The best things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water

The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty charms with its timeless allure of honey-hued architecture and rich, rolling countryside. Amidst the gentle undulations of this peaceful region, the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water emerges.

Captivating visitors with its meandering river that flows under arched bridges and past the village’s boutiques and attractions, the Venice of the Cotswolds offers plenty to fill your day. Our guide to this delightful destination walks you through the best things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, with activities for families, couples and even the dog.

If you’ve already got your day mapped out, why not extend your escape by booking a night in one of our Bourton-on-the-Water cottages? Click the button below to explore the collection.

Cottages in Bourton-on-the-Water

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Birdland Park and Gardens

One of the most popular attractions in Bourton-on-the-Water, Birdland Park and Gardens offers 9 acres of woodland and 50 aviaries, alive with the sights and sounds of over 500 bird species from around the world. 

As one of the best things to do in the Cotswolds with the family, a day at this wildlife wonder promises all things avian, including magical owls, flapping flamingos, pelicans, penguins and plenty more. 

Beyond the birds, step back in time, 65 million years to be precise, into their Jurassic Journey exhibition where, hidden amongst the foliage, you’ll find life-size dinosaurs, forgotten fossils and giant dinosaur eggs – you’ll forget you’re in the Cotswolds! 

After a stroll along Penguin Shore and a nosey into the Pandemonium of Parrots, visitors can pause for a bite to eat in The Nest Kitchen and Cafe, but don’t take too long in here – you won’t want to miss out on the live feeding displays and talks on offer.

Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum

If the heavens open and you’re on the hunt for places to visit in Bourton-on-the-Water, then head straight to the popular Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum for a throwback to a bygone age. Set in the heart of this gorgeous Cotswold village, all the family, from kids to grandparents, will love their time here. 

With exhibitions that celebrate the history of 20th-century motoring and memorabilia through classic cars, bikes and retro toys, get ready to feel nostalgic as you spot the likes of TV star Brum amongst other iconic automobiles. 

Get a feel for the time as you step back into bustling workshops, buzzing with the sounds and smells of the 60s and 70s, or time travel even further to the Blacksmith’s Workshop where you’ll get a taste of life as it transitioned from four-legged horses to four-wheeled motors.

The Model Village

If Bourton-on-the-Water isn’t traditional already, then its popular Model Village is the cherry on top of its quintessentially English cake. One of the most classic Bourton-on-the-Water tourist attractions, this Grade-II-listed miniature village offers a one-ninth-scale display of the very streets you stepped in from. 

Spot the model village within the model village, follow the replica River Windrush that flows just metres away from its real counterpart, and hear the mini bells of the model church ring. Roam through narrow lanes, peering into cute Cotswold cottages, and brush the tops of the cherry and chestnut trees that line the small streets. 

One of the best Bourton-on-the-Water things to do as a couple or with the family, this charming attraction doesn’t take long to explore, so there’s no excuse not to dive in during your getaway.

The Dragonfly Maze

If you have half an hour free and you’re wondering what to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, then a visit to the delightful Dragonfly Maze will no doubt quench your thirst for adventure. With over half a mile of paths winding through a traditional yew hedge maze, visitors here should be on the hunt for 14 clues that lead to its centre.

The fun isn’t over yet… as you reach the centre, the 14 clues come in handy, helping you to crack the puzzle that releases the golden dragonfly hidden in the centre’s roundhouse. 

If your hunger for clue-hunting remains, then embark on the Village Trail around Bourton-on-the-Water, picking up clues that lead to a hidden question. If answered correctly, return to the maze to claim your prestigious Village Genius sticker!

Hawkstone Brewery

If you’re a fan of Jeremy Clarkson’s TV Show Clarkson’s Farm, then you’ve probably heard of his premium beer brand, Hawkstone. After captivating TV audiences, Clarkson’s celebrated brewery opened its doors in Bourton-on-the-Water, inviting visitors to tour the brewery and enjoy its finished product in the Hawkstone Arms.

One of the newest places to visit in Bourton-on-the-Water, this growing venue offers generous sampling during their 2-hour brewery tour where you can learn all about the brand’s history, brewing process and best of all, enjoy a drink in the Hawkstone Arms itself.

Savour the ingredients grown at Diddly Squat Farm and get a taste of the local fare from the various food trucks. One of the best things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water if you like a fresh pint, this is the perfect activity for couples and groups of friends.  

Greystones Farm Nature Reserve

A trip to the Cotswolds doesn’t have to be expensive, so if you’re looking for free things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, look no further than Greystones Farm Nature Reserve. 

This tranquil network of ancient meadows and rivers offers a diverse range of wildlife that includes butterflies, birds of prey, insects and plenty more species. Lovers of nature will savour the peaceful strolls along riverbanks, through wildflower meadows and secluded woodland that various fish, bats and owls call home. 

Historians will be fascinated when they discover Salmonsbury Camp – a sacred meeting point during the Neolithic and Iron Age periods. To fuse your passion for nature and history with walking, set off along the two immersive, guided trails – The Wildlife Walk and Time Travel Trail.

Walks around Bourton-on-the-Water

The Cotswolds offer some of the most desirable walking trails in the UK, so it’s no surprise that one of the best free things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water is to discover the village’s wealth of scenic routes that cut through the countryside and surrounding villages. 

Perfect for a post-lunch stretch of the legs, the 2-mile Archaeology, Rivers and Lakes Circular leads walkers past the village’s quaint cottages, through sweeping meadows and towards historical landmarks, before circling back to Bourton-on-the-Water. 

For a more challenging route, join the 5.7-mile Bourton and The Slaughters Circular which leads outdoor enthusiasts away from the village, through peaceful farmland and along the banks of the River Windrush, before turning back once you reach the sleepy villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter.

Eating out in Bourton-on-the-Water

Home to charming tea rooms, quaint cafes and traditional pubs, the Cotswolds spoils visitors with a choice of places to eat, and that certainly extends to Bourton-on-the-Water.

If you’re on the hunt for a local pint and pub lunch, then the village boasts a choice of waterside watering holes with fabulous countryside views and charming riverside settings. Choose from The Willow, The Kingsbridge Inn, Old Manse Hotel, and The Mousetrap Inn.

To take a break from the attractions in Bourton-on-the-Water, dive into one of the village’s delightful restaurants that celebrate ingredients from the fields around. With a sun-soaked beer garden on the banks of the river, The Rose Tree beckons with its seasonal menus, as do The Croft and L’anatra Italian Kitchen.

For a classic cream tea, you’re spoilt for choice thanks to the likes of Bakery on the Water, The Riverside Cafe, The Den, and La Reine.  

Shopping in Bourton-on-the-Water

If you’re looking for places to visit in Bourton-on-the-Water and fancy a mooch, then look no further than the village’s eclectic range of boutiques that includes the historic Cotswold Perfumery – famous for selling fine English fragrances since 1966.

A mosey through the village allows shoppers to follow the scent of fresh flowers, melting fudge and hot scones, with the colourful sights of handmade dresses and candy adorning the windows.

Housed in typical Cotswold stone buildings, these local shops comprise family-owned jewellers, potteries and gift shops that celebrate the region. Take a step back in time in Once Upon A Candy Shop, familiarise yourself with Cotswold attire in Chestnuts Fashion Fix, or find a bottle of something local in The Cotswolds Distillery.  

Map of things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water

To help guide you through our favourite attractions in Bourton-on-the-Water, explore our map below.

Holiday cottages in Bourton-on-the-Water

As the sun sets on your day in Bourton-on-the-Water, what better way to round off your outing than heading back to one of our holiday cottages nearby? With properties that beckon romantic weekends, family getaways and reunions with friends, our collection has something for every occasion.

Cottages in Bourton-on-the-Water