention the cutest traditional country pubs, and boasting a fantastic array of fresh produce and local products, Gloucestershire is a mecca for foodies. To get your culinary juices flowing, there are a number of superb local farm shops you should add to your list.

Particularly popular, the multi-award-winning Stroud Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday and attracts throngs of newbies and regulars, while Wotton Farm Shop in Wotton-under-Edge and William's Food Hall & Oyster Bar in Stroud are great to pop in and out of during the week for everything from Double Gloucester cheese to locally-sourced fish.

If you have a taste for gastro fare served in style, the critically-acclaimed Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham receives glowing praise, as does 5 North Street in Winchcombe, Lords of the Manor Restaurant in Upper Slaughter and the Wild Rabbit in Kingham.

There is no end of possibilities for clinking champagne glasses under crystal chandeliers and sipping local cider in the summer sunshine in Gloucestershire. For quintessential pub vibes, the dog-friendly Royal Oak is a traditional English pub in Leighterton with a great suntrap beer garden, while other fab options are the Lion Inn in Winchcombe, the Bell at Sapperton and the Churchill Arms in Paxford.

For a behind the scenes look, make sure you check out one of Gloucestershire’s many wonderful breweries creating liquid brilliance, including Gloucester Brewery and DEYA Brewing Company, or follow the tangle of vines at Woodchester Valley Vineyard. To wash down some potted cheese or Gloucester Cheese and Ale (the tastier version of cheese on toast!) head to the Cider and Cheese Festival in Cheltenham.

With so much to see and do in Gloucestershire, it won’t be long before you’re planning your next adventure in this verdant county. If the call of the wild resonates within you, Gloucestershire flaunts a huge array of activities for both leisurely plodders and full-blown adrenaline junkies. From gently meandering down the River Severn to cycling in the Forest of Dean, and from heading underground in the Clearwell Caves to exploring beneath Puzzlewood’s tangle of trees, you can free your mind, let your feet roam and create memories to cherish forever.

With Gloucestershire’s cultural and historical pedigree, you can just as easily fill your days castle, gallery and garden hopping. Dating back to Saxon times, the stunning Berkeley Castle sits in 6,000 acres of private land, while the secret gem that is Barnsley House is renowned for its award-winning gardens. Cerney House Gardens in Cirencester and Dyrham Park & Gardens near Bath both provide a wonderful day out, as does Museum in the Park in Stroud, which offers free admission and boasts a collection of over 4,000 artefacts, including dinosaur bones.