Full of things to keep the kids busy while school's out for May half term, SoGlos shares the best things to do at Gloucestershire's family attractions, from activity trails to unmissable events.
When is May half term in 2025?
Gloucestershire state schools break up for May half term on Friday 23 May and re-open on Monday 2 June 2025.
May half term events in Cheltenham
May half term food and fun at The Brewery Quarter
What is it?
From free food to fun family activities, The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham is your go-to destination this May half term 2025.
Why go?
Keep the whole family busy with loads of fun activities from tenpin bowling or adventure golf to escape rooms and great offers to take advantage of during half term, including family tickets for just £25 at Mr Mulligans and 10 per cent off morning sessions at Escape Hunt.
Little ones will love exploring Cheltenham's biggest soft play centre, The Play Farm, with Disco Tots on Friday to test out their best dance moves.
While at Cineworld, Disney's new live action Lilo & Stitch movie comes out on Friday 23 and Karate Kid: Legends comes out on Friday 30 May 2025, so it's a great time for a family movie night. Pass the popcorn!
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Feed the kids for free during half term with many of The Brewery Quarter's restaurants offering free kids' meals with a paying adult.
Treat them to pizza or pasta at Prezzo and Pizza Express, tuck into burgers and wings at BrewDog and Hub Box, slurp up some tasty noodles at Pho or enjoy pub classics at Brewhouse & Kitchen and The Botanist.
When is it on?
May half term is from Monday 26 until Friday 30 May 2025.
£25 family tickets at Mr Mulligans are available Sunday to Friday and 10 per cent off at Escape Hunt applies to online bookings from Monday to Thursday before 12pm with code EHEARLYBIRD.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary per activity.
Kids eat free with an adult ordering a main meal during half term but individual restaurants may have their own terms and conditions.
How do I book?
For more information, or to book activities and restaurant tables, visit thebreweryquarter.com.
May half term events in the Cotswolds
May half term activities at Sudeley Castle and Gardens
What is it?
Sudeley Castle and Gardens is hosting family fun in the great outdoors this May half term, with free face painting and all-natural adventure activities taking place in the gardens and grounds from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 May 2025.
Why go?
Imaginative little ones can play pretend with free face painting at, letting them embody their favourite fantasy characters, from fluttering fairies to fearsome knights, as they spend a day exploring the historic castle.
There's also nature-inspired crafts to try with Dig & Delve, including making squirrels, spiders, swifts and sheep from foraged natural materials; and its popular Twig & Tale adventure sessions, where children can try their hand at crafting with simple hand tools, toast marshmallows, sing songs and hear stories, all inspired by the beauty of the natural world.
Activities are all set within Sudeley Castle's spectacular grounds, which also feature manicured gardens, dramatic ruins, Sudeley's life-sized Animal Trail, the epic adventure play fort and s 10-piece assault course, so there's loads to see and do on your day out.
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Sudeley Castle's captivating new outdoor exhibition, Ruins to Revival, takes visitors on a journey through the castle's storied history, from the Tudor era to the Victorian revival, featuring large-scale watercolours from the 1800s and an original alabaster block from Queen Katherine Parr's burial.
Ideal for history lovers big and small, the exhibition is set within the castle's gardens, so sunny spring days are a great time to explore.
When is it on?
Face painting is available from 11am until 3.30pm on Tuesday 27 and Friday 30 May 2025; while Dig & Delve activities take place on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May 2025 between 10.15am and 3.15pm, with Twig & Tale adventure sessions at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm.
How much does it cost?
Face painting and Dig & Delve activities are both included in the price of admission, which costs £10 per child, £23 per adult, or £58 for a family of two adults and three children.
How do I book?
For more informatiom, see Sudeley Castle invites families for 'wild and wonderful' adventures this May half term, or to book, visit sudeleycastle.co.uk.
While May half term activities don't require pre-booking, Twig & Tale sessions are strictly limited to 15 children per session and require parental supervision, so it's advisable to arrive early to guarantee a space.
May half term events in Stroud
Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
What is it?
May half term is the last chance to explore the Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, an interactive family trail in partnership with Aardman and the Royal Entomological Society.
Why go?
Join children's comedy character, Lloyd and his dragonfly friend Dart — who has been created exclusively by Aardman for WWT visitors — on an epic wetlands adventure.
Help Lloyd track down his family and friends, learning all about amazing wetland insects and the important roles they play in nature, while completing activity challenges along the way. Can you strike a yoga pose like Cornea the butterfly or weave a web like Julie the spider?
Don't forget to download Aardman's augmented reality app, Lloyd of the Flies AR Bug Hunt, to become as small as a fly and see the world through insects’ eyes, for an even more interactive experience.
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There's even more insect-themed fun to be had at Slimbridge during May half term, from pond dipping to colouring and special screenings of Lloyd of the Flies episodes.
Take some time to explore the brand-new Estuary Shoreline landscape, too, with giant lily pad stepping stones and a tributary where children can play, plus a shoreline beach for relaxing on a sunny day.
When is it on?
Slimbridge Wetland Centre is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm every day during May half term. The Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt is available until Sunday 1 June 2025.
How much does it cost?
The Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt trail and May half term activites are included in the cost of admission which, when booked online in advance, costs £18.80 for adults and £12.40 for juniors aged three to 17 (including Gift Aid). Children under three go free.
You can also pick up an exclusive WWT Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Activity Pack from the visitor centre, to take your hunt to the next level, for £4.
How do I book?
Visit wwt.org.uk/slimbridge to book tickets.
For more information about the event, see Last chance for bug-tastic half term fun at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
May half term events beyond the border
Eastnor Steam and Vintage at Eastnor Castle
What is it?
Two days of nostalgic family fun at Eastnor Castle near Ledbury, with an impressive lineup of vintage vehicles and old school entertainment to mark the spring bank holiday weekend.
Why go?
Petrolheads will be in their element with examples of old-fashioned steam engines and classic cars to check out in the castle courtyard for Eastnor's annual Steam and Vintage event.
Meanwhile kids can ride on model steam engines, learn some new moves at retro dance workshops and hop on vintage fairground rides, all within the rolling grounds of Eastnor Castle — where there's rope swings swaying from trees, an adventure playground, junior obstacle course and a challenging Knight’s Maze to discover, too.
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While Steam and Vintage is an unmissable highlight, Eastnor Castle is rounding off the half term holiday with a family fun day on Sunday 1 June, where visitors can zoom down a zip wire and challenge each other to garden games on the Valley Lawn.
When is it on?
Eastnor Steam and Vintage takes place on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 May 2025.
The castle is also open for three 'runaround days' from Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 May 2025, for kids to blow off some steam during the school holidays.
How much does it cost?
Tickets for Eastnor Steam and Vintage must be booked online in advance and cost £15.50 for adults and £9.50 for children aged three to 15. Children aged two and under go free and don’t require a ticket.
The same fees apply for general admission tickets to the castle and grounds; while grounds-only tickets cost £11.50 for adults and £7.50 for children aged three to 15.
How do I book?
Visit eastnorcastle.com to book tickets online.
For more information about the event, see Eastnor Steam and Vintage is back for 2025.
