The summer holidays are here! And whether you’ve got little ones to entertain or just want to try something different this month, SoGlos has something to keep every member of the family happy with our August 2025 roundup of the best things to do in Gloucestershire.
From reaching the top of the UK's biggest outdoor climbing wall, to snapping selfies in the Cotswolds' prettiest sunflower field, it’s time to get your August calendars packed full of inspirational outings.
Stroll through the sunflower field at Cotswold Farm Park
Brighten up your day with a visit to Cotswold Farm Park's Flower Fields, with thousands of dazzling yellow sunflowers and wildflowers set to bloom in August 2025.
As well as selfie stations promising gram-worthy photo opportunities, visitors can enjoy street food and entertainment at the new 'Sunflower Sessions', an idyllic date with a romantic picnic and even relaxing yoga amongst the flowers, along with a whole crop of activities at the Farm Park itself.
Get your groove on at Gloucester Goes Retro
Gloucester's turning into a time machine for the day when Gloucester Goes Retro returns on Saturday 23 August 2025, showcasing vintage memorabilia and classic cars from as far back as the early 1900s, through to the 2000s.
Bringing the seaside to the city this year – with roaming performers dressed as giant seagulls, sand sculptures and even pedaloes – there’s different eras to explore on each of the Gate Streets, with an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of times gone by. You can even have a go at swing dancing!
Make the most of free things to do in the summer holidays
School’s out until September — and SoGlos has families covered with our whopping round-up of 50 free things to do in the summer holidays in Gloucestershire.
Jam-packed with inspirational ideas for keeping the kids busy on a budget, discover everything from alfresco entertainment to fruit picking, as well as the popular local attractions that you can visit for free.
For even more ideas for what to do, check out SoGlos's definitive guide to the summer holidays in Gloucestershire.
Go to a music festival in Gloucestershire
Anyone who loves live music is spoilt for choice this month, with festivals taking place all around the county. First up, there's App-Fest near Tewkesbury with performances from Ash, Ella Henderson and Embrace between Thursday 31 and Sunday 1 August.
Followed by Lakefest, bringing Echo and the Bunnymen, Faithless and Busted to the grounds of Eastnor Castle on Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August; and the Big Feastival, with a stellar line-up of big-name musicians, top chefs and family entertainers at Alex James’s farm near Kingham from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 August 2025.
Enjoy open-air performances at Cheltenham's amphitheatre
Tuckwell Amphitheatre is hosting a week of stage performances, films and family shows when Cheltenham’s annual Open-Air Theatre Festival returns from Tuesday 12 to Sunday 24 August 2025.
Highlights include family 'rock n' roll' musical The Big Bad Wolf; a stage adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility for your Regency romance fix; and alfresco screenings of Notting Hill and The Greatest Showman.
Grab the popcorn for outdoor cinema in Gloucestershire
From starlit cinema nights to screenings at some of the county’s most striking attractions, there are plenty of chances for film fans to catch an open-air movie in Gloucestershire this August 2025.
Sing along with The Greatest Showman and Mamma Mia! ExtrABBAganza, or enjoy classics like The Lion King and Pretty Woman amongst the trees at Westonbirt Arboretum from Friday 15 to Sunday 17; defy gravity with Wicked at Cowley Manor on Thursday 21; or search for pirate treasure with The Goonies at Roots + Seeds in Cirencester Park on Friday 15 August 2025.
And don't miss Cheltenham Lido's Outdoor Cinema Weekend, with Finding Nemo on Saturday 30 and Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy on Sunday 31 August 2025.
Get your nostalgia fix at Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza
'One of the UK’s leading' heritage vehicle festivals, Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza is bringing thousands of old-timey attractions to South Cerney Airfield near Cirencester as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Taking place from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 August 2025, there'll be vintage motors, live music, retro fashion shows, free dance lessons and interactive vintage entertainment along with a popular animal and countryside arena — with vintage fairground attractions, miniature steam locomotive rides and a whole lot more for younger visitors, too.
Hit new heights with 270 Climbing Park's new climbing walls
One for adventure seekers, 270 Climbing Park in Bentham is opening two new climbing walls in August 2025, including one outdoors that stands at a mega 18-metres – the tallest in the UK!
The new outdoor wall offers 'a unique experience for both elite and aspiring climbers', while its new indoor wall has 'world-class' bouldering opportunities, an eight-metre overhang and routes extending up to 25 metres, too.
Enjoy world-class equestrian action and family fun at Hartpury Horse Trials
The NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials at Hartpury University and College is not only a standout fixture in the global eventing calendar – it's also a great summer outing for families, with loads of exciting activities for children to enjoy.
Alongside the British Eventing Championships from Tuesday 5 to Sunday 10 August 2025, there's also inflatables, face painting, hobby horse racing, dog agility and more to be found in the event's Family Fun Zone, as well as great food and drink, hospitality packages and a retail area to browse, too.
Discover dragonfly-themed events and activities at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Dive into the magical world of dragonflies at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, with a packed programme of brand new nature experiences – including a 'dragonfly safari' in a canoe or 4x4 – in the centre's first ever Dragonfly Festival.
Featuring up-close nature encounters, creative workshops and hands-on activities from pond dipping to interactive outdoor games, visitors can also enjoy special headline events every weekend in August – like 'Dragonfly Discovery' on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August 2025, where aspiring scientists can peer through the microscope at dragonfly nymphs and create their own dragonfly habitats.
