gloucestershire is a great place to have a day out with the kids. Below we've tried to list as many attractions as we can to make it easy for you to find fun places to visit - we hope you find our website useful - and easy to use. Do you know of any other great
places to go that we may have missed? If so, it would be really nice if you could you get in touch, so that other kids can enjoy the day out as well - thanks a lot - have fun!
Family Days Out in gloucestershire
Cotswold Farm Park
Cheltenham
Cotswold Farm Park is full of fun activities, which can be enjoyed whatever the weather. In our PLAY BARN, the ride-on battery operated tractors and self-propelled roller racers are a big hit for our 3-12 year olds, whilst outside for our younger visitors, the pedal tractors give toddlers a chance of tractor driving too.
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Bristol
Bristol Zoo Gardens A visit to Bristol Zoo Gardens is a trip to an amazing world of animals, all within 12 acres of beautiful gardens. Meet over 450 species of exotic, endangered and cute animals from the four corners of the globe. Visit the primates in Monkey Jungle, stroll through the lemur garden or come face to face with the inhabitants of the impressive Seal and Penguin Coast. Some other Zoo favourites include Gorilla Island, Reptile house, Asiatic lions, Butterfly Forest, Bug World, Twilight World, and the Aquarium.
Horseworld
Whitchurch
Horseworld Ideal for any horse lovers out there - including grooming, interactive museum, nature trail and loads more
Blue Reef Aquarium and IMAX 3D Cinema
Bristol
Blue Reef Aquarium and IMAX 3D Cinema Indoor aquarium on Bristol's harbourside,
With over 40 displays, and 7,000 animals, you can spot sharks, rays, clownfish, seahorses, fearsome piranhas, jellyfish and many more. View the shipwreck, the underwater viewing tunnel, visit the fantastic IMAX 3D Cinema, where you feel as though you are swimming with whales and dolphins!
International Centre for Birds of Prey
Newent
International Centre for Birds of Prey Three flying demonstrations with commentary, every day. The Centre caters for school visits, and is renowned for its expertise in education, conservation and training. Courses in falconry and photography are available. Shop, cafe, education facilities, attractive gardens and picnic areas.
WWT Slimbridge Centre
Slimbridge
WWT Slimbridge Centre See, feed and learn about the world's largest collection of exotic, rare and endangered ducks, geese and swans, and it is the only place in Europe to house all six species of flamingo. Slimbridge is also home to WWT's species conservation programme.
Dick Whittington Farm Park
Gloucester
Dick Whittington Farm Park - Indoor and outdoor activities, over 8,000 square feet of indoor soft play including the new Astra and Mega Slide. Café, Shop. Pets Corner, Aquarium, Reptile House, Farm Animals and Nature Trail
Cattle Country Adventure Park
Berkeley
Cattle Country Adventure Park has a whole range of activities and many animals to see. Two huge barns house giant slides and loads of soft play equipment. Outdoor activities include Britain's biggest jumping pillow, a 14m climbing net, a giant castle, trampolines, ride on mini tractors, a mini train, a willow maze, a splash pool, mini golf and a boating lake to name just a few.
Birdland Park and Gardens
Bourton-on-the-Water
Birdland Park and Gardens Birdland is a natural setting inhabited by over 500 birds from around the world, including the only King Penguins in England and over 50 aviaries of parrots, falcons, pheasants, hornbills, toucans, touracos, pigeons, ibis and many more.
New Nature Trail 'Marshmouth Reserve' and a covered area with graphic story of the egg and What is a bird,inc a soft play area.
Cotswold Falconry Centre
Moreton In Marsh
Cotswold Falconry Centre Birds of prey are constantly showing off their skills at this amazing centre, where the breeding and conservation of birds of prey is of paramount importance. Many different types of birds of prey are on display here, including eagles, hawks, owls and falcons.
Butts Farm
Cirencester
Butts Farm The Butts Farm is a family run Rare Breeds farm. Join in all the activities and have real hands-on-experience.
Batsarb Aboretum
Moreton-in-Marsh
Batsarb Aboretum Visit the Cotswold's secret garden for 55acres of walks in magical Japanese settings.
Batsarb Aboretum
Moreton-in-Marsh
Batsarb Aboretum Visit the Cotswold's secret garden for 55acres of walks in magical Japanese settings.
British Empire and Commonwealth Museum
Bristol
British Empire and Commonwealth Museum Housed next to Temple Meads Train Station, the Museum charts the 500 year history of the British Empire. A range of exciting children's
activities during school holidays.
Gloucester Waterways Museum
Gloucester
Gloucester Waterways Museum Delve into the fascinating world of Gloucester's Victorian docks at this museum and meet the people and wildlife of our wonderful waterways. Discover impressive facts about the ingenious engineering of the waterway system and explore home life aboard a narrow boat. Plenty of hands on fun and interactive displays.
Cotswold Motoring Museum
Bourton-on-the-Water
Cotswold Motoring Museum Fun packed indoor museum covering motoring right through the 20th Century. Brum lives here and this is where he was filmed. He loves having his photo taken so don't forget your camera! Throughout the museum there are quizzes, feely boxes, building games, brass rubbings, old fashioned toys and dressing-up boxes!
Dean Heritage Centre
Dean
Dean Heritage Centre Explore the museum and open air forest site to discover the secrets of the Forest of Dean.
Try our range of family craft activities including mask making, wood rubbings and woodland cottages. Follow the trail and uncover the heart of the forest. Visit the Forester's cottage and meet his animals.
Nature in Art
Gloucester
Nature in Art The world's first museum dedicated to art inspired by nature. Children can see and touch sculptures, make brass rubbings, play in the play area, visit the ponds and outdoor sculpture garden plus looking at different art.
Corinium Museum
Cirencester
Corinium Museum Visitors can trace the story of the Cotswolds from Prehistory to the late 19th Century, with hands-on exhibits, interactive displays and a wealth of precious artefacts. There are animated and practical games, and audio-visual screens to bring the past to life for everyone from schoolchildren to grandparents.
Kingswood Heritage Museum
Warmley
Kingswood Heritage Museum An exciting museum inside the 18th Century brass mill at Warmley, with its icehouse and windmill tower - and the gardens nearby, with grottoes, echo pond and huge statue of Neptune.
Sandford Parks Lido
Cheltenham
Sandford Parks Lido The lido is a great day out in the heart of Cheltenham, on the edge of the Cotswolds. It is a children's paradise with slides, a children's pool and a paddling pool. Our 50 metre pool is also an ideal place to train, two lanes are reserved most days. Open in the spring to autumn.
GL1
Gloucester
GL1 in the heart of Gloucester has something for everyone, from warm swimming pools with wet'n'wild fun sessions and special parent & toddler times to trampoline lessons and after school or holiday sports and swimming courses.
Stratford Park Leisure Centre
Stroud
Stratford Park Leisure Centre Outdoor and indoor pools, various sporting opportunities. Outdoor pool open May to September.
Kingswood Leisure Centre
Staple Hill
Kingswood Leisure Centre Large indoor pool with one, three and five meter diving boards and a creche available on site.
Croft Farm Leisure and Water Park
Tewkesbury
Croft Farm Leisure and Water Park Windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, powerboats; also hosts camping and activity holidays. Same site as children's indoor place centre (see our index) though a different business.
Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool
Cirencester
Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool Heated outdoor pool with toddler's paddling pool and hot showers for after. Open May to September.
MagicLand
Cirencester
MagicLand We have all sorts of slides, including wave slides and a 70 ft astra slide, the largest in Gloucestershire. We are also proud to present the first cannon arena in the Cotswolds. This area contains four pneumatically powered cannons that allows you to shoot foam balls at various targets including the other visitors!
Ballyhoo
Cheltenham
Ballyhoo Ballyhoo is a Children's Indoor Playbarn; we offer children 12 years and under the chance to laugh, play and make new friends in a colourful, safe and above all FUN environment! We have a fantastic play structure including the excellent SIDEWINDER curly slide, as well as the scary black DEATH slide. Toddler soft play zones are incorporated into the centre.
Wacky Warehouse - Strawberry Field
Evesham
Wacky Warehouse - Strawberry Field - the usual Wacky Warehouse scenario - you have a rest which the kids run themselves to a standstill on the play structure - lovely!!
Little Follies Indoor Soft Play
Coleford
Little Follies Indoor Soft Play - a giant, three level play-frame for 3 to 12 year olds and a soft play area for toddlers under 3. also a automatic 2 lane, 10 pin bowling alley, and 2 air hockey tables and the latest craze in indoor entertainment for youngsters, an electronic, Sports Arena - Sportzone, where teams can play Lazer Tag, Soft Football and Basketball
Go Bananas Indoor Softplay Centre
Stroud
Go Bananas Indoor Softplay Centre - lots of different areas to play, with slides and ball pits and even has a death slide?!
Playzone Indoor Adventure Play
Gloucester
Playzone Indoor Adventure Play - filled with slides, ball ponds, climbing area and obstacles, there is a separate area for 2-4 year olds.
Cheeky Monkeys Indoor Soft Play Centre
Bristol
Cheeky Monkeys Indoor Soft Play Centre Inflatable soft play Jungle for climbing, hiding and bouncing with ball pits, slides, puzzles, animal shapes etc and various other soft play accessories. We also have a baby corner.
Jump Indoor Playcentres
Bristol
Jump Indoor Playcentres Jump proudly provides the largest indoor soft play centres in the Uk. Catering for ages 0-12, children love Jump because it's an adventure every time; adults love Jump for it's friendly staff and safe environments. From ball pits and slides to inflatables and football pitches we have something for everyone!
Castaways Indoor Play
Bristol
Castaways Indoor Play Kids can explore the two levels of the purpose built play system, which include ramps, a slide and lots of random spongy shapes and places to hide. There's also a ball pit which is another great place to hide from Mum or Dad.
Berkeley Castle
Berkeley
Berkeley Castle is England's oldest inhabited castle and most historic home. Over 24 generations of Berkeley's have transformed a savage Norman fortress into a truly stately home full of treasures. Come and learn about murder, intrigue and mysterious events at the castle.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge
Clifton
The Clifton Suspension Bridge The Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel provides spectacular views over the pretty Avon Gorge. It's a great place to walk across and see how high you are above the traffic and the river.
Feel and see it move with the traffic !
Clearwell Caves Ancient Iron Mines
Coleford
Clearwell Caves Ancient Iron Mines An impressive natural cave system, mined for over 4,500 years to form some of Britain's most atmospheric and intriguing underground mine workings. Nine caverns, geological and mining displays throughout. Excellent shop and café. 'A great underground experience for all the family!'
Sudeley Castle
Winchcombe
Sudeley Castle Sudeley Castle offers families the ideal day out with something for everyone. As well as the many regular attractions such as the adventure playground, exhibitions and pheasantry, Sudeley also hosts a number of family events throughout the year. Look out for our Jousting event and 'Go crazy at the Castle'.
Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre
Robinswood Hill
Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre - one of the best and longest outdoor artificial ski slopes in the UK. From skiing and snowboarding to tubing and 9 hole golf, there's something to do for everyone!
Bristol Ice Rink
Bristol
Bristol Ice Rink - offers the opportunity to skate in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. There are public sessions for all types of skaters including a full Learn to Skate Programme and a Junior Ice Hockey Programme that will certainly thrill the enthusiasts
Go Ape!
Lydney
Go Ape! Think you, your friends and family can handle 3 hours of tree top adventure? Are you wild enough to climb 30ft up a rope ladder, Tarzan swing into a giant rope net then zip wire through trees, crawl through tunnels and tackle high wire rope bridges?
Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf
Bristol
Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf Two great 18 hole adventure golf courses - dare you to putt your way through our jungle course, complete with the live active volcano?
Pedalabikeaway
Coleford
Pedalabikeaway Start of traffic-free marked trail and single/downhill tracks for serious mountain biker. Bikes for all ages and abilities. Local information, maps, toilets and showers available. Cafe and shop for cycle spares. Bike wash. Groups welcome. Guides on request.
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
Toddington
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway The GWR is asteam and diesel heritage railway in the English Cotswolds. Since 1981, the volunteers have restored over 10 miles of line, together with platforms, buildings, steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock. In addition to a scheduled service, GWR hosts a number of galas and enthusiasts' events throughout the year, including our popular Santa Specials.
Dean Forest Railway
Lydney
Dean Forest Railway A heritage railway featuring an 8 mile round trip into the historic Forest of Dean.
The sights, sounds and smells of a steam train are magical to kids of all ages! The railway hosts events especially for kids Days Out with Thomas, Easter Bunny Hunt, Halloween and Santa Specials.
Perrygrove Railway and Treetop Adventure
Coleford
Perrygrove Railway and Treetop Adventure The steam train for all ages- and all weathers! A charming railway in the Forest of Dean where friendly staff welcome you. Fun for children in our Treetop Adventure and Indoor Village with secret passages - treasure boxes are hidden here! 4 stations, each with paths to walk through ancient woods and solve the riddle of the Gale Stone. Lots of picnic tables outside and under cover
Bristol Aero Collection
Cirencester
Bristol Aero Collection is a museum dedicated to the preservation and display of artefacts of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and its sister companies. On display are aircraft, engines, missiles, spacecraft, road transport and many more items designed and built in Bristol in the last century.
Cotswold River Cruise
Cotswolds
Cotswold River Cruise Private and public hire cruise boats offering different sizes and services for every occasion. Self drive hire facilities also available. Pre booking essential.
Broadway Tower Country Park
Broadway
Broadway Tower Country Park - spectacular views,, a restaurant, a Red deer enclosure, country walks, picnic sites and wildlife & wildflowers in season
Puzzlewood
Coleford
Puzzlewood - a unique and magical destination in the Forest of Dean. You can explore meandering pathways that take you through a spectacular wonderland of deep ravines of mossy rocks, over wooden bridges and through fantastic tree and rock formations. There is an outside playground and an indoor maze. Plus animals and wild fowl. New for 2010 - Traditionally made willow maze.
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Coleford
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is a four-mile trail with sculptures inspired by the forest, trees and wildlife. There are various play structures along the way for the kids to play on.
Prinknash Bird and Deer Park
Gloucester
Prinknash Bird and Deer Park is set in a wooded valley once the hunting lodge of the Abbots of Gloucester and King Henry VIII. The park has been landscaped to resemble an 18th century park with traditional follies enhanced by beautiful birds and animals. You will see over 50 peacocks and waterfowl, golden pheasants, love birds, the fishpond, fallow deer, song birds, crown cranes, black swans, and African Pygmy Goats.
Westonbirt The National Arboretum
Tetbury
Westonbirt The National Arboretum - provides a natural woodland playground for children. Discover stepping stones, balancing beams and den-building areas hidden in one of the most magical and important tree gardens in the world.
600 acres of picturesque, historic landscape and some of the oldest, rarest and largest trees of their kind in the UK
Cotswold Country Park and Beach
Cirencester
Cotswold Country Park and Beach Play park with large kids' and toddlers' play areas, BBQ pits and picnic areas, bike and boat hire - also hosts Head4Heights: a treetop assualt course for the 8+s.
Hengrove Park
Bristol
Hengrove Park Great new development opened in 2009 with lots of the latest play equipemnt, sand and water play area, skate park for boarders and bmx-ers, and jungle play in a 11m high dome
Batsarb Aboretum
Moreton-in-Marsh
Batsarb Aboretum Visit the Cotswold's secret garden for 55 acres of walks in magical Japanese settings.
Gloucester Apollo
Stroud
Gloucester Apollo Enjoy all the latest releases at Stroud's Apollo Cinema surrounded by first class comfort and superior technology
Bowlplex Bristol
Bristol
Bowlplex Bristol Not just bowling! The Bowlplex also offers large arcade areas, big-screen cinemas, stadium bar and grill and a dance floor.
The Paint it Yourself Pottery Co.
Cheltenham
The Paint it Yourself Pottery Co. Ceramic Cafe in Chelenham - great idea if you are looking for family days out in Gloucestershire especially if the weather is bad.
Pick a Pot and Paint in the Cotswolds
Cirencester
Pick a Pot and Paint in the Cotswolds Family fun come rain or shine. Visit our warm and friendly Pick a Pot and Paint studio and paint your choice of fun or functional ceramics. Great for all ages and walks of life.
Flying Saucers The Painting Pottery Cafe
Bristol
Flying Saucers The Painting Pottery Cafe Bristol's newest and biggest Painting Pottery Café. We've over 100 pottery items to choose from and sit and paint, and once fired, the items are fully usable. It's perfect for capturing baby's footprints or toddler's handprints, or just letting kids of ALL ages make their own colourful masterpiece.
Bourton Model Railway
Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton Model Railway Housed in a period farmhouse, established over 25 years a spectacular Model Railway Exhibition and traditional toyshop situated right in the centre of the picturesque Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Forest Model Village
Aylburton
Forest Model Village Hidden beneath a shady woodland canopy is an enchanted glade full of humour, history and entertainment.
The Old New Inn Model Village
Cheltenham
The Old New Inn Model Village The Old New Inn is known all over the world for the fascinating model village in its garden. Built by an earlier inn owner and a small team of local craftsmen during the early thirties, the Village is a 1/9th replica of Bourton-on-the-Water, built from the local Cotswold stone.
Miniature World
Bourton-on-the-Water
Miniature World APPARENTLY MINIATURE WORLD HAS CLOSED DOWN - so please check B4 going
Huntfun Gloucester Treasure Hunt
Gloucester
Huntfun Gloucester Treasure Hunt A great fun way to explore in your own town or when visiting somewhere new. Fun for all the family and something a bit different getting everyone out and about in the fresh air for a few hours.
Stow on the Wold Treasure Trail
Stow on the Wold
Stow on the Wold Treasure Trail Looking for a fun and interesting way to explore Stow on the Wold? Don't just wander around aimlessly, do a Treasure Trail! These fun treasure hunts will teach you fascinating facts about the area and show you some beautiful scenery, solving an intriguing mystery at the same time.
Hop, Skip and Jump
Kingswood
Hop, Skip and Jump A special play and support centre for children with special needs and their families.
Thanks for all the great places to go when visiting gloucestershire you keep sending in.
Now the summer holidays are upon us, we're trying to find as many things to do with kids as possible, especially cheap and free family friendly places to visit this year - theme parks, waterparks and swimming pools, museums, indoor soft playcentres, petting farms, wildlife parks and zoos, castles, railways, pottery making and ceramic cafes, roller and ice skating rinks, dry and indoor ski slopes, climbing walls, ten pin bowling alleys, steam railways and other tourist attractions.
Also teachers may find the site useful for ideas for the best places to take their classes on school journeys.
So, if you've been for great days out with the kids, or a school trip, which isn't listed above, just send in an email and we'll add it on so people on holidays and all the other children in gloucestershire can enjoy the great day out as well.
If you're looking for fun places for kids when visiting america on vacation, go to our new site familydaysoutusa.com
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Where to go in Warwickshire | Places to go in Somerset | Places to visit in the UK
