Our guide to low cost children's activities near Chipping Campden
Here is our guide to low cost children’s activities near Chipping Campden. As parents we totally understand that keeping children entertained both at home and away can be a costly business!
Having a few ideas for places to go/things to do that won’t put a further strain on the purse is always handy…especially if you are visiting an area for the first time.
We will keeping adding to this list as we discover more low cost children’s activities near Chipping Campden (as well as low cost childrens activities in the Cotswolds)…feel free to message with any suggestions!
Play Parks
Great for parents, great for kids to burn off energy, challenge themselves and maybe even make new friends…play parks are fabulous places and the following local parks definitely qualify as low cost children’s activities near Chipping Campden!
Chipping Campden’s own play park is on George’s Lane, accessible via Pear Tree Close where there is free roadside parking. If you are on foot, go through the archway and car park of the Noel Arms Hotel and just continue up the hill at the back. There are swings, a climbing stack with slide and monkey bars, a zip wire and small play house. There is plenty of room to kick a ball and run around too.
Sadly there are no toilets here – the nearest ones being in Sheep Street or by the Tourist Information Centre. Dogs are not allowed in the playpark.
Broadway’s playpark is one to return to again and again. Designed with very young children through to teenagers in mind there is a great mix of equipment to enjoy and challenge. From zip wires to a climbing wall, swings, slide, seesaw and more it is a great place to spend some time. There are toilets here too and it is just a short walk to the village to stock up on coffee or snacks!
Dogs are not allowed in the play park. Park in the Long stay car park at Shear House, Leamington Road and walk towards the town centre. The park is located on the left, but look out for the signs as it is not visible from the road.
Stratford-Upon-Avon also has a great playpark with many different play areas/equipment. Practise your JCB/digger skills in the sand area, chill out on the swings or jump on the zip wire. There is plenty of grass to play ball games on or to sit and watch the boats go up and down the river.
There is a public toilet in the play park.
Abbey Park Play Area in Evesham is a riverside play park for all ages. Lots of things to do here including a splash park for young children – an interactive water play area with jets and fountains. There is a sand play area, ground level trampoline and other equipment for older children too. There is a public toilet nearby, below the multistorey carpark.
Trains
If you have a young train enthusiast with you then the lovely Light Railway at The Valley, Evesham is a gentle treat. Ride on the 15″ guage track that takes you for a mile’s ride through countryside letting you stop off to enjoy the picnic area and play castle, before heading back to the station. Prices are really reasonable at £3.30/adult, £2.70/child return (aged 2-15 years) and under 2’s travel free.
The Valley itself includes a garden centre, 25 shops, cafes and well as the Fundamental Movement Academy, and hosts regular events.
The Great Western Steam Railway at Toddington is another treat, but more expensive so not written about further here.
Broadway Tower
Just 5 minutes drive from our glamping site is Broadway Tower, a hilltop Cotswold folly built in 1798. Designed by Capability Brown and built for George William 6th Earl of Coventry. It was later used to hold a printing press and then as an artist’s retreat by William Morris as part of the arts and crafts movement.
There is a charge to enter the tower but you can enjoy the surroundings for free. Parking by the tower is currently £3 for 4 hours. With 200 acres of parkland and amazing views, you can see the deer, walk to Broadway village and back (warning – it is VERY hilly) and visit the Morris & Brown cafe/shop for refreshments.
There is also a nuclear bunker here that you can take a tour in between April – October on weekends/Bank Holidays – for over 10yrs only. To book a tour, visit https://broadwaytower.co.uk/nuclear-bunker/
The views around Broadway Tower are wonderful and it is a popular place to visit – we recommend taking a picnic and a kite and enjoying all that fresh air and space.
Rivers and Swimming
For details of rivers and places to paddle, please see our blog: https://campdenyurts.co.uk/5-outdoor-places-to-swim-near-chipping-campden/
We will keep adding to our list of low cost children’s activities near Chipping Campden so if you have more recommendations of great places/experiences locally, please do let us know!