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Montpellier, Cheltenham, from the air. Photo from Pexels.
The most practical contractor accommodation for Cheltenham is often in Gloucester, about 9 miles away. Whole serviced homes there cost less than central Cheltenham, and the A40 and M5 reach west Cheltenham in 15 to 25 minutes. Esho Stays has five Gloucester homes from £80 a night, including a four-bedroom house from £195.
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What projects need contractor accommodation in Cheltenham?
The largest Cheltenham project for contractors is the M5 junction 10 upgrade on the north-west edge of town. It will run alongside the Golden Valley development by GCHQ and new housing at Elms Park, so crews will be needed in west Cheltenham until at least 2029.
M5 junction 10 improvements
The M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme costs £372 million. It makes junction 10 all-movement, adds a link road from the A4019 to the B4634 and widens Tewkesbury Road. Main works start in autumn 2026, with completion planned for spring 2029.
Golden Valley, next to GCHQ
Golden Valley is a £1 billion mixed-use development beside GCHQ in Benhall, planned around cyber and technology businesses. It is expected to support around 12,000 jobs once built out.
Elms Park and north-west housing
The junction 10 works open up more than 20,000 new homes, including the 4,115-home Elms Park scheme. Groundworkers, utility teams and housebuilding crews will follow the road works.
Racecourse and event builds
Cheltenham Racecourse at Prestbury brings temporary build crews before the Festival in March, along with smaller event jobs through the year.
Why do contractors working in Cheltenham stay in Gloucester?
Contractors working in Cheltenham often stay in Gloucester because whole houses with parking are easier to find there, and prices hold steady when Cheltenham hosts big events. The two towns are about 9 miles apart, and junction 10 sits between them.
Cheltenham’s centre is mostly Regency terraces and flats, with permit parking on many streets. That works for one engineer, but it is harder for a crew of four with two vans. North Gloucester, around Kingsholm, puts you on the A38 and A40 with an easy run to the M5 at junction 11.
There is also the March problem. During Festival week, rooms across Cheltenham book out months ahead and prices jump. A crew booked into a Gloucester house for the whole project keeps the same beds at the same rate.
Cheltenham and the Severn Vale at dusk. Gloucester lies about 9 miles west. Photo from Pexels.
How much does contractor accommodation for Cheltenham cost?
Contractor accommodation for Cheltenham costs from £80 a night for a one-bedroom Esho Stays home in Gloucester, up to £195 a night for a four-bedroom house with seven beds.
| Esho Stays home in Gloucester | Bedrooms | Beds | Parking | From / night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed annex, Kingsholm | 1 | 2 | On-street, permit arranged | £80 |
| Boutique penthouse | 2 | 2 | 1 private space | £100 |
| 4-bed house, Kingsholm | 4 | 7 | Drive for 2 cars in tandem | £195 |
Starting rates as listed on eshostays.com in October 2026. Rates vary by date and length of stay.
For a full breakdown of all five Gloucester homes, see our guide to contractor accommodation in Gloucester.
How long is the drive from Gloucester to sites in Cheltenham?
The drive from north Gloucester to west Cheltenham takes about 15 to 25 minutes outside rush hour. The train between Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa takes around 10 minutes.
| Destination | Main route from Kingsholm, Gloucester | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| M5 junction 10 works | A38 north, then A4019 or M5 | 8 miles |
| GCHQ and Golden Valley, Benhall | A40 east | 7 miles |
| Cheltenham town centre | A40 east | 9 miles |
| Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury | A40, then Evesham Road | 11 miles |
| Cheltenham Spa station | Train from Gloucester | About 10 minutes |
Local tips for crews working in Cheltenham
Plan around Festival weekThe A40 and the roads around Prestbury are slow for the four days of the Cheltenham Festival in March. Start earlier that week, or work from the Gloucester side of the site.
Use the A38 and A4019 for junction 10From Kingsholm, take the A38 north to Coombe Hill, then the A4019 east to the junction 10 area. It avoids the A40 queues at the Arle Court roundabout at 8am.
Check the tandem drive before you arriveThe four-bedroom house has a rear drive for two cars, one behind the other, and access is tight. Send us your van sizes so we can confirm the fit.
Where to stay: Esho Stays homes for Cheltenham jobs
£195 / night4-bed house in Kingsholm
- 4 bedrooms
- 7 beds
- 3 bathrooms
- Drive for 2 cars
- Games room
Two en-suite bedrooms plus a family bathroom, and a basement games room with a pool table for the evenings.
See the 4-bed house
£100 / nightBoutique penthouse
- 2 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- 1 private parking space
Each bedroom has its own bathroom. Access is by about 66 stairs with no lift, so pack light.
See the penthouseSee all our contractor and trade stays.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have contractor accommodation in Cheltenham itself?
No. Esho Stays does not currently have homes in Cheltenham. Our nearest homes are in Gloucester, about 9 miles away, with a drive of 15 to 25 minutes to west Cheltenham. For most crews that works out cheaper than central Cheltenham, with more parking and steadier prices during event weeks.
How early should I book for a job during the Cheltenham Festival?
Book as early as you can, ideally when the contract is signed. Rooms in and around Cheltenham fill months ahead of Festival week in March. If your crew is already booked into a Gloucester home for the whole project, the Festival makes no difference to your rate or your beds.
Can we book one home for the whole junction 10 programme?
Yes. We take long bookings and can hold the same Gloucester home for a project running many months, with weekly or fortnightly cleaning. Longer stays usually get a lower weekly or monthly rate. Ask us for a quote with your expected start date and crew size.
What happens if the home is not right on the first night?
Our No Fuss First Night Guarantee covers it. If the cleanliness, heating or Wi-Fi is not as promised on the first night, we refund that night. Call or message us on WhatsApp straight away, and we will work to fix the problem the same evening where we can.
Next step
Working on junction 10 or Golden Valley?
Send us the site postcode, crew size and start date, and we will hold a Gloucester home for the length of the job.
