Full of things to keep the kids busy while school's out for May half term, SoGlos shares the best things to do at Gloucestershire's family attractions, from activity trails to unmissable events.
When is May half term in 2026?
Gloucestershire state schools break up for May half term on Friday 22 May and reopen on Monday 1 June 2026.
May half term events in Cheltenham
May half term food and fun at The Brewery Quarter
What's on?
The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham has food, fun and family activities galore in store this May half term 2026.
Why go?
Keeping the kids entertained is easily done at The Brewery Quarter, with plenty of activities for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens.
Early birds can get 50 per cent off standard games at Hollywood Bowl when hitting the lanes before 11am this half term; 40 per cent off activities including adventure golf, electro-darts and electro-shuffle between 9am and 11am at Mulligans; and 10 per cent off mind-bending puzzles at Escape Hunt on weekday bookings before 12pm.
It's always free for adults at Little Centurions, with the Roman-themed indoor soft play centre offering a multi-tiered play frame for kids up to eight-years-old to explore, while their grown-ups kick back in the cafe with free Wi-Fi and a lovely selection of barista coffee, toasties, paninis and cakes.
While movie fans won't want to miss the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu hitting the big screen on Friday 22 May 2026, plus a screening of family classic E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Monday 25 May 2026 as part of Spielberg Season at Cineworld.
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Frugal families can feed the kids for less, with many of The Brewery Quarter's restaurants like Pizza Express, Hub Box, Prezzo and Pho, often offering free kids' meals with a paying adult during half term.
Five Guys has just launched a new kids meal, too, with a little hamburger, hot dog or grilled cheese, plus mini fries and mini soda for 拢7.50.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary per activity.
Hollywood Bowl's 50 per cent off discount is valid for sessions beginning before 11am during half term using code MAYFUN50.
Escape Hunt offers 10 per cent off bookings before 12pm Monday to Thursday using code EHEARLYBIRD.
Kids eat free offers apply with an adult meal purchased, but restaurants may have their own individual terms and conditions.
How do I book?
To book activities and restaurant tables, visit .
May half term events in the Cotswolds
May half term: Nature Week at Sudeley Castle and Gardens
What's on?
Sudeley Castle and Gardens invites families to get to know its impressive tree collection this May half term, hosting Nature Week from 海角社区 23 until Sunday 31 May 2026.
Why go?
Nature-loving little ones can learn all about Sudeley Castle's inspiring collection of trees, which includes familiar English oaks, ancient fossil trees and a 200-year-old cedar of Lebanon, as they follow its new tree trail this May half term 鈥� with a gift at the end for collecting all the stamps.
They can also see how many of the castle's enchanting animal sculptures they can spot along the way, including stags, hedgehogs and more, all made from natural materials.
Then popular forest school, Dig & Delve, is hosting nature-inspired crafts in the great outdoors on Monday 25, Wednesday 27 and Friday 29 May, so children can get hands-on and create art inspired by the natural world around them.
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As well as its glorious gardens and popular adventure play area complete with 10-piece obstacle course, Sudeley Castle's storied buildings are well worth exploring, too.
The castle itself is packed with exhibits documenting its Tudor history and links to King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, while St Mary's Church is home to the final resting place of Queen Katherine Parr 鈥� the last of Henry VIII's wives and the only one to outlive him. Sudeley Castle is the only private castle in England to have a queen buried in its grounds.
How much does it cost?
Dig & Delve forest school is included within the price of admission, which costs 拢10.50 per child aged three to 15 and 拢24 per adult. Family tickets for two adults and three children are also available for 拢59.50.
The tree trail costs an additional 拢1 per child, with trail maps available from the Visitor Centre on arrival.
How do I book?
To book tickets, visit .
May half term events in Stroud
Gozzle trail at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
What's on?
Follow in the footsteps of Julia Donaldson and Sarah Ogilvie's newest character, Gozzle, on Slimbridge Wetland Centre's interactive trail this May half term.
Why go?
Inspired by the picture book Gozzle from Macmillan Children's Books, Slimbridge's interactive trail takes families on a wild wetland adventure, following Gozzle's journey from fuzzy fledgling to grown-up goose.
Challenging little ones to strike a pose as their favourite animal, sniff out wild food in the reeds, test their balance on the stepping stones and find all 15 miniature Gozzles hidden along the route, there's plenty to keep kids and grown-ups entertained.
Make sure to snap a photo at the giant goose wings before waving Gozzle off on her first migration 鈥� and stop by the guided Vet Check station, open daily during half term, to learn how to handle, weigh, measure and X-ray a toy goose, just like a real Slimbridge vet!
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As well as the Gozzle trail, also relaunching this May 2026 is Slimbridge's new and improved Flamingo Lagoon, providing an enhanced habitat for its resident flamingo species.
The new Flamingo Lagoon provides the ideal opportunity for families to observe these colourful and enchanting birds up close.
How much does it cost?
The Gozzle trail is included within the price of admission to Slimbridge, which costs from 拢17.91 for adults, from 拢11.84 for juniors aged three to 17 and from 拢16.02 for young adults aged 18 to 24 鈥� with the lowest prices available when booking online before midnight the day before your visit.
Children under three can visit Slimbridge for free.
Gozzle activity packs filled with games, puzzles and stickers are also available for an additional 拢4 each.
How do I book?
To book tickets, visit .
May half term events beyond the border
May half term activities at Eastnor Castle
What's on?
Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, is hosting its much-loved annual Eastnor Steam and Vintage extravaganza on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 May 2026.
Why go?
Step into a world of steam, nostalgia and classic family fun this May half term, as Eastnor Castle bursts into life with one of its most popular events of the year. The castle courtyard becomes a lively hub of heritage entertainment, packed with vintage vehicles, impressive steam engines and timeless attractions that captivate all ages.
Children can climb aboard ride-on model steam engines, whirl around on traditional fairground rides including a carousel and chair swings, enjoy pony rides and get stuck into interactive dance workshops. With plenty happening throughout the day, it鈥檚 an energetic, feel-good atmosphere that makes it easy to stay for hours.
Better still, the event is just the beginning 鈥� with the full Eastnor Castle experience included in your visit.
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This is more than just a day at an event 鈥� it鈥檚 a chance to explore one of Herefordshire鈥檚 most beautiful estates in full. Tickets include access to Eastnor鈥檚 stunning castle and sprawling grounds, from scenic lakeside views to peaceful woodland walks and perfectly kept gardens.
Families can turn it into a full adventure, with rope swings, an adventure playground, junior obstacle course and the ever-popular Knight鈥檚 Maze all waiting to be discovered. It鈥檚 the kind of place where children can really roam and parents can properly switch off.
How much does it cost?
Tickets for Eastnor Steam and Vintage must be booked online in advance and cost 拢15.50 for adults and 拢9.50 for children aged three to 15. Children aged two and under go free and don鈥檛 require a ticket.
The same fees apply for general admission tickets to the castle and grounds.
How do I book?
Visit to book tickets online and for more information see Eastnor Steam and Vintage 2026.
