Cheltenham comes to life in the sun. With its regal parks, flower displays, cafe culture and nearby countryside, there are countless ways to while away the sunny afternoons. For some inspiration on how to spend a perfect summer in Cheltenham, we’ve narrowed down our top activities.
This grade II listed outdoor 50m pool has been a gem of Cheltenham since its opening in 1935. Offering a cafe with a varied lunch menu, a kid’s pool and plenty of lounging space, the Lido has everything you need for a full day in the sun.
The lido season runs from May to October, and a cabin sauna is open to swimmers braving it in the colder months.
Season and day tickets are available, with special offers running for families.
Cheltenham takes full advantage of its picturesque regency streets, with many bars, restaurants, and cafes offering outdoor seating.
Some of our favourite spots for dining outside include:
Serving authentic Italian cuisine with fresh ingredients alongside a large selection of wines, aperititivos and soft drinks, Bosco Pizzeria brings Mediterranean summer to Cheltenham. Dine in the sun in their outdoor seating area, overlooking Imperial Gardens and its award-winning flower displays.
The Curious Café draws customers back again and again to enjoy tea and cake, lunch, and an all-day brunch menu in its charming, vine-covered garden.
Take a slice of heaven home with you from their twin deli next door, which sells top-quality local produce and homemade breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
In 2022, Cheltenham welcomed its first rooftop restaurant; since then, the Nook on Five has become a fast favourite. Serving a contemporary British menu, with subtle inspiration from French cuisine, dining at The Nook on Five is an unmissable experience.
This grade II-listed ornamental park truly is the home of Cheltenham heritage. The pump room on the park’s east side is key to Cheltenham’s status as a spa town, a monument to the healing waters that turned a small market town into the wealthy regency town it is today.
The Park is divided by two lakes and covers 44 acres. The ‘lower lake’ allows seasonal fishing and offers boats to hire. On this side of the park, you’ll also find tennis courts, a golf course, and a skate park.
The east side offers a large children’s playground with a zip wire for big kids, sand pits for the little ones, and several aviaries, home to birds and bunnies.
Several cafes offer hot drinks, cakes, and lunch across the park. The Heritage Cafe, Boathouse Cafe, and Central Cross Cafe are all within the grounds.
Nestled in greenery, with a backdrop of stars and birdsong, the Tuckwell Amphitheatre is a perfectly magical setting for the annual Open-Air Theatre Festival. Enjoy classic drama, live music, and outdoor cinema throughout the two-week festival in August.
With Italianate gardens dating back to the 19th century boasting seven natural springs, two lakes and ornate stone carved, tiered fountains, you can truly get lost on a sunny day at Cowley Manor.
Summertime events at Cowley include, outdoor film screenings, audio tours of the gardens and spa days by the outdoor pool. A broad lunch and drinks menu is also available on the outdoor terrace.
Nothing says lazy sunny Sunday like a street market. Stretching from Montpellier Terrace through the Suffolks these Sunday markets are the best place to try the highest quality local produce, crafts, food, and drink.
Check out Visit Cheltenham to find out when the next Sunday market is.
Cheltenham is rich with natural beauty, with countless walks and trails nearby enjoying views across the Cotswolds. Leckhampton Hill sits less than 3 miles from the town centre, and its panoramic views, stretching as far as Wales, make it a local favourite and tourist destination.
The rare limestone grassland found here has made the area a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is the perfect habitat for a range of wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and small mammals.