The Cotswolds family holidays and breaks

Best Nature Attractions in the Cotswolds

• Discover the National Arboretum at Westonbirt near Tetbury, one of the world’s most spectacular tree gardens, with family walks, events including the annual Treefest (August), with giant-tree carving, crafts and the like, and wonderful Christmas events including an illuminated woodland trail.  

• Head for the marvellous WWT Slimbridge wetland centre west of Stroud, where, against the spectacular backdrop of the Severn Estuary, you can get up-close and personal with swans, ducks, flamingos, geese and other wetland life by Land Rover safari or canoe-safari. You can also go pond-dipping and jump around play in the Welly Boot Land area and Toad Hall soft-play area.  

• Seek out more animal encounters at the longstanding Cotswold Farm Park, a rare breeds conservation site near Bourton-on-the-Water, with a wildlife walk, the chance to bottle-feed lambs and goats, a play barn, an adventure playground, a summer maze, seasonal demonstrations and more.

• Head to the Cattle Country Adventure Park at Berkeley to see the American bison and enjoy mini-tractor rides, a boating lake, an adventure playground and various other attractions. Its mini-castle is based on nearby Berkeley Castle with its tropical butterfly house and activities including costumed shows, archery demonstrations and historical puppet shows.  

•  Watch birds of prey in action at at the Cotswold Falconry Centre near Moreton-in-Marsh.

• Discover the Cotswold Water Park and Beach, with more than 150 lakes in old gravel quarries, 150km+ of pathways, bridlepaths and cycling trails, fishing and watersports galore, and lots of family events.

• Walk some or all of the c.160km Cotswold Way, which offers gorgeous views over the Cotswold edge the entire way.

Cotswolds History and Culture

• Tour the Cotswolds’ ‘capital’ Cirencester, the second-largest Roman settlement in Britain after London – a history you can learn all about at the award-winning Corinium Museum with its hands-on displays, workshops and activities. There’s also a Roman amphitheatre in town. In summer, you can cool off at the Cirencester Open-air Swimming Pool, filled with heated spring water and equipped with a tuck shop.  

• At Bourton-on-the-Water, explore the town’s one-ninth scale replica, the Model Village, complete with a miniature River Windrush.

• Head to Chedworth Roman Villa near Cheltenham, the ample remains of what was one of the country’s largest villas, including mosaics, bathhouses and a latrine. There are costumed interpretations and living-history events featuring gladiators and Roman soldiers, plus trails and the likes of mosaic-making sessions.  

• Have a day out at Sudeley Castle and Gardens, a stately home with historical exhibitions, medieval ruins and a great adventure playground.  

• Ride the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway through spectacular Cotswolds scenery between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse. This heritage railway has both steam and diesel trains and lots of special events.