Bursting with ways to keep the kids busy and plenty of new places to explore, SoGlos has handpicked some exciting things to do this May half term — spanning Monday 29 May to Sunday 4 June 2023.
May half term events in Cheltenham
Half term activities at The Brewery Quarter
When and where?
The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham is brimming with fun activities this May half term, with everything to keep sporty, foodie and film-loving families entertained all week long.
What's happening?
Little film fans won't want to miss seeing Disney's new live action remake of The Little Mermaid on the big screen, with showings at Cineworld throughout May half term — plus adults pay kids prices with a Cineworld family ticket.
Toddlers will love meeting Bluey at The Play Farm on Tuesday 30 May 2023, where they'll have the chance to have a photo with the popular character, as well as enjoying disco dancing, bubbles and balloons.
While competitive families can putt their way around two 18-hole courses at Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf; hit the lanes at Hollywood Bowl with 25 per cent off when you pre-book and bowl before 11am during half term; or test their wits at Escape Hunt with an escape room experience, or tear around town on its Alice in Wonderland-themed City Hunt game, with a trail of clues to follow around Cheltenham town centre and a picnic basket filled with everything they need to crack the case.
SoGlos loves
For foodie families, there are plenty of opportunities for alfresco dining at The Brewery Quarter, too, with everything from tasty burgers to fragrant pho on the menu.
The important bits
While walks-ins can often be accommodated, its advised to book activities and restaurant tables in advance to guarantee availability.
How to book
Visit thebreweryquarter.com.
May half term events in the Forest of Dean
Dean Heritage Centre half term challenge
When and where?
Dean Heritage Centre in Soudley is inviting families to take part in a whole host of activities this half term, from Saturday 27 May until Sunday 4 June 2023.
What’s happening?
With beautiful bluebells in bloom, accompanied by fresh green beech leaves, May half term is the perfect time to visit the Dean Heritage Centre.
Families can immerse themselves in all the Forest of Dean has to offer, taking part in a series of activities including the 'Dean Heritage Centre Half Term Challenge', which includes an exciting scavenger hunt and photo challenge.
Visitors who post their photo challenge on social media and tag Dean Heritage Centre will be entered into an exclusive draw for a £20 voucher to use in the on-site gift shop.
On Tuesday 30 May 2023, visitors can get creative at the Craft Hut, using a traditional Singer sewing machine to make creations with wool and felt; on Wednesday 31, there will be guided walks to explore the forest and see the stunning bluebells; and on Thursday 1 June 2023, the Craft Hut will be offering forest-inspired crafts with wood.
SoGlos loves
Adding to the fun, Dean Heritage Centre will also offer a range of traditional lawn games in the paddock every day this May half term!
The important bits
With Gift Aid, admission to Dean Heritage Centre costs £8 per adult, £6 for children aged three to 16-years-old and is free for children under three.
There is no extra charge for facilitated activities.
How to book
For more information, visit deanheritagecentre.com.
Half term adventures at Go Ape
When and where?
Go Ape has two awesome sites just 10 minutes apart in the Forest of Dean: a challenging high-ropes course for over 10s at Mallards Pike; and an entry-level treetop adventure for younger ones at Beechenhurst. Both sites are open throughout May half term.
What’s happening?
Younger explorers will love the Treetop Adventure course at Beechenhurst, with fun tree-to-tree crossings, wobbly bridges and mini zip wires — all at a safe distance from the ground.
And for little monkeys aged six and above, the Treetop Adventure Plus goes higher into the trees, with more challenging crossings and an epic zip wire finale back down to ground level.
Meanwhile, over at Mallards Pike, adventurous older kids and adrenaline-loving grown-ups can get stuck into the 15-metre high Treetop Challenge. Spend a couple of hours safely hanging from ladders, crossings, bridges and, of course, the popular high-speed zip wires.
SoGlos loves
And If heights aren’t for you, Go Ape's exhilarating Forest Segway experience, also in Mallards Pike, offers a one-hour all-terrain cruise through the woods where families can explore the Forest of Dean’s bumpy trails and spot spot anything from wild boar to deer on a zoom through the woodland.
The important bits
The Treetop Challenge at Mallards Pike is suitable for anyone over 10 years old and 1.4 metres tall, costing £35 per person. One adult can supervise up to two children aged 10 to 15 years old.
The Forest Segway experience is suitable for all ages, with a minimum weight of 45 kilograms, and costs £38. One adult can supervise up to three children. Sixteen and 17 year olds don't need supervision on either of these activities.
At Beechenhurst, the Treetop Adventure is suitable for all ages over one metre tall and costs £20; while the extended Treetop Adventure Plus course is designed for adventurers aged six and above, who are taller than 1.2 metres, and costs £23.
How to book
For more information, visit goape.co.uk/forest-of-dean.
May half term events in Gloucester
Borrow a Backpack at National Waterways Museum Gloucester
When and where?
Calling all little wildlife explorers, the National Waterways Museum Gloucester is offering plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and discover the wonders of Gloucestershire's canals and the aquatic animals that call them home, with its brand-new Borrow a Backpack scheme launching just in time for half term.
What's happening?
Special backpacks brimming with everything you need for an expedition through the museum and along its unique wildlife trails are ready and waiting to be picked up by intrepid explorers, thanks to the National Waterways Museum's new Borrow a Backpack scheme.
Its popular Explorer Saturdays take place on the first Saturday of each month and feature sessions with the Canal & River Trust Explorers to learn all about the wildlife and delicate eco systems that thrive within the waterways. On Saturday 3 June 2023, the day follows the theme of outdoor games, so families can get active in the fresh air and have some fun.
Plus, there's a chance to get hands on with animals as Jonathan's Jungle Roadshow pays a visit to the museum once again on Wednesday 31 May 2023, complete with its crew of reptile and amphibian friends.
SoGlos loves
Ideal for families entertaining the kids on a budget, buying a full-price ticket to the National Waterways Museum grants the ticketholder free re-entry for 12 months, so you can come back as many times as you like throughout the year.
The important bits
Tickets to the National Waterways Museum Gloucester cost £8.50 for over 16's; £5 for children aged six to 15; and free for children under five.
Backpacks are available to borrow from the museum's Welcome Desk but availability is limited.
Explorer Saturdays activity drop-in sessions are free with an annual ticket to the National Waterways Museum Gloucester — and visitors can purchase a ticket on the day. The drop-in session on Saturday 3 June 2023 takes place from 10am until 2pm.
For details on Jonathan's Jungle Roadshow, see the museum's Facebook page at facebook.com/NationalWaterwaysMuseumGloucester.
How to book
For more information, visit canalrivertrust.org.uk.
May half term fun at Ninja Warrior UK Gloucester
When and where?
Gain some nifty ninja skills this half term at Ninja Warrior UK Gloucester, with a variety of exciting challenges suitable for the whole family.
What’s happening?
Inspired by the hit television show Ninja Warrior UK, children of all ages from across the county can race against their friends and family and see if they can be crowned champion, whilst developing some impressive ninja skills along the way.
This half term, come rain or shine, thrill seekers can take on obstacles including climbing, balancing, swinging, jumping and even a wickedly warped wall at Ninja Warrior UK Gloucester — and with plenty of activities with varying degrees of difficulty, the whole family can get involved.
SoGlos loves
After a wild session of adrenaline pumping fun, families can refuel at the venue's on-site cafe, choosing from a selection of hot and cold food and drinks.
The important bits
Tickets must be booked online in advance via ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/gloucester.
Half term events at Gloucester Quays
When and where?
Bookending the May half term with two exciting weekend events, Gloucester Quays hosts Britain’s Strongest Master and the Official England’s Strongest Man Qualifier on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May 2023, then the eclectic Orchard Street Market on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June 2023.
What's happening?
The strongest men from all over the country descend on Gloucester Quays to take on epic challenges like the Atlas Stones, Viking Walk and deadlifts in front of a live audience, promising a weekend of thrilling family entertainment to get half term started in style.
Then the following weekend, Orchard Street Market sees some of the finest artisans in the south west come to the Quays, selling everything from local cheeses and home-baked cakes to quirky homewares and vintage clothing. With tasty street food to tuck into and a buzzing atmosphere, it's a great family day out down at the docks.
SoGlos loves
As well as the exciting events taking place at the weekend, Gloucester Quays is also home to Cineworld where families can catch screenings of Disney's The Little Mermaid during half term, plus a plethora of family-friendly restaurants from brunch hotspots like Bill's, Coal Kitchen and Portivo Lounge to crowd-pleasers like Five Guys, Nando's, Pizza Express and Wagamama.
The important bits
Tickets to Britain's Strongest Master cost £5, while tickets to the Official England's Strongest Man Qualifier cost £7 and can be booked online in advance via Eventbrite.
Orchard Street Market is free to attend.
How to book
Visit gloucesterquays.co.uk.
May half term events in Stroud
Half term activities at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
When and where?
Spring to life at Slimbridge Wetland Centre with daily activities and events to experience this May half term.
What’s happening?
With plenty for nature lovers of all ages, families can make the most of the warmer weather and spot wildlife from the water on Slimbridge's canoe safari; discover underwater habitats during the guided pond dipping sessions; and take a look behind the scenes of the duckery, where little ducklings are being raised and eggs are waiting to hatch.
Explore the Hawaiian landscape at Mission Possible, home to the world’s rarest goose which was saved from extinction by WWT founder, Sir Peter Scott, and catch the daily Spring Time Science Show at the Living Wetland Theatre to learn all about spring life and even create your own butterfly feeder to take home.
Elsewhere, there's the chance to make wetland-inspired arts and crafts, step into the shoes of an Arctic researcher and hear expert talks about amphibians, harvest mice and more. Plus, kids will love cooling off with a splash about in Welly Boot Land!
SoGlos loves
Visitors can experience Slimbridge Wetland Centre in a whole new way by taking the brand-new Quentin Blake trail, which reimagines the wetland landscape through the eyes of the famous Roald Dahl illustrator
The important bits
Tickets to Slimbridge Wetland Centre cost from £15.90 for adults, £10.45 for children aged four to 17, and are free for children under four.
Slimbridge is open every day of the school holidays from 9.30am to 5.30pm. Half term activities take place at various times each day, with the full details available via wwt.org.uk/slimbridge/may-half-term.
How to book
Visit wwt.org.uk/slimbridge.
May half term events beyond the border
Half term activities at Eastnor Castle
When and where?
Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, is hosting its annual Eastnor Steam and Vintage extravaganza on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May – as well as letting little
visitors blow off some steam at its May half term run-around days from Tuesday 30 May to Thursday 1 June 2023.
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.
SoGlos loves
To round off the half term holiday, Eastnor Castle is holding a family fun day on Sunday 4 June 2023, 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.
