10 Best Things To Do in Cheltenham
Located in Gloucestershire, England, Cheltenham is a charming town renowned for its rich history, stunning Regency architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. As one of the most celebrated spa towns in the country, Cheltenham attracts visitors with its elegant charm and numerous attractions. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply seeking a relaxing getaway, we’re here to help you discover the very best things to do in Cheltenham.
At Vegan Fairs, we create vibrant, fun and inclusive events to showcase veganism. Each of our events vary in size, but all follow roughly the same format - a market showcasing a range of local and national businesses that offer vegan products and brands, free samples and giveaways, and free advice on veganism.
As well as our upcoming Cheltenham Vegan Fair, you’ll find plenty of free things to do in Cheltenham - together with restaurants to visit and nearby sights to see.
1. The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum
Gloucestershire’s premier art gallery and museum houses the Designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection and fine art collections.
Admission to all exhibitions is free, with an optional donation of £3. The Wilson Kitchen arts café has your taste buds covered with its stylish mix of colourful interiors, artwork, music and great food. Vegan options include roasted falafel, open-faced toasted sandwiches and soup of the day.
2. Vine & Orchard Vineyard
As one of the largest retailers of English and Welsh wine in the country, Vine & Orchard Adventures label vegan-friendly wines - just let them know ahead during a tour that you’d like to sample them! They’ll transport you across the beautiful Cotswolds and Three Counties countryside and introduce you to the country’s finest vineyards, cideries and distilleries.
3. Cheltenham Vegan Fair
Our Vegan Fair is coming to Cheltenham! Come along and support local and independent businesses, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or just v-curious! It’s free to come along and you can expect plenty of great food, drinks, crafts, eco products and so much more.
We’ve also got a ton of other upcoming events in the South West area.
4. Cheltenham Town Hall
Cheltenham Town Hall is now home to an impressive all-year-round programme of major festivals, entertainment, exhibitions and functions. It was built back in 1902-1903 as a venue for social events, and the tradition has continued.
The imposing facade faces Regency terrace townhouses to the front, and the Imperial Gardens at the rear, displaying a stunningly green and leafy location. Explore the What’s On Guide for more.
The Neptune Fountain in Cheltenham, an ode to the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
5. Hire bikes from The Bicycle Hub
Cheltenham Bike Hire is your ticket to experiencing the freedom of Cheltenham with all the family. With a great range of different high-quality bikes available for hire, you can choose to go cycling around The Cotswolds for the week or just take a day trip in the town of Cheltenham to explore.
6. Sandford Parks Lido
The Sandford Parks Lido in the heart of Cheltenham Spa boasts a 50m heated pool that combines fitness, fun, family & heritage all in one. It also offers different events like yoga, triathlons, dog swims, and lifeguard training. It truly is a great day out!
7. The Brewery Quarter
The Brewery Quarter is a one-stop shop where you can shop-dine-stay and play. Easily accessible by foot, car, bus and train, the Brewery Quarter boasts a fantastic selection of shops, providing ample opportunities for retail therapy. From well-known high-street brands to independent boutiques, you'll find a variety of stores catering to different tastes and preferences.
With several restaurants to choose from, The Botanist offers delicious vegan food like katsu curry, plant-based burgers, superfood salad, and vegan meatball hanging kebabs.
8. Sandford Park
Perfect for children and families, Sandford Park, adjacent to the Lido, is popular for picnics and games - and also has a large play area. The ornamental side of the park is divided into three sections. The main part houses a fountain with seating, landscaped beds, and stunning flower displays in the summer months.
9. The Everyman Theatre
This theatre is located in the heart of Cheltenham and is easily accessible by foot, bike, car, or public transport. Check out the innovative shows and then relax in the air-conditioned cafe bar on the terrace - open 6 days a week (not Sundays). Bookings are taken for both pre-show lunches, lunch and afternoon tea, of course with plenty of vegan options.
10. Hatherley Park
Hatherley Park is great for walks and has a cafe nearby. Featuring a charming ornamental garden of around 3 hectares, many visitors go to feed the ducks on the lake and enjoy some peace in nature. For children, there are 2 play areas - one fenced area for infants and younger children, and a space with equipment designed for older children. There is also a basketball hoop if that’s your thing!
The best vegan restaurants in Cheltenham
Looking for the best spots to grab a bite to eat? Here’s our top vegan eats in Cheltenham:
Vegatus is a vegan and health foods café in Cheltenham. Serving up breakfast, brunch and lunch, Vegetus offers everything from tasty cakes to hearty meals.
Ginger and Garlic is an amazing and authentic Korean restaurant with so many vegan options - every dish is full of flavour.
Bathurst Arms is situated in a quintessential Cotswold Inn with rooms, between Cirencester and Cheltenham. Seasonal menus include vegan delights like katsu bonbons and superfood salads.
Poco Culina is a vegan delivery service offering innovative, ethical, and entirely plant-based catering services. Nutritionally balanced food, mostly gluten-free and naturally alive with colour, taste, and fabulous combinations of vegetables, beans, spices, nuts, fruits, grains and herbs.
The Coconut Tree is a Sri Lankan style restaurant featuring a variety of tasty street food. Plenty of vegan choices, too.
Muse Brasserie is well known for its very lovely French-Indian fusion cuisine and its extensively tasty vegan menu.
ZenV Garden & LotusV are based in Gloucester, just a short drive from Cheltenham, and are a fully veggie Oriental restaurant and store. Expect bao buns, sushi rolls, dim sum and miso soups! They also sell a variety of vegan Asian goods for you to cook with at home!
More recommendations nearby
You’ll never be short of things to see and do in Cheltenham. With its convenient location in the Cotswolds, Cheltenham also serves as an ideal base for exploring the stunning countryside and picturesque villages nearby. Embark on scenic walks and immerse yourself in the idyllic countryside charm that the region offers.
Be sure to check out our upcoming events page and get involved for a whole family fun day out in Cheltenham. We run our Vegan Fairs throughout the South West of England and Wales - and you find the full Vegan Fairs event list here.
Here are some of our upcoming Vegan Fairs that you might like: