Gloucestershire Family Guide

11/11/2023

What an amazing free space at Oakley interactive space which also has a library, free teas, coffee and hot chocolate. The room has many different scenes the children can interact with and enjoy.

It is next to Oakley Children's centre and opposite the Oakley community resource centre. No need to book you can just turn up at the times stated. Maximum of 20 children at a time.

28/09/2023

Now the summer is over I know a lot of families are thinking about Christmas with it only being three paydays away.

We are so lucky in Gloucestershire as there is so much to do in the area for a Christmas treat to see Santa. Last year we did Sudeley Castle lights which was spectacular.

This year, after lots of searching and research we decided on Perrygrove Railway Christmas twilight train where you watch the musical arrival of the steam train at Perrygrove Station then take your pre-booked seats aboard the Twilight Express. Spot the illuminations along the line to Oakiron Station where you will meet Father Christmas and his helpers. Everyone receives a hot chocolate and children receive a token gift. This was £40 for three of us (£80 for up to 6 people)

If you don't fancy this there is also another option where you take a steam train ride around Perrygrove and visit our festive carriage shed theatre, where Mrs Claus is ready to welcome you and bring Father Christmas down the chimney! Stories and laughs follow and children receive a gift as part of the experience. Everyone receives a complimentary drink on entering the theatre.

We cannot wait for this experience as our little boy is only 3 so doesn't understand the concept of Santa yet but loves his trains! Absolutely perfect for a Christmas treat to look forward too 🎄🎁 🎅🤶

28/09/2023

What an amazing time seeing the Gruffalo and the book read by the one and only Phillipa Forrester as part of their Childrens book festival over three days.

Entertainment, ice cream, play area and lots of nature for children to explore!

Don't forget that just because the summer is over then you can't go and explore outdoors. Autumn is perfect for running through leaves, seeing the beautiful colours and starting to get cosy ready for Christmas 🎄🎁

17/08/2023

The Forest of Dean never disappoints, especially with the beautiful weather we have had the past few days.

Wenchford is an idyllic spot and perfect for a cheap family day out. It has a beautiful brook for the children to play in and explore as well as plenty of picnic. Perfect for a cool down in the summer along with a picnic.

There is no where to buy coffee but there are toilet facilities open between April and October. If you are a Forest if Dean member you can park for free. If you aren't parking charges apply, make sure you take cash as there is no phone signal to pay via the app. For 4 hours it is £4 and for a whole day £5.

Forest of Dean - Forestry England Forestry England in the National Forest

14/08/2023

Going to never ceases to amaze me. You are warmly welcomed as soon as you come through the door and shown to a table for your group.

There are three sessions a day 9.30, 12.30 and 15.30 for around 2 hours long. I would recommend to pre-book as they always seem to sell out. Along with the themed role play areas there are character performers to entertain and play alongside the children throughout the session.

With lots of well maintained and clean role play areas for the children from an ice cream van to a school and a supermarket to a doctor's there is something for every child.

If you have a younger child there is a play area in the middle of the room so parents can look after the little one but still keep an eye on the older one too!

There is a choice of wonderful food and drink to order when you get hungry or just fancy a coffee.

I cannot emphasize how amazing this place is and we come back again and again.

It is around an hour away from Cheltenham and if you want to make a day of it you can always visit where there are fair ground rides, a park, mini golf and a splash area. Please check opening days and times before you go.

11/08/2023

Wow what can I say! What an amazing, funny, interactive show at the

The tiger who came to tea was brilliant. At £16 a ticket and a great show from age 3 and up. I would definitely recommend!

09/08/2023

What an absolute gem of a find in the heart of Cheltenham. With the weather being so up and down at the moment I would recommend a visit to .

They have so much for children to do over the summer period. From a mouse trail throughout the house, musical instruments to play, 'learn to sew' activity, games, colouring, craft making, real toys in the nursery for children to play with and lots of options to dress up and be part of the Victorian experience!

The staff here couldn't do enough for us and made the whole experience even more worthwhile.

What's even better is that children go free and adults are only £10.

If you have a few hours on your hands and aren't sure what to do I would definitely recommend spending time here.

12/07/2023

I see a lot of people on social media asking where to take their little ones for swimming lessons. We have been going to Tewkesbury Leisure Centre since January and it has been amazing for my son's confidence in the water. It's a quick 30 minute lesson so the children don't get bored, easy to get to and easy to park.

They have also recently added soft play to the cafe area so after swimming you can get a tea or coffee and let the little ones play for £2.75 each!

09/07/2023

Today's adventure was . It wasn't in Gloucestershire but perfect for a weekend away especially if you have a tent or caravan you can bring along and pitch up.

It's based at the base of the Brecon Beacons so no matter the weather it is absolutely beautiful scenery. You would be right in thinking these are just Normal caves. However, there is so much to see and explore, from three caves, an amazing dinosaur trail, shire horse centre, play areas and much much more. It's perfect for all ages. Even better under 3s go free!

You can bring a pushchair but be prepared to carry the little ones through the caves as the pushchairs aren't allowed in the caves. When you do have the push chair be prepared to push it up very steep hills.

It's a perfect all day adventure for all ages and a great day out for families.

05/07/2023

26/06/2023

What a beautiful day it has been. We went to today in Worcestershire. It's around 30 minutes from the north of Cheltenham. Lots of fun to be had and things to do for families.

Upon entry there was a beautiful cafe with seats outside and plenty of shade for heat in this weather.

For the history lovers, there is a small RAF museum with artifacts from the war and information about the land in the war effort. For a plane loving toddler this was great.

There were two play areas, both were perfect for every age. One was a natural play area full of dens, sticks, woodland where children can run around to their heart's content.

I loved that the path to the house was buggy friendly even in wet weather! Perfect for your little ones and if you want to take any family members who are disabled for a family day out.

There were plenty of benches and areas dotted around to sit and eat lunch, have a rest or just to admire the view.

The house is still in its restoration phase which I personally found great to see and there weren't too many things little fingers could touch or break.

Of course we couldn't resist some ice cream 🍦

Overall this was a fantastic day out and I would recommend it to everyone.

16/06/2023

What a beautiful day out So much to see and do from animals, Soft play, train, playground, ice cream, mini golf, dinosaurs, interactive floor, sand pit, lemur walk through and we met Houdini the armadillo! A jam packed day and definitely worth a day out.

is based in Honeybourne, Evesham. About a 30 minute drive from Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham. Prices vary depending on when you go but children 2 and under go free.

Not sure what to do for father's day? are offering a free ticket on father's day for a dad or grandfather.

03/06/2023

Fancy something different?

Dunkertons Cider are excited to welcome their first premium children’s event!

Funky Pants Music & Dance will launch their award-winning funky music dance classes designed for children ages 0-5.

📅 Starting Wednesday 5th of July, and then every following Wednesday in July
⏰ From 10 am

Grown-ups will be able to enjoy delicious coffee, pastries and other freshly baked goodies from La Boulangerie and can also browse our organic farm shop.

£7.50 for a child and adult
£10.50 for two children and one adult

https://bookwhen.com/funkypants

20/05/2023

With the May half term looming are you wondering what to do with your children? Head to www.gloucestershirefamilyguide.com to be able to filter over 150 destinations in Gloucestershire from free activities to buggy friendly you will find them all on the website.

19/05/2023

www.gloucestershirefamilyguide.com

15/05/2023