visitcheltenham

Many modern-day celebrities and notable figures from the past have connections with Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.

Fred Archer (1857 - 86) Born in a small cottage off St George's place, this Cheltenham born champion jockey, may well be described as England's first sporting hero.

Francis Close (1797 - 1882) The redoubtable incumbant of Cheltenham during the middle years of the nineteenth century. He received notoriety for a number of reasons including his denunciation of the town's race- and theatre-goers. The poet Tennyson dubbed him 'the Pope of Cheltenham'.

Jilly Cooper (1937 - ) Well-known journalist, writer and media superstar. Author of many number one best-selling novels, including Riders, Rivals, Polo and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, she and her husband live in Gloucestershire with several dogs and cats.

Sharon Davies (1962 - ) One of Britain's most successful swimmers ever, Sharon now lives in the Cotswolds. Having won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a silver at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, she has built a successful second career as television presenter and patron for charities for disabled children and fitness.

W.H Davies (1871 - 1940) WH Davies was famous for his poetry on the subject of nature or life on the road, exhibiting a natural simple, earthy style. He also wrote two novels and autobiographical works, his best known being Autobiography of a Super-Tramp. On his travels he became a frequent visitor to Cheltenham.

Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards (1963 - ) An international sportsman, popstar, TV celebrity and dare-devil Olympic ski-jumper, was born in Cheltenham's St Paul's maternity hospital and grew up in the town.

Gustav Holst (1874 1934) The composer, best known for The Planets was born in a modest house in Clarence Road, Cheltenham. The house is now his birthplace museum, cotaining some of his scores and memorabilia of his life.

Edward Jenner (1749 - 1823) This man's discovery of vaccination is regarded by many as one of the greatest medical advances of all time. Born in Berkeley in Gloucestershire, he lived in St George's Place, Cheltenham, where a commemorative plaque now stands.

Brian Jones (1942 - 1969) The Rolling Stones guitarist's short life lived up to the cliche of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Born in Cheltenham, the tormented musician died aged only 27 in mysterious circumstances at his luxury Sussex mansion. He is buried at Cheltenham's Prestbury cemetery.

W G Grace (1848 - 1915) Gloucestershire's cricket captain from 1871 to 1898. A cricketer of unchallenged supremacy whose name lives on in history as the man who made cricket England's national game.

Elizabeth Hurley (1965 - ) Born in Hampshire, Elizabeth Hurley is well-known as an actress, producer and for guest TV appearances. She recently settled in Ampney Knowle in the Cotswolds.

Ivor Gurney (1890 - 1937) The son of a tailor, born in Gloucester is regarded by many as the greatest of the First World War poets. The talented musician and songwriter is buried at Twigworth Parish Church, near Gloucester.

Gilbert Jessop (1874 - 1955) The son of a doctor, born at No 30 Cambray Place, Jessop became a world famous cricketer. He played his last game for Gloucestershire in 1914 before retiring to Dorset to live with his son.

Laurie Lee (1914 - 1997) Perhaps the most famous writer to come from Gloucestershire, introduced millions of readers to the quiet charm of the Cotswolds through his books and poetry.

William Morris (1834 - 1896) One of the founders of the Arts & Crafts Movement, Morris was an extremely influential designer, poet, artist, politician and businessman.

Richard O'Brien (1942 - ) The man who encouraged a generation to wear fishnet stockings and do the 'pelvic thrust' by writing 'The Rocky Horror Show', was brought up in genteel Cheltenham.

Dennis Potter (1936 - 1994) The miner's son from the Forest of Dean who became Britain's most acclaimed television playwright.

Sir Ralph Richardson (1902 - 1982) The veteran actor was born at 11 Tivoli Road, Cheltenham where he lived until 1907 as his father was a teacher at Cheltenham Ladies College. His last major role was in 1982, just before his death. His connection with Cheltenham is recognized by the Everyman Theatre where the studio bears his name.

Anne Robinson (1944 - ) Born in Liverpool, this famous host of the hit BBC and NBC quiz show "The Weakest Link" started her career as a journalist for Rediffusion and made her way up by working on the Daily Mail, Sunday Times and Daily Mirror and is also well-known for the BBC1 consumer affairs programme "Watchdog" (1985). She works as a freelance television director, writer and presenter in London and New York. Married to journalist John Penrose, she divides her time between her house in Kensington and her home in Cirencester in the Cotswolds.

George Rowe (1795 - 1864) Although born in Devonshire, he spent 20 years between 1832 and 1852, living and working in Cheltenham. He played a major role in the life of the town as well as consilidating his position as one of the leading topographical printmakers of his day.

J.K. Rowling (1966 - ) Joanne Kathleen Rowling, author of the internationally acclaimed Harry Potter books, was born on 31 July in Chipping Sodbury, south Gloucestershire, and from the age of nine was brought up in Tutshill near Chepstow in the Forest of Dean. The idea of Harry Potter came to her on a train journey in the summer of 1990 and was worked on in pubs and cafes, before the first book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published in June 1997. To date the Harry Potter books have been translated into approximately 42 languages from Albanian to Zulu. The cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral are the setting for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films.

Captain Henry Skillicorne (1678 - 1763) Little is known about the 'founding father' of Cheltenham Spa. He moved to Cheltenham in 1738 after his marriage to Elizabeth Mason, the daughter of the late William Mason.

John Stratford Smith (1750 - 1836) The composer of America's national anthem hails from the hushed Close which surrounds Gloucester Cathedral.

Leon Taylor (1977 - ) After many swimming and diving successes, Leon triumphed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, attaining Silver in the 10m Synchronised Diving category with his diving partner Pete Waterfield. Originally from Sheffield, Leon's family home is in Cheltenham.

Joanna Trollope (1943 - ) A truly local author was born in Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire. She has since returned to live in the area where many of her books are set.

William Tyndale (c1494 - 1536) The biblical translator and Protestant martyr was born in Slimbridge in Gloucestershire.

Dick Whittington (c1350 - 1423) The first Lord Mayor of London and the world's most famous cat lover was born near Staunton in Gloucestershire.

Dr Edward A Wilson (1872 - 1912) Born the son of a doctor at 6 (now 91) Montpellier Terrace, Wilson attended Cheltenham College and later Cambridge University before meeting his death in the Antarctic expedition with Captain Scott. A statue of him sculpted, appropriately, by his widow, stands in the Long Gardens on Cheltenham's famous Promenade.

Kate Winslet (1975 - ) Famous for her role in 'Titanic' and more recently amongst her many film roles, 'Enigma', 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and 'Finding Neverland'. Born in Reading, Berkshire, Kate is married to film producer Sam Mendes and now lives in Church Westcote in the Cotswolds.