Gloucestershire in pics: Festive spirit spreading

Maddie Simpson - BBC News, Gloucestershire
·2-min read

Festive sights are popping up all across the county as lights are switched on and Christmas decorations go up.

The magical advent service attracted hundreds of people to Gloucester Cathedral, while the lights have been switched on at Westonbirt.

We have also been sent some more amazing sunsets and sunrises, and it has been a big week for a certain penguin in Bourton-on-the-Water, who now has a completely new name!

A large group of people singing inside Gloucester Cathedral during the candlelit service to mark the start of Advent. Many people can be seen either side of the main aisle each holding their own candle, while the choir can be seen in the distance
[Clive Barzillia]

A special evening: The candlelit Advent service drew hundreds of people to Gloucester Cathedral last weekend. The service's theme of darkness into light is reflected as the congregation light their own candles at the cathedral which is hosting a range of Christmas services this month.

House full of Christmas decorations that are lit up on Jeynes Row in Tewkesbury. These range from Christmas trees to stars to reindeer.
[Jeynes Row Christmas Lights]

Light up: The Jeynes Row Christmas Lights in Tewkesbury have been switched on for the sixth year. The displays raise money for SARA Tewkesbury, is a volunteer search and rescue team based at the Fire and Rescue Station in Tewkesbury.

A white horse with black patches grazes on the grass at Rodborough Common. The sky has orange and pink hues as the photograph is taken just after dawn.
[Wioletta Quill]

Grazing: Local photographer Wioletta Quill captured this scene with perfect timing at Rodborough Common this week, with a magical-looking sky as the backdrop.

A group of mostly young people looking at the camera smiling with lanyards on at the opening of a new cyber and digital building at the University of Gloucestershire
[University of Gloucestershire]

Future prospects: The Director of GCHQ, Anne Keast-Butler, has officially opened a new £5.8 million centre of excellence for cyber and digital at University of Gloucestershire. FuturePark has space for cyber, games and computing courses based at the university's campus in Cheltenham.

Arkell Jude-Boyd of Cheltenham Town shoots at goal during the match with Port Vale. He is wearing the traditional red and white striped kit, while nearby Port Vale players are wearing their all-yellow change kit. The match is being played at Whaddon Road in Cheltenham under the floodlights
[Getty Images]

Under the lights: Cheltenham Town took on Port Vale at home on Tuesday, and were only denied an impressive win against the league leaders by a goal in the 94th minute.

A large tree reflection in water at Hewelsfield in Gloucestershire. The sky is blue in the background and the branches of the tree are dark and have no leaves on them
[Nutkin]

Reflections: Even at this time of year, sometimes you get a clear day to enjoy nature. Weather Watcher 'Nutkin' sent in this fabulous photo from Hewelsfield.

A Penguin looking down with a tag on its arm. He is called Magnus and lives at the Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire.
[Cotswold House Photography]

What's in a name? It's been quite the week for penguin, "Magnus", at Birdland Park and Gardens, who has been given a new name after being misgendered for eight years.

Two people walk together on a path through trees which are lit from below. There are 7ft-tall poles with lights attached to look like reeds in the foreground.
[Westonbirt]

Dazzling: The new illuminated trail, Christmas at Westonbirt, has launched, with the team from the arboretum teaming up with the award-winning light trail producers Christmas at Kew, Christmas at Bedgebury and Christmas at Blenheim.

Sunrise with orange sky/clouds and green fields in the foreground at Berkeley in Gloucestershire
[SantaSusie]

Early birds get the view: Gloucestershire can be beautiful for those able to be up to see the dawn, like SantaSusie who took this photograph of a sunrise in Berkeley.

A Rainbow is seen over fields landing in fields with orange glow of the sun at Painswick in Gloucestershire
[Josh03]

Good timing: Josh03 showed good timing to capture this rainbow in the sky over Painswick, as rain showers gave way to sunshine.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More Gloucestershire galleries

Latest stories