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Gloucester
The capital city of the shire county of the same name, Gloucester is, in fact, Britain's most inland port, and in medieval times it grew in importance due to its location on the Severn River. Now that the value of the city as a port has diminished, Gloucester Docks have been tastefully transformed into a collection of award-winning museums, specialist shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. The National Waterways Museum is set in the docks: here you will find an historic boat collection including narrowboats and river tugs, a steam crane and a working machine shop. Just five minutes' walk from the cathedral and the city centre, the docks are a regular tourist attraction. Gloucester Cathedral has been a place of worship for over 1,300 years, and its cloisters are regarded as one of the most beautiful examples in Britain. It was used as a film set for Harry Potter. Britain's first jet aircraft was designed, built and first flew from a an airfield near Gloucester in April 1941, and the Jet Age Museum four miles out of Gloucester tells the full story. The area around Gloucester is known as "Laurie Lee Country", after the author of the classic Cider with Rosie. There are guided tours through Slad Valley Wildlife Way and other fine nature reserves. Kelmscott Manor, in the village of Lechlade, was the summer home of William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Built in 1570, the Manor is constructed of local limestone and was a favourite sanctuary of Morris.