The best family days out near Cheltenham

Looking for things to do with the family in Cheltenham? Whether you love history, animals or more energetic activities, you’ll find lots of suitable attractions in this Gloucestershire town. In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best, covering everything from woodland walks to wildlife parks, flight simulators to farms. 

We’ve provided links to the latest 2024 opening times and prices, and we’ve also highlighted which attractions will enable you to save money through your Boundless or Boundless Plus membership. 

Don’t forget, if you’re a Boundless member, you can save on meals and drinks with your tastecard subscription, too. Just search for participating venues through the app, and be aware that you might have to book in advance to take advantage of some offers. 

In the meantime, grab your diary and a pen, and join us as we take a look at the best family days out near Cheltenham.

The best days out near Cheltenham 

1. Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection

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Take a journey into the past at this popular, Boundless-owned attraction, located in picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water. The Cotswold Motoring Museum is packed with classic vehicles and memorabilia from the 20th century, providing a fascinating insight into (or reminder of!) how we used to live. Kids will love the Toy Collection, which exhibits the games children used to play – and they can even meet Brum, the four-wheeled favourite from the TV show.

Boundless offer: Members get unlimited free entry into the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection. Why not turn your visit into a short break by booking a discounted stay with the Boundless-owned Cotswold Cottages.

2. Supercar Blast

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Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like getting a ride in a sports car at high speed. And you can do exactly that by booking a Supercar Blast through Virgin Experience Days. After arriving at the location (a 40-minute drive from Cheltenham), you’ll get to choose from a variety of fabulous four-wheelers, including Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and Porsches, at which point you’ll be taken on a three-mile blast around a racetrack. Strap in for some thrilling fun!

Boundless offer: Members can save 20% on a wide range of activities when they book through Virgin Experience Days. 

3. WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

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The wildlife-rich wetlands at Slimbridge have been wowing bird and animal lovers for decades. Whether you take a stroll, enjoy a Canoe Safari or observe quietly from one of the 13 hides on the site, you’ll spot a vast number of species, from otters and flamingos to kingfishers and ducks. Join an expert-led tour to discover the daily habits of these fascinating creatures – and don’t miss the Lego trail, always a hit with kids.

Boundless offer: Members enjoy unlimited access to all WWT sites across the UK, and can bring one adult and up to six children for free.  

4. Fairytale Farm

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This fun farm east of Cheltenham combines play and animals to create a day out that’s ideal for young kids. There are seven zones to explore, including The Enchanted Walk with activity panels, plentiful characters, a sensory garden and games. Once you’ve had your fill of interactive play, head to the Fairy Dell to find out how the weather works, and build up an appetite for lunch by racing around the Huff & Puff play areas.

The farm is also home to ponies, pigs, goats, birds and rabbits, which can be met during handling and feeding sessions throughout the day. Fairytale Farm has been designed to be fully accessible for disabled children and their families.

5. Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

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Nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of the UK’s largest zoological collections. The Wildlife Park is home to over 100 species of birds, large mammals native to the African savannah and reptiles from as far away as the Seychelles. Walk through the lemur enclosure, see the penguins being fed, and get hands on with cute and cuddly critters in the children’s farmyard.

Don’t miss a wander around the park’s gardens that show off plants from around the world. Dog owners will be pleased to know their four-legged companions are welcome on a lead.

6. Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre

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Whizz down the artificial piste of this year-round ski centre close to Cheltenham. Whether you want to learn to ski or snowboard, or just have a bit of fun tubing down the 255m slope, this is an active day out for the whole family.

As well as the main run for adults and experienced snow sports fans, there are also nursery slopes for kids. Book a group or individual taster session in advance. If you’ve had enough of the slopes you can challenge the family to a battle at the neighbouring Battle Hill Laser Tag. Children must be at least six years old to participate.

7. Jet Age Museum

See the latest opening times. Admission is free but donations welcomed

This small attraction pays homage to the British-designed jet engine, showcasing its historic impact on aviation. The first jet-engine-powered plane took off from the Gloster factory airfield between Cheltenham and Gloucester in 1941, so this museum is very much a local heritage gem.

Visitors will see replica and real-life aeroplanes using this watershed engine, including Britain’s first jet fighter, the Meteor. 

8. National Waterways Museum Gloucester

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Learn about the role of Britain’s waterways and the history of Gloucester’s iconic docks at this interactive museum housed in an old canal-side warehouse. Family activities include looking around historic vessels, going for a boat trip and dressing up as canal workers.

As well as having an important industrial job to do, the canals are a haven for wildlife. Exhibits talk about the birds, plants and fish that live on the waterways today, as well as telling the story of the folks who lived and worked on them in the past.

9. SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding) Gloucester

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Try a watersport with a difference on Gloucestershire’s canals and rivers. Stand-up paddleboarding is an active and fun adventure for families who don’t mind taking a dip if they lose their balance. The backdrop for your adventure will be Gloucester’s historic docks, the River Severn or the picturesque Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, so you can appreciate the scenery as you paddle.

If you fancy doing a taster session before committing to a half or full day on the board, short introduction sessions are available. All equipment, including wetsuits, can be supplied if required, and your day can be tailored to the abilities of your family.

10. Puzzlewood

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Follow in the footsteps of characters from TV’s Doctor Who and Merlin with a visit to Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean. This enchanting landscape with its mile of weaving footpaths, hidden caves and moss-covered gullies has been the set and inspiration for countless films and television series.

As well as the woods, there are indoor and outdoor mazes, a playground and picnic area. You can also meet a collection of Puzzlewood farm animals during your visit.

11. Ninja Warrior Adventure Park

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You don’t need a black belt in martial arts to enjoy this popular attraction, located 20 minutes from Cheltenham – plenty of energy and a sense of adventure will more than suffice. Inspired by the Ninja Warrior TV show, it features a series of obstacles and challenges, from steep climbs and monkey bars to inflatable assault courses. You can also try to conquer the famous Warped Wall – if you dare!

12. Coln Valley Walk

Times and dates vary

Gloucestershire is blessed with some wonderful scenery, and you can experience some of it first-hand on a walk through the Coln Valley. A 30-minute drive from Cheltenham, this delightful spot offers spectacular views around every turn, with lush woodland, babbling brooks and picture-postcard cottages filling the view. 

With Boundless Plus membership you can join one of the Ramblers’ guided walks. There are 170 walks based in Gloucestershire listed on Ramblers’ website. Not only will you learn all about this ancient landscape, you might even make some new friends. 

Boundless offer: Boundless Plus members have full access to Ramblers membership, allowing you and one additional guest to join around 50,000 group walks, guided by walk leaders.

13. Go Ape

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Whether you’re a little monkey or the oldest swinger in town, you’re guaranteed hours of fun at Go Ape (nearest location: Mallards Pike, a 45-minute drive from Cheltenham). These adventure parks are renowned for their daring treetop challenges, but if you have a fear of heights, there’s still plenty for you to do, including forest Segway rides, archery and even axe-throwing. However you choose to spend your time, we reckon you’ll leave here exhausted – but satisfied!

Boundless offer: Members benefit from a 12-month subscription to Kids Pass, which will enable you to get 10% off at Go Ape parks across the UK.

14. SimAir737 Flight Simulators

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If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to fly a jet plane, you now have a chance to find out. Located at Gloucestershire Airport in Cheltenham, SimAir737 Flight Simulators will give you full control of a virtual Boeing passenger plane. With professional instructors on hand to help you throughout your visit, you’ll get to choose from 24,000 destinations, before experiencing realistic 180-degree views and breathtakingly authentic sound effects as you steer the jet home. Available for people of all ages, SimAir737 Flight Simulators will leave you on cloud nine.

15. Funky Warehouse

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If the weather’s not playing ball, another great indoor attraction to try is Funky Warehouse in Cheltenham. Described as “the ultimate indoor trampoline/parkour park and softplay area”, it’s the perfect place for kids to burn off some energy, containing a vast swathe of slides, ball pools and things to bounce on. There’s nothing stopping adults from taking part – but if it all sounds too much like hard work, you can always grab a drink from the café and spectate.

Boundless offer: Members enjoy a 12-month subscription to Kids Pass, which will enable you to get 15% off general jump sessions at Funky Warehouse. 

16. Cineworld Cheltenham

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Going to see a movie on the big screen is a lovely way to spend a few hours together as a family, and Cineworld’s Cheltenham multiplex shows all the latest blockbusters. For a truly unique experience, try out the cinema’s 4DX auditorium, which adds a range of thrilling multi-sensory effects to make your movie as realistic as possible (check website to see which films are showing in this format).

Boundless offer: Members benefit from access to The Cinema Society, which will enable you to save up to 37% on movie tickets, snacks and drinks at a wide range of cinemas.

17. The Paint It Yourself Pottery Co.

Feeling crafty? Located in Cheltenham town centre, The Paint It Yourself Pottery Co. is a café that provides a platform for kids – and parents! – to unleash their creativity. Pick from around 300 different pieces of pottery, then set to work painting it in any way you see fit – all while enjoying a delicious drink or snack. At the end of your session, you’ll be able to take your handiwork home, meaning you’ll always have a memento of your day.

18. Sudeley Castle & Gardens

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This privately owned castle is teeming with history dating back to Roman times, and particularly the Tudors. Two of King Henry VIII’s wives and Elizabeth I once stayed here, and Katherine Parr is buried here. A tour through the castle will reveal exhibitions about these former residents and the opulence of their surroundings.

Outside, discover the willow maze, wildlife dipping pond and the dazzling mosaic floors of a Roman villa found within the 1,200-acre estate. Children will also enjoy playing kings and queens in the wooden play fort and throwing themselves at the assault course in the huge adventure playground.

19. Gloucester Warwickshire Steam Railway

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Take a picturesque trip through the Cotswolds on board one of the vintage trains run by this heritage railway. The locomotives and carriages pass through five stations where passengers can alight to look around small exhibitions, have a go at changing the signals or get a closer look at the engines. There’s also a quiz sheet for kids at each station.

An all-day rover ticket allows you to ride the train as often as you like, stopping for a picnic, a walk along the railway’s heritage trail or a piece of cake at one of the station cafés. Keep an eye on the website for special family events.

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by LV= Britannia Rescue.