Grab some Cotswolds glamour
Ride the train and meet the lions and zebras at the Cotswold Wildlife Park. Go underground at Cheddar Gorge. Milk the cows at the Farm Park. Grown-ups can ruminate over antiques, galleries, coffee and cake in gorgeous villages, get active on a Rob Ireland Activity Day, or go giddy at the Gin-Tasting Experience.
Kids in the Cotswolds
Kiddie fun begins in the Cotswold Wildlife Park. Ride the train, enjoy the adventure playground, and meet the lions, zebras, hippos and penguins. Wakeboard, windsurf, paddleboard or try angling or archery at The Cotswold Water Park. Or see the wolds and wool churches by train on the Avon Valley Railway.
Head up to Cheddar Gorge to see the show caves, site of the discovery of Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, found in 1903. Or take the woodland walks and enjoy birds of prey shows at Batsford Arboretum and Falconry Centre.
At Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, kids can milk the cows, watch lambing in action, invade the adventure barn, take a farm safari, get lost in the maze and wander the rare breeds trail. Or try the Corinium Museum for one of the largest collections of Roman artefacts, brought to life with treasure hunts, play area and creative workshops.
For a quirky one-ninth-scale model village that remains forever in its carless, 1930s state, head to Bourton-on-the-Water. There’s a magical family day out at Fairytale Farm meeting animals, taking the Wilderness Walk through different habitats and digging the veggie patch.
For the grown-ups
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If you can extract your toasty body from the hot tub, how about heading out on the Cotswold Way? This is a gorgeous route of manageable hills, stunning escarpment views, delightful woodland and delicious villages with pubs full of liquid refreshment. Or see ancient ruins at St Mary’s Church in Swinbrook, with lovely sculpture and glass.
Clay pigeons, quad bikes and field arrows all feature on one of Rob Ireland’s Activity Days. Head down to Moreton-in-Marsh and take your pick. Or fish at Lemington Lakes, with 60 acres of lakes and woodland with a sideline in roe deer, muntjac, barn owls and red kites.
Gin fan? At the Gin-tasting Experience, you’ll learn about rotary evaporators, distilling techniques and garnish, and you’ll get a tour of the distillery. After four gin and tonics, though, you might not remember much. Wrap up the day with a walk to The Churchill Arms for fresh fish, Churchill’s very own pudding and a mouth-watering wines.
