Montpellier, Cheltenham

[1] Originally developed in the 1830s in conjunction with the spas, it is now known for its Grade I and II* listed buildings, Regency architecture, bars, cafés, restaurants and range of specialist shops.

In April 2008 Montpellier was one of the most expensive areas in Cheltenham to buy property, with apartments ranging from £300,000 to over £1,000,000, townhouses from around £400,000, and houses over £4,000,000.

Thompson's son Pearson extensively developed the area and arranged for supporting entertainment for the spa facilities.

[2] Many concerts were held in Montpellier Rotunda including Jenny Lind in 1848 (two years before touring the US with P.T Barnum) and the first performances of Scherzo and Intermezzo by local composer and Cheltonian Gustav Holst.

[3][4] On 3 October 1838, John Hampton became the first Englishman to make a successful parachute drop, when he descended from his gas-filled balloon which had risen near the Bandstand in Montpellier Gardens.

[12][13] Cheltonian and English polar explorer, Edward Adrian Wilson was born at 6 (now 91) Montpellier Terrace on 23 July 1872.