Family Fun Friday - Stream dipping & mini raft racing

Stream dipping and raft racing in Watery Bottom

Cleeve Common sits on the long chalk ridge above Cheltenham — the largest area of common land in the Cotswolds and a genuine SSSI. It's the kind of place where you can walk for an hour without seeing tarmac, and the stream running through the valley at its foot goes by the name Watery Bottom, which will delight children before they've even pulled their wellies on.

Stream dipping is hands-on wildlife surveying: nets, trays, turning over stones, and working out what invertebrates and water beetles have made a home in the water. The Cleeve Common Trust brings the equipment down to the Wash pool and leads children through the process.

The walk there from Quarry car park is just over a mile — a gentle 30 minutes, but allow more if you have small legs in the group, and it's a good spot for a picnic once you arrive.

The Trust also provides mini raft-making materials; bring scissors, string and any accessories you like, and pick up sticks on the walk down. Aimed at primary school age, with younger siblings welcome. All children must be supervised throughout.

Booking is required via Eventbrite — you only need tickets for the children, not the adults.

Friday 7 August 2026 · Cleeve Common, Quarry Car Park, Cleeve Hill, Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire GL52 3PW · 12:30–3:30pm