Things to do in Cotswolds in August

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Overview

August is a good time to visit Cotswolds.

Cotswolds has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your August trip to Cotswolds. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to August. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

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Best events and things to do in Cotswolds in August

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Best attractions for Cotswolds in August

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Cotswolds has to offer for travelers in August, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Cotswolds that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Cotswolds for August.
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
1. Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
4.7
(16288)
Wildlife park
Outdoor Activities
Family-friendly venue with 160-acre parkland for getting up close with more than 260 animal species.
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First visit and can definitely say it won't be the last. What a truly lovely place. The animal enclosures are fabulous, clean and in keeping for each creatures needs. The gardens are stunning considering it is October, there were still some lovely flowers in bloom. Their restaurant was very clean and the carrot cake and coffee a perfect snack between strolling around. The gardens are set out in a way that is interesting to look at whilst walking between enclosures. It was soo clean and tidy. Great place to see some well cared for animals and birds.
Great wildlife park to visit. It's in the middle of nowhere, parking is great, animals are super accessible and the people are so nice. The cost was very reasonable. There are loads of different animals (wolverine, red panda, rhinos, lions, giraffes, ant eaters, rover otters, and lemurs to name a few.) The train around the park was quaint. I'd recommend visiting anytime. Ooooo, and there is an adventure park for the kids to play at if you just want to chill for thirty minutes with a 10" sausage!
Really good day out, helped by being very reasonable weather for the time of year. No rain, not too cold, some sunshine. It was busy, being half term, but manageable and well organised. The restaurant was very busy at midday but is was moving quickly and tables being cleaned regularly. Not too long to wait for decent hot food. The animals looked well cared for and their enclosures really well thought out. Definitely more than enough to see in one day. The Rhinos seemed to be part of a successful breeding program. Throughout my childhood there were only 3 then 2 rhinos. Now there seemed to be 7 including some very cute looking young ones. The grounds were particularly impressive considering the time of year. Clearly a lot of effort goes into maintaining it this well. All in all would definitely recommend for a day out.
We couldn't access cheaper tickets as we were buying tickets on the day. However the price seemed reasonable. We had a fabulous daym. The grounds and gardens looked beautiful especially as it was autumn with all the beautiful colours. Plenty to keep us occupied and we wished we had arrived earlier. Lots of fascinating frogs, insects, snakes and bats. Some animal such as the apes and birds seemed a bit limited for space although all seemed well cared for. The lions were lively and the range of animals great. Highlights have to be seeing baby rhinos Mo and Marcus. Mo was indoors staying close to mum. Marcus was outdoors with mum and extended family...he put on quite a show with excitable bounds. Great to see such an endangered species thriving here. The train wasn't running as it was off season.
I have visited with my kids. The place is very well maintained, the animals all seem happy and well kept, and there are some gorgeous spieces. You may need a full half day to enjoy possibly more if the weather is good. The restaurant (self service) is ok quality, the queue to get food may be about 30 mins and outside (so if it's raining you'll get wet).
Loved this park. Well laid out and loads of animals to see. Great for kids and adults alike. Really nice to get up close with the various animals. Good parking area, shop ans restaurant available. We will be back.
Great place to visit. Never been before and I was so surprised we have place like this near us. So many different animals, taken great care of them. I would recommend to anyone. Its a great place to spend a day there. There is something for everyone.
As someone who often goes to zoos I would say it's one of the best in the whole country! So many animals to see and you can get nice and close. The walls are placed well for toddlers to see without needing to be picked up the whole time and my dog was able to come and adored seeing zoo animals for the first time. The animals looked very well looked after. The staff were very friendly and chatty and really knew their stuff. We even met the owner who knew every staff member by name and was very polite. The site is well laid out and very clean. There is even a little train which goes around most of the zoo which was the perfect way to keep a toddler moving on with promise of seeing the train to past. Overall such a lovely day.
Gloucester Cathedral
2. Gloucester Cathedral
4.8
(8339)
Cathedral
Sights & Landmarks
11th-century building with the tomb of King Edward II, musical events and daily CofE services.
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An impressive building. It's amazing what was built back then with simple means. Compared to today, we can't do anything without electricity, steel, and glass. I highly recommend a visit. The staff are friendly, and the £5 donation is perfectly acceptable. The restrooms could be a bit cleaner, though.
This must be one of the most beautiful Cathedrals that I have visited. You can feel the history as you walk round. There are a number of wonderful chapels throughout. The vaulted ceiling is stunning as well as the stained glass windows. I would recommend going up to the whispering gallery. The views down into the Cathedral really worth it and tovaee the magnificent organ up close.
We really enjoyed visiting Gloucester Cathedral.The construction began in 1089 the Nave was completed in 1130.Over the centuries mor parts were added with different architectures styles. A magnificent building and it's said to be one of the finest ecclesiastical building in the UK.We really enjoyed ambling around the ethereal cloisters(a special treat for Harry Potter fans) and the beautiful stained glass windows
The Cathedral and its grounds are amazing. Entry is free but they recommend a donation and there are two tours that do cost extra. They are the crypt and highlights tour. We went on the crypt tour and our guides Peter and Graham were excellent. There are many hidden gems here and the staff and clergy we met were excellent. A great few hours can be spent here, it is very disabled friendly and there is a suprise for the Harry Potter fans.
Poppy Fields by Luxmuralis - Premium Experience Great experience. A premium ticket allowed us fast track entry (it was raining, so this was much appreciated) & a faster entry to the 1st experience. It also allowed access to an upstairs section which had good views, plus a cheeky glass of sparkling wine. The cathedral looked lovely lite up. Great experience overall & a good reminder of the sacrifices made during war & that peace is better than war.
Absolutely stunning. Voluntary donation to get in £5 or £10 for a family. Harry potter was filmed here it's stunning 😍 well worth a visit. We met up with friends and kids from ages 2 to 13 had an amazing day. So much to see and the architecture is truly breathtaking, there is 12pm prayers, you can light candles and so many interactive things. Wheelchair friendly and also visually impaired friendly (blind and deaf) absolutely brilliant day out.
Visited this amazing cathedral which holds the tomb of Edward II among others. Having visited Westminster abbey this was just as impressive. It was a pleasure to visit, and not to be missed. We did find parking available and entry to the abbey is via donation.
What a magnificent building! I can't emphasis how must have this cathedral is. Search for top 10 facts about it, learn about its history and enjoy visiting. If you are a history lover, you need at least three hours (maybe five for a best visit) to completely appreciate the whole visiting experience. Would highly recommend donating as it costs a lot to maintain this fascinating building.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
3. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
4.7
(9614)
Arboretum
Nature & Parks
Trail covered Victorian landscape with an internationally significant tree and shrub collection.
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We had a lovely afternoon walking around Westonbirt. The colours of the trees were spectacular. There are so many different trails you can walk through. It was very busy on a Saturday afternoon, but the parking was efficiently managed well. The grounds are huge, and there are plenty of signs on the paths and lots of information. This place is beautiful this time of year. The autumn colours are fabulous. It’s the perfect place for dog walkers too. There are some food stalls here and plenty of toilets around.
Beautiful gardens. Especially in autumn with all the autumnal colours. I would think it is stunning through all of the seasons. Very well maintained with lots of interesting information about trees dotted about. I learnt a few things. There is a 2000 year old lime tree that doesn’t look that old. I found that fascinating. Very good for children. You walk along a lovely wooden bridge amongst the tops of the trees. It’s a bit cheaper to go in the week than at the weekend. You can buy a membership that is well worth it if you intend to go a few times. It was busy so it seems it is very popular there. Lots of parking. You can’t do it all in one visit so we will definitely be going again. They also do concerts there.
Always a great place to visit anytime of year but it is special in the autumn. Walk further away and you soon lose the people. Take time to read about the specimen trees. Lovely quality shop and cafe. Wonderful to visit trees that were living long before you were born and hopefully still there for great grandchildren. Puts life in prospective
We visited in late October—and wow, it was absolutely breathtaking. You honestly can’t imagine how beautiful a forest can be until you see this place. The colors, the atmosphere, everything felt straight out of a painting. Totally worth the trip.
It gets very busy when the weather's good, but the autumn leaves were very beautiful. The bridge was really good too, and there were plenty of vans selling different types of food and drink. It's worth getting a map, and you can pre-book online
Such a beautiful annual tradition my family and friends have of going to see the beautiful colours of autumn at Westonbirt. It never disappoints, and the further you go in, the less busy it becomes! Most of the area is accessible to wheelchair users, which is good!
The trees at the arboretum were amazing but a part from the trees there is no much more to see. I do appreciate that arboretums are for trees mainly but other parks I have visited before offer more interesting features such as sculptures, ponds, pagodas and other types of focal point that make the experience more memorable and unique. The map provided was not easy to read, so finding your way around was challenging .The entrance price was very steep at £21, so no much value for money.
Perfect day out in a beautiful environment. We have 2 dogs and there’s areas to let the dogs off, walk them on the lead as well as areas dogs aren’t allowed. There are literally miles of pathways to walk along. An autumn visit means you get to see all the beautiful colours- there’s a fabulous walkway through the trees that gives stunning views over the parkland - which has a lot of interesting facts for both adults and children. The food deserves a special mention - there’s a separate bbq station as well as the main restaurant with a great choice if you are gluten free or vegetarian.
The Docks
4. The Docks
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Walking Areas
National Trust - Hidcote
5. National Trust - Hidcote
4.7
(4686)
Nature & Parks
Charity
Sizable 20th-century gardens with narrow paths, lawn games, 2 cafes and great views. National Trust.
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This is a beautiful garden. There are some areas which could be better planted and some areas have suffered with lack of rain (and the policy is not to use hosepipes) but overall this is a delight. The lily pond area I found particularly beautiful with a lovely range of unusual and exotic plants. My only criticism, and this applies to all NT properties, is that you can’t buy the more unusual plants in their plant sales areas. They just offer a standard B&Q style range of the everyday.
Great afternoon visiting these splendid gardens. Every member of staff we met was welcoming and friendly. Drought has been hard in the ground staff, but it looked really great and I would happily visit again soon. Got there at midday on bank holiday Monday, had to wait a few minutes for a parking space, but it wasn’t a problem. Rounded the day off with scones and tea for 2 at £10.20. Great sculpture exhibition on from now to end of season.
A truly beautiful National Trust garden. The garden itself is divided into numerous "rooms", each of which is very different in character but all equally beautiful. The cafe was nice and serves a good selection of food and drink, including cakes, snacks and light lunches. Hidcote is a must-see place!
One of the best National Trust properties we've visited - and we've visited a few! The garden seems to go on almost forever, with paths winding through each area. The planting is wonderful and the setting on hillside overlooking the distant Malvern Hills is spectacular. Well worth a visit!
Visited when they had a lovely sculpture exhibition in the gardens. Beautifully maintained property with so much to see, we spent well over four hours here. Great value for money and the photos speak for themselves.
The gardens are absolutely stunning, especially the Old Garden, White Garden, Maple Garden, and Pillar Garden. Every turn reveals something new and exciting! The clipped wall is a fun feature for kids to explore, and beyond the formal gardens you’ll find a forest walk, sheep pasture, meadow garden, Italian Quiet Garden, pool garden, shade garden, orchard, lily pond, and charming garden structures scattered throughout. The paths are easy to follow, and having a map definitely helps. If you’re visiting with children, pick up a Flamingo Frankie’s Trail guide at the entrance—it features eight family-friendly play stations that make the visit even more engaging. Don’t miss the shop and nursery right at the entrance, offering adorable garden décor and a wide variety of plants for sale. The house itself is also a highlight, beautifully decorated and featuring a flower-themed art exhibit that I thoroughly enjoyed. With two young kids, I spent just over 1.5 hours here (without visiting the gift shop or café). If I came alone, I’d easily plan for two hours or more. An absolute must-visit for nature and garden lovers!
Absolutely beautiful, and not even vaguely spoiled by the rain we had, in fact it might have enhanced it. Beautiful trees and flowers and a really interesting layout in the garden. Even saw a wild rabbit having a grassy snack which made me so happy. The tea room/cafe had lovely food and the cakes looked incredible. Friendly, helpful staff. And the shop was one of the best National Trust ones I've been too which meant I spent far too much in there. A lovely few hours could have been a whole day.
Such a pleasant and refreshing place to wander, with gardens that feel much cooler thanks to the shelter of tall, mature trees. Despite the challenges of the current hose-pipe ban, the gardens are clearly well cared for and are surviving beautifully. Hidcote is a truly stunning National Trust property. The garden is laid out in a series of historic walled sections and open spaces, each with its own distinct character, yet all equally charming and rewarding to explore. The café is also very good, serving a wide range of drinks, cakes, snacks and light lunches—perfect for rounding off a visit. We always enjoy coming back to Hidcote; it never disappoints.
Broadway Tower
6. Broadway Tower
4.4
(6458)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Historic folly, by Capability Brown, with exhibitions and links to the Arts and Craft Movement.
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I have seen Broadway Tower from a distance many times, but never been inside and up to the top. I decided to do something about it so went in April this year. I went on a nice sunny week (school) day so it wasn't too busy. Wouldn't like to say how busy it may get at peak times? Well worth it, as I found it very interesting. Some stunning views to be had by going outside at the top. You can see for miles in all directions. Interesting layout in each of the rooms inside. Bet is was great to dine in the Tower. There is a nearby shop, toilets and café/restaurant and car parking. Can't quite remember how much it was, but can remember it's not that cheap. Not too far away are other attractions you can visit. There is a nuclear bunker, and the Lavender Fields at Snowshill. Can make for a great day out, with these attractions all in close proximity to each other.
This is a picturesque and historic attraction nestled in the Cotswolds. Built in the late 18th century, this iconic folly sits atop one of the highest points in the region, offering breathtaking views that stretch across multiple counties on a clear day. We arrived after closing time after 5pm. So, we parked just on the side road close to the entrance without needing to pay. I would say :narrow road nearer to the tower to drive. Didn't go in the tower but the views are worth the hike. Great shop and cafe. There is a pay park at the top during opening time. Not recommended for disabled access as there's a moderately steep hill & a good 10-15 minute walk. Lovely views over the countryside when you get there though & the Tower is majestic when you come to it. As it's quite small, you do have to wait for others to come so we didn't go inside on our visit. It's £5 to park, £14 per adult to go up the tower and £12 for the nuclear bunker experience. Views from the hill outside the tower however are free and spectacular, Visitors can explore its small but informative museum, enjoy peaceful walks through the surrounding country park, and even tour a Cold War-era bunker nearby.
First time visiting Broadway Tower and its park. You can visit the park for free and see the deers and the beautiful view overlooking the countryside. It’s nice if you like to have a long and quiet walk. I personally haven’t walked around much as if was raining but I visited the inside. The tower is quite small with only three rooms to see and a rooftop. You always have an audio guide with some audios and videos to see. Here you can learn about the history of the tower and also some immersive stories. It is very interesting. The tower is beautiful inside and out. During Christmas it’s decorated so even more magical. The view from the rooftop is also amazing. I spent around 45 minutes inside but I listened to the audioguide. If you don’t, you can visit the tower for 20 minutes or less. So I recommend only if you’re interested in history and want to take your time. However I think the ticket is a bit expensive for the size of the tower. At least you contribute to the maintenance so it’s a good thing but the ticket could be a bit less expensive.
Wow simply an awesome little find on our travels in the Cotswold. We Drove straight past it and saw a busy carpark, and as we drove around the corner saw the gorgeous view's and the glorious Tower. So we did a U-Turn and drove back to the carpark, which from our days experience was really cheap £3. We had totally no Idea what we stumbled across , so parked up and went for a stomp around to see what it was all about. We spent a magical couple hours walking, looking around the tower and around the Nuclear Bunker. We only walked the outside, and didn't go inside, but what an amazing gorgeous walk with a couple of distance options for young , old and the enthusiastic. When you decide you have seen enough and had enough fresh air, the Cafe Bar, is a real mix of Joe blogs general public just wanting a coffee and snack or indulge if fine wine and fine food . It's a real mix lovelyness inside. This place is simply a must stop off point on your journey. It was
An impressive landmark with great views but massively overpriced. We paid £3 to park and a further £4 each to access the “grounds” as we couldn’t justify an extra £10 each to go inside the tower. The grounds themselves were nothing special with no clear signposting or information boards, so even that felt like £8 wasted. There are also two car parks, two cafes and a clothes shop for some reason. I’d advise trying to park close to the entrance, where parking appeared to be free, and taking in the views from there. Walking to the tower is also a good option if time and mobility/fitness allows.
Amazing experience! We booked tickets in advance and got to the tower early, before opening, to walk around and enjoy the view. Our tickets also included touring the WW II bunker located on the property nearby.
Lovely walk up to the tower. Lovely view of the countryside. Deer park with a stag and lots of does. Plenty of benches on the way up. But I didn't go into the tower as £14 entry!
The Tower is a beautiful landmark, nearby there is a nice café with a second one just further down in construction nearly finished. On a nice day You can enjoy the panorama and is perfect for a nice walk. Near the tower there are some red deers. The 14£ to go on top of the tower a bit overpriced to my opinion, considering the £5 for parking. Also the Nuclear bunker is interesting but I am not sure if there is an extra charge for that one as well.
Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection
7. Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection
4.6
(4083)
Museum
Gift shop
Extensive collection of vintage cars and motoring exhibits alongside historic toys and a gift shop.
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A lovely nostalgic, informative and historical collection of automotive and toy history. It's well presented, well laid out, and staffed by very friendly and enthusiastic people. What a joy 😊. Members of boundless (formally CSMA) get free access, but prices are reasonable for those who are not.
The museum itself is quite small but larger than you'd expect which was nice as you step through the tardis door upon entry. First room was really well done with some absolutely beautiful rare classics from early 1900's to 1950's the rest of the museum after that that was still good filled with lots of trinkets and memorobolia but I found it was a bit thin on offerings after the first initial room. Well worth a visit however. Parking was quite expensive and had to go around the village a few times before I found it but the museum itself was easy to find. Definitely recommended to see but I would say if you're on a mission to view all motor museums it's one to see if you're close or passing through. You'll spend a good hour in the museum and for the £9.50 entrance fee I didn't feel shortchanged. If you're near it definitely visit but I wouldn't drive 4 hours to see it if that makes sense. Luckily I live an hour and 10 minutes and I'd say that was worth it.
Fantastic place to visiting. They have a very nice collection of vehicles to see and some wonderful decor. It’s got a very nice vibe and feel to it for any motor fans. The staff were also very friendly and the rest of the village is great so make for a wonderful experience on the weekend. I would recommend the visit.
Had a wonderful time walking around this museum. The ladies at the entrance made us feel very welcome and ticket price very reasonable. Fantastic exhibits, much more than just cars. We enjoyed seeing all the memorabilia. The exhibits are all so well displayed and lots to see and read about. Fabulous old cars. Highly recommend a visit.
I was really impressed with the charm of this museum. I wasn’t expecting much in such a small town, but it’s packed with a lot of interesting things. Importantly, if you have a mixed group, with a couple of motor heads, and some people that are not, there’s enough old nostalgia, antiques to look at to keep them busy as well. There’s a pretty good size gift shop too
We thoroughly enjoyed this museum, it struck a cord with us to see the original Brum! It was more than what we were expecting brilliant. Also a little outdoor part for the kids where they can drive around a track.
A great museum for motor enthusiasts ! Located in beautiful Bourton on the water in scenic Cotswold not far from Oxford. The museum features and impressive collection of classic cars and motorcycles of all types.
We have been to the area a few times and finally managed to come and visit! Our son is obsessed with Brum and this was amazing to see. There were so many other interesting cars, exhibits and a play area as well. A huge thank you to the kind and caring staff at Cotswold Motoring Museum, this trip was made even more memorable because of them.
Tewkesbury Abbey
8. Tewkesbury Abbey
4.8
(3262)
Abbey
Sights & Landmarks
Norman edifice with a Romanesque tower and ornate roof bosses, plus regular Christian services.
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Beautiful Abbey in a quaint village location. Set in well kept grounds, but on the occasion of our visit the abbey was holding a wedding but we were fortunate enough to be able to still enter the abbey and sit at the back and watch part of the ceremony.There is a lovely abbey cafe if you fancy a tea, coffee or a snack to eat, with very clean toilets.
A beautiful place to worship, celebrate, seek solace, and just enjoy the moment. It’s free to enter but they welcome donations! Our little pooch was able to join us for a self guided tour around the abbey. Plenty of information boards to learn about its history. There is an adjoining cafe with toilets. Well worth the visit!
Beautiful church. If you have a couple of hours, don't miss out on the riverside walk along the Severn and the Anglo-Saxon chapels of St. Mary's and St. Odda's. Things you hardly get to see anywhere!!
This magnificent Abbey started life as a Benedictine Monastery in 1102. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 the Abbey Church survived destruction because it was sold to the local parishioners for £453 and became the parish church. It has the largest Norman church tower in existence and is also famous for its beautiful stained glass which dates from the medieval period.
Intense resonant acoustic as a music venue. We came to experience some sublime polyphonic sacred music from the wonderful Tallis Choral Foundation. Allegri’s Miserere was a particular highlight.
Really impressive church. They were preparing for a talk about the moon, hence the gigantic moon in the pictures. I assume it'll be gone shortly. There are some very moving memorials to those who died in the wars. There is also an interesting section where medieval knights (I think) are buried. The absolute highlight for me was the shop. Probably the best church shop I've ever happened across, not big, but stocked with beautiful hand made items, all tasteful and reasonably priced. Over all worth a visit!
It's a beautiful building with an interesting history. Saved after the reformation by the local people who paid for the abbey to become the parish church, only the lady chapel and the abbey buildings were lost. Inside the Norman columns stand tall and give it a grand atmosphere along with the many heads looking down. There is some lovely stained glass from different periods, a gift shop with guide books and other items. Volunteers and staff are happy to chat and share the history of the abbey and the town. Parking is near by and there is a cafe near by
Wonderful experience. Visually stunning with much to see. It was a bonus to hear the organ being played. Top tip - look up! The ceilings are particularly beautiful.
Birdland Park & Gardens
9. Birdland Park & Gardens
4.5
(4785)
Wildlife park
Nature & Parks
Bird life centre with over 500 birds and 50 aviaries plus an interactive discovery zone for kids.
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A great place to visit. A wide variety of birds from all over the world. Especially enjoyed getting up close to the penguins, a fantastic exhibit, loved watching them swim from the underwater viewing windows. Can watch them feed, along with other birds including the pelicans. Very well set out and all areas easily accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. Beautiful scenery. Cafe wasn’t stocked too well however, was short staffed and probably overpriced. This didnt detract for the overall experience. Take a packed lunch! Staff were welcoming, friendly and informative during the feeding display. Would definitely look forward to visiting again.
Never heard of this place which is a shame id 1000% of come earlier ! It's dog friendly as long as its on a lead which was perfect for our little Pomeranian who loved looking into the enclosure's. It took awhile to get around to see everything as two adults and a dog if you had a child could easily whittle away half a day with all there is to see, there's a lovely cafe that serves refreshments and a gift shop with lots of lovely items to keep as a memento.
Beautiful place with lots of different species of birds; loved penguin and flamingos. Well maintained environment. Enjoyed one hour sessions with tortoises,ducks and chickens. We had a walk around ,the sound of the brook and the wind on the trees gave an effect of walking in the woods. Just loved the place and will definitely visit again.
Well worth the money. Really nice place to walk around especially with the kids. The birds are all really well looked after and have spacious enclosures. This place is truly dog friendly. Also enjoyed that the penguin feed and talk was also given in sign. The Jurassic walk down is also good. Our toddler loved the dinosaurs hidden within the nature trail.
Really enjoyed our visit to Birdland! The penguins were so much fun to watch and the flamingoes were gorgeous. There’s such a wide variety of birds to see, with something interesting around every corner. A lovely place to spend a few hours. Highly recommend!
We were looking for things to do in the Cotswolds and stumbled across Birdland! What a fabulous place, if you had kids this would be brilliant to take a picnic as there are so many picnic benches dotted around. There is also an amazing play area and cafe too. It’s so picturesque in parts with the river running through. It needs the support for them to keep doing what they are doing. Please go and support!
My kids loved Birdland Park & Gardens! They enjoyed the penguins, the dinosaur trail, and the gardens. A lovely place for families — It’s better to book tickets online, it’s cheaper and saves time.
3rd Birthday day out for our wee dog. Great day out, so many different species. Loved it! Added bonus that it is dog friendly. The lady who served us on the way in was a little bit grumpy but all the staff going through and when we were leaving, were really nice.
Cotswolds Distillery Visitor Centre
10. Cotswolds Distillery Visitor Centre
4.9
(1216)
Distillery
Food & Drink
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What a lovely English distillery and their whisky is fairly priced and the sweeter whiskies are really nice. The people that served us were polite and happy to help if you need it. The cafe looks nice and even the outdoor tables and chairs are kept clean and the surroundings of the distillery and cafe are beautiful and peaceful...At least there was when we were there.
Booked a tour online for our wedding anniversary. Turned up to be greeted by very friendly staff who explained where we needed to be and more importantly where the toilets were (needed those after a 2hr drive). The tour starts off with a video which took about 10 minutes. James then took us around the site and explained how everything works and what they do with the byproducts throughout the process, it's a nice feeling knowing that you can drink something which doesn't leave much waste. Once the tour was complete, we were taken to the tasting room. I won't ruin your experience, so I'll leave that for you to find out (very positive I promise). If you are the designated driver, don't panic, there's something for you to take home as well, you won't miss out. We opted to add the pizza and drink option to our tour. It definitely pays to do this. It's cheaper than ordering from the table. There is a choice of pizzas from their menu, which should suit most tastes. Of course you can buy what you sampled, we've walked away with a couple anniversary gifts for each other. A pleasant day out, and we'll be back with friends very soon, that's for sure.
We had a fantastic time at the Cotswolds Distillery! This visit was part of a gift voucher experience we had been meaning to redeem for a while - and we are so glad we finally did. Our guide (Jo, I believe) was excellent - friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the distillery’s history and the whisky and gin-making process. It was fascinating to see how everything comes together to create such high-quality spirits. The tasting afterward was great fun - my partner enjoyed sampling the whiskies, and since I was driving, I really appreciated being given a few miniatures to take home and try later. Such a thoughtful touch! The premises are lovely, with a welcoming café/restaurant (the food looked delicious) and a well-stocked shop. We would definitely love to come back - next time, probably by taxi so we can both enjoy the tasting fully. [Date of visit: 08 November 2025]
What an absolutely wonderful time spent here ! Hattie does an amazing job guiding us all thru the tour and provides so much information. From the beginning of the tour to the end of tasting, she was amazing, and her personality is like we've never experienced! Absolutely love her ! I was super impressed that we were allowed to view so much of the making process up front instead of behind a glass wall. I am a huge, huge fan of all Costwolds Gin they produce. In fact, I've been able to try each and every one. Too difficult to say, which is a favorite as they all are incredible. So when I visit the UK, I bring home a mix of the smaller bottles that can be purchased at the end of the tasting. Also, I must comment how impressed I was that they provide a care package of samples to your designated driver. Who does this? Most tasting couldn't care less if one walks out and gets behind the wheel under the influence! Great job, Cotswolds! Much RESPECT!! Thank you, Hattie & Cotswolds for such an enjoyable day ! Definitely will be back during my next visit!!
Absolutely fantastic experience. Probably one of the best distillery/brewery tours I've ever done. Our guide, James, was fabulous; fun but knowledgeable, keeping us engaged while helping us to understand the process of creating whiskey and gin as well as the history of the distillery. He really made the experience for us. The tasting was fantastic! The group size was small (around 15 people) and we had a private room where we got to sample around 6 different options each. I am not a huge whisky fan, but thats ok, as you can just sample the gin (and vice versa). The cafe was lovely, though did get busy. Food was exquisite and not overly priced all things considered. The shop is small but has a wonderful family feel to it. The staff greeted us as if we were old friends bot when we first entered and when we went back at the end of the tour to buy some bits. This was just a great day out. A beautiful location, fabulous staff and some very tasty gin 😋 Oh, and, if you are a diver, don't worry, they cater for you too! We got a goodie bag to take home with 6 tasters (4 of which you can choose yourself). Its like they've thought of everything!
My husband and I went for a tour and tasting and had such a great time, we returned a couple weeks later to bring friends! The tour starts with a video to detail the history, vision and commitment to quality, then a tour of the production facility and ends with a tasting in a beautiful and comfortable private room. We've been drinking Founders Choice since visiting their tasting room in 2019 and enjoyed getting a chance to try all their other whiskey's and gins, plus a couple additional unique offerings (amaro + cream whiskey) I really want to highlight our tour guide/host, Charlotte. She was spectacular and made the tour so much fun!!! She was super knowledgeable about the production and products and was very easy to talk to. We had a million questions and she answered every one. Also - super important to know, she told us about an upgraded tasting which allowed us to try their higher end whiskeys! We didn't know about that in previous tours so she made this tour extra special - and the upgraded cost was minimal - definitely worth the £12. Thumbs up to Charlotte and the tour and I'm sure we'll be back.
I was gifted a visit to the distillery for the whisky masterclass from my wife and daughter and was lucky enough that my daughter very kindly offered to drive. (More of this later). I had been to a Scottish distillery a long time ago so was not expecting to be so enthralled this time. We started off with some history of whisky distilling, which was very interesting and then moved on to the process and storage. The staff were really knowledgeable and answered any questions easily and made the whole thing so much better than I could have imagined. The highlight for me was learning about the blending and then making our own whiskey using the knowledge that we had learnt. It has to be said that you do not want to drive after you have sampled all that is provided! It was a fantastic afternoon out with lovey staff and I can't recommend it strongly enough. Thanks very much.
Great spot. They were full for the tours but the Shop had samples for tasting. Nice brunch menu and all the staff were very helpful and friendly.
Sudeley Castle
11. Sudeley Castle
4.6
(4230)
Temporarily Closed
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
15th-century stately home with formal gardens, flamboyant peacocks and art by Turner and Rubens.
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Amazing piece of well preserved history. Enlightening and educational. Gardens were absolutely stunning and well maintained. Extensive collection of private objects, folklore and historical insights. It also boasts a pathway of several impressive replicas of animals made from driftwood, in an attempt to bring attention to the conservation of nature. The type of forward thinking other similar institutions should apply. Can easily spend half a day here, great for families. Recommend buying tickets in advance online as you get a 10% discount. Parking is plentiful.
Less of the castle may be toured than expected, because it also continues to be a private residence, but the historical exhibition, gardens, and rooms that are open are all very well presented - a glimpse into a fascinating chapter of Saxon & Tudor royal history and contemporary restoration. Unfortunately, they prohibit any photography inside, making the travel photo album less rich and devoid of the nicely appointed castle interior.
Spening a few days recently in the Cotswolds Sudely Castle research promised to be a 'must visit' place. Great decision and a great experience. The displays are some of the best we have ever seen and the history attached to Sudely Castle fascinating. We got completely absorbed in it all. If within an hour of the Castle then well worth the journey. Most enjoyable day, thoroughly recommended.
Ok. Very pricey as we hadn't realised that a family ticket only counts up to ages 15 as children. So £78 for a family of 4 with two teens. The law doesn't count them as adults, but this place does somehow 😊 Cafe staff were clearly having a lovely time, but forgot to put our food order through and when asked about it they batted us away. Turns out it hadn't been ordered, so an hour wait. Rectified by giving a refund and free food, but would have preferred to eat when we needed to and our enquiry to have been properly looked in to first time. Ghost talk was ..... not really a ghost talk. I'm not sure if the lady was standing in for someone else, but she didn't seem to know much and had started 3 minutes early so we don't know what we missed. . We felt sorry for her, but it it had a low sense of drama and there weren't many stories despite the promotion. A lovely drive and an impressive venue. Helpful tour guides and some nice displays. The maze has seen better days though. All in all it was a beautiful building with some great artefacts and films about the wealthy family who lovingly restored it. But it's a very expensive day out unless you have under 15's and it felt a little uncoordinated in all honesty. You may have better luck than us and had it not cost so much as might not have been disappointed.
A beautiful stately home to visit. The history that comes with this Castle tells us about King Henry VIII and his wives in particular Catherine Paar. Queen Catherine is in a tomb in the beautiful Cathedral on site. It was an interesting tour from a historical point if view through to today. Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe has now been the chatelaine of Sudeley Castle for over 50 years. She has overseen the survival and ongoing restoration of this beautiful place. The gardens are just beautiful and meticulously cared for.
Sudeley Castle is a breathtaking blend of history, beauty, and tranquility. The rich royal heritage including the resting place of Katherine Parr is fascinating, and the castle interiors are captivating. The gardens are simply spectacular, with colour, charm, and peaceful corners everywhere you turn. Friendly, knowledgeable staff make the experience even better. A must visit gem in the Cotswolds memorable and inspiring.
I think because this castle isn’t enormous it’s possible to really get a feel for the buildings and grounds. The history of the castle and its occupants is told with artifacts, drawings and dramatic displays. Beautifully presented by volunteer guides who all demonstrated a passion for the castle! The landscaped grounds are interesting and the bordering fields, complete with sheep make this a truly bucolic scene! The chapel on the grounds is definitely worth visiting; Katherine Parr is entombed here. Also, a large chart which traces the lineage of the castle owners, back to Henry VIII, is fascinating. Great lunch there, too! No photographs allowed in the castle, since the owner lives on site.
Fantastic place to visit & so much to see. Well laid out circuit that takes you round the castle, gardens & chapel. So many exhibits and a ton of information covering the 1000 years of Royal history. Great day out.
The Model Village
12. The Model Village
4.3
(5186)
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Replica of the Cotswold-stone village of Bourton-on-the-Water, with mini gardens, open all year.
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A Charming and Delightful Experience! We had such a lovely time exploring this amazing model village. It's incredible how much detail has gone into every part of it — truly impressive! Walking around and taking it all in was such a fun and unique little activity. It might be small, but it's packed with charm and interesting features. We fully enjoyed the visit and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different and thoroughly enjoyable.
An interesting place to visit whilst in Bourton-on-the-Water, it being a scale model of the town itself. Reasonable admission charge...it was quite busy when we attended and have to say that people with mobility issues may find it difficult due to the narrow undulating walkways around the exhibit. It was interesting to see the detail and the craftsmanship used to create the village buildings and scenes.
It was a rainy day when we visited with no wait time. It was a pleasant experience to see a replica of the actual village. There is a place to park your push chair if you are with a little one as they don't allow push chairs into the model village with its narrow lanes. Overall, good place to visit.
Tourist attraction features a miniature village with model houses and buildings, impressive craftsmanship and attention to detail. The reasonable ticket price £5. Unforgettable experience for kids and adults. Highly recommended. A walkable distance from Motor museum.
I've heard about the Model Village, so we made sure to stop by during our day trip to Bourton-on-the-Water. It was really fascinating to see the whole village recreated in miniature, with such great attention to detail. You can walk around quite quickly, but it’s fun to take your time and notice all the little features. It doesn’t take long to explore (around 20–30 minutes), so it’s worth popping in if you’re already in the area. Entry is good, and it’s a unique attraction, especially if you enjoy quirky sights. Glad we visited, it added something extra to our trip!
A nice model village, with the added extra of it matching closely the actual village of Burton-on-the-Water. However compared to other model villages I've visited it's slightly lacking in color, figures, vehicles, and humor. That said the work done in maintaining the building in the original stone must be quite an effort. The gardens are also well maintained and nicely laid out. Close to most to the village centre and to a couple of parking lots. Not the cheapest place but it's the Cotswolds everything is expensive.
We enjoyed walking this beautifully designed with detailed Model Village. Easy to find, no need for pre booking, price reasonable, and not busy when we were there, but it could be busier in spring or summer time. Worth visiting though specially for younger people.
Exactly as it states. Easy to get around the models. It's very well created. Probably wouldn't visit again however if as a first time visitor it's fantastic to see the art/model of the exact streets you may have just been walking down.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
13. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
4.8
(1464)
Heritage preservation
Tours
Historic steam railway offering scenic 28-mile round-trip rides through the Cotswolds.
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A great day out on this heritage steam railway. A day rover for adults is £28 which may seem a bit pricey but that allows you to go back on forth more than once along this 14 mile stretch. All the volunteers are so friendly and more than happy to chat. For those with mobility issues ramps are provided to get on and off the train. A fab day out and thoroughly recommended.
It's one of my favourite preserved railways always neat and tidy and excellent locomotives in use. I would normally visit on a Gala day, so it was nice to visit on a normal day, which allowed greater time to look around the stations and to go on a shed visit. The shed visit was most informative, and it was nice to see locomotives in various stages of repair. I was able to have tea and cake from the cafe. Very enjoyable.
A fantastic experience! Beautiful countryside views, friendly staff, and a great way to step back in time. The steam train ride is fun for all ages, especially little kids — ours loved watching the engine and waving at people along the way. Highly recommended for families and railway enthusiasts alike!
I visited last year and loved it so much I went back this year - Twice within eight days. I had such a good visit when I mentioned it to other family members they said they would like to visit as well, so I went along with them for the second time. We boarded at Toddington where there is ample parking. There is a lovely café, located outside the station, with plenty of seating inside, and outside, to accommodate everyone. They offer the usual coffee/tea/hot chocolate selection, although with a small food menu. I can highly recommend the toasted tea cake. The station is lovely (although it will take a lot to beat Gotherington where you can the people who run it take a real pride in their little piece of heritage) like taking a little step-back-in-time and the volunteers who work there are great. No question is too much trouble for them. The journey is smooth and passes through some beautiful areas with far-reaching views and plenty of photography options both off, and on the train. They run different trains depending on their timetable. The first week they had a steam and old diesel running; the second both routes were run by steam. You can get on at any station, of at any station, and as long as you check the timetable first you are free to hop on/hop off, all day. The seats are comfortable, the carriages clean, and the onboard buffet is worth paying a visit to. Their bacon baps are delicious. If you want to travel in the first-class carriages - and why would you not? - they don't charge any extra (I really think they should) but it is encouraged you make an additional donation towards the railway upkeep if you do travel in one of their carriages. We all donated an additional £10 each which felt like a fair price.
Always great fun, a steam train ride. Friendly volunteers, tasty bacon rolls from the buffet car, tea and perfect Victoria sponge from the café at Winchcombe station. Dog friendly trains and platforms, tickets for dogs £5.
All aboard! Woo! Woo! Fantastic day out. The coffee was awful but who cares. I smiled from ear to ear the whole time I was there. Even managed to get on the chuff chuff's footplate to take some photographs. All aboard! Woo! Woo!
Although we bought our tickets on the day. It does get very busy. The volunteer staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. There’s plenty to see and do at the different stations. I do suggest you get an early train if you want to do that though.
I booked the recent Cheltenham Fryer, travelling with my partner, who is disabled. This was one of the most stress free experiences we have had. Everyone we came into contact with was so helpful, nothing was too much trouble. The train was clean, the fish and chips lovely, the train stewards brilliant. The station and cafe gave plenty of room. Beautiful scenery along the route, and the oh so evocative smell of steam trains. Well worth a visit. We will certain return. Again, thank you to everyone fir co tributing to a wonderful experience.
WWT Slimbridge
14. WWT Slimbridge
4.7
(5209)
Nature & Parks
Charity
Protected wetland wildlife reserve with a large wildfowl population and a birdwatching tower.
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Really enjoyed our visit here. It was quite busy as we went at the weekend. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. We saw plenty of wildlife and especially enjoyed the “Toad-hall” area. The otters were fun and the talk informative. Well worth a visit - during the different seasons the birds will of course change! We are looking forward to going back in the winter months. Shop was a little expensive but what we have come to expect at this time of visitor attraction. The restaurant was busy (we didn’t use) however appeared clean and well presented. Full disability access throughout . Limited disability access to the viewing tower - depending upon disability of course. Disabled toilets available. Very family friendly. Really enjoyed our visit. Highly recommend
So many beautiful birds. The entry waiting time was not long. It is very accessible. There are many information boards about all the different bird species, that contain pictures and facts. They also sell a map that is very handy. I really enjoyed it. They also have frogs.
We visited the WWT centre for a day out with the grandchildren. They absolutely loved the new welly world feature. And, of course, feeding the ducks and geese was a particular highlight. The day wore them both out beautifully, so we had no problem putting them to bed—which was the main point of our visit. So, thank you Slimbridge for providing excellent entertainment for the kids.
Haven't been here for decades and really enjoyed it. Lovely walk round and saw many birds including a pelican called Sprout!! The kids enjoyed the talk on Amphibians, it was really interesting and I even learnt a thing or two. Would definitely recommend.
Love it here, I was treated to a visit in June for my birthday and it was as great as ever. Lots of parking and we saw loads of birds and chicks! Lovely to wander round and be able to feed the birds. Flamingos are always one of my favourites but also love the Nenes. We used the cafe which is a little expensive for what you get but you can take a picnic which is what we usually do but as it was a special occassion we ate there and the food was good quality and lots of places to sit. Cant wait to come back again!
Great day out and lots of animals to see. For photographers and videographers who want to capture some wildlife or just practice their skills, this is a great place to come.
Not only a bird reserve (for Grandad?) but also a great activity day-out for the family - if not raining :) There's a water playground and canoes and themed mini-parks with space and shade for picnics in the huge area full of geese and ducks and happy kids. Food is available but expensive.
My favourite and the original WWT reserve. Looking better than ever with plenty for kids to do, hides including one where you can watch nesting kingfishers, a path to look at and spot birds on the Severn marshes - including the white-spotted blue throat - exhibitions and a good family restaurant. Go to the website to see everything that’s available - there’s *loads* to see and do. 😊
Cotswold Farm Park
15. Cotswold Farm Park
4.6
(3539)
Children's farm
Sights & Landmarks
Educational venue holding 50 collections of British rare breed animals, with games and activities.
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A wonderful family outing. The whole layout is excellent and the animals look very well cared for. Lots to do for the children. We ate in the cafe and, while it seemed on the dear side, the food was absolutely delicious 😋
We visited Cotswold Farm park last Christmas and wanted to provide a review for anyone considering booking this year. We had a number of things that were disappointing, but the main one was the santa experience... The worst part was though that you had several santa huts on the go at once and no attempt was made to mask this from the kids. So my 6 year old daughter is immediately asking questions 'is this the real santa?', 'how come those kids are coming out at the same time?'. You could literally hear the santa in the next hut along while heading into our own one. That was by far and away your biggest issue, but outside of that there were loads of other disappointments. - The Santa himself looked great, but he wasn't very jolly and conversation was very strained. - Most of your stalls were closed, but still had signs up, e.g. 'Smores' cue my daughter getting excited about the prospect of smores, but then we are told the fires aren't going so we can still buy one but can't toast one?? All other food stalls were also closed but still had signs out telling us what we were missing out on - The bouncy pillow for under 5s was closed so our youngest had to miss out - Most (atleast half) of the pedal tractors by the barns weren't working - The reindeer food station wasn't up and running when we first arrived The experience was really disappointing, and not worth the money - we spent around £200 for the 4 hours we were there. £140 for the tickets, £40 for a couple of burgers and some pasta, £10 for photo with Santa (which in itself is extortionate). We had high expectations for the day, and it had all the issues above, plus it generally just lacked any 'magical atmosphere'. We have done a number of these sorts of events previously - none of which were as expensive as yours, we have been to Attwell Farm Park and National Adventure Farm, and they set our expectations much higher than what we experienced at Cotswold Farm Park. Furthermore I emailed several times with the above concerns but got no response.
We regularly visit Cotswold farm park and I am never disappointed! The entrance fee is reasonable, the animals are well looked after and we love the fact you can hold chicks/stroke rabbits and feed lots of the goats etc! The food is brilliant and although pricey, it is good quality and v tasty! The shop is dangerous as there are so many lovely things, I always spend too much. We have just returned from the Christmas experience and wow! I went last year but this year was so much better. Despite going on a Sunday it was so quiet with no queues for anything! Jingleland with the food vans etc was a great set up and just what you need on a cold day! The build a bear and the gingerbread was a great addition to seeing father Xmas and the elves were fantastic! Good value for money, my 2 year old loved it and both adults were very impressed! Thank you!!
For younger kids this is an amazing place. It's really accessible and a great variety of animals to see. There's also lots of play equipment, mini tractors, soft play and sand play. The cafe is a bit pricey, but you can always bring your own stuff as there's plenty of seating outside. Our 3 year old loves it. There's lots to see but it's not too big for little ones to get round.
One of the best farms I have visited so far. Clean facilities with lots of fun activities for kids so perfect for families with young kids. A lot of rare breeds to see, kids were able to feed the lambs and stroke rabbits and little chicks a fun day out for the families. Plenty of parking, hand washing facilities and toilets. Also, the tractor ride is great, it runs once every hour (3pm last ride) and a pound each person including kids however only allowed 28 each ride so get there early for this.
Amazing day out! Great value for money and a good day out for family of all ages. Kept really clean and lots of things to do. Food and drink was all fantastic. Animals look brilliantly looked after. Already looking at when we will return.
Brilliant Fun Rides held here. Well organised, jumps for all abilities. You dont have to jump though, you can go around them. Great cafe and toilet facilities too.
Great family adventure! The farm is admirably well-kept, and the animals look happy. The snacks you can buy to hand-feed the animals are a good value, as it seems these animals aren't even somewhat close to being fed up with it. We loved getting to know rare breeds. And yes, the trampolines made the kids ecstatic as well! Highly recommended.
Castle Combe
16. Castle Combe
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Walking Areas
Castle Combe is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. The village is around 5 miles north-west of Chippenham and 10 miles north-east of Bath. At the 2021 census, the parish had a population of 356. Castle Combe is within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a popular tourist attraction. Wikipedia.
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