There are few locations in England which can be prettier than the Cotswolds โ however when you absorb these views of honey colored cottages, historical stone bridges and rolling inexperienced hills, thereโs a complete string of issues to do within the Cotswolds with youngsters too.
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Scattered throughout a number of counties, principally Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds is the biggest Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence in England so that youโre spoiled for alternative in the case of child-friendly locations to go to.
One of many best methods to discover is to base your self in a single spot and journey from there to a number of the completely different villages, in addition to the varied household sights within the Cotswolds.
Bourton-on-the-Water is beautiful, with a shallow river working by way of the center of the village, whereas Higher and Decrease Slaughter, Fort Combe and Moreton-in-Marsh are a number of the different hottest choices โ this does imply theyโll all get busy in excessive season, so an alternative choice is to remain in a close-by metropolis.
Cheltenham is a superb alternative, lower than half an hour from Bourton-on-the-Water, but additionally think about Tub and Oxford โ dwelling to the fabulous Story Museum and Museum of Pure Historical past, in addition to having lots for Harry Potter followers.
For extra issues to do in Tub with youngsters, try my choose of the perfect
Blenheim Palace
The one non-royal nation home in all of England to carry the title of palace,ย Blenheim Palaceย at Woodstock within the Oxfordshire countryside, is without doubt one of the most spectacular stately properties to go to.
Well-known for being the birthplace and residential of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, itโs additionally an extremely child-friendly day trip within the Cotswolds, together with an ideal audio tour of the grand palace itself.
Within the 2,000-acre property, youโll discover immersive household exhibitions on the palaceโs historical past, in addition to sprawling gardens that function a youngstersโs play space, a two-mile hedge maze, a miniature practice, butterfly home and pony path for little ones, to not point out particular occasions all year long.
Go to within the run-up to Christmas or at Halloween, and thereโs often an illuminated path to observe as effectively. Itโs simple to spend a full day right here, and with youngstersโs trails and themed trails round the home, thereโs one thing for the entire household.
Try my overview of a day trip at Blenheim Palace with youngsters for extra of the locationโs household sights
Sudeley Fort, Gloucestershire
Lovelyย Sudeley Fortย is greatest identified for its hyperlinks to Queen Katherine Parr, the final spouse of Henry VIII โ the one who โsurvivedโ within the rhyme. Her dwelling and her last resting place, you possibly can nonetheless see her tomb within the fifteenth century church, though Sudeleyโs historical past goes again round 1,000 years.
Itโs not solely the Tudors who performed an element within the citadelโs historical past: Richard III had hyperlinks to Sudeley, whereas Charles Iโs nephew used it as a royalist base through the Civil Battle. Thereโs an exhibition to introduce you to a number of the historic highlights (and lowlights!) with all the pieces from royal love letters to a Roman stone god, plus a ebook of hours relationship from earlier than the Black Dying.
Add in common occasions and actions, the citadel rooms to discover, the gardens, and the gathering of pheasants, and itโs an ideal day trip.
As a last bonus for teenagers, you possibly can imagine youโre inhabiting (and defending) your personal citadel within the journey playground, with a fort at its coronary heart, towers to look out from, bridges, slides, a climbing wall, and many hidey gap. Thereโs additionally a zipper wire, impediment course and journey path as an added bonus.
Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire
This fascinating historic city is definitely proper on the sting of the Cotswolds but it surelyโs such an ideal place for households to go to, that Iโve included it as one other nice base to discover.
Finest identified for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare, youโll discover loads of sights linked to the well-known playwright as you discover.
Go to the home that Shakespeare grew up in, the place youโll be greeted by tour guides in genuine Tudor costume who convey the expertise alive and are nice at partaking youngsters of all ages.ย
Thereโs additionally a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Stratford-upon-Avon, which hyperlinks a number of of the cityโs highlights, or you might expertise a Tudor lesson in Shakespeareโs schoolroom, the place the younger William was educated.
Mary Ardenโs farm โ the house of Shakespeareโs mom โ is one other enjoyable family-friendly attraction, with its many cattle, individuals wearing genuine Tudor outfits and conventional crafts and actions which youngsters can attempt for themselves, together with archery and falconry.
Away from the cityโs Shakespeare connection, you possibly can see the mechanical artwork on the uncommon MAD museum, spend a while at Stratfordโs Butterfly Farm and take a calming boat journey alongside the River Avon.
The Stratford Treasure Map Path is one other enjoyable method to discover Stratford-on-Avon with youngsters, discovering a number of the quirky sights alongside the best way โ thereโs additionally 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS
Broadway Tower
One of many quirkiest sights in the entire of the Cotswolds, Broadway Tower sits on the border of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire โ and on the second highest level of the Cotswolds escarpment.
Which implies you get some implausible views throughout the countryside from the highest (as much as 16 counties and 62 miles on a transparent day).
The Georgian folly reopened in 2022 after a serious restoration, with the rooms embellished as they could have been again within the 18th century when the Earl of Coventry had the tower constructed as a present for his spouse.
In addition to the intricate new furnishings, thereโs an ideal audio information to share a few of its uncommon historical past (the tower was dwelling to a printing press, a favorite of the Pre-Raphaelite painters and artist William Morris used to take baths on the roof, only for starters). Youngsters can even design their very own folly and ornamental wallpaper, among the many interactive enjoyable.
With 60 steps and a windy rooftop, itโs not one to attempt when youโre within the Cotswolds with toddlers, however a enjoyable cease with older youngsters. The location is dwelling to a nuclear bunker, with plans to open this extra to the general public, a straightforward round stroll across the tower and a four-mile hike alongside a part of the Cotswolds Manner, linking Broadway village and the tower.
Get a peek inside Broadway Tower in my quick video
Adam Hensonโs Cotswold Farm Park
A enjoyable day trip within the Cotswolds for teenagers and adults alike, the Cotswold Farm Park is ideal to work together carefully with all types of animals.
Oowned by Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, the farm park was opened by Adamโs father within the Nineteen Seventies as the primary of its variety on this planet.
See newly hatched chicks and lovely child bunnies proper as much as slightly rambunctious goats and big Highland cattle, and you’ll feed and pet many of the farmyard animals โ donโt neglect to purchase some animal feed on the best way in.
In addition to the numerous animals, youโll discover loads of different enjoyable actions for teenagers of all ages, together with an indoor play barn, out of doors play areas, farm safari, maze, big bounce pillows plus the muddy kitchen for little ones to get their fingers soiled.
Cotswolds Wildlife Park
One other of the perfect issues to do within the Cotswolds with youngsters who love animals is a go to to the Cotswolds Wildlife Park.
Set inside 120 acres of lovely parkland and gardens, the massive wildlife park has over 260 completely different animal species, together with lions, zebra, giraffe, rhinos, lemurs and extra.
The spacious, spread-out enclosures really feel extra like a strolling safari park than a zoo, and assist you to get nearer to the wildlife than you’ll elsewhere.
Youngsters may even be sure you love the farmyard space, the place they will feed and contact the animals, the out of doors journey playground and the mini railway.
Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton
The Fairytale Farm is a novel farm park that mixes traditional fairytales, animals and journey play to create top-of-the-line sights within the Cotswolds for younger youngsters.
The park is break up into six completely different zones, together with the Enchanted Stroll for a fairytale sensory expertise, Alfie and Associates the place you possibly can meet the farmyard animals and Huff and Puff for enjoyable journey play.
The structure of all the farm park was additionally designed with disabled youngsters in thoughts, making it one of the vital accessible and inclusive kid-friendly sights within the Cotswolds.
Crocodiles of the World
Older youngsters who fancy one thing slightly extra adventurous on their days out will love a go to to Crocodiles of the World. The primary and solely considered one of its variety within the UK, this Cotswolds zoo is dwelling to 130 crocodiles and alligators from 15 world species.
The underwater viewing areas, animal encounter periods and dwell feeds will allow you to get nearer to a number of the worldโs most feared predators than youโve ever been earlier than.
The zoo can also be dwelling to a number of different species, together with meerkats, otters, big tortoises and even a uncommon Komodo dragon.
The Mannequin Village, Bourton-on-the-Water
Who doesnโt wish to really feel like an enormous wandering down the miniature streets of Bourton-on-the-Waterโs mannequin village.
Relationship again to the Thirties, the Grade II listed mannequin village is a one-ninth scale mannequin of the charming Cotswolds village by which it sits. Thereโs even a mannequin village throughout the mannequin village!
Peer into the home windows of the tiny outlets and buildings to see miniature shows, together with a singing choir within the church. Plus donโt miss the miniature variations of Bourtonโs well-known bridges over the River Windrush.
If you happen toโre planning a day trip from London to the Cotswolds, you possibly can be part of aย tour from London to the Cotswolds, though these are higher with older youngsters because itโs an extended day exploring.
Birdland Park & Gardens, Bourton-on-the-Water
Additionally positioned in Bourton-on-the-Water, only a few minutes stroll from the mannequin village, is the thrilling Birdland Park and Gardens.
The big fowl life centre has over 500 birds to see, together with flamingos, pelicans, penguins, cranes and storks. You’ll be able to even get hands-on with a number of the birds within the parkโs encounters space.
Dinosaur lovers may even love the Jurassic Journey exhibition, which takes a have a look at the direct ancestors of the parkโs feathered residents. Youngsters will be capable of uncover life-size dinosaurs hidden amongst the greenery and bushes, and seek for prehistoric fossils alongside the path.
The Dragonfly Maze, Bourton-on-the-Water
Proper subsequent door to Birdland, youโll discover Bourtonโs Dragonfly Maze.ย Not your conventional hedge maze, this one has an thrilling twist which is certain to maintain little ones entertained.ย
Moderately than discovering your manner out of the maze, youโll want to trace down the 14 hidden clues with a view to attain the golden Dragonfly within the centre.ย
The maze ought to solely take you round 20-Half-hour to finish, so makes a enjoyable exercise so as to add alongside the opposite family-friendly sights in Bourton-on-the-Water. Restricted every day slots obtainable and you’llโt prebook.
Corinium Museum
Step again in time to the historic Cotswolds on the Corinium Museum, positioned in Cirencester โ the city additionally payments itself because the โcoronary heart of the Cotswoldsโ. The award-winning museum is dwelling to one of many largest collections of British-Roman artefacts.
Many of the artefacts had been discovered within the native space within the Roman city of Corinium Dobunnorum (now Cirencester), considered one of Roman Britainโs largest cities.
The museumโs superb collections are fascinating for all ages, plus there are some nice immersive exhibitions to have interaction youngsters together with a youngstersโs treasure path, play space and particular interactive occasions.
For extra Roman locations within the UK to go to with youngsters, try my high picks
The Cotswold Nation Park and Seaside
If you happen toโre visiting the Cotswolds with youngsters through the heat summer time months, Cotswold Nation Park and Seaside is unmissable.
Set inside Cotswold Water Park, the collection of freshwater lakes are dwelling to sandy inland seashores, a swimming lagoon, quite a few watersports and the tremendous enjoyable aquaventure inflatable waterpark.ย
Within the surrounding parkland, youโll additionally discover some pretty nation walks, pedal carts, a high-ropes course and mini golf, so put aside a complete day (and you continue to receivedโt wish to go away).
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, Toddington
If you happen toโre fed up of driving round winding nation lanes, discover the gorgeous Cotswolds countryside on a calming household pleasant day trip on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire steam railway.
The 28-mile spherical journey on the volunteer-run heritage railway travels between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway to see a number of the spaceโs most spectacular surroundings and prettiest villages.
Not solely will youngsters love driving on a traditional steam practice, however the railway additionally has loads of actions to maintain youthful ones entertained, together with puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles and particular seasonal occasions.
For extra concepts of issues to do in Cheltenham with youngsters, try my high picks
*first revealed 2021, up to date 2025*
PIN FOR LATER; THINGS TO DO IN THE COTSWOLDS WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Broadway Tower copyright MummyTravels, all different pictures courtesy of Depositphotos
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