Your Visit to Cheltenham Science Festival
Get ready for a brilliant Festival experience...
A little prep = a lot more fun. Our Science Festival Guide is your go-to resource for planning your visit – from venue maps and local transport to car parking and accessibility info. Whether you're popping in for the day or staying all week, this section helps you get the most out of your time in Cheltenham.
Want to explore beyond the Festival? Visit Cheltenham has you covered – with ideas on where to stay, eat and drink (we're big fans of the town's indie cafes and pubs), plus guides to local attractions, Regency charm and special offers.
And if you're looking for even more to do while you're here, check out SoGlos.com – Gloucestershire’s top lifestyle site – for events, activities and inspiration to fill your free time.
Getting Here
By Car
The easiest and simplest places to park are the two Park & Ride centres at Arle Court (GL51 6SY), just off Junction 11 of the M5 motorway, and a second at Cheltenham Racecourse (GL50 4SH).
The nearest large car parks to the Festival hub in Imperial Gardens are The Regent Arcade (GL50 1JZ) and Cheltenham Walk (GL50 3PR). There are smaller car parks also in the vicinity including Rodney Road (GL50 1HX) and St George’s Road (GL50 3DT) although parking here is limited.
For people with limited mobility we recommend parking in Regent’s Arcade car park. For more information about parking in Cheltenham visit the Cheltenham Borough Council website.
By Bus
Cheltenham is well connected by local buses. Services 94, 94X, 97 and 10 all stop directly across from Imperial Gardens. For up-to-date timetables and routes, visit the Stagecoach website.
By Train
Imperial Gardens is a 25-minute walk from Cheltenham Spa Railway Station.
There is a taxi rank outside the station if you would like to get a taxi.
There is also a regular bus service from Cheltenham Racecourse Park and Ride car park to the centre of Cheltenham.
By Bike
Prefer to pedal in? There are bike racks available throughout Imperial Gardens — a quick, easy and eco-friendly way to travel.
Food and Drink
The Garden Bar in Imperial Gardens will be open during the Festival where food and drink can be purchased and there are large parasols for shade and cover.
This year we will be joined by Festival favourite Habibah is on site from Friday 6 – Sunday 9 June with a menu of fresh falafel, pitas, salads and a new Kids Menu offering tasty veggie lunches for your mini scientists (from just £5).
Contact Us
If you need any help during the Festival, our Festival volunteers will be onsite to answer your questions. In their pink t-shirts, they're easy to spot.
During the Festival, our social media is the best place to contact us. Alternatively, you can email the Box Office team and they will get back to you as soon as they can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to get into the Festival?
It is completely free to enter the Festival Village in Imperial Gardens. Tickets are needed for each indiviudal event. Please contact our Box Office team if you have any questions
How accessible is the Festival Village?
We believe in a world where everyone can explore and create culture and as part of this we're working hard to make sure the Festival site is accessible. You can find out more about specific venues here.
Where can I find information on your venues?
Please vist our venue information page for access information and how to get to each of our venues.
Are there toilet facilities in the Festival Village?
There are a number of toilet facilities on site in Imperial Gardens and these are clearly signposted on our Festival map and on site.
Do you have an in person Box Office on the Festival site?
Yes, there is an onsite Box Office during Cheltenham Science Festival and it's based in Cheltenham Town Hall. The opening times are published online shortly before the Festival starts as well as at the Box Office itself. Our phone lines are closed during the Festival but you can still email us.
