The Cotswolds - Leisure
There is no end to the things people do in their spare time, so this section will be
constantly under construction. We will be providing more detailed information on specific
activities.
Index
- North Cotswolds
- Central Cotswolds
- South Cotswolds
- Angling
- Boat Hire, Clubs and Sailing Clubs
- Watersports
- Steam Railway Rides
- Coach and Road Tours
- Boat Trips
- Guided Walks
- Flying and Balloon Trips
- North Cotswolds
- Central Cotswolds
- South Cotswolds
North Cotswolds
- Cascades Swimming Pool, Oldbury Rd, Tewkesbury, Tel. 01684 293740 Reputedly the
biggest and best covered pool in the county.
- Greystones Sport and Leisure, Burford Rd, Chipping Norton, Tel. 01608 644154
- Stour Valley Community Pool, Darlingscote Rd, Shipston-on-Stour, Tel. 01608 662354
- Tewkesbury Squash Club, Ashchurch Rd, Newtown, Tewkesbury, Tel. 01684 292340
Central Cotswolds
- Balcarras Sports Centre, East End Rd, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 510182
- Bishop's Cleeve Sports Centre, Two Hedges Rd, Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham, Tel. 10242
673581
- Bournside Sports Centre, Warden Hill Rd, Cheltenham, Tel. 10242 239123
- Brockworth Sports Centre, Mill Lane, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 863518
- Chapel Rock Health and Fitness, North Place, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 518075 Outdoor
activity weekends available.
- Cheltenham Recreation Centre, Tommy Taylor's Lane, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 528764 Many
activities available, from badminton, squash, swimming and aerobics to spa pool, steam
room, sauna and sun beds. Also a cafe and bar is available.
- Gloucester Leisure Centre, Bruton Way, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 306498 Also has a Squash
Club.
- Painswick Squash Club, Greenhouse Court, Painswick, Tel. 01452 813736
- Riverside Sports and Leisure Centre, St. Oswalds Rd, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 413214 Squash
facilities available.
South Cotswolds
- Bristol North Pool, 98 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, Tel. 0117 243548
- Bristol South Pool, Dean Lane, Bedminster, Bristol, Tel. 0117 663131
- Cirencester open air swimming pool is set in beautiful surroundings next to Cirencester
Park. Built in 1869, it is one of the oldest outdoor pools in Britain, and uses natural
water from a nearby well. For opening times telephone 01285 653947
- Cotswold Leisure Centre, Tetbury Rd, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 654057 Cotswold Leisure
Centre has swimming facilities, squash and badminton, exercise classes, kids activities
and a creche, and more - call to find out what's going on.
- Dorcan Swimming Pool, St Pauls Drive, Covingham, Swindon, Tel. 01793 533763
- Dursley Swimming Pool, Castle St, Dursley, Tel. 01453 546441
- Elms Swimming Pool, Lechlade Rd, Faringdon, Tel. 01367 242306
- Malmesbury Swimming Pool, Old Alexander Rd, Malmesbury, Tel. 01666 822533
- Oasis Leisure Centre, North Star Avenue, Swindon, Tel. 01793 533404. Oasis Leisure
Centre, Swindon. O.K. it's on the edge of the Cotswold area proper but within easy
reach, and it has great flumes, slides and waves. Also a soft loft of things to jump on
and ball ponds to fall in which will keep the kids noisy till they drop, and a selection
of more serious sports. Phone for details.
- Stroud Leisure Centre, Stratford Park, Stratford Rd, Stroud, Tel. 01453 766771
- Wotton under Edge outdoor swimming pool, Sym Lane, Wotton under Edge, Tel. 01453 842068
Angling
The following list includes waters available for fishing in the Cotswolds. Some venues
require season tickets, others day tickets, but all require a National Rivers Authority
Rod License which allows fishing anywhere in the country where fishing is permitted. Due
to recent changes in the law, a closed season is only enforced on rivers, canals and
streams, while the decision to allow lakes to remain open all year is left to those who
lease the waters. During April and May it is worth checking with the landlords and clubs
whose numbers are given, that the lakes they lease are open.
- Ashton Keynes Lakes. Season permits only from tackle shops.
- Burley Lakes, Crippets, Kidnappers Lake Leckhampton, Cheltenham. Day membership
collected on the banks.
- Cheltenham Angling Club, Twyning. One mile of River Avon available at Corpus Christi.
Tickets available cheaper at tackle shops or on the banks.
- Cheltenham Pittville Park Lake. Information and an essential I.D. card available from
the Prince of Wales Stadium. Reputedly the best mixed fishing in the area.
- Gloucestershire United Anglers, Frampton. Six miles of the River Avon and Saul Lake.
Season permits only, available at tackle shops.
- Gloucester Old Spot, Tewkesbury Rd, Uckington, Cheltenham. Day tickets on site, also
meals and drinks.
- Hawbridge, Tirley. 150 yards of free fishing, upstream from the bridge outside the
New Inn.
- Leamington Lakes, Moreton-in-Marsh. Toilets, shop, sandwiches and day tickets
available on this new site. Phone 01608 650872 for details.
- Manor Brook Lake, Ashton Keynes. Part of The Cotswold Water Park. Day tickets available,
phone 01453 822286 for details.
- Moreton Angling Club. Season permits, but guest tickets available if purchased in
advance by a member. Phone 01451 821719, 01451 821533 for details.
- Pear Tree Lake, Staverton Village, Cheltenham. Day tickets available.
- Ripple Village, Tewkesbury. Free fishing, follow signs to BAA car park.
- Rissington Road Lake, Bourton-on-the-Water. Opposite Birdland. Popular venue with day
tickets.
- South Cerney Angling Club. Season permits only from tackle shops.
- Tewkesbury Angling Club. Season permits and fortnightly permits available for fishing on
one mile of the River Severn and Mill Avon at Tewkesbury, purchased from tackle shops.
- Twin Bridges, Tewkesbury. Day tickets available from The Twin Bridges Restaurant.
- Twyford Farm Country Park, Evesham. River Avon day tickets available for mixed fishing.
Phone 01789 778365 for details.
Boat Hire, Clubs and Sailing Clubs
- Avon Sailing Club, Chaceley Stock, Chaceley, Tel. 01452 780279
- Evesham Rowing Club, Abbey Park, Evesham, Tel. 01386 446131. Rowing Regatta in early
May.
- Frampton-on-Severn Sailing Club, Watery Lane, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 740931
- Gloucester Leisure Cruise, Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester Docks, Tel. 01452 318054
- Lydney Yacht Club, Harbour Rd, Lydney, Tel. 01594 842573
- Telstar Hire Cruises, Riverside Walk, Tewkesbury, Tel. 01684 294088
- Tewkesbury Marina Yacht Club, Bredon Rd, Tewkesbury, Tel. 01684 275190
- Thames Cruises, 2/4 Frilsham St, Sutton Courtney, Abingdon, Oxon, Tel. 01235 848879
Watersports
- Craig Cohoon, Water ski school, Whelford Rd, Fairford, Tel. 01285 713735
- Cotswold Water Park, Cirencester, Gloucester, Tel. 01285 861459. Cotswold Water Park, a
network of lakes formed out of 60 years of gravel extraction. Water-based activities
include angling, wind surfing, sailing, water skiing and power boat racing, as well as
lakeside walks, picnic sites, golf, riding, kids quad bikes and fishing. The park is also
recognised for nature conservation. Open all year.
- Jet-Ski U.K. Ltd, Lake 11, Spine Rd, Cotswold Water Park, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 861345
- Keynes Park Windsurfing Club, Shorncote, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 861202
- South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre, Spine Rd, South Cerney, Cirencester, Tel. 01285
860388. Courses available in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, snorkelling, rafting, and
more.
- Spine Rd Sailboarding School, Lake 10, Spine Rd, South Cerney, Cirencester, Tel. 01285
861555
- Camp Riding Centre, The Camp, Stroud, Tel. 01285 821219
- Cheltenham Horse Riding Centre, Noverton Farm, Noverton Lane, Prestbury, Cheltenham,
Tel. 01242 570824
- Cotswold Trail Riding, Ongars Farm, Brookthorpe, Tel. 01452 813344
- Far Furlong Stables, Nether Westcote, Kingham, Tel. 01993 830828
- Hailey Equitation Centre, Poffley End, Hailey, Witney, Tel. 01993 702844
- Hartpury College, Hartpury, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 700678
- Huntley School of Equitation, Woodend Farm, Huntley, Tel. 01452 830440
- Merrybrook Equestrian Centre, Haselor Lane, Charlton, Evesham, Tel. 01386 860830
- Mill Farm Riding Stables, Mill Farm, Greet, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 602627
- Moyfield Riding School, South Littleton, Evesham, Tel. 01386 830207
- Oaklands Riding School, Windmill Farm, Shipston Rd, Tysoe, Tel. 01295 688045
- Pittern Hill Stables, Pittern Hill, Kineton, Warks, Tel. 01296 640370
- Playmate Riding School, Hardwicke Mews, Elmstone Hardwicke, Cheltenham, Tel.01242
680888. Children only.
- Pontlarge Livery, Stanley Pontlarge, Winchcombe, Tel. 01242 675012
- Portmans Farm, Longdon, Upton-on-Severn, Tel. 01684592873
- The Riding Stable, Clarks Hill, Hampton, Evesham, Tel. 01386 443385
- Southam Riding School, Southam Rd, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 242194
- Stonecroft Equestrian Centre, Kineton Rd, Oxhill, Banbury, Tel. 01926 640373
- Summerhouse Equitation Centre, Bath Rd, Hardwicke, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 720288
- Talland School of Equitation, Church Farm, Siddington, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 652318
- Turpins Lodge Riding Centre, Lodge Farm, Hook Norton, Banbury, Tel. 01608 737033
- Ullenwood Riding Centre, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 575020
- Valley Farm Equestrian Centre, Shotteswell, Banbury, Tel. 01295 730576
- Willersey Stables, Willersley Road Farm, Badsey, Broadway, Tel. 01386 858189
- Woodlands, Glebe Farm, Wood-Stanway, Winchcombe, Tel. 01386 584404 days, 01386 584391
evenings.
- Ham Country Bowling Club, The Bentham Centre, Whitcombe, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 864157
- Bredon Bowling Club, Village Hall, Main Rd, Bredon, Tel. 01684 72008
- Cheltenham Bowling, Ashbourne Green, Suffolk Square, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 524164
- Broadway Bowling, Kennel Lane, High St, Broadway, Tel. 01386 852515
- South Littleton Bowling, Evesham, Tel. 01386 830198
- Cheltenham Cricket Club, Victoria Ground, Princes St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 523364
- Broadway Golf Club, Willersey Hill, Broadway, WR12 7LG. Tel.01386 853683
- Burford Golf Club, Burford, OX8 4JG. Tel. 01993 822149
- Cirencester Golf Club, Cheltenham Rd, Cirencester, GL7 7BH. Tel. 01285 65393
- Cleeve Hill Golf Club, Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 672025
- Cotswold Edge Golf Club, Upper Rushmire, Wotton under Edge, GL12 7PT. Tel. 01453 844167
- Cotswold Hills Golf Club, Ullenwood, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 515264
- Gloucestershire Hotel Golf Club, Matson Lane, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 411331
- Lilly Brook Golf Club, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8EG. Tel. 01242 580715
- Lydney Golf Club, Lakeside Avenue, Lydney, Tel. 01594 842614
- Minchinhampton Golf Club, Minchinhampton, Stroud, GL6 8BE. Tel. 01453 832642
- Naunton Downs Golf Club, Naunton Downs, Cheltenham, Tel. 01451 850090
- Painswick Golf Club, Clubhouse,
Painswick, Stroud, GL6 6LT. Tel. 01452 812810
- Puckrup Hall Golf Club, Puckrup, Tewkesbury, Tel. 01684 296200
- Rodway Hill Golf Club, Rodway Hill, Highnam, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 384222
- Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club, Stinchcombe Hill, Dursley, GL11 6AQ. Tel. 01453 542015
- Streamleaze Golf Club, Streamleaze, Wotton under Edge, Tel. 01453 843128
- Tewkesbury Park Hotel Golf Club, Lincoln Green Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 7DN. Tel. 01684
295405
- Westonbirt Golf Club, Westonbirt, Tetbury, GL8 8QG. Tel. 01668 82429
Steam Railway Rides
- These are available for enthusiasts. The Severn Valley Railway operates trains between
Kidderminster and Bridgenorth and caters for special occasions as well as for casual
travellers. For details telephone 01299 403816. The Gloucester-Warwick Railway runs a
round trip on five miles of track starting at Toddington, with special event days and
facilities for the disabled. For details and timetables send s.a.e. to The G.W. Railway,
The Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire GL54 5DT
Coach/Road Tours
- Coach tour services are provided by Tourist Information Centres in Cheltenham, Tel.
01242 522878, Cirencester Tel. 01285 654180, Gloucester Tel. 01452 421188, Stroud Tel.
01453 765768, and Tewkesbury Tel. 01684 295027. For information about booking, tours and
pick-up points phone any of these numbers.
- Landrover Safaris: the
Cotswold Edge and surrounding area provides a multitude of interesting places and hidden
valleys which can be explored by on and off road vehicles. Safari Trips in four-wheeled
Landrovers are available, for details telephone 01453 833 816
Boat Trips
- Gloucester Docks provides a starting point for nautical interests. Linked to the
National Waterways Museum, with its opportunities for museum hands-on activities, a 40
minute boat trip leaves at regular intervals on one of the Dunkirk little ships, along the
river Severn canal. For more information telephone 01452 311190
Guided walks
- There's no shortage of footpaths in the Cotswolds, 3000 miles in all, and there are
voluntary wardens who look after them. Walks can be arranged throughout the year, send
s.a.e. to National Trust, Mythe End House, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 6EB
Flying, Balloon Rides
- The Archer Flying Group SE3, Staverton Airport, Staverton, Cheltenham, Tel. 01452 713830
- Cotswold Gliding Club, Ashton Down Airfield, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 760415
- Staverton Flying School EC22, Gloucester Airport, Tel. 01452 712388
- Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club, Nympsfield, Tel. 01453 860342
- Ballooning in the Cotswolds, Fallowfield, Daglingworth, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 885462
- Cameron Balloon Flights, Tel. 01672 62277. Launch sites throughout Southern Britain.
- Champagne Flights, Old Rectory, Canterbury Close, N. Yate, Bristol, Tel. 01454 322117
- Heart of England Balloons, Cross Lanes Farm, Walcote, Alcester, Stratford-Upon-Avon Tel.
01789 488219
Tourist Information Centres
These are a valuable source of information on one-off events as well as regular
festivals and it may be useful to send for information before travelling or call in at one
of these as soon as possible to plan some unusual days out. The Information Centres
produce leaflets covering many topics including art shows, lectures, craft displays,
musical recitals, military displays, rural fairs, antique fairs, dances (tea, sequence),
auctions, markets, open-air Shakespeare, walks, bat-and-badger-watches, dry-stone walling
techniques, cheese-rolling and underwear of the 19th Century, to name but a few. For more
information go to Tourist Information Centres.
English Heritage
English Heritage provide a leaflet on Historical Events and Battle Re-enactments. The
battle of Tewkesbury and the Medieval Fair at Warwick Castle are notable examples and are
within easy reach of the Cotswolds.
- English Heritage, 429 Oxford St, London, WR1 2HD
National Trust
The National Trust produce a leaflet on concerts and events held on National Trust
property for each year. For current listings send s.a.e.
- The National Trust Severn Regional Office, Mythe End House, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
GL20 6EB
Other Sources
Notable Festivals to look out for include:- Bath Festival, Bristol Balloon Festival in
August, Three-Choirs Festival in Gloucester, Cheltenham Festival of Literature. Glossy
leaflets on Festivals of Art and Culture in the Cotswolds are available from:-
- Gloucestershire Tourism, County Planning Department, Shire Hall, Gloucestershire GL12TN
Theatre, Cinema and Concert Halls
North Cotswolds
- Cannon Cinema, Horse Fair, Banbury, Tel. 01295 262071, 01295 278212
- Chipping Norton Theatre, 2 Spring St, Chipping Norton, Tel. 01608 642350
- Mill Community Arts and Education Centre The, Spiceball Park, Banbury, Tel. 01295 252050
- Roses Theatre The, Sun St, Tewkesbury, Tel. 01684 295074
- RSC, Stratford-on-Avon, Tel. 01789 295623
- Theatreroom and Theatrebarn, Bretforton Grange, Bretforton, Evesham, Tel. 01386 831875
- Theatre The, Chipping Norton, Tel. 01608 642350
Central Cotswolds
- Cheltenham Playhouse, Bath Rd, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 522852
- Cheltenham Town Hall, Pump Room, Tel. 01242 5236900, 10242 227979
- Cinema at the Corn Exchange, Market Square, Witney, Tel. 01993 703646
- Everyman Theatre, Regent St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 572573
- Guildhall Arts Centre, 23 Eastgate St, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 505089, 01452 505086
- Kings Theatre The, Kingsbarton St, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 300130
- MGM Cinema, The Peel Centre, Bristol Rd, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 331185
- New Olympus Theatre The, 162-166 Barton St, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 525917
- Odeon Cinemas, Winchcombe St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 514421
South Cotswolds
- Albany Centre Montpellier, Albany Rd, Bristol, Tel. 0117 542154
- Arts Centre, Devises Rd, Swindon, Tel. 01793 614837
- Arts Centre Cinema, 4-5 King Square, Bristol, Tel. 0117 240195, 0117 422110
- Bath Puppet Theatre, !7 Argile St, Riverside, Bath, Tel. 01225 480532
- Bingham Hall The, King St, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 653313
- Brewery Arts (Cirencester Workshops and Niccol Centre) Tel. 01285 657181
- Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustines Parade, Bristol, Tel. 0117 299444
- Bristol Old Vic, King St, Bristol, Tel. 0117 250250
- Gaity Cinema, 377 Wells Rd, Bristol, Tel. 0117 776224
- Cannon Cinema, 23-24 Westgate St, Bath, Tel. 01225 461730, 01225 462959
- Cannon Cinema, Northumbria Drive, Henlease, Bristol, Tel. 0117 621644
- Cannon Cinema, Frogmore St, Bristol, Tel. 0117 262849
- Colston Hall, Colston House, Colston St, Bristol, Tel. 0117 223686
- Cotswold Playhouse Theatre, Parliament St, Stroud, Tel. 01453 756279
- Hope Centre, Hope Chapel Hill, Bristol, Tel. 0117 215271
- Little Theatre, St Michael's Place, Bath, Tel. 01225 466822
- MGM Cinemas, Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, West Swindon, Tel. 01793 881118
- MGM Cinema, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, Tel. 0117 733640
- Odeon Cinema, Union St, Bristol, Tel. 0117 290882
- Perm Arts Centre, South St, Uley, Dursley, Tel. 01453 860703
- Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Bristol, Tel. 0117 743384
- Regal Cinema, Lewis Lane, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 658755
- Robins Cinema, St Johns Place, Bath Tel. 01225 461506
- St Georges Music Trust, St Georges, Brandon Hill, Bristol, Tel. 0117 230359
- Theatre Royal, Bath, Tel. 01225 448844
- Theatre Royal, King St, Bristol, Tel. 0117 264388
- Town Cinema The, 18a Market St, Wotton under Edge, Tel. 01453 521666
- Watershed, Bristol, Tel. 0117 253845
- Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre, Theatre Square, Swindon, Tel. 01793 524481
- Axiom Arts Centre, Winchcombe St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 253183. Jazz, rock, folk
events and workshops. Art gallery upstairs.
- Brewery Arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester, Tel. 01285 657181. Events vary.
- Cafe Tabac, High St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 224326. Evening jazz, folk, rock,and pop.
- Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 523690. Concerts and
recitals.
- Duck and Pheasant, North Place, Cheltenham,Tel. 01242 570978. Local bands.
- Fish and Fiddle, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 238001. Jazz and Funk live
events.
- Gloucester Cathedral. Choral events, organ recitals and concerts.
- Guildhall Arts Centre, Eastgate St, Gloucester, Tel. 01452 505089. Jazz, rock, folk
and ethnic music concerts.
- Hunters Cafe Bar and Brasserie, Winchcombe St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 570151. Local
bands.
- J.P. Peppers Cafe Bar, Regent St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 573488. Bullfrog Blues Bar
Club, Latin American guitar nights and jazz.
- Pittsville Pump Room, Albert Rd, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 523852. Concerts and recitals.
- The Playhouse Theatre, 49 Bath Rd, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 522852. Light opera and
musical plays by local groups.
- Roses Theatre, Sun St, Tewkesbury, Tel. 01684 295071. Choral, country, jazz and folk
music.
- Tewkesbury Abbey. Secular and religious music concerts.
- Two Pigs, Church St, Lower High St, Cheltenham, Tel. 01242 226030. Local bands
playing rock, jazz and pop.
Return to the Cotswold HyperGuide Home Page
Copyright Digital Brilliance 1995