PrimeCarers
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Companionship careGloucestershire

Days out in Gloucestershire for an older parent

Nine places in Gloucestershire that make a good day out for an older parent, from Gloucester Cathedral to Bourton-on-the-Water. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Gloucester Cathedral. Photo: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nine days out across nine towns

The best places to take an older parent in Gloucestershire

Five of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two describes a step-free route, and eight confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Photo: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Gloucester

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral has stood at the heart of the city for more than a thousand years, with a great Norman nave, a vast medieval east window and fan-vaulted cloisters that appeared in the Harry Potter films. It also holds the tomb of King Edward II.

There is a level approach to the South Porch, a wheelchair to borrow, an accessible toilet reached on the level via the cloister and six Blue Badge spaces, though one lift is out of service for now so the east end has no level access.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Gloucester

Tewkesbury Abbey, Tewkesbury

Photo: Saffron Blaze, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury Abbey

Tewkesbury Abbey is a huge Norman abbey church with one of the largest Romanesque towers in Europe, saved from destruction at the Reformation when the townspeople bought it. Inside are painted medieval tombs and chantry chapels, and the old town of Tewkesbury with its timber-framed houses is right outside.

There is level access via the main gates and North Path, ramps to most of the building, wheelchairs to borrow and a disabled toilet in the visitor centre, and the Abbey Garden Café is on site.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, donations welcome

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Tewkesbury

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury

Photo: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Tetbury

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Westonbirt is the national arboretum, with thousands of trees from around the world set in landscaped grounds near Tetbury, and it is famous for its autumn colour. The Treetop Walkway takes you up among the branches, and there are cafés, a restaurant and a shop.

There are 10 miles of hard paths suitable for wheelchairs and scooters, a fully accessible Treetop Walkway, 21 accessible parking spaces near the entrance, accessible toilets, benches throughout and mobility aids to book.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Tetbury

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge

Photo: Adrian Pingstone (Arpingstone), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Slimbridge

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Slimbridge is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's original centre on the Severn estuary, founded by Sir Peter Scott, with flamingos, ducks, geese and swans from around the world. In winter thousands of wild swans and geese arrive, and there are hides looking out over the wetlands.

Level, hard-surfaced paths run around the site, most hides are wheelchair accessible, there are six accessible toilets, 17 accessible parking spaces, wheelchairs to borrow and scooters to hire.

Time to allow
A full day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Slimbridge

Corinium Museum, Cirencester

Photo: Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Cirencester

Corinium Museum

The Corinium Museum in Cirencester tells the story of the Cotswolds from prehistory onwards, with one of the best collections of Roman finds in Britain from Corinium, the Roman town that stood here. Highlights include fine Roman mosaics and Anglo-Saxon grave goods.

The museum lists accessible toilets, a wheelchair to borrow and a shop and café, and it is in the middle of the market town so there are plenty of places nearby for a sit-down.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Cirencester

Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh

Photo: Mervyn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Moreton-in-Marsh

Batsford Arboretum

Batsford Arboretum is a large private tree collection on a Cotswold hillside near Moreton-in-Marsh, with a main tarmac drive running through the middle. The visitor centre has a garden shop, plant sales and the Garden Terrace Café.

The visitor centre, café and toilets are all on one level with disabled parking right outside, a Tramper can be hired and wheelchair users go free, though only about a quarter of the arboretum suits wheelchairs.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, wheelchair users free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Moreton-in-Marsh

Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean, Forest of Dean

Photo: Gerald England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Forest of Dean

Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean

Beechenhurst is the main Forestry England site in the Forest of Dean, with woodland walks, picnic areas, a café and the start of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. It is a good base for seeing the old oak and beech woods of the Forest.

There are accessible parking places close to the main building, a gender-neutral accessible toilet near them, plenty of benches and a sheltered seating area by the café.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, parking charged

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Forest of Dean

The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, Cheltenham

Photo: Elliott Brown from Birmingham, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Cheltenham

The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum

The Wilson is Cheltenham's art gallery and museum, with a renowned Arts and Crafts Movement collection, local history displays and changing exhibitions. It is two minutes' walk from the Promenade in the Regency town centre.

The building is fully accessible with a lift to every floor, disabled toilets by the lift and wheelchairs to borrow, and Blue Badge holders can park outside; note the Arts and Crafts gallery is closed for works from June 2026.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, some exhibitions charged

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Cheltenham

Bourton-on-the-Water, Bourton-on-the-Water

Photo: Bin im Garten, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Market town · Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is a Cotswold village with the shallow River Windrush running through its centre under low stone bridges, lined with tearooms and shops. Attractions include a model village, a motoring museum and Birdland.

The village is often extremely busy at weekends and in good weather, so a carer may prefer a weekday or out-of-season visit, when the riverside tearooms are quieter.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Bourton-on-the-Water

Regular groups and events in Gloucestershire

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Gloucestershire.

  • Cooking & Baking · StroudSaturday farmers' market on the CornhillA long running weekly farmers' market in the centre of Stroud selling local meat, bread, cheese and vegetables. A carer can drive in, carry the bags and turn the trip into the start of cooking something together that afternoon.Details
  • Music · CheltenhamCheltenham Music FestivalAn annual classical music festival in Cheltenham, running since 1945, with concerts across the town including shorter daytime performances. A carer could book seats near an exit, arrange parking and go along so the outing is not a solo journey.Details
  • Music · GloucesterOrgan recitals at Gloucester CathedralThe cathedral runs regular organ recitals and an organ festival in a building with one of the country's best known instruments. A carer can check the recital times, sort out seating and keep the visit to an hour or so.Details
  • DancingBorder morris side dancing at local eventsHappenstance Border Morris perform at fetes, folk trails and village events around the county through the year. A carer can find out where they are dancing next and make the trip out, with a bench or a pub seat to watch from.Details
  • Fishing · South CerneySouth Cerney Angling ClubA long established club with lakes in the Cotswold Water Park area, offering membership fishing for coarse and specimen anglers. A carer could help sort out membership and permits, carry the tackle to the peg and stay for the day.Details
  • Photography · CheltenhamCheltenham Camera ClubA local club with regular evening meetings, talks, competitions and more informal sessions for members of all standards. A carer could handle the lift there and back and help load images ready to show the group.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Gloucestershire

At a glance

The nine places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Gloucester CathedralGloucesteran hour or twoFreePartlyYesAsk
Tewkesbury AbbeyTewkesburyan hour or twoFreePartlyYesYes
Westonbirt, The National ArboretumTetburyhalf a dayPaid entryYesYesYes
WWT Slimbridge Wetland CentreSlimbridgea full dayPaid entryYesYesYes
Corinium MuseumCirencesteran hour or twoPaid entryAskYesYes
Batsford ArboretumMoreton-in-Marshhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Beechenhurst, Forest of DeanForest of Deanan hour or twoFreePartlyYesYes
The Wilson Art Gallery and MuseumCheltenhaman hour or twoFreeAskYesYes
Bourton-on-the-WaterBourton-on-the-Waterhalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Gloucestershire

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

BerkeleyLechladeMitcheldeanStroudNorthleachGreet123456789
  1. 1Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester
  2. 2Tewkesbury Abbey, Tewkesbury
  3. 3Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury
  4. 4WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge
  5. 5Corinium Museum, Cirencester
  6. 6Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh
  7. 7Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean, Forest of Dean
  8. 8The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, Cheltenham
  9. 9Bourton-on-the-Water, Bourton-on-the-Water

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Gloucestershire

Carers in Gloucestershire charge £19 to £24 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Gloucestershire has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Gloucestershire

Gloucester Cathedral in Gloucester, Tewkesbury Abbey in Tewkesbury, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum in Tetbury, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Slimbridge, Corinium Museum in Cirencester, Batsford Arboretum in Moreton-in-Marsh, Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean in Forest of Dean, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham and Bourton-on-the-Water in Bourton-on-the-Water. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Westonbirt, The National Arboretum and WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre describes a step-free route. Gloucester Cathedral, Tewkesbury Abbey, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Corinium Museum, Batsford Arboretum, Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean and The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum have an accessible toilet. Tewkesbury Abbey, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Corinium Museum, Batsford Arboretum and The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Gloucester Cathedral, Tewkesbury Abbey, Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum and Bourton-on-the-Water. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 36 of the carers with a rate near Gloucestershire drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Gloucestershire shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Gloucestershire

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Gloucestershire

Days out in the areas around Gloucestershire

Companionship care by town in Gloucestershire

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Gloucestershire

See carers near Gloucestershire who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

Search carers in GloucestershireCall 0203 369 3624
Free to searchNo obligationVetted & insuredYou choose the carer