Here you will find The Candle Tree, a gift shop emporium on College Street. Browse our beautiful range of candles, handcrafted soaps, home fragrances, luxury bath & body treats, ladies vintage inspired nightwear, scarves, sustainable bamboo socks and much more!

Our shop is in a wonderful location just off Westgate Street, and right next door to the Cathedral, with ample parking nearby. Situated on the attractive College street The Candle Tree has a lovely view of the Cathedral one end and some beautiful Georgian architecture on the other side. Gloucester Abbey was a Benedictine abbey in the city of Gloucester, England. Since 1541 it has been Gloucester Cathedral. An interesting historical fact is that when Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn visited Gloucester on July 31st 1535, they entered the grounds of St Peters Abbey (Gloucester Cathedral) not by the main gateway in St. Mary’s Street, but by "Seynt Edwardes Lane” (College Street).

Apart from it’s use as an access to the Abbey, College Street was initially residential. As the population of the city and it’s trade grew, some of the properties in the lane became commercial. This may also account for various name changes such as its once titled 'Ironmongers row'.

College street was initially very narrow, it was originally only 10 feet and 9 inches wide. It was widened by the Gloucester Cathedral Approaches Company in the 1890’s. This was to provide a ceremonial access to the Cathedral. This also made it much easier for trades to pass through and it became a busy hub of commerce. The widening of the street also meant that, today, as we turn into College Street we are greeted with a magnificent view of Gloucester Cathedral.

Gloucester

Gloucester is well served for high street brands in the city centre, King's Walk Shopping Centre and Eastgate Shopping Centre. Every Friday, you will find the best in locally sourced produce at the popular Farmers Market on The Cross. The City Centre also hosts seasonal craft markets. There is also Gloucester Quays which has become a favourite destination for visitors with its great value designer brands, as well as its multiplex cinema, restaurant quarter and many festivals. The Cathedral Quarter where The Candle Tree is situated (Westgate Street, College Street and the picturesque College Court) is where you will find friendly and independent boutiques - perfect for gift shopping.

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral really is a stunning building, in fact many of the former abbey buildings have been Grade I listed. Pilgrims were regular visitors during the Medieval period. Today, people still come to pray, but also to admire the beauty of this fine building. Most of the great English cathedrals can trace some part of their design to architectural or stylistic innovations that were developed at Gloucester. The Cathedral is steeped in almost 1,000 years of history and has a wealth of interesting stories to tell. The cathedral holds services, events, special talks, tours, concerts and a varied range of activities including some fabulous seasonal markets.