The best things to do in Cheltenham with kids
With its air of Regency elegance, it’s easy to assume Cheltenham is purely a grown-up break – but like similarly stylish Bath, you’ll find a string of things to do in Cheltenham with kids.
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Add in a series of family-friendly activities at festivals throughout the year, some fun Christmas celebrations, and plenty of green space – not to mention the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean nearby – and it’s perfect for a family break.
From quirky animal statues to a children’s tour, some great museums and even a castle on the doorstep, I’ve picked out some of the best things to do with kids in Cheltenham.
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Pittville Park
Back in the 19th century, when Cheltenham’s spa waters brought high society flocking, Pittville Park’s Pump Room was the place to see, be seen and take the waters before a promenade through the park itself.
The largest ornamental park in the town, you can still try the water – very salty apparently! – but there’s more to tempt including a boating lake and woodland.
On the eastern side of the park by the Pump Room, there’s also a big play area, plus a pitch and putt golf course, and plenty of space to picnic on the grass.
And after watching the swans on the lake in front of the Pump Room and its bandstand, there are aviaries which are home to bunnies as well as birds.
Keep an eye out for extra events taking place throughout the year, such as the little Christmas market and Santa switching on the lights in winter.
For more things to do at Christmas in Cheltenham, check out this post
Montpellier Gardens
Another of Cheltenham’s lovely green spaces, Montpellier Gardens is a perfect place to get outdoors with kids – while you can soak up views of the Regency buildings which surround it.
In the southern part of the gardens, there’s a toddler play area, as well as a cafe, Gardens Gallery community art gallery and sometimes concerts on the bandstand.
In the northern half, keep an eye out for the little arboretum, plus plenty of grass for picnics and games. It’s very close to the town centre, so easy to head out and let off steam between exploring too.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Cheltenham with kids, check out my Queens Hotel Cheltenham review
Sandford Parks Lido
Heaven on a hot day, swimming at the open-air Sandford Parks Lido is fantastic if you’re visiting Cheltenham with kids.
There’s a paddling pool, children’s pool and slides to play on at the lido, all in walking distance from the town centre (or 10 minutes on a bus).
It gets very busy on hot days, unsurprisingly, so it’s well worth booking in advance or arriving early and being prepared to queue.
For those who are brave enough, there are cold water swimming sessions in winter, but (also unsurprisingly), the children’s pools close during the winter months.
Follow the kids walking tour
If you’re visiting Cheltenham with kids, the children’s walking trail is a brilliant way to explore, with a little quiz and challenges to take on.
Along the way, you can spot a series of animals, including lions, birds, horses and a chameleon, as well as discovering more about a cannon captured during the Crimean war.
From counting steps to identifying shapes, and spotting the famous armless caryatids, it’s a fun one to entertain younger kids in Cheltenham too.
Check out the Cheltenham treasure hunt from the Treasure Map Trails collection for another fun way to explore Cheltenham with kids – get 10% off using code MUMMYTRAVELS
Spot the Fish Clock
Stopping to look at a clock might not seem like an unmissable family attraction in Cheltenham, but the town’s Wishing Fish Clock is more than an ordinary timepiece.
Created in 1985 as the centrepiece for the Regent Arcade shopping centre, it’s believed to be the tallest mechanical clock in the world, at more than 45 feet tall.
There’s more than just the fish to spot too (although don’t miss it blowing bubbles every half-hour) – a goose lays golden eggs, and a family of mice try to escape the snake on top of the clock as well.
The characters, which also include a cat and dog, cow and sheep, even have their own book written about them, which you can buy in the shopping centre.
Find the Hare and Minotaur
For more animal spotting in Cheltenham with kids, don’t miss the Hare and the Minotaur Statue on The Promenade, outside House of Fraser.
Made from reclaimed scrap metal, it features a female hare and a male Minotaur sitting companionably together on a bench – towering over the people passing – created by Gloucestershire based artist Sophie Ryder.
Look closely and you can see everything from cogs to cooker hobs used in the statue’s construction.
Wilson Art Gallery & Museum
There’s a mix of art, archaeology and local history at The Wilson, Cheltenham’s Art Gallery and Museum, alongside temporary exhibitions and regular family events.
Reopened in 2022 after a major rebuilding project which created extra space, there are a whole string of exhibits to appeal to kids.
If you’re looking to learn more about the story of Cheltenham, including its Regency heyday, there are some great displays on the town’s past, along with archaeological finds.
You’ll also find dramatic stories of some of local residents, in particular polar explorer Edward Wilson, who joined Scott of the Antarctic on his voyages to the South Pole.
Check out the costume collection too, featuring wedding dresses and pieces dating back to around 1750, while older kids will love the Arts and Crafts collection inspired by William Morris.
Holst Victorian House
Step back to Victorian times to the Holst Victorian House, the birthplace of composer Gustav Holst in 1874.
Even if your kids aren’t remotely interested in classical music, it’s a great way to get a taste of history, with a working Victorian kitchen, Victorian bedroom, scullery and nursery.
As well as rooms frozen in time, you can learn more about the lives of some of its inhabitants, including Holst’s parents, along with children’s activities throughout the year – some events even involve baking with the coal-fire range.
For those who do love music, you can find out more about Holst’s life in his Music Room, where the piano on which he composed The Planets suite still stands.
Jet Age Museum
See Britain’s very first jet, climb into the cockpit of a Hawker Siddeley Trident airliner, as well as spotting some older planes being restored at the Jet Age Museum.
Home to the Gloucestershire Aviation Collection, the museum is based at Staverton Airport, around a 10-minute drive from Cheltenham, and it’s perfect for kids who love planes and transport.
Celebrating the county’s aviation heritage, from the first days of flight to the present day, some of the volunteers flew in the aircraft on display, so there’s no better way to discover what it was like to take off in them than hearing their stories first-hand.
Explore the Brewery Quarter
Cheltenham’s entertainment centre, it’s home to an IMAX cinema and Hollywood Bowl, as well as a string of family-friendly attractions (read on for more details).
On the site of the town’s 18th century brewery, it’s also a great place to discover some of Cheltenham’s street art, including works created as part of the Cheltenham Paint Festival.
And while you’re spoiled for choice for places to eat in Cheltenham with kids, there’s also a string of child-friendly restaurants here.
Play indoor adventure golf
My daughter is a huge fan of adventure golf, and there’s not one but two mini golf courses to choose from at Mr Mulligan’s in the Brewery Quarter – plus they’re indoors if you’re looking for something to do in Cheltenham in the rain with kids.
Choose from Canopy Creek or Neptune’s Mist (or play both!) with some fun child-friendly touches including a giant octopus and dinosaur, a volcano, golf balls which glow under the UV lights and a moving bridge to navigate between holes.
There are other games if you want to make the most of your visit, such as electro-darts and shuffleboard, although with 18 holes on both adventure golf courses, you won’t be short of entertainment.
Try a child-friendly escape room
If your kids love puzzles and challenges, there are some great escape rooms in Cheltenham, with options themed around family favourites from books, TV and film.
Aimed at ages 8+, Escape Hunt also runs outdoor games, along with the four escape rooms, three of which are themed around Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland and Doctor Who.
Lasting around one hour, you’ll battle to save the Mad Hatter from the Queen of Hearts, prevent a rogue Dalek from blowing up a spaceship, or find a magic lamp. For older kids, there’s another option set during the Second World War too.
If you don’t fancy being locked indoors for 60 minutes (or you’ve cracked all the puzzles to escape the rooms), there’s also a 90-minute outdoor game through the streets of Cheltenham – this one designed for groups of 2-4, rather than up to 6 for the escape rooms.
Visit the soft play
If you’re visiting Cheltenham with toddlers and younger kids, the Little Centurions soft play in the Brewery Quarter is likely to top their wishlist.
Replacing the Play Farm, the new Cheltenham soft play centre is aimed at under-10s, but ideal for younger kids including areas for toddlers.
There’s also a cafe with a kids menu and food for adults, including pizza, as well as vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options.
Sadly Dinky Street, a soft play alternative where kids could play at real life in the miniature version of the everyday world, has now closed.
Bounce at a trampoline park
With 14,000 square feet of space indoors, saying Funky Warehouse is a trampoline park doesn’t quite capture how much there is to do.
Set around a 10-minute drive from the town centre, it’s also home to a three-storey soft play, a ninja warrior course, parkour, rock climbing wall and foam pits, as well as the trampolining zone.
There are special toddler sessions for under-fives to have a go in the trampoline park, and the soft play at other times (including an area for under-threes). Only kids aged 7+ can use the parkour zone.
Otherwise, families can jump to their heart’s content on the 22 trampolines, along with Family Bounce sessions at weekends, plus weekday SEN sessions.
Everyman Theatre
Set in the heart of Cheltenham, the family pantomime at the Everyman Theatre is a Christmas tradition, but you’ll find plenty of other child-friendly performances throughout the year too.
There are hit West End musicals, such as Hairspray and Six, as well as shows for younger kids, including Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever and a retelling of classic fairytales mixed with puppetry, at Box Tale’s Little Grimm Tales for ages 3+.
Check the latest listings to see what’s on here.
Enjoy a festival
Officially Cheltenham is ‘the festival town’ and chances are one of the festival series will be taking place when you visit – all with family-friendly events alongside the main programme.
There are more than 35 in total, including the famous Cheltenham Literature Festival, complete with the Children’s Literature Festival events, as well as the Children’s Festival in May.
And one of the best parts is that the festivals have a goal of providing at least 60% of their events for free, with activities galore – everything from hands-on experimenting at the Cheltenham Science Festival to creating your own plasticine claymation masterpiece at the Cheltenham Craft Festival.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam railway
Enjoy one of the most unusual journeys from Cheltenham to the Cotswolds when you hop onto a steam train chuffing between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway.
The heritage railway runs diesel trains as well as steam engines on the 28-mile round trip tour, along the former Great Western Railway mainline, looking out to some of the villages and countryside.
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam railway also runs special events throughout the year, including Teddy Bear Tuesdays, and Santa Experiences for Christmas.
Trains run between April and October, plus some extra dates in the run-up to Christmas and around New Year, and take around 30 minutes each way.
Sudeley Castle
Beautiful Sudeley Castle is best known for being the home of Queen Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII – the one who ‘survived’ in the rhyme. Also her final resting place, you can still see her tomb in the 15th century church, around 20 minutes from Cheltenham.
But Sudeley’s history goes back around 1,000 years, and has links to more than just the Tudors, including Richard III and the Stuarts – Charles I found refuge here during the Civil War, when his nephew used it as a royalist base.
Families can learn some more about the castle’s history as they explore, with exhibits ranging from a Roman stone god to royal love letters, as well as exploring the rooms and gardens.
Even better for kids, there’s an adventure playground with a fort at its heart, towers to look out from, bridges, slides, a climbing wall, and lots of hidey hole. There’s also a zip wire, obstacle course and adventure trail as an added bonus.
While the castle itself is closed during the winter months, the grounds are home to the wonderful Spectacle of Light illuminated trail from late November until around the end of December.
Visit Cirencester
While there’s plenty to keep you entertained in Cheltenham itself, you’re also around a 30-minute drive from Cirencester, which bills itself as the ‘heart of the Cotswolds’ and which makes a great day trip from Cheltenham with kids.
It’s also unmissable if your kids are fascinated by the Romans, with one of the largest collections of British-Roman artefacts at the award-winning Corinium Museum.
Most of the artefacts were found in the local area in the Roman town of Corinium Dobunnorum (now Cirencester), one of Roman Britain’s largest cities and there’s a children’s treasure trail plus other interactive events to keep kids engaged.
Save some time to visit the Roman Amphitheatre, around 10 minutes’ walk from the museum. One of Britain’s largest, it’s open daily in daylight hours and free to enter.
For more ideas of things to do near Cheltenham with kids, check out my pick of the family attractions in the Cotswolds as well as Chedworth Roman villa, one of the best Roman places to visit in the UK
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN CHELTENHAM WITH KIDS
Sudeley Castle image courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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