Montpellier, Cheltenham

For other places named Montpellier or Montpelier, see Montpelier (disambiguation).

File:Montpellrotund.jpg

Montpellier Rotunda area

Montpellier is a district of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (England), at the end of the Promenade south of the town centre. Originally developed in the 1830s in conjunction with the spas, it is now known for its bars, cafés, restaurants and range of specialist shops. In April 2008 Montpellier was one of the most expensive areas in Cheltenham to buy property, with apartments ranging from £300,000 to over £1,000,000, townhouses from around £400,000, and houses over £4,000,000.

History

Montpellier Spa was initiated by Henry Thompson after springs were discovered on land he bought in 1801. The Spa buildings of 1817 were by George Allen Underwood. Thompson's son Pearson extensively developed the area and arranged for supporting entertainment for the spa facilities. He commissioned the distinctive Rotunda by John Buonarotti Papworth as a pump room in 1825. This is now a branch of Lloyds Bank. Opposite are Montpellier Gardens, also laid out by Papworth. The architects and developers R. W. and C. Jearrad took over the running of Montpellier Spa from Thompson in 1830. Montpellier Walk, leading to Montpellier Spa and designed by W. H. Knight in 1840, is noted for the caryatids supporting the shop fronts.

Commercial activity

Montpellier is home to several clothing boutiques, three jeweller's shops, including a working goldsmiths, a Scandinavian specialist shop and a cook shop.

Montpellier's bars include The Montpellier Wine Bar [1], The Rotunda Tavern, John Gordon's, Soho Bar and Eatery, O'Neill's and All Bar One, with The Circus Bar at the lower end of Montpellier Street. Eating establishments include The Thai Brasserie (Thai), Tarragon (Continental), Indian Voojan (Indian), and Strada (Italian and Mediterranean).

References

• Verey, David (1976) Gloucestershire: the Vale and the Forest of Dean, (The Buildings of England), 2nd ed. Penguin Books ISBN 0-14-071041-8