Things to do in The Cotswolds
Cotswold Wildlife Park
A great day out for all the family.
Open daily from 10.00am.
You will find a variety of animals from around the world from bats to big cats in 120 acres. The wildlife park has gardens landscaped in many different styles from the exotic to the more familiar herbaceous borders…Read more
Birdland Park & Gardens
A natural setting of woodland, river, and gardens inhabited by over 500 birds: flamingos, pelicans, penguins and cranes in various water habitats.
There are over 50 aviaries of parrots, hornbills, toucans and much more…Read more
Gloucester Cathedral
Entrance to the Cathedral is FREE, as are all the services and the majority of events, concerts and activities.
The Cathedral is steeped in almost 1,000 years of history and around every corner there is a new story to find. Open 365 days a year, they have a packed programme of regular events as well as special talks, tours and family activities…Read more
Cotswold Farm Park
Only 12 miles from Chipping Campden and a picturesque 30-minute drive through Cotswold countryside.
The farm park is the home of the rare breeds conservation. They have something for everyone, whatever the weather! You need to allow half a day & take suitable clothing. There is a wonderful 2 mile (or shorter 1 mile) wildlife walk and many children’s activities including an undercover sand pit, Cotswold lion maze, adventure playground and farm safari. Adam’s kitchen and the gift shop are located outside the Farm park and are free to enter.
Most importantly, you can walk around the grounds (download the map online) and see the rare breeds. There is also a touch barn where you get the opportunity to meet some of the farms smaller animals and a demo barn where you can watch various demonstrations like milking, shearing, feeding (allowing for seasons and schedules)…Read more
Snowshill Manor & Lavender Farm
Snowshill, Gloucestershire is known for its exceptional unspoilt beauty and for the views over the Severn Vale to the west. Charmingly set near the Worcestershire border, the Cotswolds rise to over 900ft around the village on three sides. An ancient road called Buckle Street crosses the parish.
Snowshill Manor, owned by the National Trust, is a beautiful building in Snowshill, Gloucestershire is very proud of and is set in picturesque gardens, and contains a fantastic collection of toys, musical instruments, clocks, bicycles and samurai armours all collected by the late Sir Charles Wade. The beautiful cottage garden is a lively mix of architectural features, bright colours and delightful scents.
The Lavender Farm has fields in the very heart of the North Cotswolds with lavender plants, and toiletries made from essential oils grown and distilled on the farm.
Visit Snowshill Manor & Garden website
Visit Cotswold Lavender Farm website
Sudeley Castle
The castle rooms and exhibits contain many fascinating treasures, from ancient Roman times to the present day. Outside, the castle is surrounded by a breathtaking 1,200 acre estate and ten award-winning gardens. The centrepiece is the Queens Garden, so named because four of England’s queens – Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I – once walked upon the original Tudor Parterre. The Pheasantry at Sudeley houses a collection of 16 rare and endangered species of birds from around the world as part of Sudeley’s programme of breeding and conservation.
Sudeley Castle & Gardens is also the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds – Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives. Today visitors can explore the beautiful 15th century church where she lies entombed…Read more
Batsford Arboretum & Wild Garden
Batsford is home to one of the finest botanical collections in the country and is run by the charitable trust, The Batsford Foundation. The Arboretum is planted on a south-facing slope which means visitors get to see our magnificent tree and plant collections from an unusual angle, as well as the stunning views of the Evenlode Valley beyond.
At 56 acres in size, Batsford is an intimate and romantic place to visit, with interest all year round from the first snowdrops of spring, right through to the outstanding autumn colour in October and November. Batsford is also home to a beautiful new wooden visitor centre where you’ll find the Garden Terrace Café, Gift and Garden Shop and the Plant Centre within the walls of the Victorian kitchen garden…Read more
Stratford Upon Avon
This historic market town on the edge of the Cotswolds is one of the most-visited places in England, attracting around three million people every year from all over the world. Stratford, which grew as a market town in medieval times, has Anglo-Saxon origins. This is one of our favourite things to do in the Cotswolds. Today it thrives on tourism and theatre, both of which are the legacy of William Shakespeare, who is thought to have been born in Henley Street in 1564.
Places to see: Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s New Place. Mary Arden’s Farm & Halls Croft (remain closed throughout 2022), The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, Bancroft Gardens, The Butterfly Farm…Read More
Other useful sites:
Cheltenham & Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham was specifically designed in its 18th and 19th century heyday as a pleasure health resort for wealthy visitors, hence why it is often referred to as Cheltenham Spa. The legacy today leaves an exceptional range of quality accommodation, restaurants and entertainment in an elegant town, where many of the regency, architectural and heritage features can still be seen today, with the town maintaining much of its original culture.
Things to see: The Brewery Quarter is a buzzing district where old meets new and is home to branded stores, a multi-screen cinema, bowling alley and bars. High Street shops and independent shopping quarters, Cheltenham Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse, Brennen and Brown Gin Distillery…Read More
Other useful sites:
Cheltenham Racecourse – The Jockey Club