Looking for inspiration on where to get together with your family and friends? 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.
Meet friends and family at The Dial House
With a beautiful garden, The Dial House is the perfect place for a sunny catch up with friends and family. It's also got a variety of menus with so much choice that everyone's sure to find a favourite. On chillier days, the snug, bar and restaurant are ideal spots to enjoy some delicious dishes or simply savour a coffee catch up.
Meet friends and family at Cowley Manor
Thanks to its extensive outdoor offering, Cowley Manor is the perfect place to soak up the 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. The hotel has a fantastic spa for a more indulgent catch up, if you're looking for a treat, it's 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 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 at weekends, 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 snazzy 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. The Sunday lunch always proves incredibly popular too, so it's well worth booking in advance for a family gathering.
Meet friends and family at Spago in Gloucester
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
Meet friends and family at Cotswolds Designer Outlet
Explore the county's newest shopping destination, near Tewkesbury, with a host of cafes, restaurants and big-name brands to browse. Cotswolds Designer Outlet is dog-friendly and there's a children's play area for little ones to enjoy some fun too.
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. There are new glamping huts to extend your visit overnight, too!
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 one of the county’s hottest spots 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 on-site shop. There's so much for visitors of all sizes to enjoy. Pick your own produce and dogs are welcome to join the fun too!
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 Daylesford Organic
Daylesford Organic is a gorgeous destination farm shop near Stow-on-the-Wold, packed to the brim with top-end artisan produce. Friends can enjoy a long overdue catch up while sipping coffee or tucking into lunch in the stylish restaurant or courtyard. There's an elegant garden centre and luxurious spa to savour while you're there.
Meet friends and family at Dunkertons Park
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 and night, including a gelato bar and regular quiz and music nights, too.
