10 Summer activities in Cheltenham

Looking for things to do this summer in Cheltenham? There’s plenty to see and do through the summer season, both as an individual and as a family.

Science Festival

Cheltenham’s Science Festival is one of the four largest festivals taking place in Cheltenham each year. It takes place in June each year, with next year’s dates being 4th – 9th June.

World-leading scientists and futurologists join the festival each year and popular scientist Professor Brian Cox describes the festival as the “premier science festival in the country”.

You can read more about it on Cheltenham Festivals‘ website. If you’d love to join next year’s festival, check out our accommodation availability.

Pittville Park

Although Pittville Park is a lovely park to visit all year round, it is at its best in summer.

The park is the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features lakes and the Grade I listed Pittville Pump Room.

There are several activities for you to take part in when visiting Pittville Park including (but not limited to):
– Boating through Pitville’s scenic boating lake (open until Sept)
– Tennis
– Pitch and Putt Golf
– Fishing
– Aviaries

Pittville Park also has the largest children’s outdoor play area which is suitable for both smaller and older children alike.

This park is also well-known for its family of swans which are named by the locals of the area. They’re popular enough to have their own dedicated Facebook page!

Finally, there are several cafes on site so you can grab a coffee or an ice cream to enjoy sitting down or whilst strolling through the park.

If you’d like to stay close to this park, we have accommodation nearby, such as 32 Evesham Road and 22 Garden Flat.

Sandford Park Lido

Summer is the perfect time to take a splash outdoors and you can do that in Sandford Park Lido, a large outdoor swimming pool in Cheltenham. There is also a smaller nearby pool for children.

What makes this pool stand out is not only its size (being one of the largest in the country) but its surrounding scenery as it is placed in Sandford Park’s garden. It was recently listed as one of National Geographic’s top 10 lidos to visit in the country!

There is also a cafe for those that want to grab some refreshments before or after a swim.

The lido is open all throughout summer and closes in October and you can book your swim here.

Music Festival

Another large festival taking place in Cheltenham, Cheltenham Music Festival celebrates classical music and has been doing so since 1945.

Throughout the week, you’ll not only find performances popping up around Cheltenham town centre.

The festival includes more interactive experiences to world premieres from some of the world’s finest performers.

You can check our accommodation availability for next year’s festival.

Cowley Manor

Explore Cowley Manor’s scenic gardens. Stroll alongside the two large lakes or explore a bit further to find the pathway to the secret woodlands.

Cowley Manor also hosts an outdoor cinema, with different film showings throughout summer, from Elvis to 80’s classic Labrinth to Top Gun: Maverick, there’s a film for everyone to enjoy this unique experience.

Paint festival

Yes, another festival! Though this one is a little different as it doesn’t take place at one location, it is dotted all around Cheltenham.

Each year muralists from around the country (and the world) gather in Cheltenham for a week during the summer to create gorgeous murals around the town.

A lot of the big murals are left in place each year, but places such as the Honeybourne Line tunnels and bridges are repainted each year. The Honeybourne line is central for those that want a casual view of the murals. Alternatively, if you want to see them all you can download the map from Cheltenham Paint Festivals website.

The festival takes place at the end of July so you can start to view all of the new paintings in August.

Cotswold Lavender

A unique and picturesque place to visit in Cheltenham. Cotswold Lavender is the perfect place to visit if you want some truly pretty pictures.

You have probably guessed what is at this location – lots of lavender!

There is also a wildflower meadow which showcases summery colours, and a dedicated pathway has been created so that you can take in the pretty scenery without disturbing bees and butterflies that love the wildflowers.

New for 2023, Cotswold Lavender has opened up the new Beechwood Trail, designed with children in mind, there are various obstacles along the pathway.

There are picnic benches scattered throughout the site for those that would like to bring a picnic with them. You can even taste lavender in drinks and snacks such as the lavender flapjack found at The Cabin.

Cotswold Lavender is open from June to early August.

Cheltenham Promenade

Another place with lots of flowers can actually be found in Central Cheltenham. Walk down Cheltenham’s promenade to not only soak in the splendid architecture and the buzz of Cheltenham centre but also the gorgeous floral arrangements scattered throughout the town centre.

This is particularly noticeable in Cheltenham’s Imperial Garden but also outside of Cheltenham Municipal offices. Both of these can be viewed whilst walking from the top to the bottom of Cheltenham’s promenade.

Also featured on Cheltenham’s Promenade is The Neptune Fountain which is an eye-catching fountain with a sculpture of Neptune in a shell chariot and horses alongside him. This statue is over 100 years old and worth a picture down your stroll of the promenade.

Open Air Theatre

The Open Air Theatre is an outdoor festival dedicated to visual arts. There are plays and film viewings, with something different each day throughout the festival.

The various options mean that there’s something for everyone, including families.

The venue is surrounded by trees and feels tucked away which helps with the immersion of the productions.

The festival runs in August and you can find more details here.

Flower Festival at Cotswold Farm Park

Open daily throughout the summer, Cotswold Farm Park is hosting a seasonal Flower Festival, where guests can admire hundreds of thousands of sunflowers and wildflowers. Enjoy the scenery and take photos against the beautiful scenery.

On top of admiring the scenery, there is a maze for children to explore and a clay pendant workshop for families to do something creative.

Book your tickets.

Other things to do in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds

That’s not all! These are just a snippet of things to do in Cheltenham and The Cotswolds. If you want to keep up-to-date with things to do in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds ahead of your stay with us or because you’d like to visit in the future, follow us on Instagram.

Read this next for more ideas of things to do in the Cotswolds.