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Knowledge Centre / Explore Cheltenham / Things to Do in Cheltenham & the Cotswolds
A local guide from Two Front Teeth Photography, Cheltenham.
By John MooreDD Month YYYY5 min read
In short
Cheltenham and the nearby Cotswolds have something for every kind of day out: free parks and walks, rainy-day soft play and museums, Regency history, theatre and festivals, and easy trips to castles, Roman remains and Cotswold villages. Opening times and dog rules change, so check each venue’s website before you go.
Whether you live in Cheltenham, are coming for a family day out or are spending a weekend exploring the Cotswolds, there is far more to discover than the obvious landmarks. This guide brings together interesting places to visit, experiences to try, rainy-day ideas, outdoor adventures and smaller local discoveries. Some are right in town; others are an easy journey into the surrounding countryside.
A little local advice before you set off: opening hours, seasonal programmes, admission charges, events and dog policies change. We have linked to the attraction websites so you can check the latest details directly. For seasonal attractions especially, always check your date before travelling.
Take a ride through the countryside on lovingly restored heritage trains between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway. For children it is the thrill of a proper old-fashioned train; for adults it is the pace, the views and the character of the stations. It also makes a very different way to explore the northern Cotswolds without spending the whole day in a car.
Planning tip: Trains operate only on published running days, and some services use heritage diesel rather than steam. Check the timetable and special-event calendar.
Official link: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway website
Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power is a firm family favourite, particularly for children who love animals. Rare-breed farm animals, play facilities and seasonal activities make it easy to turn a visit into a full day out. The surrounding countryside is part of the appeal, and there are food options onsite for an easy break between activities.
Planning tip: Check the opening calendar and any separate seasonal event tickets; dog access varies by area and activity.
Official link: Cotswold Farm Park website
On the edge of Winchcombe, Sudeley Castle brings together Tudor history, landscaped gardens and a beautiful setting. It is a good choice when different generations want different things from the same day out: some can explore the historical displays, while others enjoy the grounds and family facilities. Winchcombe itself is also worth a wander before heading home.
Planning tip: Main castle access is seasonal, with occasional closure days and special events; pet dogs are not permitted in the castle grounds.
Official link: Sudeley Castle and Gardens website
Dunkertons Park at Dowdeswell Park, London Road, combines independent food traders, a cider taproom and a lively events programme in a relaxed, informal setting. You could arrive for a coffee, stay for lunch, browse the food offerings and find there is live music or another event taking place. Its mix of covered and outdoor areas gives it a distinctive atmosphere, and it is equally appealing for a casual catch-up with friends or a stop on a wider day out.
Planning tip: The venue operates year-round but individual traders and events vary. Dogs are generally welcome, except at certain ticketed events; the taproom has an age restriction after 8pm.
Official link: Dunkertons Park website
Pittville Park is one of Cheltenham’s easiest and best-value family outings. With open lawns, lakes, playgrounds and space to wander, it works for anything from a quick play after school to a relaxed weekend afternoon. Take a picnic when the weather is good, enjoy the paths with a pushchair or simply let the children burn off some energy. It is also a lovely part of town to photograph through the seasons.
This is one of my favorite places. I used to live near Pittville Park when my kids were growing up, so we used to visit this park every weekend and many times after school- great memories!
Planning tip: The park is free and open year-round; individual boating, sports and café facilities have their own hours.
Official link: Pittville Park website
Cheltenham Lido is a classic local summer experience. The historic outdoor pool, with its Art Deco character, feels like a little escape from everyday life. For families there is plenty of appeal in outdoor swimming on a warm day, while regular swimmers may be drawn by the impressive main pool. Even if you know Cheltenham well, a visit can feel like a mini holiday.
Planning tip: The main outdoor swimming programme is seasonal, although specialist cold-water sessions may be offered outside summer. Always consult current timetables.
Also, if it’s a weekend and the weather’s particularly good, you may find it gets extremely busy and parking can be a little bit tricky during these times. I’ve also turned up at the Lido and found the queue is horrendous!
Official link: Cheltenham Lido website
In the Brewery Quarter, Little Centurions is a Roman-themed indoor soft-play space aimed particularly at younger children, up to eight years old. It is a useful choice on those days when the children need to climb, slide and move but the weather has other ideas. Its town-centre setting also makes it simple to combine playtime with lunch or another stop nearby.
You’ll find that this area of Cheltenham is also covered in restaurants, although most of them are chains. But if you like that sort of food, this could be a perfect place not only to Entertain the kids but also get some nice food as well.
Planning tip: Opened in 2026; advance booking is recommended. Check sessions, prices and age limits.
Official link: Little Centurions website
Jumpin Fun on Tewkesbury Road is built around indoor inflatable play. It is a particularly appealing option for energetic children who want something more active than a museum or cinema, and can help rescue a wet half-term afternoon. For parents, choosing a pre-booked session gives the day some welcome structure.
Jumpin Fun is also situated really close to the studio, so you won’t have far to go either to or from there.
Planning tip: Check age and height rules, session types and availability before visiting.
Official link: Jumpin Fun website
Funky Warehouse combines active indoor entertainment such as trampolines, assault-course activities and soft play. This variety can make it useful for families with children of different ages and energy levels. It is also an option for children’s parties or a special treat after school.
Planning tip: Check which activities suit each age group and whether advance booking is needed.
Official link: Funky Warehouse website
Cheltenham’s Brewery Quarter makes a handy starting point for an indoor entertainment day. Bowling, adventure golf, escape-room experiences, cinema and food businesses sit close together, so you can plan a whole afternoon without moving the car repeatedly. It is particularly good for mixed-age groups when you want an activity followed by somewhere easy to eat.
Planning tip: Check the individual businesses for opening hours, minimum ages and pre-booking.
Official link: The Brewery Quarter website
The Wilson, on Clarence Street, is worth knowing about whether you are interested in local history, art or simply want a quieter indoor stop. Its exhibitions and collections offer a chance to explore Cheltenham from another perspective, while changing programmes can make repeat visits rewarding. Pair it with a café stop or a stroll through the town centre for an inexpensive afternoon.
Planning tip: General admission is free with a suggested donation, although some events charge. Check which galleries are open during the museum’s ongoing works.
Official link: The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum website
For a dependable active alternative to outdoor sightseeing, Leisure at Cheltenham offers sports and swimming facilities near Pittville. It is worth keeping on your shortlist if you have a family member who would rather do something energetic, or if rain makes the original plan impossible.
Planning tip: Check current public swimming, family sessions and facility timetables.
Official link: Leisure at Cheltenham website
The elegant Pittville Pump Room is one of the clearest reminders of Cheltenham’s Regency spa heritage. Sitting above the park lawns, it makes an attractive destination in its own right and provides an easy starting point for exploring Pittville. Events, exhibitions and markets give visitors more reasons to return than simply admiring the architecture.
Planning tip: Opening depends on private bookings and events; check access before making a special journey.
Official link: Pittville Pump Room website
Step into the world of composer Gustav Holst at the Cheltenham house associated with his childhood. This smaller heritage attraction offers a more personal kind of history than a grand castle: rooms, period details and the story of a local figure with an international legacy. It is a good addition to a town-centre history afternoon.
Planning tip: Check seasonal visitor days and guided-event availability.
Official link: Holst Victorian House website
A visit to the Everyman Theatre can turn a normal evening in Cheltenham into something memorable. From touring plays and musicals to comedy and family performances, the programme offers plenty of variety. The theatre itself is part of the experience, making a pre-show meal and an evening performance an easy date-night plan.
Planning tip: Choose by programme rather than assuming a performance is on every day; family suitability varies by show.
Official link: Everyman Theatre website
A little further into the Cotswolds, Chedworth Roman Villa offers a fascinating glimpse of life nearly two thousand years ago. Remarkable mosaics, historic bath-house remains and the peaceful rural setting make it memorable for curious children as well as adults. It is especially good for anyone who enjoys a day out with a proper story behind it.
I took my children here when they were young and, although it isn’t quite Rome, it is well worth a visit.
Planning tip: National Trust site; access and hours vary seasonally. Only assistance dogs are admitted.
Official link: Chedworth Roman Villa website
Cheltenham really comes alive during its major festivals, including literature, jazz, science and music, as well as the famous horse-racing calendar. The atmosphere can change dramatically from one visit to another: one week might bring author talks and performances; another brings music in venues across town. Even visitors who are not attending a headline event can enjoy the buzz.
If you do get the opportunity to see any of Cheltenham’s festivals, it’s well worth it. They are world-famous and have a Really great atmosphere.
Planning tip: Festival dates and venues change annually. Link to the current programme rather than publishing dates that become stale.
Official link: Cheltenham’s festivals website
For wide Cotswold views without travelling far from Cheltenham, Cleeve Hill is hard to beat. On a clear day the open landscape feels enormous, and you can choose between a short wander and a more demanding walk. It is somewhere to slow down, enjoy the light and appreciate how close the countryside is to town.
Having lived in Cheltenham much of my adult life, I must say that the walks around Cheltenham itself are absolutely stunning, and we used to spend many hours and days walking around Cleeve Hill and other walks overlooking Cheltenham.
Planning tip: Wear suitable footwear; routes can be muddy, windy or exposed. Keep dogs under control around livestock and wildlife.
Official link: Cleeve Hill website
Crickley Hill combines open countryside, woodland and far-reaching views. It is a pleasant place for a casual picnic, a family walk or a more energetic outing, with different routes to suit different abilities. The landscape has natural and archaeological interest too, so there is more to notice than simply the scenery.
Planning tip: Check car park arrangements, paths and any livestock notices.
Official link: Crickley Hill Country Park website
Winchcombe is an attractive Cotswold town with independent shops, places to eat and easy access to countryside walks. It works well as the quieter half of a visit to Sudeley Castle, but is worth visiting in its own right. Arrive without rushing, explore the streets and leave room for a café stop.
Planning tip: Combine with local walks or castle opening days; check business hours, particularly on Sundays.
Official link: Winchcombe website
Gloucester makes an interesting contrast to Cheltenham and is close enough for a half-day or full-day outing. The cathedral brings impressive architecture and centuries of history, while Gloucester Docks offers waterside paths, food and a different atmosphere. Together they make a flexible day out for families and adults.
Planning tip: Check cathedral services or event closures and opening times for individual dockside attractions.
Official link: Gloucester Cathedral and Docks website
Tewkesbury has a distinctive historic character, with its abbey, old streets and riverside setting. It is an easy trip from Cheltenham and lends itself to a gentle day of wandering rather than a heavily scheduled itinerary. Stop for a coffee, explore the old town and make time for the abbey.
Planning tip: Abbey access may be affected by services; check before travelling.
Official link: Tewkesbury Abbey and riverside website
If you have visitors staying for a little longer, the nearby Cotswold villages provide a very different experience from Cheltenham town centre. Broadway is good for elegant high-street browsing, Bourton-on-the-Water is known for its pretty bridges and riverside, while the Slaughters offer quieter village scenery. Pick one or two places rather than trying to race through every village in a day.
Planning tip: Popular villages can be very busy on summer weekends; parking and café hours vary.
Official link: Cotswold villages: Broadway, Bourton and the Slaughters website
Not every day out needs a major attraction. Cheltenham also offers escape rooms, pottery painting, art workshops, indoor climbing, spa experiences and food-led activities. The best venues and availability can change, so these are ideal subjects for separate, regularly updated guides. For teenagers, look at bowling, escape rooms, climbing and active indoor venues; for couples, consider a theatre performance, creative workshop or an afternoon exploring independent businesses.
Start with Little Centurions or a soft-play session, then choose an easy lunch nearby. Pittville Park is a useful free alternative on dry days.
Try indoor active play, bowling or an escape room, followed by a meal. Choose a venue whose difficulty and minimum age fit your group.
The Wilson, Brewery Quarter, soft play and the theatre are all strong possibilities; use advance booking where needed.
Walk around Pittville Park, explore town-centre architecture, visit The Wilson and pack a picnic. You can fill several hours without paying for a major attraction.
Consider Pittville Park or a countryside walk, then a food stop such as Dunkertons Park. Always check dog rules for events and livestock areas.
Browse local shops, explore a museum or heritage attraction, then book an evening performance or a cosy meal.
At Two Front Teeth Photography, we meet local families, dog owners and visitors who are always looking for ideas for the next day out. These are the kinds of places we enjoy recommending, whether you are making memories with children, planning a weekend with friends or discovering somewhere new with your dog. We will keep adding local discoveries and practical tips to this guide as we explore more of Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
Last reviewed DD Month YYYY
John Moore is the owner and photographer at Two Front Teeth Photography, an independent family and dog photography studio in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Established in 1999, the studio has more than 25 years’ experience creating relaxed, natural family and pet portraits. John believes the best photographs capture personalities, relationships and the little moments families will treasure for years to come.
If you’d like a family or dog portrait to remember this stage by, take a look at our work.