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Days Out for Babies & Toddlers · Family-friendly things to do in Gloucestershire and beyond
Out of the studio, into the soft play.
When I'm not in the studio, I'm often looking after my little one, and on our adventures around Gloucestershire and beyond we've found some brilliant places for babies and toddlers. So many, in fact, that I started this page to keep track of the ones we love.
Soft play, farms, play parks (with good coffee), stay-and-play groups and things to do on a rainy day: all tried, tested and approved by my little one.
A hidden miniature railway beside Asda in Cheltenham, with steam train rides, model trains and boats on the lake. Open to the public on a handful of summer afternoons.
Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
A family farm shop at Stoke Orchard near Cheltenham, with a free animal area of pygmy goats and deli lunches.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
A family fruit farm near Winchcombe with pick-your-own, a new play park, a great kids' menu in the Orchard Kitchen and an Easter egg hunt.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
A magical outdoor play garden for toddlers on a farm near Tewkesbury, with woodland dens, a castle, mud and potions, and Mr Donk the donkey. Free coffee for the grown-ups.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5)
A country pub near Cheltenham with one of the best family pub gardens around: a big play area, a toddler section, pigs, chickens and guinea pigs, and a hatch to order food without going inside.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
A fenced outdoor play garden for under-5s near Malvern, with a potion-mixing kitchen, sand, gardening and a coffee shack. Pre-booked sessions, and brilliant seasonal specials.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5)
A woodland-themed soft play café on Great Malvern's Belle Vue Terrace, with sensory, baby and role-play areas for under-5s.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5)
A free sculpture garden full of hidden creatures to hunt for, a little play area and a coffee shop with seriously good cake, just outside Gloucester.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5)
Soft play, animals, sand pits, a zip line and a truly bonkers tractor ride, just over the border near Ledbury. Great value, and under-2s go free.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5)
A friendly community café in St Paul's, Cheltenham, with a family playroom full of toys and books, and a Monday toddler group.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5)
Hands-on slime-making sessions for children aged 3 and up, inside 3 Shires Garden Centre in Newent.
Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
A village café on Guiting Power's square with brunch, good coffee and homemade cakes, high chairs and a little outdoor play kitchen.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5)
A village café with great coffee, a proper ploughman's and a playground you can watch from your table. Free to park and play, near Ross-on-Wye.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
A 16th-century Cotswold pub near Temple Guiting with a big garden full of playhouses, slides and a wooden fort, and a seriously good burger.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
Cheltenham's free art gallery and museum, with the hands-on World of Wonders children's gallery and a café on the ground floor.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
Gelato made from the milk of the cows in the shed next door, served from a hatch in a proper old farmyard at Elmore, with good coffee and ride-ons to play on.
Baby (0–1), Toddler (1–3), Preschool (3–5), School aged (5+)
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Tell me about a great place for little ones and I'll go and try it out.
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