Here are a few things to do for accompanying friends and family (or everyone if it's raining). The Stroud tourist site and Cotswold Guide also have plenty of ideas.

Places to go

• The National Arboretum at Westonbirt.
• Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge.
• National Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks.
• Bristol Aero Collection at Kemble (open Sunday and Monday).
• Concorde at Filton (you need to book in advance).
• Woodchester Mansion (open weekends), just south of Nympsfield in Woodchester Park.
• Stroud Farmers' Market on Saturday morning. The best farmers' market in the country.
• Museum in the Park in Stroud which is free, with free parking and a swimming pool and leisure complex attached. Great local history of Stroud.

Walks

• The Wysis Way long distance path follows the canal in the valley to the north of the airfield and connects with the Thames Path at Kemble.
• Find the source of the Thames. Park near Kemble (map) and follow the river. Don't try to find the souce marked on the map from the A433 - you won't find it.
• Cirencester Park - large wood between the airfield and Cirencester (map).
• Woodchester Park - secluded valley and lakes (map).
• There's a load of walks on the Walking in Gloucestershire site.

Entertainment

• There is an Apollo cinema and ten pin bowling in Stroud.
• Magicland in Cirencester and Go Bananas in Stroud are great indoor play area for kids up to the age of about 10.
• Swimming in Cirencester is great at the leisure centre (for serious swimmers.)
• Or 'Oasis' in Swindon if you want thrills, spills, slides and water features. This is a nightmare at weekends, but very quiet during the week. Public swimming available from midday weekdays.

Shopping

• You will find the more interesting shops in Tetbury, Cirencester, Cheltenham and Bath.