Director
August 13, 2026
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On every direct hotel booking
5% off
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Director
Chinese New Year is one of the most vibrant celebrations in the calendar, marked by good food, family gatherings, and a shared sense of welcoming fresh fortune for the year ahead. For those living in and around Cheltenham looking for a venue to mark the occasion properly — whether with family, friends, or a wider community group — Oakwood Hotel offers a setting that combines warmth, flexibility, and genuine hospitality.
Located just outside Gloucester in Twigworth on the Tewkesbury Road, Oakwood is a short, easy drive from Cheltenham, making it a practical choice for a celebration that often brings together several generations of a family, or a larger gathering of friends and colleagues wanting to mark the new year together.
Chinese New Year celebrations vary widely — some families prefer an intimate dinner, others want a larger gathering with room to move between courses, drinks, and conversation. Oakwood’s range of spaces means the celebration can be shaped around what actually suits the group, rather than forcing everyone into a single fixed format.
The Grill offers a refined setting well suited to a proper sit-down celebration dinner, with space between tables that allows for a relaxed, unhurried evening — important for a celebration that often runs long, with plenty of toasting and conversation along the way. For larger groups or a livelier gathering, The Pub provides a warmer, more informal alternative, while The Terrace can extend the evening outdoors when weather allows.
A handful of details separate a genuinely good venue for this occasion from an average one:
Space for a larger table. Chinese New Year gatherings often bring together extended family, and a venue needs to comfortably seat larger groups without feeling cramped.
A menu that can flex. While not every venue offers a full Chinese menu, a kitchen that’s willing to accommodate specific dietary requests, shared-style dining, or a bespoke celebratory menu makes a real difference.
A festive but relaxed atmosphere. The occasion calls for warmth and celebration rather than stiff formality — somewhere guests can linger over the evening rather than feeling rushed.
Reliable service for larger bookings. A well-run kitchen and front-of-house team matters more when the table is large and the evening involves multiple courses and a fair amount of toasting.
Easy access and parking. For family gatherings that may include older relatives or young children, straightforward parking and easy access to the venue matter more than they might for a smaller, younger group.
Oakwood’s team is happy to work with families and groups ahead of the celebration to discuss numbers, seating arrangements, and any specific requests for the evening. Whether the plan is a formal sit-down dinner in The Grill or a more relaxed gathering in The Pub, giving the team advance notice helps ensure the room and menu are properly prepared for the occasion.
For guests travelling a longer distance to join family in the Cheltenham area, rooms are available on-site, meaning the celebration doesn’t need to end with a late drive home — particularly useful for older relatives or families with young children.
Beyond the food and setting, what tends to make a Chinese New Year celebration memorable is simply having enough time and space to enjoy it properly — without watching the clock, without a cramped table, and without the stress of organising everything from scratch. Oakwood’s team aims to take that pressure away, allowing the family or group to focus on the celebration itself.
Oakwood Hotel is located on Tewkesbury Road, Twigworth, Gloucester, roughly 20–25 minutes’ drive from central Cheltenham. On-site parking is available, making it a straightforward journey for family and friends travelling in for the celebration.
Oakwood Hotel is located in Twigworth, Gloucester, approximately 20–25 minutes’ drive from central Cheltenham, making it an easy option for families and groups travelling from the town and surrounding area.
Yes, spaces such as The Grill and The Pub can be arranged to suit larger group bookings, ensuring extended family or groups of friends can be seated comfortably together.
The kitchen can work with groups in advance to discuss menu preferences and dietary requirements for a celebration, helping shape an evening suited to the occasion.
Yes, depending on group size and availability, a more private or semi-private area can be arranged for the celebration.
As this is a popular date for many families, booking well in advance is recommended to secure the preferred space and time.
Yes, on-site parking is available, making it convenient for family groups of all ages travelling from Cheltenham or further afield.
Yes, Oakwood Hotel offers on-site rooms, which can be a practical option for relatives travelling a longer distance who would prefer not to drive home late in the evening.
Yes, The Pub offers a relaxed, informal setting for groups who prefer a livelier atmosphere over a formal sit-down dinner.
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