Cotswolds.Info selection of attractions and things to do and see with children in the Cotswolds.
For further information on individual places and attractions see:-
Birdland - Park and Gardens
For Adults and children of all ages. Seven acres of woodland, river and gardens, inhabited by over 500 birds, flamingos, pelicans, penguins and cranes, 50 aviaries, also tropical, temperate, and desert houses. Picnic areas, cafe, gifts and play area.
Open all year. Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2BN.
Tel: 01451 820480. The Miniature Village , a small-scale faithful recreation of the Bourton itself, through which the children can stroll like Gulliver in Lilliput.
The Model Railway Exhibition , an indoor exhibition of half a dozen working models of complex railway networks, that will entertain children of all ages for hours.
Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection
For adults and older children. Famous as the home of "Brum" the little car from the childrens' TV series, this collection of vehicles includes cars, motorcycles and caravans displayed with all kinds of memorabilia. There is also one of the largest collections of metal motoring signs and a number of teddy bears and rare pedal cars - something for everyone.
The Maze, next door to Birdland and a challenge to the most adventurous child
Allow yourself a full day for a visit to Bourton on the Water
Cotswold Farm Park
A rare treat for all the family and especially children. From Gloucester cattle to Guernsey goats, Cotswold sheep to Crested ducks, there is a rare British breed for every week of the year. Animal audio tour, tractor school and Farm Safari Ride. Touch animals, adventure playground, pets corner, gift shop, and cafe.
Open 24 March to 30 September. October at weekend only and Autumn half term. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, GL54 5UG. Tel:01451 850307. Web site: www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk. Directions: Follow brown signs from Stow-on-the-Wold or Bourton-on-the-Water.
Cotswold Water Park & Keynes Country Park
For adults and children of all ages. Britain's largest Water Park - 132 great lakes south of Cirencester. All outdoor needs are satisfied including:- nature reserves, country parks, water sports, Thames Path, cycling, fishing, riding, caravanning and camping. Safe summer bathing , lakeside cafe, walks cycling, barbecues, children's play area, bike, boat, and surf bike hire. Waterland outdoor activities centre. Disabled wheelchair access at Keynes Country Park.
Open all year. Cotswold Water Park & Keynes Country Park, Shorncote, Cirencester, GL5 6DF. Tel: 01285 860186. Web site: www.waterpark.org. Directions: 3.5 miles west of A419 Spine Road junction.
Cotswold Wild Life Park
For adults and children of all ages. The great favourites are the rhinos which roam in a wide ranging field surrounded by a ha ha, and when they're in their pen they are so close you can scratch their backs. The Park exhibits over 200 animal species in approximately 200 acres of parkland and beautiful gardens with a fine variety of plants around a setting of a listed Victorian Manor House. Facilities include cafe, picnic areas, adventure playground, narrow-gauge railway, and gift shop. Disabled wheelchair access provided for.
Open all year. Cotswold Wild Life Park, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4JW. Tel: 01993 823006. Web site: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk.
Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway
The Steam Railway is based at Toddington (between Broadway and Winchcombe) and operates a round trip of 13 miles to just beyond Gotherington a few miles from Cheltenham Racecourse. Departing from the restored station at Toddington you will travel past the village of Didbrook and the site of Hayles Abbey onto Winchcombe and finally Gotherington. The line is being extended to Cheltenham Racecourse and will be open 2003. Good views of the Cotswolds Hills can be seen from both sides of the train.
Open certain dates throughout the year. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Toddington, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT. Tel 01242 621405. Web site: www.gwsr.plc.uk.
Prinknash Bird and Deer Park
For adults and children of all ages. Feed and stroke the beautiful Fallow Deer. See one of the biggest collections of displaying peacocks, the numerous waterfowl, the exotic pheasants, ducklings, the amusing Pygmy goats and the lovely two storey Tudor Wendy house by the lake.
Open all year. Prinknash Park, Cranham, GL4 8EX. Tel: 01452 812727. Directions: M5 Junction 11a, on
A46 between Cheltenham and Stroud.
More Info - Prinknash Bird and Deer Park
Cattle Country, Berkeley Heath Farm, Berkeley
Tel: 01453 810510, Website - www.cattlecountry.co.uk/
American bison and other cattle. Also open-air adventure playground, indoor play areas
with giant slides, climbing structures, ball pools and self-propelled go carts. Indoor
activity area where children can take part in craft work or facepainting. Open Sat and
Sun 10am-5pm. Also open every day 10am-5pm early July-early September.
Nearby attractions
Depending on which part of the Cotswolds you're staying in it's an easy drive to places that offer lots of entertainment to children; for example Stratford on Avon, Warwick and especially the magnificent castle, Oxford with punting and the endlessly fascinating Pitt Rivers Museum, The West Midlands Safari Park at Bewdley, and Bath with its recently refurbished Roman baths.
Safari & Leisure Park
The Safari and Leisure Park caters for adults and children with many wild animals to see and drive next to. The children will love the leisure park with many amusements.
The Park is situated on the A456 between Kidderminster and Bewdley and is open 7 days each week, including Bank Holidays, from Saturday 16 March until Sunday 3 November 2002. West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 1LF.
Warwick Castle
A great day out for both adults and children. The Castle is one of the best preserved in the UK and dates back to William the Conqueror. It brings to life a thousand years of history. Here you can experience the sights and sounds of the medieval household, chilling dungeon and torture chambers, state rooms, towers and ramparts. In addition there are live shows of sword fighting, falconry, and knights jousting. This venue is a must for children of all ages.
Open all year. Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4QU. Tel: 01926 406600. Web site: www.warwick-castle
Cirencester , an attractive town in its own right but also the home of arguably the best and most child-friendly Roman Museum in the country. If your youngsters are on to the Romans at school see if you can get permission to go up the tower of the church in the market place; from the top you get a magnificent view of the four Roman roads running as straight as an arrow into the far distance.
Blenheim Palace Woodstock. Probably the kids won't be too interested in the opulence of the palace and the Churchill memorabilia exhibition but the parkland is a magnificent place for a picnic, and the miniature railway provides a popular ride through the park to the walled garden. Here you find a top class Jungle Jim, a challenging maze, a collection of other mazes to appeal to the nerds in your family, large scale chess and draughts boards and a putting green. |
