Cheltenham is poised to receive a prestigious historical map as part of an exciting new initiative to celebrate the town’s heritage. The Cheltenham Civic Society has launched a campaign to raise £35,000 to fund the creation of this special map, which will showcase the town’s unique history and landmarks.
This project is a collaboration with The Historic Towns Trust (HTT), a respected national charity known for producing educational atlases and detailed maps highlighting the history of British towns and cities. The Civic Society has formed a dedicated project board, led by Sarah Staniforth and Adrian Phillips, and includes local historians, geographers, heritage experts, and educators.
Adrian Phillips, chair of the Civic Society’s planning forum, expressed enthusiasm for the project: “These maps are not only beautiful but also provide a fascinating and accessible record of each town’s history and heritage. Cheltenham truly deserves one. We plan to research, design, and produce the map over the next couple of years. It will be available online through HTT’s website and in quality bookstores, retailing around £12.”
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The initial focus is to appoint a project coordinator who will organize the essential research and collaborate with HTT’s cartographer to develop the detailed artwork. The project has already received a generous initial donation of £10,000 from a Civic Society member.
Beyond appointing the coordinator, the team aims to raise an additional £25,000 to cover design, production, community engagement, and educational outreach after the map’s publication. Colin Smith, a Civic Society member with a proven track record in fundraising for local heritage projects, has volunteered to lead the fundraising efforts. He plans to approach major local employers to secure key sponsorship.
The project coordinator’s appointment is expected shortly, followed by an official launch event at the Pittville Pump Room on September 15 during the Heritage Open Days festival.
Although the detailed work may take some time, the team hopes to complete the research and production by summer next year. The completed historic map is scheduled for release in autumn 2027, with an unveiling event planned during the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October of that year.