
The Cotswolds boasts some of the most quintessentially English landscapes, with picturesque villages, rolling hills, and outstanding countryside scenery. This outdoor paradise, brimming with charm and beauty, makes a great destination for UK family holidays and it’s always good to remember that it offers a wealth of free attractions and activities for kids of all ages to enjoy.
There are some fantastic places to picnic in the Cotswolds, parks and play areas to enjoy, nature sites to explore and plenty of free museums for some educational fun; there are so many days out for kids in the Cotswolds, that it is the perfect UK destination for any budget.
We have created a list of our favourite free days out in the Cotswolds to successfully keep the whole family entertained, so if you’re planning a holiday in the Cotswolds, you can relax knowing you have a full week planned that definitely won’t break the bank.
Family-friendly cottages in the Cotswolds
Skip to:
Museums and heritage sites in the Cotswolds

The Jet Age Museum, Gloucester
The Jet Age Museum in Gloucester is a treasure trove of aircraft-related amusement, where children are encouraged to clamber into the cockpits of several planes, including a Vulcan bomber, experiencing what it would have been like to fly these magnificent aircraft.
Kids will love hearing real-life stories from knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides who are quite often retired pilots. Located next to a working airport, this free museum in the Cotswolds provides excellent contrast between modern flight and that of a bygone age.
Stay nearby: Halfpenny Retreat, Cheltenham | Sleeps 2 + 3 dogs

Tetbury Police Museum and Courtroom, Tetbury
The Tetbury Police Museum is held in Tetbury’s original police station and is the perfect place to take young budding police officers who want to get an inside look.
From checking out the police cells, discovering a courtroom dating back to the 1940s, exciting crime scene workshops and getting hands-on with helmets, handcuffs and uniforms, kids will really feel the part. Plus, it’s one of the best things to do with kids on a rainy day in the Cotswolds, if the weather takes a turn.
Stay nearby: Apt 2 The Old Coach Yard, Tetbury | Sleeps 5

The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock
The Oxfordshire Museum, located in the historic town of Woodstock, houses an interesting collection of local social history exhibits and offers some fun interactive displays for kids.
The dinosaur gallery is sure to be a hit, with a range of dinosaur-themed activities including a dinosaur puppet theatre, magnetic dinosaur jigsaw, dressing-up equipment and an enjoyable dinosaur DVD. With gardens to explore, a shop for souvenirs and a café, there’s plenty to keep kids entertained.
Stay nearby: The Farm Retreat, Woodstock | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester
Follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter and discover the magic of Gloucester Cathedral, which young fans might recognise as the corridors of Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With a rolling programme of fun family events and the mesmerising Whispering Gallery to explore, this is certainly a great free attraction for kids in the Cotswolds.
You could even combine your visit with a walk to Gloucester Docks and admire the narrow boats and historic tall ships, looping back through Gloucester Park with its fun play area.
Stay nearby: The Sail Loft Frampton On Severn, Frampton on Severn | Sleeps 6
Outdoor fun in the Cotswolds

On the water: Cotswold Water Park
Visit the wonderful wetland of 150 interconnecting lakes at the Cotswold Water Park and enjoy a plethora of activities both on land and in the water. Covering more than 40 square miles, the park is one of the top places to visit in the Cotswolds for free, and boasts excellent birdwatching sites, with over 20,000 wintering water birds – so be sure to pack your binoculars!
Awash with photographic opportunities, there are scenic walking and cycling trails to explore here too, where if you’re lucky, you might spot otters, water voles, bats and beavers. Those in need of some adrenalin can have a go at sailing, windsurfing, cable-skiing, banana boating, climbing and archery; there is pretty much every outdoor pursuit you could imagine for the whole family. This popular attraction in the Cotswolds is definitely a day well spent in the outdoors. Our guide to the top things to do in Cirencester highlights some more great ideas for family days out locally.
Stay nearby: Goose Lodge, South Cerney | Sleeps 6 + 1 dog

On dry land: Parks in the Cotswolds
If you’d prefer to keep your feet on dry land, there are plenty of free parks in the Cotswolds too. When it’s time to burn off some energy, there’s simply nowhere a child would rather be than in a park brimming with play areas and activities!
Kilkenny Lane Country Park: 21 hectares of open space in Carterton, with a play area where kids can fly down a zip wire, bounce on trampolines, swing in hammocks and venture into a willow maze.
Pittville Park: Children will love seeing the aviaries full of birds and having a go on the pitch and putt golf course at this historic park in Cheltenham.
Broadway Activity Park: From scaling a climbing wall to getting dizzy on the twin fly spinners, this 3-acre recreation ground in Broadway is a big hit with little ones.
Woodchester Park: Build a den, create some wild art and have fun along the woodland Play Trail at this park near Stonehouse.
Family picnics in the Cotswolds
If the sun is shining, make the most of it; there are so many free places to visit in the Cotswolds where you can enjoy a picnic.

Coaley Peak
Delight in spellbinding panoramic views of the Severn Valley at Coaley Peak. This picture-perfect picnic site, close to Stroud, is a great place to enjoy lunch on one of the picnic tables or sit on a blanket in the wildflower meadow. There are 12 acres of reclaimed farmland to enjoy, perfect for flying a kite, and it’s also situated next to a Woodland Trust beech wood, Frocester Hill, ideal for a post-lunch stroll. See our handy guide to Stroud for more inspiring activities and walks in the area.
Stay nearby: Thousand Acres Coach House, Wotton-under-Edge | Sleeps 4

Bourton-on-the-Water
The wide grassy banks of the River Windrush in Bourton-on-the-Water are a lovely place to indulge in a family picnic. One of our favourite villages to visit in the Cotswolds, you can sit on the green while the youngsters splash about in the shallow river and treat everyone to a tasty ice cream.
Stay nearby: Bellaire Boutique, Bourton-on-the-Water | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog

Cleve Common
Enjoy a picnic with a spectacular view at Cleve Common, the highest point in the Cotswolds. There are plenty of picturesque footpaths here to walk off your lunch afterwards.
Stay nearby: Vicarage Barn, Cheltenham | Sleeps 4

Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons
With large swathes of open grassland and rolling hills to admire, the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons are ideal for a family picnic in the Cotswolds. Take an afternoon walk through a sea of yellow cowslips and delicate purple orchids, or discover hidden treasure in the woodlands of the lower slopes.
Stay nearby: Park Terrace, Minchinhampton | Sleeps 4

Minster Lovell Hall
Situated along the banks of the River Windrush are the romantic ruins of Minster Lovell Hall. The crumbling walls of this large 15th-century Oxfordshire manor house provide an interesting backdrop to a picnic – kids will be fascinated.
Stay nearby: Hailey Cottage, Hailey | Sleeps 6 + 1 dog
Nature reserves in the Cotswolds

Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, Bampton
Get closer to nature at one of the many wonderful nature reserves in the Cotswolds. One of our favourites is the Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, which covers 600 acres of the Upper Thames floodplain and is of national importance.
As the reserve is a rich wetland, you’re bound to spot plenty of wading birds in the water as well as a wide variety of some of the most interesting bird species in England. Vistas of captivating plants, including green-winged orchids and colourful butterflies, can be enjoyed, and it is even dog friendly, providing they are on a short lead.
Stay nearby: Orchard Barn, Witney | Sleeps 8 + 2 dogs

Foxhole Nature Reserve, Moreton-in-Marsh
Another favourite nature trail in the Cotswolds that kids will enjoy is located at the Foxhole Nature Reserve, particularly beautiful in the springtime when it is covered in an endless horizon of pretty bluebells.
This tranquil sloping woodland in Moreton-in-Marsh takes you down to the River Evenlode, offering enchanting fauna and colour all year round. Look out for badger sets, over 200 species of fabulous fungi and an incredible population of elegant butterflies. The circular 1.75-mile Wildlife Walk route resembles something out of a magical fairy tale and is clearly signposted.
Stay nearby: Lambley Cottage, Milton Under Wychwood | Sleeps 4
Family-friendly holidays in the Cotswolds
If you’ve been inspired to spend your next getaway with the family in the beauty of the Cotswolds, take a look at our collection of family-friendly holiday cottages in the Cotswolds to find your perfect place to stay.
Family holidays in the Cotswolds