Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? Perhaps something a little different? Maybe a loved one is a real foodie or you're looking for the gift of a new experience. If so, we’ve got the perfect gift guide for you.

Drink masterclasses and distillery tours - Cheltenham  

Sibling Gin

Were you aware that Sibling Gin is from Cheltenham? The quartet of siblings are the faces behind this fabulous eco-conscious gin, made with 100% renewable energy from the distillery in Charlton Kings and stocked in prestigious bars and shops around the UK, including Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

As well as their delicious gin, which is a superb gift in itself, the family-run distillery also offer tours. These tours, which are £30 per head, are two hours of pure gin-filled fun and entitle you to 10% off everything in the shop. During your time there you’ll have a tour around the distillery to learn the ginteresting science behind gin-making, nibbles and a gin based ‘pub quiz’ with prizes. And of course, you’ll have some gin to drink as well! Sounds like a great way to spend two hours to us! You can check out their tour dates here.

Dunkertons Organic Cider

Do you have a loved one who loves cider? Head to Dunkertons award-winning organic cider shop on the outskirts of Cheltenham, (located a short stumble from Sibling Gin distillery) for unique gifts and hampers. The shop has built up a loyal following of fans who flock here to buy organic products from around the country, including British charcuterie, olives, antipasti, cheese and have recently extended their food offering with the addition of La Boulangerie Artisan, Waghornes Butchers and Daylesford Organic foods.  

Dunkertons host events, tours and masterclasses throughout the year which also make great Christmas gifts. All the events are bookable online, alternatively vouchers can be ordered online, if there’s too much choice and you don’t know which one to give!

Cheese and wine gifts – Cheltenham

Tivoli Wines

This award-winning independent wine merchant have an extensive range of wines from across the globe and are proud to be one of the largest retailers of English wine in the country.

Situated above Tivoli Wines, The Wine Library is the perfect destination for wine lovers to taste and discover their new favourite wines, which is perfect for picking the perfect bottle to gift to a loved one.

Ticketed wine tasting events are held at Tivoli Wines each month and make unique gifts, costing from £10 to £40 per person. Tivoli Wines also run Vine & Orchard Adventures, which offers one of a kind guided tours and tasting experiences from £79 to £130 per person, for a truly memorable Christmas gift, transporting guests across the beautiful Cotswolds and Three Counties countryside, introducing the country’s finest vineyards, cideries, breweries and distilleries.

Cheeseworks

Family owned, this popular cheese shop on Regent Street offers a great present for that foodie in your life. The Cheeseworks offers the chance to gift their delicious cheeses in hampers or gift boxes. If you’re a cheese connoisseur then you can select your own, if not, not to worry, they have pre-made selections to choose from. They even sell rustic wooden cheese boards for your gifted selection of cheeses to sit on.

If that isn’t enough, Cheeseworks offer vouchers for cheese tasting from the shop or you can book a cheese and wine evening. Alternatively, if your loved one already knows their pecorino from their Parmigiano, then Cheeseworks has the gift of monthly cheese selections for three months of pure cheesy goodness.

Afternoon tea in Cheltenham

This luxury treat between lunch and dinner makes the perfect Christmas gift for a foodie. There’s lots of choice in Cheltenham for those loved ones who adore fancy sandwiches and bite-sized cakes served with a glass of fizz. If you’re looking for somewhere central, then the Queens Hotel, The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie and The Find offer a fabulous location and a sophisticated afternoon tea.

KIBOU

For something a little bit different give the gift of sushi!  KIBOU gift cards make the ideal Christmas pressie for any sushi-loving friend or family member.

Choose from either a monetary gift card, or opt for an exclusive KIBOU experience – with gift cards now available for their Japanese-inspired afternoon tea and sushi sharing platter, with or without a flight of sake.

Plus, you can either purchase online as a digital or physical gift card, or pop into the restaurant on Regent Street to buy one.

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Alternatively, if you’re looking for somewhere a little off the beaten track then Greenway Hotel & Spa and Cowley Manor both offer the rolling Cotswolds countryside as a backdrop to their indulgent afternoon teas, which can be gifted in voucher-form. Overlooking Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham’s five-star hotel - Ellenborough Park Hotel and Spa also offers gift vouchers for their delightful afternoon tea, featured above, which can include champagne if you’re looking to enjoy pure luxury. You might also like to pop into the spa or use the outdoor pool to work up an appetite beforehand.

See our helpful guide to afternoon tea in Cheltenham.

Dining gift vouchers – Cheltenham

Cheltenham is truly a foodie’s paradise. Home to a rich tapestry of restaurants offering culinary delights. Most Cheltenham restaurants offer gift vouchers which make thoughtful Christmas presents. Below we’ve listed just a few examples, take a look at our helpful guides for more inspiration –

New places to eat in Cheltenham  

Award-winning restaurants Cheltenham

Cheltenham guide book recommended restaurants

Cheltenham independent restaurants

Memsahib Lounge

Inspired by the British Raj, during which time many Anglo-Indian women called ‘Memsahibs’ settled in Cheltenham, this popular hidden gem continues to delight customers with its vast collection of gins, array of teas and an incredible menu offering an exciting mix of Anglo-Indian and modern European infused dishes.

The dining experiences here are truly spectacular from tasting menus through to a Memsahib twist on the classic afternoon tea. With masterclasses in gin infusion and Anglo Indian tapas, this place has something truly unique to give as a gift this Christmas. If you can’t decide, they offer vouchers so you don’t have to pick.

No 131

Terrace Restaurant & YOKU

This stunning boutique hotel in the centre of Cheltenham mixes classic Georgian architecture with modern interior design but it isn’t just the décor that you’ll notice, there’s a feast for the eyes waiting for you in the restaurant, located on the terrace, the new Yoku & Bar Tokyo and Gin & Juice, voted the best UK Gin Bar in the UK this year.

Take your pick of their delectable dining, offering everything from breakfast, lunch, supper, indulgent afternoon teas with Champagne or three course seasonal Sunday lunch served on the No 131 Terrace and exquisite Japanese Sushi and Asian dining in YOKU. You can purchase vouchers for all these experiences here.

Cheltenham’s foodie tours

There are two foodie tours in Cheltenham led by the legendary Captain Skillicorne, aka Phil. Each lasting around 90 minutes, these foodie tours are a journey of discovery, uncovering the stories of Cheltenham and finishing up with a delicious treat.

Choose from either a guided tour revealing Cheltenham’s Anglo-Indian past with a tour called Curry & Colonels or delve into Cheltenham's Regency history on a Regency Tea Tour. Both include a traditional British afternoon tea at Memsahib Lounge. Click here if you’d like to find more or book a tour.

Cheltenham gift card

We all have a family member who seems to have everything and is difficult to buy for! But don’t fret, help is at hand with the Cheltenham Gift Card by Cheltenham BID. This handy MasterCard based prepaid card can be used in more than 70 businesses within the town centre, including shops, restaurants, hotels, bars, cafes and more. It’s the perfect flexible present for any occasion. Plus, a great way to support local businesses. You can choose the amount from £5 to £500 and your loved one can choose how to spend it over the next 12 months, it’s as easy as that!

We hope this Cheltenham Christmas gift guide has given you some inspiration for local food and drink gifts for your loved ones. For more inspiration check out...

- Cheltenham Christmas Gift Vouchers - Events & Experiences featuring some great local days out which make wonderful Christmas gifts! 

- Cheltenham Christmas Gift Vouchers - Food & Drink featuring gin and cocktail masterclasses, food tours and more unique gift ideas perfect for food and drink lovers!  

- Cheltenham Christmas Events featuring all the best events this festive season including the new Cheltenham Christmas Market and Everyman Theatre Panto.