Gloucestershire鈥檚 record shops are packed with everything from rare vinyl finds to classic albums worth rediscovering, giving music lovers plenty of reasons to dig a little deeper.
From well-loved independents to low-key spots with serious collections, SoGlos rounds up some of the best record shops in Gloucestershire to browse, buy and build your collection.
Badlands in Cheltenham
A vinyl hotspot tucked away just off the lower High Street in Cheltenham, Badlands Records has an impressive selection of new releases and classic presses, spanning artists from Taylor Swift to Bob Dylan 鈥� with its own range of merch and exclusives to snap up, too.
If the name didn't give it away, the store is somewhat of a tribute American icon, Bruce Springsteen, and even has its own unofficial fan club.
Klang Tone Records in Stroud
Describing itself as 'Stroud's underground record shop', Klang Tone Records on Lansdown Road is a browser's paradise, with a reputation for stocking more obscure choices from Afrobeat to experimental jazz 鈥� and in 2025, it was named one of the world's greatest record stores by the Financial Times.
As well as buying and selling records, the Stroud record store also hosts live performances, talks and exhibitions, as well as 海角社区 part in Stroud's multiple music festivals throughout the year.
Vinyl Vital Signs in Gloucester
As well as a huge collection of records, Vinyl Vital Signs has an extensive range of merchandise and memorabilia including band t-shirts and posters, as well as games and gifts, at its store in Eastgate Shopping Centre.
It also stocks top-of-the-range sound systems and equipment to play your new purchases on 鈥� so it's an excellent place for anyone just starting their journey into the world of vinyl collecting.
The Independent Record Shop in Cheltenham
Just off the bustling Bath Road in Cheltenham, The Independent Record Shop was established in 2008, modelled on the nostalgic aesthetic of London's historic vinyl stores.
The small shop sources new, secondhand and specialist vinyl from across the UK and also organises record sale events in-store, as well as at record fairs and auctions across the UK 鈥� with some albums priced as low as 50p!
Sound Records in Stroud
Spend some time browsing the extensive collection at Sound Records in Stroud, fuelled by locally-sourced coffee. Offering a warm welcome to seasoned collectors and casual listeners alike, the store's offering spans all genres, as well as having a specialist collection of world music featuring the most exciting new artists from Africa and Latin America.
Sound Records takes great pride in the Stroud music scene, hosting live DJ takeovers in-store as part of events like Jazz Stroud 鈥� and it even has its own record label, too.
Vendetta Vinyl and Vintage in Coleford
Filling the void that was left by the much-loved Forest Vinyl in Cinderford, Vendetta Vinyl and Vintage in Coleford stocks a range of vinyl records, CDs and vintage treasures, plus its own range of t-shirts.
This popular Forest of Dean record store is a go-to for local music fans.
To Have and To Hold Records in Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury's To Have and To Hold Records opened in 2020 by self-confessed 'vinyl junkie' and owner, Melvin Hardy.
Alongside its collection of records, the store boasts a brilliant bookshelf, regularly refreshed with a mix of new and vintage biographies and autobiographies about the lates and greats of the music industry.
Vinyl Vault in Cheltenham
Vinyl Vault in Cheltenham is a treasure trove of vintage vinyl, just off the High Street. Buying and selling pre-loved records, its stock rotates on a daily basis, so there's always something new to find.
It carries an impressive range of sought-after original pressings from bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin 鈥� and organises regular record fairs at Cheltenham Town Hall, too.
