Gloucestershire May half term guide

Packed with ways to keep the kids busy and plenty of places to explore, SoGlos shares the most exciting things to do in Gloucestershire this May half term, from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June 2024.

Please note, this page will be updated by SoGlos's journalists as new events are announced.

May half term events in Gloucester

Half term family fun at Gloucester Tall Ships Festival

When and where?

Gloucester Tall Ships Festival is sailing into Gloucester Docks from Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May 2024, boasting its biggest ever music line-up, a host of historic ships to hop on board and loads of fun family entertainment taking place across the May bank holiday weekend. 

What's happening?

This year's Gloucester Tall Ships Festival promises its biggest ever music line-up, with TikTok sensation Nathan Evans headlining the main stage alongside a line-up of amazing bands performing everything from shanties and traditional folk songs to party classics; plus, the very best local artists performing on the Crane Stage.

There are two exciting new family entertainment areas, with everything from live theatre and circus performances to interactive art installations. Mini mariners can step inside the mouth of The Whale to hear a story and a song; follow three friends setting off on an ocean adventure in the Wagon of Dreams; get hands on with desert island-themed interactive art installation Friends of Crusó; and ride the traditional funfair at The Hideout.

While at Tell-Tale Island there's dazzling circus and dance performances from Roll Play, the Acro Sailors, Juggling Pirates and Step Hop House; salty storytelling from The Trawlers, AAARGH! Theatre and HMS Punafore; and the Giant Seagulls roaming around looking for ice creams to steal.

Then sailing in from all over the world, there's a host of historic tall ships to hop on board, including boats that have starred in Hollywood blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean, Napoleon and The Heart of The Sea — with thrilling cannon demonstrations to 'ooh' and 'aah' at! 

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Stowaways under six-years-old can enjoy all the fun for FREE with a paying adult — plus there's a 15 per cent family discount for parties of four with at least one child. There are discounts for attending multiple days of the festival, too, with 10 per cent off tickets for two days and 15 per cent off for all three. 

The important bits

Sea Legs tickets, which allow ticketholders on board the ships, cost £19 for adults and £13 for children aged six to 17. 

Land Lubber tickets, which provide access to land-based entertainment only, cost £14 for adults and £8 for children aged six to 17.

Stowaway tickets for children under six are free but must be booked online in advance. 

Tickets must be booked individually for each day of the event.

How to book

Visit gloucestertallships.co.uk.

Half term activities at National Waterways Museum Gloucester

When and where?

The National Waterways Museum Gloucester at Gloucester Docks is at the heart of Gloucester Tall Ships Festival this year. The festival fun runs from Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May 2024.

What's happening?

There is an incredible range of activities at the festival and museum, including boat trips for just £5, traditional crafts from the Boaters’ Craft Group and the International Guild of Knot Tiers and paddling in the Docks on Monday 27 May 2024. 

Boat trips on the historic Dunkirk Little Ship Queen Boadicea II are running from the museum's quayside at 12pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday 25, Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May 2024 of Tall Ships Festival. Tickets are sold on the day on a first come, first served basis.  

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Set sail for a great day out! It's not just the spectacular sights of the tall ships that make this a special day out, it's the buzzy atmosphere as well as the biggest line-up of entertainment that Gloucester City Council has ever put on.

The important bits

The museum is open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 2024 and 10am to 5pm on Monday 27 May 2024 with free entry to Tall Ships Festival ticket holders.

Because the festival site is enclosed there will be no admittance to museum annual pass holders or anyone without a festival ticket. 

The museum is closed to the public on Tuesday 28 May 2024 but it will be open again from Wednesday 29 to Saturday 1 June from 10am to 4pm for visitors to take a last look at the Folk for Folk exhibition before it closes at 4pm on Saturday 1 June 2024. 

Once the Tall Ships Festival is over there will be plenty of Folk for Folk activities as well as boat trips from midday to 1.30pm. 

How to book

See the full line-up for the rest of the Tall Ships Festival site and book tickets at gloucestertallships.co.uk.

May half term events in Stroud

May half term activities at Slimbridge Wetland Centre

When and where?

There's over 100 acres of wetland, accessible family attractions and all-inclusive Bing-themed activities to discover at Slimbridge Wetland Centre this May half term.

What's happening?

CBeebies' very own Bing is coming back to Slimbridge this May half term, making daily meet-and-greet appearances with his buddy Flop. 

As well as grabbing a selfie with the children's TV stars, children can follow Bing's Nature Explorers trail to learn more about Slimbridge's abundant wetland wildlife through fun challenges; join interactive storytelling sessions, with Bing stories being read every day; and see Bing and Flop perform in Slimbridge's cinema, with engaging mini shows throughout each day, too.

Slimbridge's Bing programme ends on Sunday 2 June 2024, the last day of the half-term break, so don't miss your last opportunity to experience these exclusive activities!

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Not only is there plenty of fun for Bing fans, Slimbridge is packed with plenty to see and do. Lookout for spring baby birds, including fluffy ducklings; cool off with a splash around in Welly Boot Land; and explore the wetlands by boat, navigating the one-kilometre canoe safari through Slimbridge's waterways.

The important bits

Slimbridge is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm every day during May half term. Last entry is an hour before closing.

All Bing activities are included in the price of admission — from £17.22 for adults, £11.36 for children aged four to 17 and free for under fours.

Mini shows start at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm daily between Saturday 25 May and Sunday 2 June 2024. These are ticketed, so remember to head to the admissions desk and book in on the day.

Character appearances take place outside the cinema at 10am, 12pm and 2.30pm.

How to book

Book online via wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, or turn up on the day. For more information, see Bing returns to Slimbridge for May half term.

May half term events beyond the border

May half term activities at Eastnor Castle

When and where?

Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, is hosting its annual Eastnor Steam and Vintage extravaganza on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May, as well as letting little visitors blow off some steam at its May half term run-around days from Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 May 2024.

What's happening?

Enjoy two days of nostalgic family fun at Eastnor Steam and Vintage this May half term, with an impressive line-up of vintage vehicles to see in the castle courtyard.

Kids can ride on model steam engines, learn some new moves at old-school 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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To round off the half term holiday, Eastnor Castle is holding a family fun day on Sunday 2 June 2024, where visitors can zoom down a zip wire and challenge each other to garden games. 

The important bits

Tickets for Eastnor Steam and Vintage must be booked online in advance and cost £14 for adults and £8 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 £10 for adults and £6 for children aged three to 15.

How to book

Visit eastnorcastle.com to book tickets online.