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Family Activities
Don't let our reputation for history & heritage fool you - we are far from stuffy! Cheltenham is uber family-friendly; a great destination for short-breaks, holidays and day trips.
Our family offering extends across the full age range, with plenty on offer that is fun and/or educational. When deciding what to do, you might find our pages on Outdoor Activities and Indoor Activities useful, so you can plan your day whatever the weather. Don't forget to use the itinerary planner hearts to shortlist your favourite activities, to save them and come back later. We've also created handy event pages detailing free events coming up and family events too, both of which are searchable by date.
Cheltenham is home to the famous Cheltenham Festival series which takes place throughout the town every year, all of which have a family-friendly programme of ...around town events. There is a common misconception that you have to buy tickets to everything, and part of the Festivals ethos is to provide at least 60% of their events programme for free, across the town. You can entertain yourself for days with the ...around town programme, inspiring and educating the kids in a fun and interesting way.
Cheltenham has a growing number of family-friendly attractions, many of which host events for children and families throughout the year, and in particular during the school holidays. These include exhibitions, arts and crafts, theatre, music, sports and outdoor activities. Some of our top picks are the Sandford Parks Lido, The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, The Holst Museum, The Jet Age Museum and the Steam Railway.
Beyond Cheltenham and into the wider Cotswolds, there are also many family friendly attractions within a short driving time. These include Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Sudeley Castle, The National Trust's Chedworth Roman Villa and Prinknash Bird and Deer Park.
We are also fortunate enough to have many parks and open spaces with play areas and lots of open space to run around, play games, ride a bike and have a picnic, you can enjoy the outdoors with your family for free! In fact, Pittville Park has three play areas, one including a pet’s corner as well as a boating lake, golf, tennis, skate park, on site toilets and award winning cafe.
Here Are Some Regular Events That Take Place In Cheltenham For People With Young Families:
Mini Movers and Makers
Weekly, Tuesdays and Wednesday at 9:15am, 10:15am & 1:15am Admission charge. Activities for Under Fives.
The Soft Play Party
Weekly, Fridays at 10:30am to 11:15am £2.10 –£ 4.10 per child. Activities for 6 months to 5 years.
Leisure At Cheltenham, Tommy Taylors Ln, Cheltenham GL50 4RN
www.leisureatcheltenham.com
Tel: 01242 528764
Tots and Tales
Monthly, first Wednesday, from 10:30am to 11:15am, £2 per child, activities for under 5s and parents
Arty Sunday
Monthly, last Sunday, from 11:00am to 1:00pm, £2 per child.
Spend some precious quality time with your family getting crafty and creative at our regular drop-in art sessions.
The Wilson, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT
Tel: 01242 237431
The Wilson Arts Collective:
WAC Weekly Meet-Up - Every Wednesday, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm - Free
If you are a creative young person aged 15 – 25 and want to get involved in the projects the WAC create at The Wilson then come along to one of our informal meet-ups.
The Wilson, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT
For more information, contact Olly Tipper on oliver.tipper@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
Tel: 01242 237431
With a variety of family friendly accommodation and places to eat in and around the town, if you haven't considered Cheltenham before for a break away with the family, then we invite you to come and have a look what's on offer!
See our Things to Do and What's On sections for further information and inspiration!