The best things to do with kids in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is one of the UK’s best-loved holiday destinations and is renowned for its rolling hills, countryside scenery and quaint villages. 

While traditionally popular with walkers, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which straddles six counties in southern England, including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, is also a great destination for UK family holidays.

If you’re thinking of bringing babies or children with you to this gorgeous section of the Great British countryside, there are plenty of things to do with kids in the Cotswolds that you’re sure to love too. Discover the Cotswolds with your little ones and read on to discover some of our favourite attractions, places to go and the best family days out in the Cotswolds.

Cotswolds family holidays

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

Prepare to be dazzled by Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, an architectural masterpiece and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Regarded as one of the best family days out in the Cotswolds, indoors you can take a tour of the beautifully decorated and furnished staterooms, learn about the history of the palace and watch film clips in the indoor cinema. 

Outdoors, the palace is surrounded by 2,000 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown, as well as spectacular formal gardens. Hop aboard the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens, great for kids with a maze, butterfly house, lavender garden and adventure garden.

Chipping Norton Lido, Chipping Norton

One of the few lidos left in the UK, the Chipping Norton Lido carries on this great tradition in style and is suitable for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Located within the Cotswolds town of the same name, Chipping Norton, it’s great even for the smallest of splashers, as there’s a toddler pool where little ones can ease into swimming. 

Older kids will love playing in the larger 25m pool and there’s a water slide to whizz down at the deep end. The water is heated to at least 28°C so it’s perfect if you're looking for things to do in the Cotswolds for families on less sunny days as well. A fun way to get active with the kids outdoors!

Corinium Museum, Cirencester

This fact-filled Gloucestershire museum charts the entire history of the Cotswolds from the prehistoric age all the way up to the 19th century. Cirencester was once known as Corinium and was the second-largest town in Roman Britain, which you can learn all about with the Roman collection at the Corinium Museum, spread over two floors. 

Alongside the Roman displays, there are some fascinating exhibits about the Saxons, Victorians and the medieval period to discover, with plenty of hands-on fun to get the kids involved and learn something new. Plus, as the displays are all indoors, this makes it one of the best things to do with kids in the Cotswolds on a rainy day, too. For more inspiration on family days out in this charming Cotswolds town, read our guide to the top things to do in Cirencester.

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Burford

Meet over 260 different animal species across this 120-acre wildlife park in Burford and its beautiful accompanying gardens. Among the new friends you could make at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens are giraffes, flamingos, lions and rhinos, while the Reptile House is home to deadly snakes and crocodiles. 

More than 100 bird species also live here, from the tiny Zesterops to the giant ostrich. After you’ve met all the animals, take the kids for a ride on the narrow-gauge railway, a run around the adventure playground and an escapade through the thrilling sky maze.

Westonbirt – The National Arboretum, Tetbury

Home to more than 15,000 trees from around the globe, the stunning Westonbirt Arboretum has been growing since the 1850s and continues to capture the imagination even today. There are 17 miles of footpaths crisscrossing their way through the arboretum, with trails to suit all abilities. 

Little ones will love following the play trails through the trees – here, they can clamber over logs or crawl through treetrunk tunnels. And because it's one of the best kid-friendly things to do in the Cotswolds, there is also a play booklet for each season so your children can learn about how nature changes throughout the year.

Cotswold Farm Park, near Cheltenham

Owned by Countryfile’s Adam Henson, Cotswold Farm Park offers families a chance to learn how a working farm is run with plenty of fun along the way. Originally established to protect rare breeds, these can still be seen today at the farm park alongside a whole host of other friendly farm animals. 

Get hands-on with bottle feeding and sheep shearing, and enjoy plenty of demonstrations where you can watch the experts at work. This farm park in Cheltenham is also a great place to play with tractor rides, sandpits, a jumping pillow, a maze and an adventure playground.

Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

Not only is Bourton-on-the-Water one of the Cotswolds’ most idyllic villages, lined with pretty honey-coloured cottages, but it’s also a great destination for families, packed full of wonderful attractions. 

See the village in miniature at the Model Village, make your way through the Dragonfly Maze, admire over 500 birds in beautiful gardens at Birdland and meet children’s character Brum at the Cotswold Motor Museum – the choices are endless!

Arctic Quest, Tewkesbury

There’s no longer the need to travel abroad to have a go at the unforgettable experience of going on a sled ride and being pulled along by huskies. 

Arctic Quest in Tewkesbury is one of the top family days out in the Cotswolds, offering visitors the chance to learn all about these intelligent dogs, go on a thrilling sled ride and even have a go at mushing the pack - using all-terrain sleds on wheels to make up for the lack of snow. At the end, you’ll get to sit by a campfire with a hot chocolate and recount what a wonderful time you’ve had!

Cotswold Water Park, near Cirencester

A cluster of more than 150 lakes, the Cotswold Water Park offers a plethora of activities both on land and in the water. The park spans more than 40 square miles and offers some great opportunities for both walking and cycling. 

On the water, you can have a go at sailing, windsurfing or kayaking, or for something more extreme, there’s even cable-skiing and banana boating to try. With something for all the family, a visit to the Cotswold Water Park is one of the best kids' days out in the Cotswolds for little ones who love being outdoors. 

Rugrats and Halfpints, Cirencester

Last but not least, Rugrats and Halfpints is a large indoor play centre which is sure to be a lifesaver on rainy days. It offers 13,000 square feet of fun, with slides, cannons, zip lines and more to keep the kids entertained for hours. 

For the under-4s there’s a baby and toddler play area, while there’s also a story corner where you and your little ones can enjoy some imaginative adventures together. For football fans, there’s even a five-a-side football pitch to have a kickabout on.

Map of our top family days out in the Cotswolds

Plan your family holiday itinerary by finding your favourite attractions in the Cotswolds from the list on the map below.

Family-friendly holidays in the Cotswolds

There's so much to do throughout the Cotswolds that you'll be spoilt for choice for days out! For even more great ideas on how to spend your time in the Cotswolds and make your money stretch further during your trip, take a look at our guide to the best free things to do in the Cotswolds with kids.

Why not have a browse through our family-friendly Cotswolds cottages for somewhere to stay between days out? Just click the button below to take a peek through our collection. 

Family-friendly cottages in the Cotswolds