Guides
10 Free Family Days Out in the Cotswolds
Ten Cotswolds ideas without an attraction admission charge, with parking, access and optional spending to plan separately.
Your Modern Guide to the Cotswolds
Browse our stays, places, destinations and guides. Search by name, choose a destination or find ideas for children, dogs and rainy days.
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Guides
Ten Cotswolds ideas without an attraction admission charge, with parking, access and optional spending to plan separately.
Guides
Cheltenham is a useful answer to a question that catches plenty of first-time Cotswold visitors out: what if you want villages and countryside, but you do not…
Guides
A flexible two-day plan for families, with a farm visit, open space, short walks and simple rainy-day alternatives.
Guides
A relaxed food-led weekend with markets, independent cafés, local producers and a few good places to linger.
Guides
A two-day loop through the quieter north Cotswolds, built around country houses, a proper garden, one good brewery visit and enough time to enjoy the villages between…
Guides
A practical shortlist of museums, galleries, indoor farm experiences and cosy stops for wet-weather days in the Cotswolds.
Guides · Cheltenham
Take a closer look at The Loft’s rooms and plan a short break with time to enjoy your accommodation.
Guides
A slower food-led weekend linking market towns, garden cafés and good places to pause in the southern Cotswolds.
Guides
A gentle two-day route linking a riverside walk, Roman history, market-town food and the quieter villages south of Cirencester.Saturday: river first, then a market townStart at Lechlade…
Guides · Cheltenham
Build a relaxed weekend around a manageable walk, time in Cheltenham and a comfortable countryside base.
Things to do · Cirencester
A green pause in the centre of Cirencester, Abbey Grounds follows the line of the old town walls and gives you room to slow down between shops…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Guides
A two-day family itinerary that mixes animals, a heritage train and a rainy-day museum without overloading the youngest travellers.
Things to do · Bibury
Arlington Row is Bibury's most recognisable view: a short terrace of seventeenth-century weavers' cottages stepping down towards the Rack Isle.What to expectArrive early or late in the…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
A 55-acre arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh with Japanese maples, magnolias, woodland paths, a garden centre and café.
Opening hours: Arboretum and garden centre: 9.30am–5pm Monday–Saturday and 10am–5pm Sunday. Last arboretum entry 4pm; the site may close in high winds, so check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Winchcombe
A well-preserved Neolithic long barrow on the Cotswold escarpment, reached by a short but steep walk from the Cotswold Way.
Opening hours: Open daily all year during daylight hours. Free entry. The barrow is more than half a mile from the limited lay-by and the approach includes a steep climb, stiles and a kissing gate.
Things to do · Stroud
Medieval castle on the Severn Vale with rooms, grounds and a strong local history programme.
Opening hours: Opening times vary seasonally; check the official website before visiting.
Guides
Where to see birds, farm animals, wildlife and reptiles, with the right choice for different ages and weather.
Guides
The most useful Cotswolds parks for play, picnics and an easy break between bigger plans.
Guides
A practical shortlist of satisfying Cotswolds walks under five miles, with notes on terrain and who they suit.
Guides
Animals, playgrounds and short outings for a manageable toddler day, with clear notes on pushchairs, weather and when to stop.
Destinations · Bibury
Tiny riverside village famous for Arlington Row, Rack Isle and Bibury Trout Farm — iconic Cotswold scenery that is best enjoyed outside peak hours.
Things to do · Bibury
Peaceful churchyard slightly away from the busiest riverside viewpoints, with old stonework and a slower atmosphere.
Opening hours: Usually open for worship and visiting during the day, but services and private events can change access. Check before travelling.
Things to do · Bibury
This gentle riverside walk links Bibury with Coln St Aldwyns through water meadows, footbridges and broad Cotswold views.What to expectAllow around two hours for the out-and-back version,…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Bibury
Bibury Trout Farm has been raising trout on the River Coln since the nineteenth century, with clear spring-fed ponds and a working hatchery to explore.What to expectThe…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Bibury
Short village walk linking the river, Arlington Row, churchyard and quieter lanes beyond the main visitor stop.
Opening hours: Open route or public space; best enjoyed in daylight. Check weather, access and any seasonal or event restrictions before setting out.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
Penguins, aviaries and a woodland dinosaur trail make Birdland a substantial outdoor family visit in Bourton.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Cirencester
Characterful side street of independent shops, cafés and small makers just off Cirencester's central routes.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Destinations · Blockley
Steep lanes, former silk mills and a quieter hillside setting make Blockley one of the north Cotswolds’ best villages for a slower wander.
Food & Drink · Blockley
Blockley Café is a licensed artisan café in the centre of the village, offering a rare all-day option in a quiet corner of the north Cotswolds. It…
Opening hours: Open seven days a week, 363 days a year. Daytime walk-ins; dinner reservations from 18:30. Check current menus and hours online.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
A countryside link between Bourton and Lower Slaughter; choose a mapped route and allow for fields, gates and a busy road crossing.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Destinations · Bourton-on-the-Water
Riverside village with low stone bridges, family attractions, cafés and easy walks towards the Slaughters — beautiful, but best outside peak day-trip hours.
Destinations · Broadway
A polished north Cotswold village for independent shops, restaurants, walking, Arts & Crafts history and one of the region's best viewpoints.
Things to do · Broadway
Annual arts programme bringing exhibitions, performance and open studios to Broadway; dates and venues change each year.
Opening hours: Dates and trading hours vary. Check the organiser’s current calendar before making a special journey.
Things to do · Broadway
Historic village-edge house and grounds that offer a quieter architectural detour from Broadway's main visitor circuit.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Broadway
Honey-stone high street lined with independent shops, galleries and cafés, best explored early or late in the day.
Opening hours: Individual shops and galleries set their own hours; most are open through the daytime, with shorter winter and Sunday hours.
Things to do · Broadway
A small museum in a seventeenth-century building exploring Broadway’s history, art and local collections.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Broadway
The classic uphill walk from Broadway village to the tower, with escarpment views as the reward.
Opening hours: Public footpaths are open year-round in daylight; Broadway Tower Museum, cafés and car park have seasonal hours. Check the route and venue information before travelling.
Guides
A practical guide to the classic climb from Broadway village to Broadway Tower and back.
Things to do · Broadway
A hilltop tower and parkland destination with a museum, roof views, deer park and space for a picnic.
Opening hours: Country Park and car park open daily. Tower Museum: April–October 10am–5pm daily; November–March 10.30am–4pm weekdays and 10am–4.30pm weekends. Cafés and other facilities vary seasonally; weather can affect opening. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Broadway
A circular route around Broadway Tower and the surrounding country park, with big escarpment views and open grassland.
Opening hours: Opening times vary seasonally; check the official website before visiting.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
A privately owned landscape garden with a famous walled garden, lime avenue and expansive parkland near the north Cotswolds.
Opening hours: The garden opens on selected dates and for special events. Check the official calendar before making the journey.
Destinations · Burford
Historic market town with a sweeping honey-stone High Street, independent shopping, pubs and easy access to the eastern Cotswolds.
Things to do · Burford
Self-guided browse through Burford's antiques dealers, galleries and interiors shops, best taken slowly over a morning.
Opening hours: Independent opening hours vary, especially on Sundays and in winter. Check the venue’s current hours before setting out.
Things to do · Burford
Gentle route through the churchyard and riverside edge below Burford, offering a quieter alternative to the steep High Street.
Opening hours: Open route or public space; best enjoyed in daylight. Check weather, access and any seasonal or event restrictions before setting out.
Things to do · Burford
Burford Garden Company is a proper destination rather than a quick garden-centre stop: an independent, family-owned 15-acre site with plants, gardenalia, homeware, gifts, seasonal displays, a food…
Opening hours: Main store: 9am–6pm Monday–Saturday; 11am–5pm Sunday. Glasshouse Café: 9am–5.30pm Monday–Saturday; 10.30am–5pm Sunday. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Easter Sunday; seasonal changes may apply. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Burford
Burford's steep High Street is lined with honey-coloured stone, independent shops, galleries and old coaching inns descending towards the River Windrush.What to expectStart at the Tolsey, walk…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Burford
A short countryside detour for views across the Windrush valley and the historic town edge.
Opening hours: Open route or public space; best enjoyed in daylight. Check weather, access and any seasonal or event restrictions before setting out.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
Independent gallery presenting contemporary painting, ceramics and craft in one of the Cotswolds' strongest arts towns.
Opening hours: Independent opening hours vary, especially on Sundays and in winter. Check the venue’s current hours before setting out.
Destinations · Castle Combe
A famously photogenic but genuinely tiny living village: honey-stone cottages, wooded valley walks and a better atmosphere when visited outside peak daytime hours.
Things to do · Castle Combe
Motor-racing circuit near the village hosting race days, driving experiences and events that require advance booking.
Opening hours: Circuit office: Monday–Friday, 9am–5.30pm; closed weekends. Event-day access varies by calendar and ticket.
Things to do · Castle Combe
Short village-and-valley walk around Castle Combe, balancing the famous stone cottages with quieter lanes beyond the centre.
Opening hours: The village and public lanes are open year-round; allow for daylight, weather and any event-day restrictions.
Things to do · Cirencester
Cerney House Gardens is a relaxed, privately run garden near North Cerney, known for its long borders, roses, ponds and informal woodland paths.What to expectThe planting is…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
A remarkably complete early-17th-century country house with a walled garden, orchard and quiet village setting near Moreton-in-Marsh.
Opening hours: Opening is seasonal and usually limited to selected days. Check the National Trust listing for current house, garden and car-park times before travelling.
Things to do · Tetbury
Chavenage House is a lived-in Elizabethan manor surrounded by parkland west of Tetbury, with richly furnished rooms and strong links to local history and film locations.What to…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Northleach
A grand Roman villa in a wooded Cotswold valley, with mosaics, bath houses, a museum, café and woodland walks.
Opening hours: Grounds, West Range, museum, visitor centre and shop generally 10am–5pm on open days; café 10am–4.30pm. Opening varies seasonally, so check the National Trust listing before travelling.
Destinations · Cheltenham
Elegant Regency streets, major festivals, excellent food and drink, green spaces and an easy launch point for exploring the northern and central Cotswolds.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Historic parish church in the centre of Cheltenham, with medieval origins and a calm pause from the busy shopping streets.
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 11am–1pm; closed Sunday. Check services and visitor access before travelling.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Tree-lined Regency promenade linking gardens, galleries and cafés, ideal for an easy central wander between bookings.
Opening hours: Open route or public space; best enjoyed in daylight. Check weather, access and any seasonal or event restrictions before setting out.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Home of the Cheltenham Festival and year-round racedays — a must for racing fans and a top ‘big day out’ in the Cotswolds.
Opening hours: Opening is tied to race fixtures and events; gates, hospitality and admission times vary by meeting. Check the current fixture page before travelling.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Grand Regency concert and events venue on the Promenade, with a changing programme worth checking before a town visit.
Opening hours: Opening is event-led. Ticket office: Monday and Thursday, 11am–1.30pm in person; phone bookings Monday–Friday, 12–5pm.
Destinations · Chipping Campden
One of the north Cotswolds’ best-preserved towns: historic Market Hall, independent shops, Arts & Crafts heritage and excellent walking straight from the High Street.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
Quiet row of historic almshouses close to the High Street, rewarding a slower look at Campden's civic architecture.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
A town-centre route linking the High Street, Market Hall, almshouses, Silk Mill and St James’ Church.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
A walk through one of the Cotswolds’ finest historic streets, with honey-coloured buildings and the old market area.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
The 1627 stone Market Hall at the heart of Chipping Campden — free to wander through and one of the town’s defining landmarks.
Opening hours: Generally open dawn–dusk; check the National Trust page for the selected date.
Things to do · Northleach
The Church of St Peter and St Paul dominates Northleach's market square and reflects the town's wealth as a medieval wool centre.What to expectStep inside to see…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Destinations · Cirencester
Roman history, a busy market-town centre, excellent green spaces and quick access to the Cotswold Lakes make Cirencester one of the region’s easiest all-round bases.
Guides
A compact first-timer itinerary for Cirencester, combining Roman history, independent shops, a park walk and good places to eat.
Things to do · Cirencester
Working market square at the heart of Cirencester, surrounded by the town's shops, cafés and historic wool buildings.
Opening hours: Dates and trading hours vary. Check the organiser’s current calendar before making a special journey.
Things to do · Cirencester
Cirencester's regular markets animate the Market Place with produce, antiques, crafts and seasonal stalls.What to expectMarket days are a good time to combine local shopping with the…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cirencester
Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool is a heated outdoor lido with a main pool, learner area and grassy space for sunbathing.What to expectIt is a cheerful summer…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cirencester
Historic Bathurst Estate parkland within walking distance of town, with long views, marked walking routes, dog-friendly sections and The Old Kennels visitor hub.
Opening hours: Open daily 8am–5pm unless otherwise announced. Check current pass and ticket arrangements before visiting.
Things to do · Cirencester
Historic polo venue on the edge of Cirencester, with match days and events that need advance date checking.
Opening hours: Opening is booking and event-led. Check availability, visitor access and current tee or event times with the venue.
Things to do · Cirencester
The Roman Amphitheatre survives as a broad grassy bowl just south of Cirencester's centre, marking the edge of the Roman town of Corinium.What to expectThere is no…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Open common and wide views above Cheltenham, with a choice of walks and clear guidance for visiting with dogs.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Cirencester
Cirencester’s essential rainy-day stop, with an outstanding collection of Roman mosaics and local archaeology in the centre of town.
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 2pm–4pm. Check the official site before travelling.
Things to do · Cirencester
Town-centre trail connecting Roman clues, museum collections and surviving traces of Corinium's streets.
Opening hours: The trail is outdoors and can be followed at any reasonable daylight hour; museum access and events have separate hours.
Things to do · Cirencester
Cotswold Country Park & Beach is a large former quarry lake with a sandy beach, open-water activities and family play areas near Cirencester.What to expectBookable activities include…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
A working falconry centre near Moreton-in-Marsh with daily flying displays, owls, eagles and hands-on keeper talks.
Opening hours: Opening and flying-display times vary by season and weather. Check the official site before travelling, especially outside school holidays.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
Cotswold Farm Park is one of the easiest family days to shape around the weather. The farm has rare-breed animals, a Discovery Barn with young animals, outdoor…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Broadway
Seasonal lavender fields at Hill Barn Farm near Snowshill, best planned around the flowering and opening dates.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
A fun, family-friendly museum packed with classic vehicles and nostalgia — an easy win if you’re in Bourton (especially in bad weather).
Opening hours: Open daily 10am–6pm. Last museum admission 5:15pm. Check the museum website before making a special journey.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
An independent fragrance maker and shop in central Bourton, with separately booked perfume-making courses.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cirencester
Cotswold Sculpture Park places contemporary sculpture among meadows and woodland near Somerford Keynes, creating a walk that changes with the light and seasons.What to expectThe route is…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Cirencester
A network of lakes south of Cirencester for walking, cycling, birdwatching, paddle sports and family days outdoors.
Opening hours: Outdoor sites are open year-round, with activity centres and cafés operating seasonally. Check the official site for bookings, swimming and water-sports rules.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
The northern end of the 102-mile Cotswold Way, marked in the heart of Chipping Campden.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Painswick
The Painswick section of the Cotswold Way climbs from the town to open limestone grassland, with wide views over the Severn Vale.What to expectTreat it as a…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Burford
A substantial family wildlife park combining animals, landscaped gardens, play areas and plenty of space to make a full day of it. Plan the visit Opening hours…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
Small but excellent museum telling Chipping Campden’s Arts & Crafts story, with exhibitions and a strong link to the town’s design heritage.
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10am–4pm; closed Mondays except Bank Holidays.
Things to do · Cheltenham
An escarpment country park south of Cheltenham with panoramic views, woodland paths, picnic areas and links to the Cotswold Way.
Opening hours: Open access year-round; car-park charges and café hours vary. Check the National Trust page for current facilities and any path closures.
Things to do · Burford
Crocodiles of the World is a specialist zoo near Brize Norton caring for crocodilians, giant tortoises and other reptiles.What to expectKeeper talks make the visit much more…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
A destination farm shop and lifestyle stop near Kingham, combining food, homewares, gardens and places to eat.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Stow-on-the-Wold
A historic waterwheel-powered brewery a mile from Stow, now offering booked Friday tours with tasting and clear mobility limitations.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
National Trust hilltop above Chipping Campden with broad Vale of Evesham views and strong walking connections.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Food & Drink · Cheltenham
Cider taproom and shop at Dowdeswell Park — a brilliant stop for a pint, local produce and relaxed vibes just outside town.
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00; Sun 08:00–17:00 (shop hours).
Things to do · Castle Combe
A National Trust mansion, garden and deer park on a hill above Bath, with long views towards the Cotswolds.
Opening hours: Park, house and café hours vary by season. Check the National Trust listing for current tickets, shuttle-bus details and accessibility.
Things to do · Nailsworth
Historic mill setting with food and drink beside the Nailsworth stream, a natural pause during a valley walk.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Food & Drink · Chipping Campden
Historic Chipping Campden gastropub with open fires, seasonal local food, a garden and six bedrooms close to St James’ Church.
Opening hours: Pub, dining and bedroom service varies by day. Check the official site and book ahead for meals, particularly at weekends.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
A small peaceful garden in Chipping Campden remembering the local plant collector Ernest ‘Chinese’ Wilson.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Cheltenham’s town-centre theatre, with a changing programme of drama, music, comedy and family productions.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cirencester
A small Cotswold market town with a broad medieval market place and a remarkable church of medieval stained glass.
Opening hours: Market Place is open access. Church opening and services vary; check the parish website before visiting inside.
Guides
A practical family itinerary pairing Westonbirt Arboretum with Tetbury’s easy food, parks and small-town stops.
Guides
Five rewarding sections of the Cotswold Way, from village starts to high escarpment views.
Things to do · Stroud
Indoor market and shopping destination in the centre of Stroud, useful when the weather turns or you want several local producers together.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Guides
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
Long-running contemporary art gallery on Stow's square, with changing exhibitions from established and emerging artists.
Opening hours: Independent opening hours vary, especially on Sundays and in winter. Check the venue’s current hours before setting out.
Things to do
A remarkable cathedral with medieval architecture, stained glass and a calm city-centre visit.
Opening hours: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm; Saturday 10am–4pm; Sunday 12 noon–2.30pm and 4pm–5pm. Hours can vary for services and events; check the Cathedral’s daily visiting information before travelling.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Research centre and exhibition space for Gloucestershire history, useful for rainy-day visitors who want to look beyond the usual attractions.
Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9am–4.30pm. First Saturday openings are for special events only; research-room visits require advance booking.
Things to do · Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Broadway
Heritage steam and diesel railway linking Cheltenham Racecourse, Winchcombe, Toddington and Broadway, with a characterful station and family-friendly extras at Winchcombe.
Opening hours: Heritage trains run on selected days from spring to late autumn. Check the live timetable before travelling.
Things to do · Broadway
A focused museum in Gordon Russell’s former workshop, tracing Broadway’s contribution to twentieth-century furniture design.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cheltenham
The remains of a substantial Roman villa, including mosaics and bath-house rooms, set in a wooded valley south of Cheltenham.
Opening hours: Open access at all times, subject to path and weather conditions. There are no visitor facilities on site; check English Heritage information before travelling.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
A quieter Bourton outing among meadows, rivers and archaeology; dogs must stay on leads and seasonal trail closures apply.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Winchcombe
The atmospheric ruins of a thirteenth-century Cistercian abbey near Winchcombe, with a small museum and links to the Cotswold Way.
Opening hours: Opening is seasonal and selected-day: English Heritage currently opens the abbey on scheduled days, with advance booking recommended. Check the current English Heritage opening calendar before travelling. The museum, shop and facilities may have separate hours.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
World-famous Arts & Crafts-inspired National Trust garden near Chipping Campden, built as intimate garden rooms opening into wider countryside.
Opening hours: Seasonal opening; check the National Trust calendar for your date. Peak-season garden hours are typically around 10am–5pm.
Things to do · Tetbury
Celebrated private gardens near Tetbury, visited on pre-booked tours and best planned around the seasonal calendar.Plan the visitOpening hoursHighgrove Gardens open to visitors between April and October…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Gustav Holst’s birthplace in Cheltenham, combining the composer’s story with a glimpse of Victorian domestic life.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Chipping Campden
A family-run Victorian tower brewery producing cask ales in Hook Norton, with guided tours, a shop and a village pub.
Opening hours: Shop, taproom and tour times vary. Tours normally require advance booking; check the brewery website for current sessions.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Formal gardens behind Cheltenham’s Promenade, ideal for a short break among seasonal planting and Regency surroundings.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Guides
Things to do · Cheltenham
A volunteer-run aviation museum near Gloucestershire Airport, with aircraft, local aviation history and cockpit experiences.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Northleach
Keith Harding's World of Mechanical Music is a compact museum of orchestrions, fairground organs and music boxes in Northleach.What to expectDemonstrations bring the collection to life, so…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cirencester
William Morris’s country home beside the Thames, with preserved interiors, a cottage garden and a peaceful riverside setting.
Opening hours: Open on selected days between spring and autumn; times and pre-booking vary. Check the official visitor information before setting out.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
A family-created hillside garden with layered planting, long views and its famous giant rose.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Food & Drink · Cirencester
Characterful central hotel, pub and brasserie on the Market Place, combining period features with a polished food-and-drink offer.
Opening hours: General opening: Mon–Sun 7am–11pm. Food service times vary by meal; check the official site when booking.
Things to do · Stroud
Independent gallery and craft space showcasing contemporary work from the Five Valleys and beyond.
Opening hours: Independent opening hours vary, especially on Sundays and in winter. Check the venue’s current hours before setting out.
Things to do · Cirencester
A gentle riverside outing around Lechlade, with the Thames Path, St John’s Lock, meadows and independent cafés in town.
Opening hours: Open access year-round. River conditions, towpath works and parking arrangements can change; check local guidance before walking.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Escarpment walking above Cheltenham, with far-reaching views, wildlife and traces of the hill’s quarrying past.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Northleach
Lodge Park is a rare surviving eighteenth-century grandstand in Sherborne Park, set within a wider National Trust estate of rolling Cotswold countryside.What to expectExplore the grandstand first,…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Food & Drink · Upper Slaughter
Lords of the Manor is Upper Slaughter’s destination dining address: a country-house hotel with two restaurants and gardens that open directly onto the village landscape. The Dining…
Opening hours: Dining Room lunch daily 12:00–14:00; dinner daily 18:00–21:00. Reservations are essential for the tasting menu and strongly recommended for other dining.
Destinations · Lower Slaughter
Tiny riverside village with honey-stone cottages, footbridges and an easy countryside walk to Upper Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Things to do · Lower Slaughter
Historic watermill and riverside landmark in Lower Slaughter, best combined with the village-to-village walk from Bourton.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
A countryside loop from Stow through Lower Swell and Maugersbury, with open fields, lanes and views back towards the town.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Stroud
Minchinhampton Common is open downland above the Stroud valleys, famous for skylarks, far-reaching views and grazing cattle.What to expectWalk out from the National Trust car park towards…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Burford
The ruins of Minster Lovell Hall sit beside the River Windrush, with a fifteenth-century dovecote and village church completing the scene.What to expectFollow the short riverside path…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Stroud
A working Cotswold garden with terraces, woodland, streams and long views across the Frome Valley near Stroud.
Opening hours: Garden opening varies by season and event calendar. Check the official site for current days, tickets and dog access.
Things to do · Cheltenham
A central Cheltenham garden with toddler play, tennis and space for a pause between the town’s shops and cultural stops.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Destinations · Moreton-in-Marsh
Broad High Street, weekly market, direct rail access and easy trips to Stow, Chipping Campden, gardens and arboreta make Moreton a very practical base.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
Broad market-town street with independent shops, cafés and practical stops close to the railway station.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
Regular market bringing extra life to the town centre; check the current day and seasonal timetable before travelling.
Opening hours: Dates and trading hours vary. Check the organiser’s current calendar before making a special journey.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
Working railway station on the Cotswold Line and one of the easiest car-free arrival points for a North Cotswolds stay.
Opening hours: Train times vary by day and season; check the current rail timetable before travelling.
Things to do · Stroud
Museum in the Park occupies a Georgian mansion in Stratford Park, telling Stroud's story through industry, art and everyday life.What to expectGive yourself an hour for the…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Destinations · Nailsworth
A compact valley town for independent shops, good food and easy access to Minchinhampton Common and the greener western Cotswolds.
Things to do · Nailsworth
Nailsworth's compact centre is a good place to browse independent food shops, galleries, outdoor-gear stores and small makers rather than chain retail.What to expectFollow Fountain Street and…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Nailsworth
The Nailsworth Mills and Dunkirk Mills route follows the River Frome through the town's former wool and corn-milling landscape.What to expectInterpretation boards explain how water powered the…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Cirencester
Craft galleries, maker studios, workshops, a shop and café in central Cirencester — particularly useful for a slower or rainy day.
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm; closed Sunday. Blend Café typically closes at 4pm. Studio hours vary.
Things to do · Wotton-under-Edge
A secluded National Trust estate near Wotton-under-Edge with an Elizabethan house, gardens, woodland walks and Severn Vale views.
Opening hours: On current 2026 opening days, garden and estate are generally open 10am–5pm, the house 11am–4pm and the Tea Pavilion 10am–4pm. Opening varies by season and events; check the National Trust listing before travelling.
Food & Drink · Cheltenham
Boutique hotel with bars and dining in the heart of Cheltenham — ideal for a luxury stay, cocktails and a proper date-night vibe.
Opening hours: Open daily (hotel / bars / dining — check for service times).
Destinations · Northleach
Quiet central Cotswold market town with wool-town history, handsome stone streets and easy access to Bibury, Burford, Bourton and Cirencester.
Things to do · Northleach
Northleach Heritage Trail is a self-guided circuit through the market square, wool church, medieval lanes and former coaching-town buildings.What to expectRead the town as a working place:…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Northleach
Compact market square at the centre of Northleach, surrounded by wool-town buildings and useful places to pause.
Opening hours: Dates and trading hours vary. Check the organiser’s current calendar before making a special journey.
Things to do · Northleach
Civic building and community venue in the market town, with a changing programme of local events.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Northleach
Easy town walk following Northleach's wool-trade history, church, market place and coaching-era streets.
Opening hours: Open route or public space; best enjoyed in daylight. Check weather, access and any seasonal or event restrictions before setting out.
Things to do · Stroud
A Neolithic chambered long barrow at Coaley Peak with open Severn Valley views, picnic tables and a short walk from the Cotswold Way.
Opening hours: Open any reasonable time during daylight hours. Free entry. Parking is available beside the site at Coaley Peak; dogs are welcome on leads.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
Ruined Jacobean house near Chipping Campden, giving context to the town's wealth and historic connections.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Destinations · Painswick
Quiet historic streets, the famous churchyard yews, Painswick Rococo Garden and immediate access to the Cotswold Way make this a strong walking and couples’ base.
Things to do · Painswick
Painswick Beacon is an open hilltop viewpoint on the Cotswold Way, with broad views across the Severn Vale and towards the Welsh mountains on a clear day.What…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Painswick
Hilltop course and open landscape above Painswick, with far-reaching views and a strong sense of the local escarpment.
Opening hours: Opening is booking and event-led. Check availability, visitor access and current tee or event times with the venue.
Things to do · Painswick
Historic house beside the Rococo Garden, useful to pair with the garden visit when access and opening dates align.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Painswick
Britain’s only complete surviving Rococo garden, with follies, woodland, a maze, play areas and famous snowdrops. Plan the visit Opening hours Open 10am–5pm with last admission at…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Painswick
Distinctive civic building in the centre of Painswick, best appreciated as part of a slow village walk.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Cirencester
St John Baptist is Cirencester's great wool church, with a soaring nave, ornate fan vaulting and memorials that tell the story of the medieval town.What to expectTake…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Lakes, gardens and woodland for a relaxed outdoor stop in Cheltenham.
Opening hours: Check individual facilities with the operator before visiting.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Pittville Pump Room sits at the top of Pittville Park and is one of Cheltenham’s most distinctive historic buildings. The Grade I listed Regency venue opened in…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Guides
A practical guide to flatter paths, nearby facilities and easier Cotswolds days with a pushchair.
Things to do · Bibury
Rack Isle is a small wetland nature reserve on the River Coln, reached from Bibury's central paths and named for the old wool-drying racks.What to expectIt is…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Guides
Choose a wet-weather family outing that fits: aircraft, museums, a booked performance or a farm day with indoor shelter.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
A short riverside wander through Bourton’s centre, with low stone bridges, village views and opportunities to pause.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Burford
The River Windrush walk in Burford follows the water below the town's steep High Street, offering a quieter view of the stone bridges and meadows.What to expectStart…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Stroud
Rodborough Common is a broad National Trust downland above Stroud, valued for wildflowers, butterflies and expansive valley views.What to expectUse the commons for a short ridge walk…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Cirencester
Rodmarton Manor is a pioneering Arts and Crafts house where the building, furniture and gardens were designed as one complete work.What to expectGuided visits reveal the craftsmanship…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Nailsworth
Arts, craft and education site in the Nailsworth valley, with a strong connection to making, landscape and practical skills.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Cheltenham’s historic outdoor lido, with a heated 50-metre pool and gardens for a summer swimming day.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Stroud
A canal junction, visitor centre and waterside walking base where the Stroudwater Navigation meets the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.
Opening hours: Visitor-centre opening varies by season and volunteer cover; check the Cotswold Canals Trust visitor-centre page before travelling. The towpaths and canal-side walks are generally accessible during daylight.
Guides
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
An extraordinary Indian-inspired country house and ravine garden near Moreton-in-Marsh, with seasonal guided tours and an Orangery tearoom.
Opening hours: Garden open March–November, Wednesday–Friday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am–5pm (4pm in March and November). House tours and Orangery Tearoom open May–September on the same days, 11am–5pm. Check the official visitor information before booking.
Things to do · Cirencester
A quiet estate village with honey-coloured cottages, a medieval church and the remains of a former Augustinian abbey.
Opening hours: Village and public paths are open access. Abbey opening varies with services and events; check local notices before visiting.
Things to do · Stroud
The Slad Valley and Laurie Lee walk traces the landscape that shaped the writer's childhood, following lanes, fields and steep wooded slopes around Slad.What to expectAllow two…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Stroud
A major wetland reserve with hides, lakes, seasonal wildlife and accessible family trails near the western edge of the Cotswolds.
Opening hours: Opening times vary seasonally; check the official website before visiting.
Things to do · Broadway
Charles Wade’s eccentric manor, collections and Arts and Crafts garden make Snowshill an atmospheric National Trust visit.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Moreton-in-Marsh
Landmark parish church near the town centre, offering a peaceful architectural stop between shops and walks.
Opening hours: Usually open for worship and visiting during the day, but services and private events can change access. Check before travelling.
Things to do · Broadway
A quieter historic church just outside Broadway’s busiest centre, suited to a short heritage detour.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow’s parish church and its yew-framed north doorway: a short heritage stop, with worship and quiet visits taking priority.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
A major wool church at the end of Chipping Campden’s High Street, built from the town’s medieval wealth.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Burford
St John the Baptist in Burford is a grand medieval wool church beside the Windrush, known for its tower, stained glass and carved memorials.What to expectEnter from…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Painswick
Painswick's parish church is famous for its collection of clipped yew trees, which frame the churchyard in a distinctive, almost architectural pattern.What to expectWalk the perimeter first…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Bibury
St Mary's in Bibury stands beside the River Coln, a quiet medieval church with a finely carved Saxon coffin lid and traces of the village's wool wealth.What…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Tetbury
St Mary's in Tetbury sits at the heart of the old wool town, with a tall tower, historic fittings and views into the market streets.What to expectCombine…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cirencester
Open town park with space for a picnic, a short break and family downtime between Cirencester's museums and shops.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Winchcombe
A Jacobean house and garden near Winchcombe, known for its spectacular gravity-fed fountain and limited seasonal opening.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water
A classic village-to-village walk linking Stow with the Slaughters — best in dry weather with decent shoes.
Opening hours: Open access year-round; daylight recommended. Paths can be muddy after rain, so check weather and local conditions before setting out.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
Multi-dealer antiques stop where a short browse can turn up furniture, prints and useful Cotswold curiosities.
Opening hours: Independent opening hours vary, especially on Sundays and in winter. Check the venue’s current hours before setting out.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
Independent bookshop in the market town, suited to a slow browse when the weather turns or you want a locally chosen read.
Opening hours: Independent opening hours vary, especially on Sundays and in winter. Check the venue’s current hours before setting out.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
Two historic details in Stow’s Market Square, best enjoyed as part of a short town walk rather than a separate attraction.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow’s antique heart — wander the square, dip into dealers and finish with a pub lunch.
Opening hours: Individual shop hours vary, with most opening from late morning into the afternoon. Check the shop you plan to visit before travelling.
Destinations · Stow-on-the-Wold
Hilltop market town for antiques, cosy pubs, historic streets and easy walks into the north Cotswold countryside.
Things to do · Stow-on-the-Wold
Walk Stow’s Market Square, coaching streets, historic buildings and St Edward’s Church in a compact town trail.
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Stroud
Stratford Park combines a formal Victorian park, lake, arboretum and Museum in the Park on the edge of Stroud.What to expectUse the level paths for an easy…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Destinations · Stroud
Independent shops, market-town energy and the green Five Valleys make Stroud a different — and very useful — Cotswolds base.
Things to do · Stroud
Restored canal-side quarter where Stroud's industrial history, waterside paths and cafés meet.
Opening hours: Open route or public space; best enjoyed in daylight. Check weather, access and any seasonal or event restrictions before setting out.
Food & Drink · Stroud
Stroud Farmers' Market fills the town centre with local growers, bakers, cheesemakers and makers each Saturday morning.What to expectArrive early for the best bread and produce, then…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Stroud
Historic town-centre venue for performances, talks, exhibitions and community events; check the current programme.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Stroud
The Stroudwater Canal walk follows the restored waterway through the Frome valley, linking industrial heritage with easy waterside walking.What to expectStart at the canal basin, read the…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Things to do · Winchcombe
Historic castle and gardens beside Winchcombe, with royal history, exhibitions, seasonal events and a large adventure playground for families.
Opening hours: 2026 main season: daily 14 Mar–1 Nov. Castle & gardens open 10am; last admission 3pm; castle closes 4pm; site closes 5pm.
Destinations · Tetbury
A handsome south Cotswold market town for antiques, interiors and independent shops, with Westonbirt Arboretum only a few miles away.
Things to do · Tetbury
Compact antiques and interiors browse through one of the Cotswolds' best-known independent shopping towns.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Tetbury
Steep historic steps connecting Tetbury's upper and lower streets, with small shops and old town views along the way.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Things to do · Tetbury
The Goods Shed is Tetbury's community arts centre, housed in a restored railway building with exhibitions, workshops and performances.What to expectCheck the programme before visiting: a small…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Tetbury
Tetbury's Market House is an elegant seventeenth-century structure at the centre of the old wool town, raised on sturdy stone pillars.What to expectIt is the natural starting…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Tetbury
Quiet churchyard close to the centre, offering a moment of calm and a closer look at Tetbury's historic stonework.
Opening hours: Usually open for worship and visiting during the day, but services and private events can change access. Check before travelling.
Things to do · Tetbury
Tetbury Police Museum and Courtroom recreates local policing in a Victorian lock-up, with original cells, uniforms and courtroom details.What to expectThe small collection is hands-on and atmospheric,…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Burford
The Angel, Burford is a handsome independent inn just off the High Street, useful when you want a proper meal without leaving the town centre. Its historic…
Opening hours: Daily; food and bar service times vary. Check the official site before travelling.
Guides
Short Cotswolds walks that deliver scenery, villages and a sense of place without taking the whole day.
Food & Drink · Cheltenham
Central Cheltenham leisure quarter with food, drinks and cinema — easy win for groups, rainy days and evening plans.
Opening hours: Individual restaurant, cinema and venue hours vary by day and event. Check the Brewery Quarter listing for current opening times.
Food & Drink · Broadway
The Broadway Hotel sits directly on The Green, making it one of the easiest places to combine a meal with a proper wander through Broadway. Its restaurant…
Opening hours: Open daily; breakfast, lunch and dinner service times vary. Check the official site for current hours.
Things to do · Winchcombe
The Buttery Dish is a small Winchcombe café and food shop focused on homemade cakes, savouries and local produce.What to expectIt is well placed for a mid-walk…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Castle Combe
The Castle Inn is the natural food stop in Castle Combe: a historic coaching inn on the village street, close enough to the bridge and church that…
Opening hours: Open daily; meal and bar service times vary. Advance booking is recommended for peak weekends.
Food & Drink · Stroud
The Clothiers Arms is a cosy local pub in the heart of Stroud, with rooms, drinks and a food offer that makes it practical for a town-centre…
Opening hours: Open daily; food, bar and room service times vary. Check the official site for current hours.
Things to do · Cheltenham
A local stretch of the Cotswold Way beside woodland and fields near Hewletts Farm.
Opening hours: Check current trail access and plan for daylight.
Food & Drink · Moreton-in-Marsh
The Cotswolds’ first full-scale whisky distillery, with tours, tastings, a shop and a cocktail bar in the north Cotswolds.
Opening hours: Visitor centre, tours and cocktail bar hours vary by season. Advance booking is recommended; check the official visitor page.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
A small puzzle maze in Bourton, with limited same-day time slots sold at the kiosk rather than booked online.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Chipping Campden
A long-established village pub near Chipping Campden, suited to lunch, dinner or pairing with a country walk.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Painswick
The Falcon Inn is a traditional Painswick pub with a strong village position, useful for turning a walk around the Beacon or Rococo Garden into a complete…
Opening hours: Open daily; kitchen and bar hours vary. Check the official site for current opening and booking information.
Food & Drink · Cirencester
Dog-friendly historic inn on the Market Place with boutique bedrooms, a proper pub feel and seasonal food in the heart of Cirencester.
Opening hours: Open daily as an inn; restaurant and bar service times vary. Check the official site or book ahead for meals.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
An artist-run gallery and shop in the Old Silk Mill, with changing exhibitions, cards and gifts by member makers.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Winchcombe
The Lion Inn is a historic Winchcombe pub with a strong local beer list, hearty food and a characterful town-centre setting.What to expectUse it as the anchor…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Stays · Cheltenham
Food & Drink · Broadway
The Lygon Arms brings several different ways to eat into the heart of Broadway: the Grill for a more ambitious dinner, Tavern for small plates and local…
Opening hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner available daily across Grill, Tavern and the bars; service times vary. Reserve ahead and check the current menus online.
Things to do · Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton in miniature: a detailed stone model village with important pushchair and mobility restrictions to check before visiting.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Bourton-on-the-Water
Proper Cotswold inn with rooms and classic pub food — a solid base in Bourton with a warm, traditional feel.
Opening hours: Restaurant: Mon–Thu 08:00–10:00 & 17:00–20:30; Fri–Sat 08:00–10:00 & 12:00–20:30; Sun 08:00–10:00 & 12:00–19:00.
Food & Drink · Northleach
A former eighteenth-century House of Correction on the Fosse Way, now a café and small heritage attraction in Northleach.
Opening hours: Open daily, 9am–4pm. The café, garden and historic rooms can have separate service or access arrangements; check the venue’s current notice for seasonal changes.
Things to do · Chipping Campden
A key Arts and Crafts site in Chipping Campden, connected with C. R. Ashbee’s Guild of Handicraft.
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Food & Drink · Tetbury
The Ormond is a long-established Tetbury inn on Long Street, with a lively bar and restaurant that make it useful for a first-night dinner or a slower…
Opening hours: Open daily; restaurant and bar hours vary by day and season. Check ahead for current service times.
Things to do · Cheltenham
Independent theatre offering drama, comedy, music and community productions in a compact town-centre setting.
Opening hours: Opening arrangements can change with seasons, events and private bookings. Check the official website before travelling.
Food & Drink · Stow-on-the-Wold
The Porch House is a historic inn in the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold, with a proper restaurant, pub garden and rooms above. It is the kind of place…
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 08:00–22:30; Friday and Saturday 08:00–23:00; Sunday 08:00–21:00. Breakfast daily 08:00–11:30; dinner service varies.
Food & Drink · Moreton-in-Marsh
The Redesdale is a pub with rooms in the centre of Moreton-in-Marsh, designed around all-day food, a proper drinks list and a comfortable place to linger. It…
Opening hours: Open daily; all-day food and drinks service times vary. Check the official site for current hours and bookings.
Food & Drink · Wotton-under-Edge
The Royal Oak is a friendly neighbourhood pub and kitchen in the centre of Wotton-under-Edge. It is a useful place to build into a day exploring the…
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00–23:00; closed Mondays. Check current kitchen hours before visiting.
Food & Drink · Bibury
The Swan at Bibury is a riverside country inn beside the River Coln, known for its stone rooms, gardens and traditional dining.What to expectIt makes a natural…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Cheltenham
The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum is a useful rainy-day stop in central Cheltenham. Its programme combines local history, art exhibitions and temporary displays, with a café…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Guides
The Cotswolds can be brilliant with children, but the usual advice is often too vague: ‘go for a walk, visit a pretty village, stop for cake’. That…
Things to do · Winchcombe
Characterful Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway station with heritage trains, events and easy links into the Winchcombe day out.
Opening hours: Heritage railway access is timetable-led; check the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway calendar before travelling.
Things to do · Burford
Tolsey Museum occupies Burford's medieval market building and explains the town's wool trade, crafts and civic history.What to expectThe collection is compact, so pair it with the…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Wotton-under-Edge
A 111-foot hilltop memorial to William Tyndale with a spiral staircase, Severn Vale views and a route on the Cotswold Way.
Opening hours: The monument and surrounding knoll are open 24 hours. The tower is reached on foot; the spiral staircase is only open when the trust has unlocked the monument. Check the trust’s latest access information before planning a climb.
Things to do · Stroud
A partially reconstructed Neolithic burial mound, known locally as Hetty Pegler’s Tump, on the Cotswold escarpment above the Severn Vale.
Opening hours: Open any reasonable time during daylight hours. Free entry. Access is by foot from the road and nearby paths; surfaces can be muddy and uneven.
Destinations · Upper Slaughter
Quieter than Lower Slaughter, with stone cottages, the River Eye and one of the easiest village-to-village walks in the central Cotswolds.
Things to do · Tetbury
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is a full outdoor day rather than a quick viewpoint. Its paths move through different collections and woodland spaces, with especially strong seasonal…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Destinations · Winchcombe
A relaxed historic town with excellent walking from the centre, Sudeley Castle nearby, independent shops and enough pubs and cafés for an easy weekend base.
Things to do · Winchcombe
Historic streets and church setting around Winchcombe Abbey, where the town's medieval story is easiest to read on foot.
Opening hours: Usually open for worship and visiting during the day, but services and private events can change access. Check before travelling.
Things to do · Winchcombe
Small local market bringing producers and makers into the town centre on selected dates.
Opening hours: Dates and trading hours vary. Check the organiser’s current calendar before making a special journey.
Things to do · Winchcombe
Short urban walk linking Winchcombe's church, independent shops, old lanes and riverside edges.
Opening hours: Open route or public space; best enjoyed in daylight. Check weather, access and any seasonal or event restrictions before setting out.
Things to do · Stroud
Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished Gothic revival house hidden in a wooded valley near Nympsfield, preserved as a dramatic building site rather than a finished home.What to…
Opening hours: Opening times vary. Check the official website before visiting for current opening hours, events and seasonal changes.
Things to do · Stroud
Woodchester Park is a quiet National Trust valley of lakes, woodland and meadow around the unfinished mansion.What to expectThe circular lakeside walk is the main event: look…
Opening hours: Open access, generally from dawn to dusk. Check local access, conditions and any seasonal restrictions before travelling.
Destinations · Wotton-under-Edge
A lively southern Cotswold market town beneath the escarpment, with independent shops, heritage, walking and easy access to Newark Park and the Tyndale Monument.
Showing our published stays, things to do, food and drink, destinations and guides, A–Z. Badges reflect the information currently recorded for each entry; an absent badge does not mean a place is unsuitable. Check individual entries for restrictions and current visitor information.
