Things to do with children in the Cotswolds
If you are planning a family holiday with us, you may well want to know about things to do with children in the Cotswolds. Having raised our own children here, and also listening to advice and recommendations from past guests, we have put a few suggestions together below, so read on for our list of 11 Things to do with children in the Cotswolds.
While there are many places you could visit, we also encourage you to make the most of being on holiday and slow things down! It is likely both you and your children will benefit from a slower pace of life for a few days.
Follow a leisurely alfresco breakfast with a swing in the hammock, a board game or bit of creativity. Then, maybe a gentle stroll down into Chipping Campden.
You could pick up a map at the Tourist Information Office in the High Street and set off on foot around the town.
Pop up to the recreation ground for a play then head to one of the friendly tearooms for a treat. There are plenty of things to do with children in the Cotswolds, and they don’t all cost money.
Family Attractions in the Cotswolds
Here are just a few suggestions for great days out and things to do with children in the Cotswolds if you are visiting as a family.
Things to do with children in the Cotswolds for Free
There’s loads of things to do with children in the Cotswolds that are low-cost or free.
We can highly recommend the local recreation grounds. Chipping Campden has a play park about 5 minutes off the high street, so walking distance of our glamping site. There’s plenty of room to kick a ball, or to enjoy the swings, zip wire, climbing frames and slide. No dogs are allowed though.
Broadway playground is in a beautiful setting, surrounded by Cotswold hills and caters for all ages. It also has toilet 🚽facilities there which is a big bonus. 👍👍 Parking is close by in a pay and display car park.
Dover’s Hill also offers plenty of space to run and exercise little people! In May the bluebell woods are fantastic but with a big hill to walk back up – be warned! It is about 15 minutes roadside walk to the Hill from our site. Alternatively drive up and use the carpark there.
If the sun is out the park at Evesham is a great place to visit. It is near the river and offers plenty of green space. There is a fun waterplay area with jets and fountains so young children can get wet and have fun…Take your costumes/change of clothes and towels though! Plenty to do for older children too.
Bourton-on-the-Water is a busy little town with a river running through it that is shallow enough in parts to do some paddling and splashing. *Please note this town gets VERY, VERY busy during summer months so be prepared for crowds! Perhaps plan your visit for late afternoon.
All Things Wild
Just 10 minutes away in Honeybourne we have All Things Wild.
If you like dinosaurs and animals you can have a fantastic day out here, which is why we’ve included it in our guide to things to do with children in the Cotswolds. There are giant dinosaur models set up in the fields and you can follow the dinosaur trail. Information points explain all about them and when they walked on the earth. You can dig for dinosaur bones too!
Children can handle the small animals like rabbits and chicks and reptiles too.
The small zoo has zebras, camels, meerkats, monkeys, kangaroos, birds and more. You can hop on the farmyard safari which takes you around the site. The mix of outdoor and indoor education areas are great if the weather is looking a bit dodgy.
Kids can whip around the outdoor go-cart track or clamber on the adventure play area. The large indoor softplay area is great to retreat to if the weather turns. The cafe sells hot and cold food/drinks but you can take a picnic and enjoy being outside.
Cotswold Farm Park
If you like getting close to animals, make a visit to a farm part one of your things to do with children in the Cotswolds. Head up to Countryfile’s Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. It is just 20 minutes away at Guiting Power.
Meet the lovely rare breeds farm animals there and feed the greedy lambs or goat kids. Take a tractor safari, and learn about the animals and the geography of the area. The kids can use up some energy bouncing on the giant inflatable pillows.
It is high up on the Cotswold hills so can be windy – wrap up warm! There is a lovely cafe and gift shop too and refreshments points around the farm.
All payments need to be with a card – no cash accepted.
Mini Mudders
A relatively new venture and a later addition to our list of things to do with children in the Cotswolds is Mini Mudders. Based up at Kiftsgate Court, Hidcote, Mini Mudders is just 5 minutes drive away.
A stay and play outdoor play group for children 6 months – 5 years. it provides a child-led play environment encouraging children to get their hands into all sorts of things from mud kitchen to craft activities. Open all year with seasonal themes. Sessions last 1.5 hours and the price varies according to how many children you book in. The cost also includes up to 2 adults staying. Book a session ahead of time via their website.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Keen on trains? A trip to Toddington heritage GWSR should be on your to-do list of things to do with children in the Cotswolds. Ride in a steam or diesel train along 28 miles of the Cotswold countryside between Broadway and Cheltenham. The Flag and Whistle Cafe at Toddington station can provide refreshments.
Shakespeare’s Town
The town of Stratford-Upon-Avon is only 20 minutes away, making it a worthy inclusion in our rundown of things to do with children in the Cotswolds.
It has plenty of places to eat and drink and shop!
There is an excellent play park, plenty of open green places and a crazy golf course too. Take a boat trip on the river Avon, either rowing yourself, punting or taking a short cruise.
The Stratford Butterfly Farm is the largest tropical butterfly attraction in the UK. It is a lovely way to spend an hour or two.
You can also visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Mary Arden’s Farm and Anne Hathaway’s Farm too, all of which are local to Stratford.
Batsford Arboretum and the Cotswold Falconry Centre
Get plenty of fresh air at Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, just 15 minutes away. The country’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs on this 56 acre site. Kids can be entertained by following the children’s trail, and messing about on the new play area. Re-fuel in the amazing café which offers refreshments and lunches in the restaurant or outside on the veranda.
Enjoy Easter chicken hunts, seasonal bug hunts and open air theatre. The site is dog-friendly too if kept on short leads. There are EVcharging points here too.
The Cotswold Falconry Centre is an educational centre with over 130 birds of prey. Learn all about these beautiful birds including eagles, owls, falcons, hawks and more. Flying displays take place daily if weather conditions allow.
The Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
The Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens near Burford has lions, rhinos, giraffes, camels and tapir to name but a few. The gardens are beautiful and the kids can enjoy the outdoor adventure play area in the woods. You can also hop on a train and enjoy being taken around the park. Very buggy friendly pathways. Dogs can be taken into the park if kept on a lead but are not allowed in the indoor areas, where animals freely roam, the restaurant or gift shop.
The Model Village and Birdland
Visit Bourton-on-the-Water as one of your Things to do with children in the Cotswolds, which has the only Grade ll listed model village in the country. Even the children will feel like giants as you walk around the one-ninth replica of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Also in Bourton is Birdland & Jurassic Journey where you can see penguins, including England’s only group of King Penguins, flamingo’s, pelicans, owls and other birds. Please see the video linked below.
Child-friendly places to eat near Chipping Campden
Most of the pubs locally have child-friendly areas i.e. eating in the bar rather than the main restaurant. As the buildings are old, buggies may need to be stored elsewhere.
The pubs in Campden offer homemade food, often with a children’s menu, so you will need to travel to Moreton-in-Marsh (ASK) or Stratford-Upon-Avon if you are looking for chain restaurant pizza/pasta places.
Places to eat in Chipping Campden are written about here: https://campdenyurts.co.uk/places-to-eat-in-chipping-campden/
Campden Yurts Pizza Parties
Love pizzas? Why not book a pizza party on site? We host the party – lighting the pizza oven and providing the homemade dough and sauce. All the equipment is included and we’ll teach you how to make your own pizzas. You just need to bring toppings of your choice! It is a lot of fun and suitable for all ages.
Currently costs are £25 for the party and £5/head for the dough and sauce (please check upon booking). We promise to fill you up and often make 2 or more pizzas. Just let us know in advance if you want to book a party.