In the 11th century William the Conqueror was fond of staying the winter at Gloucester, just eight miles away and it is not unreasonable to assume King William rode over the gentle slopes of what became Charlton Park. During the following centuries, a succession of monarchs possessed the Manor of Cheltenham. In 1788 King George III stayed in the town and visited Charlton Park. This lengthy history of royal owners and visitors appears to have resulted in the regal naming of Charlton Park's modern roads, laid down between 1976 and 1983.
On the Green in King William Drive, Charlton Park - 2008
If you think parts of the above paragraph sound unlikely, please read on. You may be persuaded otherwise as you consider evidence which indicates that everyone, from Kings to vagabonds once passed over Charlton Park's modern road-bound 'Green' during earlier centuries. That was before the area became enparked for deer in the 1780s, when Cheltenham's long-lost and virtually unknown ‘Old London Road’ crossed this ancient field.
From J.K. Griffiths 'New General Cheltenham Guide' 1816 -