The Wilson, Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum

The Wilson is Cheltenham's main art gallery and museum, on Clarence Street in the town centre, and it is free to enter, which makes it one of the most accessible family options in the town. The permanent galleries cover Cheltenham's history from its Regency spa heyday to the present, with archaeological finds, a notable costume and textile collection and an Edward Wilson section devoted to the Cheltenham-born Antarctic explorer who travelled with Scott. The Arts and Crafts gallery is one of the finest collections of that movement in the country, with work from Liberty and colleagues; check the website for any temporary closure of specific galleries.

For families the WOW children's gallery is designed for younger visitors to explore and play at their own pace, and there is a Play Cafe with a LEGO wall and book boats where children can settle in and read alongside the adults. Family trails and clipboards are available to take around the wider galleries, turning the visit into a gentle hunt. Through the school holidays the museum runs artist-led workshops for children aged four to ten, which are popular and worth booking in advance. The whole building is air-conditioned and entirely indoors, which makes it a reliable wet-weather choice in the centre of town.

Being free and central means The Wilson sits naturally alongside a walk through Cheltenham, a visit to Pittville Park or a look at the town's Regency streets. It is closed on Mondays; all other days it is open from 10am. Note the Sunday closing time of 4pm rather than the usual 5pm.

Good for: arts, history, rainy-day, sensory. Ages: 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.