101 Things To Do With Kids In The Cotswolds

See Also

101 Places To Visit With The Kids in The Cotswolds

  1. Discover the history of the Roman Baths and what life was like thousands of years ago.
  2. Get up close to exotic butterlies at the Butterfly House at Berkeley Castle and Gardens.
  3. Meet the shetland ponies, pygmy goats and Oxford Sandy and Black pigs at Cogges Manor Farm.
  4. See Shakespeare’s birthplace, a beautiful historic building where you can learn all about his early life.
  5. Meet over 500 birds and life-sized dinosaurs on a Jurassic Journey through Birdland Park & Gardens.
  6. Take the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens at Blenheim Palace.
  7. Discover hundreds of the world’s most beautiful insects in the UK’s largest tropical butterfly paradise, The Butterfly Farm.
  8. Take a journey through time at The Cotswold Motoring Museum and check out the wonderful toy collection.
  9. Hop on horseback for a river ride through Bourton on the Water.
  10. Roam around one of the UK’s only remaining monasteries at Lacock Village and Lacock Abbey.
  11. Admire the exotic plants and features in the Japanese inspired gardens of Batsford Arboretum.
  12. Try sailing or paddleboarding at Cotswold Water Park.
  13. Watch a mesmerising flying display at Cotswold Falconry Centre.
  14. Follow the garden trail at Snowshill Manor and Gardens.
  15. Play some ancient games at and discover the archaeology of the Cotswolds at The Corinium Museum.
  16. Take the buggy for a power walk along the Cotswold Way Walk.
  17. Explore the beautiful gardens and grounds of Hidcote Manor.
  18. Immerse yourselves in a purple haze and take in the sights and scent of Cotswold Lavender Farm (seasonal).
  19. Get hands on and feed the animals at The Cotswold Farm Park.
  20. Go on an adventure in the play fort full of hidey-holes and towers to defend at Sudeley Castle.
  21. Become a giant at the Grade II listed Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water.
  22. Take a treetop walk or the Gruffalo trail through Westonbirt Arboretum.
  23. Experience the sensory and learning wonderland of Fairytale Farm.
  24. Bounce on the giant pillows or spend time in the play barn at Cattle Country Adventure Park.
  25. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm at Mary Arden’s Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother.
  26. Spot magical fairytale carvings in the woods at Painswick Rococo Garden.
  27. Hop aboard a steam train on The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
  28. Swim and splash in the open air at The Chipping Norton Lido.
  29. Come eye-to-eye with a giraffe or take a walk on the wild side at Cotswold Wildlife Park.
  30. Explore the remains of one of the grandest Roman villas in Britain, Chedworth Roman Villa.
  31. Browse the toy shop, books and kids clothes and accessories at Burford Garden Company.
  32. Take a delightful mile long stroll between two of the area’s prettiest villages, Upper and Lower Slaughter.
  33. Dare to climb the adrenaline filled Head 4 Heights high ropes.
  34. Have fun at the sensory and soft play, Rugrats and Halfpints.
  35. Tackle the Aquaventure inflatable obstacle course or relax on the sand at Cotswold Country Park & Beach.
  36. Enjoy the Old Lodge play area or spot deer at Dyrham Park, 17th-century house and gardens.
  37. Play in the state of the art Broadway Activity Park, which has climbing towers a skate ride simulation and more.
  38. Pack a picnic and head to the Coaley Peak Picnic Site which offers panoramic views over the Severn Vale.
  39. Take a weekend tractor ride and feed the rare breed animals at Butts Farm.
  40. Take a tour inside a secret nuclear bunker and learn about the Cold War at The Broadway Tower.
  41. Find out why flamingos feed upside down at Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
  42. Head to Cirencester Amphitheatre and check out the remains of one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Britain.
  43. Kids and adults of all ages and abilities can have a go at climbing and bouldering at Far Peak Climbing.
  44. Whizz around on a scooter, skateboard or BMX at Rush Skatepark, one of the largest indoor skateparks in the world.
  45. Become a Junior Croc Keeper for the day at Crocodiles of the World, the UK’s only croc zoo.
  46. Swim in natural spring water at Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool.
  47. Sneak in some shopping at Swindon Designer Outlet. There’s playgrounds and places to eat if the kids get bored.
  48. Step inside an Aladdin’s cave of wonders at The Toy Shop Moreton-in-Marsh.
  49. Marvel at the picture perfect village of Bibury and then feed the fish at Bibury Trout Farm.
  50. Relive Shakespeare’s love story and explore the beautiful 500 year old Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, where Shakespeare courted his bride-to-be.
  51. Climb aboard historic boats and learn how canals work at the National Waterways Museum.
  52. See the birds and bunnies in their aviaries at the large ornamental Pittville Park.
  53. Hop on the Miniature Railway at Cheltenham Society of Model Engineers (on selected days).
  54. Enjoy a taste of mushing on a husky dog sled adventure with Arctic Quest.
  55. Get lost in The Dragonfly Maze as you search for the Golden Dragonfly.
  56. Take in the peaceful farmland, woodland and village sights at Sherborne Park Estate.
  57. Learn the folklore of The King’s Men at The Rollright Stones, an ancient site.
  58. Pack a picnic and find a spot on the banks of the mill stream at Blockley Village.
  59. Visit Combe Mill, a 19th century sawmill with working steam beam engine and waterwheel.
  60. Burn off some energy at Cotswold Clubhouse with its 3-tier soft play frame.
  61. Enjoy the pretty secluded wooded valley of Woodchester Park.
  62. See the famous doll’s house at Tolsey Musuem.
  63. Take a picnic and dip your toes in the water at The River Windrush.
  64. Explore the gardens and see the elephant statues at Sezincote House (children not permitted inside).
  65. Take in some fresh air at Rushy Common Nature Reserve.
  66. Have a go at some wartime skills at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO).
  67. Discover the life and times of one of Britain’s greatest composers at The Holst Birthplace Museum.
  68. Enter the Whispering Gallery at Gloucester Cathedral which is also one of the Harry Potter filming locations.
  69. Hire bikes and explore the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
  70. Step back in time at The Oxford Bus Museum and see an 1881 horse drawn tram.
  71. Try on replica Victorian and Georgian dresses at The Fashion Museum Bath.
  72. Clamber around the adventure play area at Kilkenny Lane Country Park.
  73. Climb into the cockpits of planes from the past at the Jet Age Museum.
  74. Go fly a kite on Minchinhampton Common, the location for annual Kite Festival.
  75. Enter the truly magical Wychwood Wild Garden and look out for the round pond and magnificent Cedar of Lebanon tree.
  76. Go for a swim at Sandford Parks Lido.
  77. Wander around the ancient burial mound of Belas Knap Long Barrow.
  78. See the ships at Gloucester Docks.
  79. Explore new depths at Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean.
  80. Sit in a Victorian classroom or visit a pin factory at The Gloucester Folk Museum.
  81. Pick a Pot and Paint then leave it to be glazed and fired in the kiln, then take home your own ceramics.
  82. Learn all about Malmesbury Lace at the Athelstan Museum.
  83. Adopt an alpaca at Farmtastic Animal Farm.
  84. Find the clues and crack the Bourton on the Water Mystery Trail.
  85. Enjoy the bluebell woods and relaxing water garden at Kiftsgate Court Gardens.
  86. Hit the lanes at Hollywood Bowl.
  87. Get messy at Honeybourne Pottery and have a go on the potter’s wheel.
  88. Spot the 44 carved stone animals around Woodchester Mansion.
  89. Check out the armoured tanks and historic weapons at the REME Museum.
  90. Keep an eye out for badgers, foxes and birds at Robinswood Hill Country Park.
  91. Play Laser Tag with friends or family at Go Bananas Indoor Softplay Centre.
  92. Go Ape in the Forest of Dean and tackle the high ropes course hidden in the treetops.
  93. Jump around at Carterton Soft Play & Trampoline Park.
  94. Catch a 3D film at Vue Stroud.
  95. Take a ride on the Dino Land Train and spot Diplodocus, T-Rex, Velociraptor, Stegosaurus and more at All Things Wild!
  96. Role play at the shops and services in this child-sized town called Jungle Town.
  97. Take a camel trek that will take you high up in the Cotswolds with Josephs Amazing Camels.
  98. Test your skills at Stratford Minigolf, not to be mistaken for crazy golf or adventure golf.
  99. Play in the Small People’s Playground at Ragley Hall.
  100. Interact with contraptions and machines and build marble runs at The Mad Museum.
  101. Peek inside the police cells and try on helmets and handcuffs at Tetbury Police Museum.

101 Things To Do With The Kids

Photo of author

Nicola Horgan

Nicola is a mum of two who loves to travel. After plenty of trips abroad and here in the UK, she enjoys writing about all of the best places to stay and visit, especially with the kids in tow. When it comes to our product guides, Nicola has a wealth of experience in reviewing baby products, kids clothing and homewares. Her background in beauty marketing and fashion, always keeps her looking for the next best product.