Looking for inspiration on where to get together with your family and friends this summer? There are so many gorgeous Gloucestershire eateries and attractions to choose from.
From alfresco family meals to drinks with friends in some of the county’s best beer gardens; to unmissable shopping spots and outdoor attractions, discover SoGlos’s pick of 18 perfect places to meet up with your loved ones this summer 2023.
Meet friends and family at The Dial House
Choose from Maxi's gorgeous tipi, serving up street food style dishes and creative cocktails to savour in the glorious gardens. Or opt for a classic Cotswolds vibe in The Dial House's rustic-meets-refined restaurant with delicious dishes served from the bustling kitchen.
Meet friends and family at Cowley Manor
Thanks to its extensive outdoor offering, Cowley Manor is the perfect place to soak up the summer sunshine. Catch up over lunch on the terrace — a south-facing sun trap on warm days — and covered so it can be enjoyed just as much on chillier ones. It's just reopened after a six-month makeover, so is definitely worth a look.
Meet friends and family at East Glos Club
Challenge friends and family to a game on the south west’s first padel courts, giving the trendy racket sport at go at East Glos Club in Cheltenham. Sociable and family-friendly, there’s also a club cafe offering takeaway refreshments to enjoy as you catch up after a bit of healthy competition.
Meet friends and family at Cotswold Farm Park
From meeting all creatures great and small to practicing amateur acrobatics on the bouncy pillows, friends with young families will have hours of fun meeting up at Cotswold Farm Park with plenty of engaging wildlife experiences and opportunities for outdoor play.
Meet friends and family at Westonbirt Arboretum
With magical woodlands to explore, Gruffalo sculptures to spot and play areas to keep the little ones occupied, Westonbirt Arboretum offers a relaxing place to catch up with friends and family. After wandering through the canopies, tuck into a pizza from the smokehouse, which is fired by wood from the forest!
Meet friends and family at Brickhampton Court Golf Complex
Try out the new TrackMan facilities, which are family-friendly with virtual games for youngsters to try on the driving range. The top-of-the-range technology is designed to boost your skills while having plenty of fun too. If you visit in July or August 2023, you can enjoy a free SoGlos burger with a basket of 100 balls!
Meet friends and family at the Bathurst Arms in North Cerney
Gather friends and family together for alfresco drinks and dining at the Bathurst Arms in North Cerney — with a spacious beer garden, perfect for a riverside pint, and a circus-themed tipi which can seat up to 40 people for lunch, dinner and drinks. Roll up!
Meet friends and family at Painswick Rococo Garden
Tucked away in a Cotswold valley, Painswick Rococo Garden is a delight to discover, with whimsical buildings and follies, beautiful grounds and nature trails through the surrounding woodland. Welcoming visitors of all ages and even well-behaved dogs, it’s the perfect place to while away a delightful afternoon with friends and family.
Meet friends and family at Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean
With no shortage of things to do, Beechenhurst is home to the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, a family-friendly Go Ape course and plenty of picnic spots. Young families will love exploring the Gruffalo Spotters trail together, while nature-loving friends can wander through the ancient forest to enjoy some wildlife spotting.
Meet friends and family at Tewkesbury Park
Relax on Tewkesbury Park’s sun-soaked terrace with a drink in hand and share a stone-baked pizza with friends and family. There's also a range of sumptuous spa treatments to indulge in and, of course, why not challenge each other to a round of golf?
Meet friends and family at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
With acres of open space to explore, Slimbridge Wetland Centre is a great place to reconnect with friends, family and nature — from visiting the resident flamingos and otters together to enjoying a catch up while the kids let loose on the play areas.
Meet friends and family at Gloucester Quays
From strolling along the historic docks to catching up over a meal, friends will have the dreamiest day out at Gloucester Quays — with many on-site restaurants offering alfresco dining in Pillar and Lucy Square. Not to mention, it’s the county’s hottest spot for outlet shopping.
Meet friends and family at The Coconut Tree in Cheltenham
Channel holiday vibes at much-loved Cheltenham restaurant, The Coconut Tree. Offering plenty of fun and good-time vibes, this is a relaxed dining space to catch up with friends and family over some seriously tasty Sri Lankan food.
Meet friends and family at Over Farm near Gloucester
Get together with friends and family to explore everything Over Farm has to offer. From visiting the friendly farm animals to shopping for artisan and locally-grown produce at its o-nsite shop. There's so much for visitors of all sizes to enjoy. Pick your own bucket of summer strawberries for a tenner.
Meet friends and family at The Stump near Cirencester
Offering wood-fired pizzas and craft beer in a rustic Cotswold setting, The Stump near Cirencester has a fantastic pub garden for friends and family to get together over perfectly poured pints and seriously delicious Italian-inspired dishes.
Meet friends and family at The Cotswold Food Store and Cafe
The Cotswold Food Store and Cafe is a gorgeous destination shop near Moreton-in-Marsh, packed to the brim with locally-sourced artisan produce. Friends can enjoy a long overdue catch up while sipping coffee or tucking into lunch on the scenic outdoor patio.
Meet friends and family at Dunkertons Cider
At Dunkertons’ marquee bar, it’s never too early to enjoy a refreshing pint of cider with friends and family — with street food specials throughout the day, including a new pop-up Aperol spritz and Prosecco bar, and regular quiz and movie night, too.
Meet friends and family at Taurus Crafts in Lydney
A great spot for lunch dates with friends and family, Taurus Crafts in Lydney has a cute cafe with some seriously tasty vegan options. As a hub of local creativity, it’s also a fantastic place to shop and support independent craft and artisan businesses.
