Soak up the fresh air and enjoy some quality time with your friends and family, with SoGlos handpicking 13 outdoor activity ideas in Gloucestershire.
Spanning heart-pumping sporting activities and adventures for all ages, to more laid-back and leisurely pursuits, there are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, have fun and try a new hobby.
Explore woodlands in Gloucestershire
Get out in the fresh air with a woodland walk, soaking up the sights and sounds of the seasons whilst blowing off the cobwebs with your loved ones in tow.
Gloucestershire is brimming with woodlands to explore, with nature, trails and activities for all ages amongst the internationally significant tree collection at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum; wild nature spots and family-friendly trails and attractions in the Forest of Dean; moss-covered trees, rocks and walkways in one of Gloucestershire's famous film and TV locations at Puzzlewood; and plenty more.
Take to the trees in Gloucestershire
Go on a high-ropes outdoor adventure in the ancient woodland, with a visit to Go Ape’s sites in the Forest of Dean. Go Ape Mallards Pike includes zip wires, swings, rope ladders and obstacles galore with its Treetop Challenge suitable for ages 10 and upwards.
While younger children can still get involved in the outdoor action at Go Ape Beechenhurst, which welcomes mini adventurers over a metre-tall, who can go canopy exploring, trail blazing and zip wiring on its Treetop Adventure course – with the Treetop Adventure Plus providing more of a challenge for brave kids over six.
Pick up a racket in Gloucestershire
East Glos Club on Cheltenham’s Old Bath Road has 28 outdoor tennis courts for generations to practice their serves, volleys and smashes – including 17 all-weather courts that are open throughout the seasons.
Now offering eight sports including padel and pickleball, racket players of all abilities are welcome at the club, with fantastic coaching programmes open to all ages, too.
Meet the animals in Gloucestershire
Animal-loving families can meet feathered, fluffy and even scaly varieties at one of the Gloucestershire’s popular attractions – with everything from farm parks to wildlife centres offering outdoor activities.
A few options include Cotswold Farm Park, with its resident rare breed farm animals; Slimbridge Wetland Centre, where you can see flamingos, kingfishers and ducklings; and Crocodiles of the World just over the Oxfordshire border, where visitors can get close to alligators and crocs.
Delve into history at Gloucestershire's castles
Offering the chance for adults to soak up history and for kids to explore, walk in the steps of royalty by spending a day out at one of Gloucestershire’s magnificent castles.
Discover the final resting place of Queen Katherine Parr at Sudeley Castle, where youngsters can blow off steam on an assault course and adventure playground; or take a stroll through the tranquil gardens at Berkeley Castle, while kids can hunt for mythical creatures on its dragon trail.
Discover gorgeous gardens in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is full of stunning gardens that are bursting with life throughout the seasons – perfect for leisurely strolls and stopping to smell the flowers.
The 18th century Painswick Rococo Garden is full of bright colours and quirky follies, with a woodland play area and children’s trails, while the beautiful Batsford Arboretum has glorious green spaces to let the kids run free. Or head to Hidcote Manor Garden for an art-inspired experience and secret gardens to discover.
Get on your bike in Gloucestershire
Explore the Gloucestershire countryside on two wheels with a bike ride at one of the county’s many beauty spots. With SoGlos’s 9 best cycle routes and bike rides for families packed with inspiration.
Cannop Cycle Centre has a family-friendly cycle trail as well as thrilling downhill trails for more experienced mountain bikers. There’s also Pedalabikeaway offering bike hire for a morning, afternoon or full day.
Fly on a trapeze in Gloucestershire
There’s a fun opportunity to fly through the air at 270 Climbing Park in Gloucester on an outdoor bar-to-bar trapeze rig with All Bars Flying Trapeze Club.
Take to the skies and learn to ‘fly’ between the bars, under the watchful gaze of the club’s professional instructors. Classes are open to everyone aged eight to 88 plus, with taster sessions for absolute beginners to face their fears.
Practice your swing or putt holes for fun in Gloucestershire
Fore! A game that’s accessible for novices, youngsters and experienced putters alike, golf provides hours of fun outdoors, with courses and activities to enjoy across Gloucestershire.
If you're new to the game, the driving range is a good place to start, with Brickhampton Court's state-of-the-art TrackMan range enabling you to record your stats or play fun games through an app. Or for a fun-filled, laid back experience, putt some holes on one of the county's outdoor crazy golf courses, including Aces Minigolf in Gloucester, the pirate-themed Sherdon’s Adventure Golf in Tewkesbury, and Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean.
Ride a steam train in Gloucestershire
Step back in time and hop onto a steam train for a journey that’s sure to excite passengers young and old.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway runs heritage railway rides through the Cotswolds; Dean Forest Railway encompasses five stations to hop on and off at, plus a range of heritage, diesel and steam vehicles; while the smaller Perrygrove Railway offers the chance to enjoy a short journey through the woodland.
Try archery in Gloucestershire
People of all ages can feel like Robin Hood and his Merry Men – or Women – with an archery session at Forest of Dean Adventure.
Equipped with recurve bows, attempt to hit the target to score more than your friends and family in fun, competitive games, while Cotswold Archery also offers coaching and experiences in equally picturesque surroundings, in the grounds of Batsford Arboretum.
Head underground in Gloucestershire
Clearwell Caves, the well-known Forest of Dean attraction near Coleford, promises plenty of underground exploring fun, a fascinating history and some amazing natural sights.
The hidden world within the atmospheric caverns is suitable for youngsters and adults alike, with visitors age seven and over also able to go on deeper, adventure caving trips.
Climb to new heights in Gloucestershire
Get active with a climbing or bouldering session outdoors in Gloucestershire, with centres dotted throughout the county and offering facilities for all ages with a head for heights.
Outdoor climbing venues include 270 Climbing Park near Gloucester and Far Peak in Northleach, while adventure seekers can also try scaling rock faces in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley with rock climbing courses from Rise and Summit.
