Our best things to do in the Cotswolds with kids

From castles, to wildlife parks, water activities, and walks, here are some of the best things to do in the Cotswolds on your family weekend away or holiday.

With its picture-pretty villages, rolling hills, and historic landmarks, the Cotswolds is a perfect destination for a short family break or day trip from London.  However, it’s not just about cute villages and honey-coloured cottages and you’ll find an abundance of exciting things to do in the Cotswolds with kids.

Whether it’s animal attractions, stately homes or following in the footsteps of Romans, the Cotswolds has plenty of family attractions and fun things to do with children.  In addition, the Cotswolds is a National Landscape, providing ample opportunities for enjoying the English countryside and family-friendly nature walks.

We hope you enjoy our pick of the best things to do in the Cotswolds with kids.

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So, before we begin, here’s a little background to the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds is a stunning area of English countryside in central area of South West England.  It is a huge place, covering 5 counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire) and stretching along a range of rolling hills from just south of Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath.  You would need to take several trips to visit it all, so it’s ideal for lots of short breaks.

It is a rural area and popular with walkers and visitors who want to enjoy the quintessential English villages and a taste of old-world charm.  However, it’s also a brilliant place to take kids and you’ll find plenty of exciting family things to do in the Cotswolds.

As a family, we’ve been on many trips to the Cotswolds, including a 3-day break in Upper Slaughter, a 5-day stay in Chipping Campden and a weekend at the Cotswold Water Park.  This has given us plenty of opportunities to try out all the fantastic places to visit.

Batsford Arboretum is a large woodland garden just outside Moreton-in-Marsh in the heart of the Cotswolds.  Spread over 56 acres, this arboretum provides a beautiful outdoor space, with plenty of areas for kids to explore.

As you’d expect, Batsford Arboretum has an extensive tree collection.  This includes rare trees from around the world, including mighty redwoods, Norwegian spruces, and stunning red Japanese acers.  In spring you’ll see magnificent displays of flower from the cherry blossoms and pink magnolias.

The gardens are more informal than some others in the Cotswolds and this really appealed to the kids.  You’ll get a map to follow but can take your own route.  Allow some time to explore the Hermit’s Cave, step under the waterfall, and observe the swamp garden.

In the gardens you’ll find a lot of Japanese influence from when Batsford Arboretum was created in 1886.  Look out for a series of pretty, red bridges crossing the stream, a stone Buddha statue, and an oriental rest house.

After your walk, there is a playground with a big sand pit by the café.  We also stopped at the paddock by the car park for a stroke of the very friendly donkey.

Allow at least two hours for your visit to the Batsford Arboretum, as it is one of the best things to do in the Cotswolds with kids.

Click here for more information on a visit to Batsford Arboretum.

Snowshill Manor was the home of eccentric Charles Wade.  He bought the 16^th Century Snowshill Manor to house his eclectic collection of possessions.  Eventually, he had over 22,000 unusual objects, including toys, clocks, and quirky art objects.

Today the manor house and gardens are owned by the National Trust and open to the public.  Visitors can explore the quirky museum to see Wade’s treasure trove of collectibles.  Each room has a different collection of artefacts, including an extensive collection of 17^th century Samurai armour, medieval items, and paintings.

Outside,  Wade created a series of small, themed gardens, which reflect his unconventional personality.  There is plenty to interest children, including the dovecote, a small model village and fish pond with newts.

For full details of admission prices and opening times click here.

Hidcote Manor Gardens is a famous landscaped garden in the north of the Cotswolds, near Chipping Campden.  The garden was designed by Lawrence Johnstone, after his mother bought the estate in 1907.

Today, Hidcote Manor Gardens is under the stewardship of the National Trust and admission is free for members.  It is one of the most influential Arts and Crafts garden in Britain and is famous for its rare plants and shrubs.

The gardens at Hidcote are very symmetrical and show impeccable design and planning.  You’ll find a series of “garden rooms”, each with their own character, separated by creative use of hedges, walls, and borders.

Kids will enjoy following the trails between the different gardens and discovering what’s round the next corner.  The wilderness is a great spot for a picnic with views stretching over the Vale of Evesham.  If you’re there in spring, you may spot lambs.

One of the best family days out in the Cotswolds is to the Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford.

Located in 160 acres of landscaped gardens, the Cotswolds Wildlife Park provides plenty of outdoor place to see and enjoy the animals.   The zoo has a strong focus on conservation and assists with breeding programmes for several endangered species.

With over 260 species of animals, your biggest problem will be deciding which to visit first.  From giant rhinos roaming their paddocks to cold-blooded creatures in the reptile house, there really is something for everyone.

One of the highlights of the Cotswold Wildlife Park is how close you can get to the animals.  You can see lemurs close-up on a journey through the Madagascan Walkthrough or look giraffes in the eye on the giraffe walkway.

If you’re visiting with younger children, head to the children’s farmyard where they can get in the enclosure to pet the pygmy goats.  Other attractions at the park include an adventure playground and a miniature train which runs round the perimeter of the park.

In addition to the amazing collection of animals, the Cotswold Wildlife Park has landscaped gardens, lush lawns, and picnic areas.  Within the walled gardens, you’ll find a collection of exotic plants and flowers.  Look out for the tropical house, with sloths and bats inside.

If you’re an animal lover, the Cotswolds Wildlife Park is a brilliant place to visit in the Cotswolds.  For full details of the prices and opening times click here.

If you are visiting the Cotswolds with younger children, don’t miss out on a visit to the Cotswolds Farm Park.  This interactive animal attraction is in Guiting Power, near Cheltenham.

The Cotswold Farm Park is perfect for families and offers everything you need for a fun day out in the Cotswolds.  You can explore the farm and visit the different farm animals, including a variety of rare breeds.  You may even recognise some of the animals from the BBC series Countryfile, where owner Adam Henson has a regular slot.

You’ll also find a great selection of play equipment, including an adventure barn, bouncy pillows and sandpits.  Alternatively, you could go on a tractor ride or follow one of the wildlife walks.

A short trail round the paddocks will take you to some of the farm’s traditional British breeds of pigs and goats.  You’ll even be able to feed them.  If you want a longer walk, follow the two-mile woodland trail around the estate to see some of the local wildlife in its natural habitat.

Although the Cotswold Farm Park is a fantastic all-year attraction, spring is a fantastic time to visit if you want to see birthing lambs.  The farm has an enormous indoor barn, where you’ll see the newborns.  There is also a petting barn, where younger kids can stroke the small animals.

Click here for full details and admission prices to the Cotswold Farm Park.

One of the best family-friendly attractions in Bourton-on-the-Water is the wildlife park, Birdland.  With over 500 birds, you can see a selection of different birds from around the world.  Look out for flamingos, pelicans, and a collection of King Penguins.

It’s a small wildlife park, so ideal for younger children to walk round.  For dinosaur fans, they have Jurassic Journey, a trail leading through a pre-historic world of life-size dinosaurs. If the kids have any energy left, there’s a small playground too.

Click here for admission prices and opening times to Birdland.

Another family attraction for animal lovers in the Cotswolds is the Cotswold Falconry Centre, which is adjacent to Batsford Arboretum.  The wildlife centre near Moreton-in-Marsh is home to about 150 birds of prey.  You can see the birds in action throughout the day in free-flying demonstrations and trainer talks.

You will get a discount if you visit both attractions.  Click here for prices to the Cotswold Falconry.

Hiking around the Cotswolds is a fantastic way to explore the area and enjoy the countryside and you’ll find a great choice of family walks for all abilities.

Even kids who don’t like walking will love the nature and wildlife.  On just one walk, we spotted pheasants, lambs, deer, horses and cows!  And what makes it even better is that walking is one of the best free things to do in the Cotswolds!

We have tried and tested many family walks in the Cotswolds, but here’s our pick of the best.

One of the best family walks in the Cotswolds is up to Dover’s Hill.

Dover’s Hill is the first landmark on the long-distance National Trail, the Cotswolds Way.  The trail takes you from the charming market town of Chipping Campden up a steep hill to the viewpoint.  From here you’ll have great views over the Vale of Evesham.  It’s a great spot for a picnic, or for rolling down the other side of the hill!

Historically, Dover’s Hill has hosted the historic Olympik Games, which have been running for over four hundred years.  Traditional games at this event include shin kicking, tug o’war and relay races with wheelbarrows and dustbins!

From the top you can retrace your steps to Chipping Campden or follow a circular trail over the hill through the beautiful Lynches Wood.  We were there in April, when the woodland floor had a picturesque blanket of bluebells.

Click here for a map and details of the circular walk.

Another brilliant family walk in the Cotswolds is from Broadway village to the iconic Broadway Tower. Built in 1798, the tower is actually a folly, built for Lady Coventry.  This is the second highest point in the Cotswolds with views stretching over the Cotswold countryside and as far as Wales.

There are several ways to get to Broadway Tower.  Firstly, you could walk directly from the village of Broadway following the national trail, the Cotswolds Way.  This route is about 1 mile.  Alternatively you could do a longer circular walk of 4 miles.  We took the longer route, which had some tough climbs, but lots of wildlife.

If you don’t fancy a climb, there is a National Trust car park at the top, with a lovely café nearby.  Before heading back down the hill, you can climb up inside the tower, visit the herd of red deer, and look out for the nuclear bunker.

At the bottom of the hill, you’ll reach a playground just before you turn into the High Street.  Click here for a map and details of the circular walk to Broadway Tower.

One of the easiest family-friendly walks in the Cotswolds is between Upper and Lower Slaughter.  Despite their name, the Slaughters are two of the prettiest chocolate-box villages in the Cotswolds.  The sinister sounding name derives from the Old English meaning “muddy place”.

We always start in Upper Slaughter and follow the Warden’s Way trail to Lower Slaughter.  It’s an easy route through meadows and takes about 20 minutes.  Lower Slaughter has traditional honey-coloured cottages and sits by a stream.  It’s unbelievably unspoilt.

However, there is a café, The Old Mill, which is a 19^th Century converted mill.  You can still see the original water mill and go in the museum.  Another option is to take a picnic and watch the ducks on the stream.

History-lovers will enjoy a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa near Cheltenham.  Chedworth is one of the largest Roman villas ever found in Britain.

The original Chedworth Villa dates to the 4^th century AD.  However, it was long forgotten and only rediscovered by Victorian archaeologists about 150 years ago.  Since then, Chedworth Roman Villa has been part of a long excavation programme.

Today, Chedworth Roman Villa is owned by the National Trust.  Inside the conservation building a glass walkway leads over the hypocaust system (early underfloor heating). You can also see one of Britain’s earliest mosaics.  There are activities for children such as coin rubbing and dressing up Roman style.

Outside you can explore the ancient ruins of the Roman villa and imagine how life would have been for its inhabitants.  They even have evidence of an early flushing toilet! Another smaller museum has a collection of original Roman artefacts.

The Romans chose the site for the villa wisely as the area is in the heart of beautiful Cotswold countryside.  Children will also love the nature trail on the short woodland walk in the grounds of the villa.

Click here for details of prices and opening times.

For a big handful of history and heritage, head to the historic city of Bath in the most southernly area of the Cotswolds.  It was named after the thermal baths, established there by Romans hundreds of years ago.  Today the Roman Baths is one of the most visited tourist attractions in England.  It is also a World Heritage Site.

The Roman Baths was built on the site of unique thermal springs, which provide the spa with natural hot water.  Today it is one of the most family friendly attractions in the Cotswolds.  An audio tour, narrated by author Michael Rosen, will guide you round the museum and all its exhibits.  Everything is clearly labelled and it’s easy to imagine how the Romans would have enjoyed this fantastic facility.

You’ll find plenty of other family-friendly attractions in Bath.  There’s a good choice of museums and lots of green outside spaces and parks.

Click here for ideas of things to do in Bath with kids.

Another museum in the Cotswolds where children can enjoy discovering how the Romans lived is at the Corinium Museum.  Located in the heart of Cirencester, the Corinium Museum is home to a collection of artefacts from the Roman Town of Corinium.

This is great museum for revisiting Roman Britain.  However, the museum doesn’t just focus on Romans and has objects throughout history.  Kids can see a Roman town house, mosaics and tools dating to Prehistoric times.

One of the best places for active families in the Cotswolds is The Cotswold Water Park.  This is a gigantic lake system to the south of Cirencester.  It has more than 170 lakes in an area of 40 square miles, giving the area a very different landscape to other areas of the Cotswolds.

With so many lakes, the Cotswold Water Park is the perfect destination if you want to try any water activities in the Cotswolds.  They offer watersports for all different age groups.  We tried canoeing and paddle boarding, but they have other water activities, including a giant inflatable water park.

To the north of the Cotswold Water Park is a country park, with its own beach and adventure playground. If kids don’t like the water, there’s a selection of other things to do at the Cotswolds Water Park.  It’s extremely scenic, so you can hike or cycle.  The focus of the water park is wildlife conservation, and the area is abundant in wildlife and waterfowl.

There is a good choice of accommodation if you want to stay at the Cotswold Water Park.  The Lower Mill Estate is a nature reserve with eco-friendly residences overlooking the lakes.  Alternatively, there are hotels, campsites, and other self-catering options.

Click here for more information on a stay at the Cotswold Water Park.  It’s certainly one of the Cotswold’s top places to visit with kids.

Bourton-on-the-Water, known as “Venice of the Cotswolds”, is one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.  Tourists flock to see this picturesque village, famed for its low arched bridges spanning the River Windrush.

However, Bourton-on-the-Water is also one of the best villages in the Cotswolds to visit with kids.  With a wildlife park, model village, and motoring museum, there is something for everyone young and old in Bourton-on-the-Water.  It’s no surprise it’s one of our favourite places to visit with kids in the Cotswolds.

Click here for full details of the best things to do in the Cotswolds with kids.

One of the must-see attractions in Bourton-on-the-Water is the Model Village.  This miniature village is a 1/9^th scale replica of the actual Bourton on the Water, built in the same Cotswold stone.  Located by the Old New Inn in the centre of Bourton, the model village was built over several years.  It includes tiny versions of the low arched bridges crossing the Windrush River, and all the shops and cafés in the town.

It’s better to visit the village first so that the kids can look for buildings and places they recognise.  Of course, the icing on the cake is finding the tiny model village in the Model Village.

One of the most fun activities in the Cotswolds is The Dragonfly Maze in Bourton-on-the Water.

The Dragonfly Maze is a traditional yew tree maze with a twist.  Rather than just finding the middle of the maze, children have to solve 14 clues to help discover the Golden Dragonfly.

You’ll find The Dragonfly Maze next to Birdworld.  It really is a lot of fun for children and adults alike.

The Cotswold Motoring Museum has a collection of motoring memorabilia throughout the ages.  Discover classic cars, vintage bicycles, and a variety of other transport related items.  The celebrity car at the museum is Brum, from the children’s TV series.

In addition to all the vehicles, you’ll find an assortment of toys from bygone days.  Take a trip down memory lane to see some of your family favourite toys from your childhood.

Click here for details of prices and opening hours.  If you like cars, get yourself here for a visit!

If you are looking for chocolate-box villages in the Cotswolds, then Bibury should be high on your list.  It’s a dream destination for any Instagrammers!

Bibury was described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England”.  Today it is still the most photographed, thanks to its row of 14^th Century weavers’ cottages, Arlington Row.

After a quick visit to Arlington Row, you can follow the footpath across Rack Isle, a National Trust Wildfowl Reserve.  It’s only a short trail, but we saw a pheasant and a nesting swan.

Across the reserve from Arlington Row is Bibury Trout Farm, the oldest trout farm in England.  Children can feed the trout, watch them jumping out of the water or even try their hand at fishing.

For full details of admission prices and opening times click here.

Bleinheim Palace is the birthplace of wartime leader, Winston Churchill.  This grandiose stately home was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 and is now a popular family attraction. Bleinheim Palace is in Woodstock in 2,000 acres on the edge of the Cotswolds.

You’ll find lots of things to interest kids at Bleinheim Palace. As well as the formal gardens, there are pleasure gardens for kids and an adventure playground.  A miniature train runs round the ground, so even little children can get a tour of the estate.

In addition to the normal attractions, they offer an annual programme, with special activities for kids.  This year they are hosting a jousting tournament, a visiting circus and a dog show.

Click here for tickets to Blenheim Palace.

If you are visiting the Cotswolds with younger children or toddlers, they will love a play session at the new outdoor stay and playgroup near Chipping Campden.  Let them fuel their imagination in one of the themed play stations, including the Mudders kitchen, speedway, leisure village or construction site.

Mini Mudders is for children aged 6 months to 5 years old, but grown-ups will love the setting.  The Mini Mudders play group is within the walled garden of the beautiful Kiftsgate Court near Mickleton.

Click here to book a play session at Mini Mudders.

A church door is an unlikely tourist attraction for children, but the north door at St Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold is quite an exception.

This 13^th century door is flanked by two ancient yew trees, giving it a fantastical look.  Local legends says that the door inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Doors of Durin.  Whether or not it did, it’s a great sight for anyone with a good imagination!

Sudeley Castle is near to the medieval market town of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.  Originally a manor house in the 11th Century, Sudeley Castle had a turbulent history spanning 1000 years.  It has many royal connections and is now the only private castle in England with a queen buried in its grounds.

Unfortunately we couldn’t buy tickets for the castle, but I wanted to include it as it looks such a great family day out.  Plus the playground looks fantastic.

Here is a map of our places to visit in the Cotswolds with kids.

Where are your best things to do in the Cotswolds with kids?   We’d love to read your comments below:-

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