May half term family fun across the Stroud district
Looking for ways to keep the children active, creative or outdoors this May half term? Here’s a round-up of brilliant things to do across the Stroud district, from trails and trampolines to castles, crafts and canal adventures, many of which are free or low cost.
Active Lifestyles Stroud and Dursley
Active Lifestyles is running a packed holiday timetable, including daily junior gym sessions for ages 11 to 14, plus swim clinics, trampolining and circuit sessions across the week, with additional sessions on Friday 29 May. Welcome to My Active Lifestyle - Active Lifestyles Stroud District
Museum in the Park
The Museum in the Park has a great programme of low- cost family activities alongside its free galleries and parkland setting. Mini workshops run throughout half term, including magical masks (28 May), mini museums (29 May) and toys and games of the past (30 May), each around £1 per child. Buzz Club also returns on 2 June for outdoor nature play in the Walled Garden. Museum in the Park
Stratford Park
Enjoy open space, woodland, play parks, small skatepark and the lake in the district’s largest park. Free live Music in the Park takes place on Sunday 24 May and Sunday 31 May from 2pm to 4pm. The miniature railway will also be running on Sunday 31 May.
Explore the commons
Selsley, Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons are perfect for a low-cost family adventure, with wide open spaces, sweeping views and plenty of room to roam. Bring a picnic, fly a kite or simply enjoy a walk (is it us, but do all paths on Rodborough Common lead to Winstone’s Ice Cream?). A quick reminder during spring and summer: skylarks are nesting on the ground until August, and cattle are grazing across the commons. Please keep to paths, keep dogs on leads, take litter home and avoid lighting BBQs to help protect wildlife, livestock and these special landscapes.
Get crafty at Brimscombe Mill
Drop into Kids Stuff themed craft sessions on Tuesday 26 - Friday 29 May. Also Kids Kitchen, a hands-on reptile experience, and daily scavenger hunts. Plus, pre-loved children’s toys, games, books and clothes, bikes and furniture, and a pay-as-you-can café all under the same roof Brimscombe Mill | Explore & Connect Today
Free family fun pop ups
Kids Stuff and partners are hosting free pop-up events with crafts, activities and community support. Tuesday 26 May at Oldends Park, Stonehouse and Wednesday 27 May at Treetops Family Centre, Dursley. Running 10am to 1pm with activities, food and support for families. Activities — Stroud District Kids Stuff
Outdoor adventures with Play Rangers
Free outdoor sessions across the district in Cainscross, Wotton, Nailsworth and Dursley, packed with den building, games and muddy play. Home - Play Gloucestershire
Explore the canal towpaths
The district’s miles of canal towpath are perfect for a free family day out. Try a simple adventure by taking the train from Stroud to Stonehouse, or the other way round, and walking back along the towpath at your own pace. From Stroud, you can easily reach Brimscombe Mill and Stroud Brewery along the canal route, making great stopping points along the way.
For a bigger day out, head to the Gloucester Sharpness canal, where you can hire bikes, canoes or paddleboards from the Black Shed in Slimbridge and explore the water from a different perspective.
Take a canal boat trip from Wallbridge
Hop aboard Perseverance for a 30-minute cruise along the Stroudwater Navigation. Trips run on Saturdays with tickets from £4 for children. Home - Cotswold Canals Trust
Painswick Rococo Garden
Buzzly Bee’s Busy Trail runs from 23 to 31 May with activities, trails and special events including face painting and Bee Day. Garden admission applies. Rococo Garden, Painswick Glos | Cotswold & Gloucestershire Family Days Out & Events Venue
WWT Slimbridge
Follow the Gozzle Trail from 22 to 31 May, a family friendly story adventure around the wetlands, combined with wildlife spotting and outdoor play. Slimbridge Wetland Centre | WWT Slimbridge
Wind in the Willows trail at Tinkley Gate
Explore a sculpture trail inspired by Wind in the Willows from 22 May to 28 June, perfect for younger children and gentle walks. Free (parking charges apply). Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds | National Trust
Woodchester Mansion
Discover this unfinished Victorian mansion on family open days, with guided tours and woodland to explore on 22-25 May. Reduced child and family ticket options available. Home - Woodchester Mansion
Dr Jenner’s House
Free family day to celebrate Dr Jenner’s birthday on 28 May with illustration workshops and activities inspired by science and storytelling. Dr Jenner's House
Berkeley Castle
Step back in time with a large LEGO exhibition running daily from 10 May to 10 June, plus special events including a Greek themed evening on 29 May. Discover Berkeley Castle's Rich History
Cattle Country Farm Park
Open daily with animals, indoor play barns and outdoor splash pool. Cattle Country Farm Park
The Sub Rooms, Stroud
Enjoy family theatre with NICE! featuring Michael Rosen, a lively storytelling and rhyme show on Wednesday 27 May. The Sub Rooms | Stroud | Music Venue | The Sub Rooms
Get creative at Stroud Brewery
Join a Playful Palms art session on Tuesday 26 May, where children can create and decorate cardboard dinosaurs. Booking required. https://stroudbrewery.com/
Explore your local markets
Pick up treats or browse stalls at Stroud’s Shambles Market every Friday and Saturday, Stroud Farmers’ Market every Saturday, Vintage Mary (Stroud Shambles) on 24 May, the Arts and Crafts Market at the Baptist Hall on 23 May, Dursley Market on 30 May and Saxon Barn Market on 31 May. Drop into the Yard Gallery in Stroud to see an exhibition celebrating the 400 years of the Shambles Market.
Mill open days
See traditional weaving in action at Gigg Mill and Dunkirk Mill, with demonstrations and self-guided visits. Promoting Stroud Textile Mills | Stroudwater Textile Trust
Village trails and community events
Follow the Randwick Skylark Trail on 24 and 25 May, collect a map from the school and explore local paths and woodland.
Or get involved in creative sessions with Offbeat Dursley, including juggling workshops and making costumes for a community fish disco. Offbeat Collective
Meet animals and try new experiences
Visit St Augustine’s Farm in Arlingham to meet animals and plant sunflowers to help create a summer maze, or head to Barton End Stables open day for a taste of horse riding at Brookthorpe.
Pick up a bargain at a car boot sale
Find toys, books and games at Wotton Community PARC on 24 and 25 May, Cainscross Rugby Club on 25 May or Fromebridge Mill each Saturday.
Take the bus or train to somewhere new
Hop on a scenic bus route and explore a village, market town or common you haven’t visited before. It’s a simple adventure that kids love, especially when paired with a picnic or café stop, or visit nearby Gloucester or Cheltenham for a full day out.
Explore for free
Climb the Tyndale Monument, try the Dursley Sculpture Trail, visit your local library or go geocaching across the district. Simple, low-cost adventures that children love.
Stroud District Council leader Chloe Turner said:
“Our district is full of brilliant, low-cost things to do as a family, from exploring our parks, canals and commons to enjoying creative activities and local events. The half term holidays don’t have to cost the earth - there are plenty of ways to make memories right here on our doorstep.”
Please check individual venues and organisers online for the latest details before making plans, as times, prices and availability may change.
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