Days Out in Gloucestershire: Places to Visit & Family Attractions Gloucestershire

A must for all train fans. Train rides and museum. Picnic area. View restoration works. Special events days including Thomas the Tank Engine and friends. See timetable on website for details.

Five museum galleries tell the history of the Forest of Dean and its people. Also, art gallery, adventure playground, Victorian cottage, water wheel, cafe, craft workshops, picnic area. The Gage Library provides a local history centre for the Forest of Dean.

Dr Jenner’s House celebrates the life, career, achievements and legacy of Edward Jenner who pioneered vaccination against smallpox from this house and which ultimately led to the eradication of the disease and development of the science of immunology that we know today. It is said that through his work on vaccination here, Dr Edward Jenner saved more lives than any man who has ever lived. See the beautiful gardens and the Temple of Vaccinia and fascinating Vinery. Refreshments, gift shop. Special events and talks throughout the year. School visits welcome. Activities for children during school holidays.

Combines a traditional Yew Hedge Maze with a Rebus Puzzle. Find the central pavilion which houses the mysterious 'Minotoad', see if you can discover the secret hiding place of the Golden Dragonfly. Summer opening times from 10.30am, earliest last entry 4.30pm. Winter opening times vary depending on weather and light conditions!

A late 17th century William and Mary mansion, formal garden, ancient deer park, woodland, and lakes. Victorian kitchen, dairy and bakehouse give an insight into life below stairs. See the National Trust's website for details of opening times.

Looking like a fairytale castle, set in a 5000 acre estate in the Malvern Hills, this Gothic style castle is as fascinating inside as it looks from the outside. Lakeside and woodland walks, arboretum of rare trees. Special event days. Children's playground. Tearoom. Caravans, camping and large outdoor events in the Deer Park. Stunning wedding venue, for between 30 and 150 guests. Holiday cottages also available and camping site.

We are home to the famous Elton Farm Maize Mazes. These are huge mazes built with a different theme each summer. The Mazes are expertly designed and offer a great day in out in the Forest of Dean for the whole family. The Elton Farm Maize Mazes are open from mid July until September. Children's play area and picnic site. Open from mid July until September - see website for opening times.

The Gallery is run for the benefit of the community, providing a community art exhibition space to hire by local artists to display their work to the public and for other arts related activities. From drawings, illustrations and paintings to ceramics and sculpture, photography and textiles, exhibitions are held every week throughout the year from March to December. The doors are open from 10 am to 5 pm daily; entry to the public is free.

Over 900 years old, this is an awe-inspiring, beautiful place to visit. Conducted tours are available for full or partial guided tours. Tower and crypt tours are available Apr-Oct - climb 269 steps and enjoy the view from the roof where you can see for miles on a clear day. Visit the Whispering Galley, the Treasury and see where Harry Potter was filmed. See website for details of tour times. Admission free, but donations are welcomed, some tours are charged for. Booked group/school visits welcomed.

Full of Roman and medieval treasures, Birdlip Grave iron age artefacts, archaeological finds, fine and decorative arts, natural history specimens, dinosaur fossils, as well as a variety of exhibitions which change throughout the year, there is plenty to see. A Museum Detectives Club for children aged 5-11 years, runs on the last Saturday of the month. The 1.5 hour session is packed full of activities crafts and trails. Cost £5 per child. Book online or telephone 01452 503 050. Themed children's birthday parties take place on Saturdays. Choose from dinosaur, Victorian, WWII, Roman, pirate, princess and Tiaras or Tudor themes. With hire of party room for two hours and a museum quest trail included.

Gloucester has a remarkable history! Discover some fascination facts about the Roman occupation, the Siege of Gloucester, Beatrix Potter connection, the monks who founded the Priories, Robert Raikes - the founder of Sunday schools and much more besides. Guided historic tours of Gloucester City and Gloucester Docks (seasonal). Self guided walks - download an audio trail to discover Gloucester at your own pace. Website gives a history of St Michael's Tower and Gloucester.

It is free to wander round, watch the leisure craft coming and going through the lock, see the ships in the dry dock. Boat trips along the canal run from Easter to October. Home to the National Waterways Museum and Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum (entrance charges to these Museums).

At the end of 2018 the Council closed the Museum and agreed a deal to transfer ownership to Gloucester Historic Buildings/Gloucester Civic Trust who will be re-opening it as an events, education and exhibitions space. The building has an excellent café where visitors can take a break including a delightful “Tudor” garden area when the weather suits. Also on site are a pair of excellent, state of the art, meeting rooms, called the “EdShed”, which are available for hire.

Housed in a warehouse at the heart of Gloucester's fine Victorian docks, the museum tells the story of our wonderful canals and rivers. Climb aboard historic boats, enjoy hands-on fun, watch archive films and browse galleries rich in canal heritage. There’s loads for all the family to enjoy. Special events throughout the year. School visits welcome. Under 4s free admission

Our shop is entirely run by, and filled with the work of Gloucestershire artists and makers. We pride ourselves on our 'localness'! You can visit the shop and the person inside will be one of the makers who may even be working on a piece at the time, so you can ask lots of questions and find out how a craft is done. The centre has a variety of arts, crafts, painting and sewing workshops running throughout the year.

A 20-mile round trip between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Cotswolds. See website for timetable and details of special events days like Thomas the Tank Engine and Santa steam special.