If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds, or perhaps just daydreaming over some romantic photos of the area, you may be wondering if you can swing a trip with the kids. Perhaps you’re wondering what kind of things to do in the Cotswolds with your kids.
If you’re wondering if there’s much to do with kids while visiting the Cotswolds, there’s actually so much to explore and entertain kids and families of all shapes and sizes.
Many of the historical buildings in the area include child-friendly activities and zones to help entertain the little ones while the adults enjoy the true beauty of Cotswolds. In fact, I recently took my 2.5 year old for a few days and found we didn’t have enough time to do all we wanted to!
It’s completely possible to balance entertaining kids with an adult vacation in the beautiful Cotswold region. Keep reading to find some of our ideas on things to do in the Cotswolds with children.
What are fun things to do in the Cotswolds with kids?
You may be surprised, but there is actually a lot of fun things to do in the Cotswolds for children of all ages. The bucolic area is not filled with amusement parks, but there is so much to divert and entertain that you won’t miss the obvious kids-focused vacations.
Basically, there’s no reason to go to Disney World for your kids to have a fun vacation. From historical castles to explore, to magical forests to wander through, I’ve put together a list of top activities to entertain your children while you visit the idyllic Cotswolds region.
Don’t miss these family activities in the Cotswolds:
- Sudeley Castle & Gardens
- Bourton-on-the-Water Model Village
- Cotswolds Motoring Musuem
- Broadway Tower
- Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean
- Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
- The Oxfordshire Museum
- Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
- Cotswold Water Park
- Cattle Country Adventure Park
- Blenheim Palace
11 Fun Things to Do in the Cotswolds:
1. Sudeley Castle & Gardens
One of the best family-friendly castle to visit in the Cotswolds is Sudeley Castle! Located in Winchcombe, Cheltenham, this Grade I listed castle boasts over a thousand years of history. Not only is a former Queen buried here, but Sudeley Castle was actually owned by the infamous Richard III.
What’s great about Sudeley Castle is the giant castle playground for kids, as well as other age-appropriate playground equipment for kids of all ages. We had a blast running around here and didn’t want to leave! There’s even a lot to see wandering through the gardens, tons of hidden elephants and other animals to spot while you walk to the Castle. This is personally one of my favorite things to do in the Cotswolds.
Touring the Castle itself doesn’t take too long – though there’s a lot to read inside, so you may have to take turns letting the adults go through while the other entertains any young children.
Children under three are free and there’s also a family ticket if you have two adults and two children between 3 and 15.
2. Bourton-on-the-Water Model Village
Skipping over to the classic Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, you can’t miss the award winning Grade II Model Village located very close to the car park. Made of natural material actually used for the building of the town, you’ll feel like someone shrunk down Bourton-on-the-Water and you’re a huge giant! Kids love the little details seen through the tiny windows and the village is laid out like a fun maze for them to wander through.
Adults cost less than £5 and children under three are free. The walkways are pretty narrow, so strollers are left outside the entrance gate. They are open daily (except Christmas)
3. Cotswolds Motoring Museum
Right next to the Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water is the Cotswolds Motoring and Toy Museum. If you or your children love vehicles or unique toys, you can’t miss this museum that’s a step back in time.
This is a fun activity that both adults and kids can enjoy and it’s an excellent opportunity to teach your children about motoring history and technological advancements! You’ll find a collection of cars, motorbikes, caravans, memorabilia, and toys from across the decades.
The Cotswolds Motoring Museum is open daily and is even available for school or group tours. Children under 5 are free and adults are only £7.50. A family of four (two adults and two children) can visit for just £18.75.
4. Broadway Tower
If you’re a family that loves hikes, or long walks through the countryside, you can’t miss Broadway Tower in the Cotswolds. Family-owned, Broadway Tower is an iconic landmark set within a 200-acre estate of parkland.
From their own website, you will be able to immerse yourself in the story of this eccentric folly with our multi media guide and meet the colorful characters that looked over the parapet of daily life from the Tower. See the splendid Georgian interiors and imagine luxurious 18th Century parties. Entertain children with the guide’s games and stories.
Besides the tower, there’s shopping, workshops and events, and e-bikes to hire. Take a guided tour of a nuclear bunker or look for deer in the deer park! There is a fee for grounds admission and for parking, so be prepared.
5. Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean
While technically not in the Cotswolds, the Forest of Dean is a fun day trip only about an hour outside of the Cotswolds if you have the time to add it in. Featured in many movies, including Harry Potter, Puzzlewood is like stepping into a magical forest. The car park is unassuming, and you may question what’s awaiting for you when you first arrive. It is truly magical once you start the trail and enter the woods.
Outside of the Puzzlewood maze of wonder, you’ll find farm animals for the little ones to enjoy – including ducks, horses, cows, bunnies, goats and more. There’s also a cafe selling sandwiches and coffee, the perfect stop for families to eat lunch before or after their Puzzlewood visit.
My 2.5 year old loved this visit – there were musical instruments to play with and animals to see and he even loved getting lost in the ups and downs of the forest. Our GPS took us to the wrong location, so be mindful when you’re driving out – you may have to go a little further down the road than where your GPS takes you. Also make sure to purchase tickets in advance and screenshot your confirmation!
6. Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
If you’re looking for an activity your child is guaranteed to love, look no further than the Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford. With animal enclosures that are spacious and carefully landscaped, with no intrusive fencing, taking full advantage of the beautiful rural setting of the Bradwell Grove Estate, visitors can get ‘closer to wildlife’ than in many other zoological collections giving the Park the feel of a ‘walking safari’.
What can you expect to see and do at the Wildlife Park? Besides the train, and lovely gardens to explore, you’ll see giraffes, camels, lions, exotic birds, reptiles and primates, and more!
Admission prices are pretty affordable considering how much there is to see here – adults are around £17.50 and children under 3 are free.
7. Museum of Natural History at Oxford
One of the most famous cities in the Cotswolds is, of course, Oxford. Beyond the university, there’s a lot to do for kids in this area, including the Museum of Natural History. Housed in a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture, the museum’s growing collections underpin a broad programme of natural environment research, teaching and public engagement. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the only soft tissue remains of a dodo, and the swifts in the tower.
This building is absolutely stunning and will be a fun trip for both adults and children. If you have a child who loves dinosaurs or sea creatures, they will be sure to be in science heaven! The best part – entry is free and they are open Monday-Sunday. If you’re looking for things to do in the Cotswolds that are educational, this is for you.
8. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
How can you plan an itinerary of fun things to do in the Cotswolds without riding a steam train? Operating both steam and heritage diesel trains between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, this historical steam railway travels through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Cotswolds. Traveling down 28 roundtrip miles, you’ll enjoy views of the nearby sleepy hamlets and villages, with outstanding outlooks across to the Malvern Hills and beyond.
With special events around holidays like Easter and Christmas, there’s plenty to enjoy for kids! The only downside is there isn’t a lot of storage space for buggies or pushchairs on the platform or on the train, so it’s recommended to carry young children on board.
There are many ticket options and prices available. You can choose how far to travel, single or return, in-advance, online (5% discount for standard online tickets) or pay on the day at a station booking office.
9. Cotswold Water Park
The Cotswold Water Park is an area of over 40 square miles and 180 lakes, with many different leisure providers, and a variety of places to stay. This stunning wetlands landscape hosts tens of thousands of breeding and watering birds and is an ideal destination for watching wildlife all year round.
There’s no shortage of activities to choose from here at the water park – from aerial adventures, to archery, horse riding, beach play, rally driving and more. Keep older kids entertained with angling or shooting while your younger ones enjoy digging in the sand at the beach.
Who knew such a fun place existed in the Cotswolds? The only places where there is an ‘admission’ charge is Cotswold Country Park and Beach, which has a bathing beach, toilets, cafe, boat hire, playgrounds etc.
10. Cattle Country Adventure Park
You can’t go to the Cotswolds without spending a little time with the farm animals. The Cattle Country Adventure Park in Berkeley is great for kids who want to pet or hold friendly animals like baby chicks.
They boast a huge range of activities for children of all ages; outdoor play equipment and farm animals to meet, their cafe GRAZE serving delicious, locally-sourced food and a huge play-barn perfect for rainy days.
You will not find a shortage of activities for kids here – a splash pool, a castle, multiple playgrounds, a farm trail and more await you. Children cost between £11.50 and £14, with adults costing £10.
11. Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is such a loved place to visit for so many reasons. One of the biggest in the UK, this 300 year old country home is an attraction that brings many people to the Cotswolds every year. That’s no surprise considering this is the home where Sir Winston Churchill was born. The 2,100 acre property also boasts shopping, dining, gardens, and an impressive play area for kids!
I love finding activities that both adults and kids can enjoy, and this one for sure ticks the box. Similar to Sudeley Castle on our list, adults will be able to enjoy the history of the heritage site, while kids will have a unique play experience.
The Lost Garden is the new play area at Blenheim Palace and it boasts activities for kids of all ages. Just take a look here at their website. Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance and have fun!
Now that you know some of the fun things to do in the Cotswolds, here’s my take on how to spend three weeks traveling around the English countryside with kids (in my situation, a toddler).