Your Visit to Cheltenham Science Festival
Here you will find useful information about what to expect when you visit Cheltenham Science Festival, including venue locations, local transport and car parking. Some basic planning with the help of the information in this section will ensure you can make the most of your time in Cheltenham.
For a comprehensive guide to the Regency town of Cheltenham, please use the Visit Cheltenham website where you will find places to stay, a list of all the independent pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants, a history of the town, ideas of extra things to do while you are here and special offers too.
To find out what else is on in the area, visit Gloucestershire’s online lifestyle magazine SoGlos.com.
Festival Village
Cheltenham Science Festival takes place in Imperial Gardens, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QZ
Car Parking
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.
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.
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. Two of our biggest venues, the Big Top and Jazz Arena, have raised viewing platforms and there is tracking from all paved areas throughout the site. 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 Montpellier 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.
