Summer Holiday Highlights: Summer Holiday Fun in Cheltenham

"Sun is shining, weather is sweet - makes you wanna move your dancing feet!" Yes it does Mr Marley, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here at Cheltenham Rocks HQ. It’s time for our summer holiday highlights - and have we got some corkers in-store for you. So pop on your shades, slap on the SPF and take a leisurely scroll through our sizzling summer suggestions for family fun in and around Cheltenham.

Our first pick is just a cherry-stones throw away! Though tennis mayhem may have come and gone, the seasonal desert of ‘strawberries and cream’ needn’t go with it... Primrose Vale is on hand to provide some yummy, fruity goodness - fresh for picking. Why not make a day of it while you’re there; pop along to pick your punnet, enjoy the super-fun, child-friendly play area - perfect for little lightning seeds. Top it off with relaxation-a-plenty at the cafe - your 5-a-day is made easy with with fresh strawberries, blackberries, currants and more on offer. Open 7 days a week from 9am - 6pm (10am - 5pm Sunday) throughout August and September. Find out more.

Fancy some fun on the farm without muddy, messy wellies?! The Play Farm is our cool choice come rain or shine - with not one muddy piglet in sight... Play Farm may not have any four-legged friends, but the centre’s soft play facilities certainly compete with any outdoor ‘am-moos-ment’. The new air conditioning system is an additional bonus, making it a great place to cool off while enjoying a tasty bite to eat from the new irresistible menu. Open 10am - 6pm daily. Find out more.

If one of your tribe suggests a trip to Mr Mulligan’s, your day is on par for the course to having a fab time! The indoor mini-golf facility offers everything a family or party could possibly want or need without leaving town, complete with air-con. The adventurous and magical golfing adventure steers you through unexplored lost worlds, with buried treasure, jungle monkeys and deadly dinosaurs to dodge! With two 18-hole courses, a huge restaurant and full bar, it’s the perfect exotic destination for all ages, without the need for a caddy. Why not put those phones away and record your experience with the new photobooth? Now there’s a novelty! Open daily from 10am until late, with family discount available. Find out more.

Does your beautiful child have a beautiful mind to match? Why not nurture their thirst for knowledge with a trip to Cheltenham Science Centre. There’s so much on offer over the summer holidays for little ones, and as well as the centre’s permanent unique exhibits, there’s Lego Club and the drop in STEM Club, providing interactive activities (like studying the human body and making your own slime - eiw)! Child-friendly clubs and special events are included in the low cost admission price, open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm. Find out more.

"Sunday, Monday, Happy Days!" Well every day is a happy day at Smokey Joe’s, and we’re sure Fonzy would approve of Cheltenham’s only 1950’s style diner! Known to lovers of all things retro who regularly assemble for meet ups and gaming nights; gathering around the jukebox on roller skates with milkshakes. Enjoy free vintage arcade games, jiving nights, a delicious American-inspired menu and a new kids menu.."Would you like fries with that?" We sure would! Smokey Joe’s often host child-friendly craft mornings too, with the refreshment spot open daily from 10am until late. While there be sure to try their famous Unicorn Hot Chocolate, you can thank us later. Find out more.

Is your little one a lover of the great outdoors? Then make the most of the sunshine and head outside for some fresh country air at Cotswold Farm Park - there is SO much going on! Rabbit and guinea pig stroking, bottle-feeding lambs and goats, meeting piglets, a farm park safari ride, giant air pillows to bounce on, adventures in the barn and sand pits to play in! As well as ALL of that, there’s the new a-mazing Maize Maze, standing proud throughout the summer holidays. Venture down the rabbit hole into the Alice In Wonderland themed maze and try to find that pesky White Rabbit hiding somewhere in the maze! Find your way to the middle where a delightful Tea Party is waiting for you! The maze is suitable for people of all ages, however there's also a smaller guided route suitable for small children, where they can follow white rabbit signs directly to the middle. The park is open 10:30am - 5pm daily. Find out more.

For a dreamy afternoon involving a leisure row on the water, The Boathouse and Pitch and Putt is for you! Boat hire is running daily (suitable for ages 3 and up) and is available from 11am - 4pm daily on a first come first float basis. Explore Pittville Park’s lower lake in a boat size to suit your party, feed the ducks, enjoy an ice cream and take in some beautiful views, while one of you steers the oars!

Hop over to the west side of the park for some pitching and putting! With 9 holes and no bunkers to get stuck in, no dress code and no booking required, this family-friendly course a great way to get into golf, with clubs, tees and balls are included in the price. If golf isn’t your thing there’s a tennis court for hire - or skip the activities altogether and take a break at the cafe for a freshly ground coffee and homemade cake! Open 10am - 5pm daily. Find out more.

Little Tiggers can hop, skip and jump into action at Airborne Trampoline Park, with a sea of trampolines to dive into! Bouncy activities include a huge airbag, the infamous ‘ninja run’, a brilliant battle beam, basket ball hoops and our favourite - the LED reaction wall! Airborne kindly put the needs of their VIP’s first, hosting various age appropriate time-slots throughout the day. Toddler Time mornings invite children under 5 to explore the park until 11am; enjoying a playful bounce and taking little leaps without the worry of boisterous big kids! Air Time provides ages 5+ with access to the whole arena in the afternoons, with the freedom to move between equipment. Happy bouncing! Open 10am - 8pm weekdays and from 9am weekends. Find out more.

Summer Events

If you’re in a jam for what to do this weekend, The Brewery Quarter Summer Jam will be right up your street. This town centre fiesta is back by popular demand for the third year running, and has got it all going on. Enjoy the 2 day celebration of music, with a host of local performers on stage, as well as a DJ for a bit of dancing in the sunlight. The Brewery Quarter’s own bars and restaurants will also be offering outdoor bars and tasty street food stalls, fun competitions, exciting games and more. Did we mention it’s FREE and open to all ages?! Running Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th August, from 1pm daily. Find out more.

Wednesdays have never been so wonderful thanks to Sudeley Castle; with bags of summer holiday child-friendly fun to be had. Expect eyes wide in amazement and faces aglow with excitement to play on the bouncy castle, with an inflatable activity centre and magical storytime for under 5’s. Traditional entertainment featuring unicycling, juggling, escapology and Punch and Judy, as well as Cheltenham’s much-loved Music Man to bring some sing-a-long fun! Rock up any Wednesday throughout the holidays until 29th August, from 10am - 5pm. Find out more.