Set against the magnificent backdrop of Gloucester Cathedral, the Three Choirs Festival is one of Britain’s most treasured cultural traditions — a celebration of music, heritage, and community that has flourished for over 300 years. Ideal for those seeking enrichment, inspiration, and convivial company, this is an experience that combines artistic excellence with historic charm.

Gloucester itself offers a unique blend of medieval splendour and riverside tranquillity. From the soaring Gothic architecture of the Cathedral to the beautifully restored Victorian docks, the city invites unhurried exploration. Independent shops, museums, waterside walks, and welcoming cafés create the perfect setting for both reflection and conversation.

At the heart of your visit is the Festival: world-class performances by the combined choirs of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester Cathedrals, alongside distinguished soloists and orchestras. The programme brings together beloved masterpieces and compelling contemporary works, performed in an atmosphere that is both grand and warmly inclusive. Whether you are renewing a lifelong love of choral music or discovering the Festival for the first time, Gloucester offers a rewarding cultural escape — intellectually stimulating, socially engaging, and rich in history. 



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Requiem is one of the most profound and compelling works in the choral repertoire — a piece that combines dramatic intensity, lyrical beauty, and spiritual depth. Written in 1791 during the final months of Mozart’s life, it remains surrounded by both historical intrigue and enduring admiration

The work was commissioned anonymously by Count Franz von Walsegg, who intended to pass it off as his own composition in memory of his late wife. At the time, Mozart was already unwell and deeply burdened by other commissions. The secrecy surrounding the commission, combined with his failing health, later contributed to the romantic myth that Mozart believed he was writing the Requiem for his own funeral.

Mozart died on 5 December 1791 before completing the work. He fully composed and orchestrated the opening movements, including the powerful Introit and Kyrie, and left varying degrees of sketches for the later sections. His widow, Constanze, anxious to secure the commission fee, asked Mozart’s pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr to complete the Requiem based on Mozart’s drafts and verbal instructions. 

Edward Elgar’s ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ is widely regarded as one of the greatest large-scale choral works in the British repertoire. Composed in 1899–1900, it is a profound and deeply spiritual setting of Cardinal John Henry Newman’s poem of the same name, exploring the journey of a soul from death to judgement and beyond.

‘The Dream of Gerontius’ reflects Elgar’s own Roman Catholic faith, unusual in predominantly Anglican England at the time. Its emotional sincerity and spiritual depth give it a universal appeal beyond doctrinal boundaries.With its sweeping melodies, glowing orchestration, and profound meditation on mortality and redemption, The Dream of Gerontius remains one of the most moving choral-orchestral works ever written. It combines intimate personal reflection with moments of overwhelming grandeur, offering audiences both dramatic intensity and spiritual consolation.

For many listeners, it is not simply a concert work but a transformative experience — a journey through fear, faith, and ultimately, peace. 

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday 30th July   

Arriving by door-to-door car at The Bull Hotel, Gerrards Cross, you will be greeted by your tour manager who will be with you throughout the holiday. Lunch will be served at the hotel before we board the coach and depart for the Cotswold Lavender Fields. The lavender fields have become one of the region’s most enchanting seasonal highlights for their beauty, fragrance, and a sense of rural calm. We will then continue our journey to the Malmaison hotel, Cheltenham.