Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Book it if you have a car and want a peaceful woodland base near Gloucester and the Cotswolds for less than the city median. Skip it if you want to walk to the cathedral or if room cleanliness is non-negotiable, since guest reports are mixed.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits and who should skip it
Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel is our Budget pick in Gloucester, even though it carries 4 stars. Its guest score is 8.2 out of 10 from 1,114 reviews.
It suits drivers, people heading into the Cotswolds, and anyone who prefers grounds and quiet to city streets. Free parking, family rooms, a gym, a restaurant, a garden and a terrace are listed by the property. It is tagged as pet-friendly; check the terms.
Skip it if you want Gloucester Cathedral on your doorstep. It is more than an hour away on foot. Also think twice if you are sensitive about housekeeping, for the reasons below.
Location and getting around
The address is Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards. Guests describe a peaceful woodland setting with attractive grounds, near Gloucester and the Cotswolds. The location sub-score is 8.8.
Prinknash Abbey is about 1.5 km away, roughly 19 minutes on foot. Gloucester Cathedral and Glevum are both around 5.5 km away, about 69 minutes walking. That is far, so you will need a car, a taxi or public transport for the city.
All walking times are straight-line estimates and have not been checked on real routes.
What guests say
Staff get the warmest comments: friendly, helpful and polite, with a good welcome on arrival. The setting is the other big plus.
Cleanliness is the weak point. Some guests find their rooms spotless, while others report dust, stained carpets and mould. That inconsistency matters. If it happens to you, ask to change rooms straight away. Room size, noise and renovation condition have not been assessed.
Price and what you get compared with our other picks
The reference price was €110.75 per night. It is a reference price seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults, not a live quote. The sample median was €148.92, so Bowden Hall sat about 26% below it.
Our Best Value pick, Holiday Inn Gloucester - Cheltenham by IHG, was €156.79 with 4 stars and a score of 8.6. Our Luxury pick, Hotel Indigo Gloucester - The Forum by IHG, was €174.86 with 4 stars and 9.1. You save around €46 to €64 a night here, in exchange for a lower score and a location outside the city.
Breakfast options listed include continental, full English or Irish, vegetarian, gluten-free and buffet. Whether breakfast is included in your rate is not confirmed.
Why it made our top 3
We compared four eligible hotels in Gloucester. The Budget slot goes to the lowest eligible reference price once the upscale choice is reserved, and Bowden Hall took it on price. On guest score it shared last place of the four, so you are paying less for a reason.
Before you book
Check today's price for your dates. Read the most recent reviews on cleanliness. Ask whether breakfast is included, confirm pet terms and cancellation conditions, and plan how you will get into Gloucester if you do not drive.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
How far is Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel from Gloucester Cathedral?
About 5.5 km, around 69 minutes on foot by straight-line estimate. Most guests will want a car, taxi or public transport.
Is Bowden Hall clean?
Reports are mixed. Some rooms are described as spotless, others with dust, stained carpets and mould, so check recent reviews.
Does Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel have free parking?
Free parking is listed by the property. Confirm availability for your dates.
How much does Bowden Hall cost per night?
The reference price was €110.75 per night, seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults. Check today's price for your dates.
Is Bowden Hall a good base for the Cotswolds?
Guests describe it as near Gloucester and the Cotswolds in a woodland setting. Plan to drive for day trips.