Your Total Guide To entertainment

Things to Do with Teens in Wiltshire

Things to do with Teens in Chippenham Things to do with Teens in Marlborough Things to do with Teens in Salisbury Things to do with Teens in Swindon Things to do with Teens in Warminster

Finding something to do with teenagers can take a little more thought than it did when they were younger. They might have outgrown the soft play, but that doesn’t mean another afternoon at home is the only option. Wiltshire has plenty of days out that give teens something to try, somewhere new to explore and, crucially, a reason to put their phones down for a while.

If they’re up for a challenge, you could plan a trip to an escape room, go bowling or try an activity you can tackle together. For a more relaxed day, catch a film, browse the shops in Swindon or stop for food after exploring a new town. And when everyone needs some fresh air, Wiltshire’s parks, walking routes and historic sites make it easy to get out without filling the whole day with plans.

The best choice often depends on who you’re going with. Some teenagers will love a competitive afternoon with friends; others would rather have the freedom to wander, take photos and choose where to eat. You’ll also find ideas here for rainy days, school holidays and weekends when you want to do something together without spending a fortune.

We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with teens in Wiltshire, covering Swindon, Salisbury, Chippenham, Trowbridge and beyond. Whether you’re planning a birthday, meeting up with friends or just trying to answer “what shall we do today?”, start here.

Plan a Day Out That Suits Your Teen

You don’t need to spend a lot to make a day of it. Start with our free things to do in Wiltshire for walks, parks and places to explore. If the plan involves a coffee stop, browse our cafés in Wiltshire; for lunch or dinner, take a look at our Wiltshire restaurant guides.

Older teens planning days out with friends might also find our student guide to Wiltshire useful for affordable activities, places to eat and ways to get around. And when you want to plan around a particular date, check what’s on in Wiltshire for upcoming events.

Things to do with Teens in Chippenham

M4 Karting

About: Indoor karting inside a genuine aircraft hangar at Hullavington Airfield, about a mile from Junction 17 on the M4. The 268-metre circuit runs 200cc karts capable of over 35mph, with a live timing system so drivers can track their lap times. Adult karting is open from age 14; junior karting is available for ages 8 to 13 in smaller cadet karts. Arrive-and-drive sessions are available for individuals and small groups, with exclusive Grand Prix-style events for larger groups. Minimoto racing is also available for an additional option. Pre-booking recommended.

Telephone: 01666 838234

Opening Hours: Sessions run throughout the week; hours vary by session type. Check m4karting.com for current availability and booking.

Teen Fun Rating: 5/5

The Arc - Climbing Centre & Skatepark

Where: Westmead Lane, Chippenham, SN15 3HZ

About: The Arc is Chippenham's hub for climbing, bouldering and skating - and a great option for teens who want to burn energy in a way that doesn't feel like a family day out. The indoor centre has roped climbing, a 14-metre roped room, two bouldering rooms and auto belays; the free outdoor skatepark is right alongside it.

No booking needed for bouldering - just turn up and hire kit on the day. Under 16s must be supervised by a registered adult. The on-site café is open daily and is worth visiting even if you're just here for the skatepark.

Opening Hours: Open 7 days a week; closed 25-26 December and 1 January. Peak hours (higher prices) Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 3-8pm; Sat and Sun 8.30am-3pm. Check theclimbingacademy.com for current session times.

Teen Fun Rating: 5/5

Lacock Abbey & Village

Where: Lacock, Chippenham, SN15 2LG

About: If your teenager is a Harry Potter fan, they'll almost certainly recognise parts of Lacock Abbey. The medieval cloisters have appeared in several Harry Potter films, along with Fantastic Beasts, Downton Abbey and Pride & Prejudice.

Beyond the filming locations, there's an impressive abbey to explore and one of England's best-preserved villages, where many of the streets have barely changed for centuries. It's a great place to wander, grab an ice cream and discover some movie magic along the way.

Telephone: 01249 730459

Opening Hours: Open daily. Opening times for the Abbey and village attractions vary throughout the year.

Teen Fun Rating: 5/5

Things to do with Teens in Marlborough

Avebury Stone Circle

Where: Avebury, Marlborough, SN8 1RF

About: Unlike Stonehenge, you can actually walk amongst the ancient stones at Avebury, making it feel much more immersive for teenagers. The enormous Neolithic stone circle surrounds the village itself, so it's easy to explore at your own pace.

There's plenty of open space, interesting history and some great photo opportunities, while nearby cafés and shops make it easy to turn into a relaxed afternoon. Best of all, access to the stone circle is free.

Telephone: 01672 539250

Opening Hours: The stone circle is open daily all year. National Trust visitor facilities and museum opening times vary seasonally - check nationaltrust.org.uk before travelling.

Teen Fun Rating: 5/5

Things to do with Teens in Salisbury

Salisbury Escape Rooms

Where: 11a Fisherton Street, Salisbury, SP2 7SU

About: Salisbury Escape Rooms is an independent escape room in the heart of Salisbury, created by former UK detectives - which gives its scenarios a level of authenticity you don't often find. Current games include murder mystery and detective-led storylines, with 60 minutes on the clock and a group of two to six people.

Suitable for teens aged 12 and over; under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Only a 5-10 minute walk from Salisbury Railway Station, which makes it easy to combine with a day in the city.

Telephone: 01722 428980

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10am - 8pm. Booking in advance is recommended.

Teen Fun Rating: 4/5

Things to do with Teens in Swindon

Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Swindon

Where: Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2DY

About: Over 90 stores of designer and high street brands at up to 60% off - Boss, Superdry, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Reiss and more - all housed inside the beautifully restored Grade II listed buildings of the original Great Western Railway works. There's a great mix of fashion, homeware and beauty.

When hunger strikes, Five Guys, Wagamama and Slim Chickens are all on site. It's also directly next to the STEAM Museum if you want to combine the two.

Telephone: 01793 507600

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am - 8pm. Sunday 10am - 6pm (larger stores 11am - 5pm). Open 364 days a year.

Teen Fun Rating: 5/5

Find out more

Active Reality - Free Roam VR

Where: The Link Centre, Whitehill Way, Swindon, SN5 7DL

About: Free-roam multiplayer virtual reality - meaning you and your group actually walk, run, duck and jump around a physical arena while playing in the same virtual world. No wires, no controllers, no staying seated. Sessions are multiplayer (up to six playing at once, up to twelve per booking) and include a mix of co-operative and competitive games.

Minimum age is 9; under-16s must have a parent or guardian in the venue. A genuinely different experience from home VR - the free-roam setup removes the sense of disconnection that makes standard headsets feel odd.

Telephone: 0333 339 1881

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10am - 8pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6.30pm. Check active-reality.com for session availability and booking.

Teen Fun Rating: 5/5

Rockstar Climbing Centre

Where: Units 3-5, I.O. Centre, Radway Road, Swindon, SN3 4WH

About: Wiltshire's dedicated indoor climbing and bouldering centre, with over 1,700 square metres of wall space reaching up to 10 metres high. There's a full range of roped climbing, bouldering and auto belays, plus a café on site. Suitable for all abilities from complete beginners to experienced climbers - intro sessions are available for those new to the sport. A good option for teenagers who want something more challenging than a soft play centre and more technical than a trampoline park.

Telephone: 01793 824177

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10am - 10pm. Saturday and Sunday 9am - 6pm. Check rockstarclimbing.co.uk before visiting as session availability varies.

Teen Fun Rating: 5/5

Things to do with Teens in Warminster

Longleat Safari Park

Where: Longleat, Warminster, BA12 7PY

About: Longleat is one of the most well-known attractions in the country and it’s easy to see why. The drive-through safari puts you inside open reserves with lions, wolves, tigers, rhinos, meerkats and more - including England's only resident koalas at Koala Creek.

On foot, explore Jungle Kingdom, the Boat Safari and the famous Hedge Maze.

There's easily a full day here, and most teens who think they're too old for a family day out revise that opinion somewhere around the wolf enclosure.

Telephone: 01985 844400

Opening Hours: Open approximately 300 days a year; hours vary seasonally.

Teen Fun Rating: 4/5

Find out more