9 fun activities for new students to try in Cheltenham

By Bethan Croft, University of Gloucestershire Student

Just moved into your new student flat and want to get to know your flatmates? Here are the best ice-breaker activities in Cheltenham, many offering student discounts...

1. Hollywood Bowl has everything you need for the first flat outing – an arcade, food and bowling. Keep an eye out for offers and remember that students get 10% off if they show their student card. If you have a great time and want to extend your night, on the opposite side of The Brewery Quarter you also have Cineworld with multiple screens and 2D or 3D film options to choose from. Check out the Cineworld student discounted price.

2. At Paint-It-Yourself Pottery Co you can take your friends for a wholesome couple of hours painting any item that you choose. The small pottery pieces start as low as £10. Whilst you chat and get crafty, the café is open to serve cakes and drinks. Every fortnight there is also a Paint and Prosecco class which is great fun for an alternative night out. 

3. Roxy Lanes offers three floors full of fun activities, guaranteed to break the ice and have you and your flat mates firm buddies in no time! Check out the private karaoke room, batting cage, ice-free curling, bowling, shuffleboard, pool, ping pong and electronic darts. Choose which activity takes your fancy and then you can head to the arcade on the top floor afterwards. Discover more in the #UniofGlos TikTok video. 

4. If you’re in need of some retail therapy now that your student finance has come through, head on over to Regent Arcade on the High Street. With JD, H&M, Pandora, River Island and Ann Summers, you can put those UniDays student discounts into good use. There are plenty of pitstops for a quick snack too.

5. Bored of the gym? Boulders Cheltenham has its own Student Wednesday event where you can book a climbing session for £8 and this deal includes free shoe hire, with memberships also available. Great deal and a wonderful way to get fit whilst making new friends!

6. Nothing says flatmate bonding time better than an Escape Room. In fact, this activity is so popular that two different venues in town host the game. At the independently owned, Cheltenham Escape Rooms, if you can gather a group of 4-6 members you only have to pay £18 per person and you can select from the themes. At Escape Hunt in The Brewery Quarter there is also the option of an outdoor trail/hunt, where you follow a trail outdoors and try to solve the clues.

7. Crazy golf is a classic student activity, at Mr Mulligans in The Brewery Quarter it has a slight spin on the original game. At this venue there are themed courses to choose from and some of the rooms glow in the dark. If you choose to take advantage of the Weekday Special, the you could get a game of golf and pizza for just £22 per pair. Watch the TikTok video.

8. If you haven't yet tried darts you are in for a treat at the Flight Club. Take over a 'oche', a private dart playing area, with your friends and let the good times roll whilst you have a go at the fast paced games. 

9. And last, but definitely not least! Why not try something completely with your flat mates. Eat Sleep Axe lets you and 4 friends hire out a lane to try some axe throwing. So if you’ve struggling to find a way to work off that exam stress, maybe this is the place for you.

Discover more things to do in Cheltenham, also check out our guide to free events in Cheltenham.