Cheltenham

As of May 2026, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Oxford, Bath have 1,772 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 9% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cheltenham generates £34K per year. High-performing properties earn £73K/year, while low-performing properties earn £13K/year. The substantial variance between top and bottom performers suggests that revenue is highly sensitive to listing-specific factors rather than market-wide demand, indicating a bifurcated market where asset positioning dictates financial outcomes.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cheltenham. Average annual revenue is £34K with 41% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £73K/year. Despite a contraction in total revenue, the spread between average and top-tier earners implies that there remains significant uncaptured potential for operators who can outperform the 41% occupancy baseline.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cheltenham is 41%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £209, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £64 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cheltenham, with annual revenue of £53K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Cheltenham market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cheltenham area. Cheltenham: Lenient. Planning permission needed for entire properties over 90 days, but minimal enforcement. Most hosts operate without issues. Gloucester: Lenient. No specific STR regulations. Standard planning rules apply but rarely enforced for short-term rentals. Oxford: Moderate. Planning permission required for over 90 days whole-unit letting. Some enforcement in city center due to housing concerns. Bath: Moderate. Planning permission needed for STRs over 90 days annually. Enforcement increasing due to housing pressure, but many operate informally. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cheltenham Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 9% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 21%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous drop in supply and revenue suggests a correction where the market is shedding underperforming units while remaining revenue-constrained by broader economic pressures on travel demand.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 34% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Cheltenham listings include: Tv (91%), Kitchen (84%), Washing Machine (75%), Heating (69%), Private Yard (47%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Bbq, Hot Tub, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 39% more (£50K/year vs £36K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cheltenham over the last 12 months: May: £2K, June: £2K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £2K, October: £2K, November: £2K, December: £2K, January: £1K, February: £1K, March: £2K, April: £2K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Cheltenham is £209, down 4% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £130/night, 2-bedroom properties average £186/night, 3-bedroom properties average £286/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £447/night. Rates peak in March and are lowest in January.

Guests in Cheltenham book an average of 41 days in advance, down 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 36 days, 2-bedroom: 41 days, 3-bedroom: 45 days, 4+ bedroom: 49 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cheltenham Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 9%, revenue per listing decreased 21%, occupancy fell 5%, average nightly rates decreased 4%, and lead time decreased 18%. These metrics reflect a market tightening where shorter booking windows and lower rates highlight increased consumer caution and reduced pricing power for hosts.

In Cheltenham, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 36% higher occupancy than weekdays.