Planning a family holiday in the Cotswolds? This guide has tips on where to visit, places to eat and drink, and a gorgeously cosy holiday cottage.
We’re back from an idyllic Cotswolds adventure! It’s a region we’ve visited numerous times, but this time there was a bit of magic in the air! The date? One month until Christmas. The weather? Chilly and bright, with blue skies. The extra special part? The fact we were visiting with our 20-month-old toddler who was full of energy and excitement!
We planned a trip based around family fun, but with some adult activities too. Our son is at that blissful age where he will settle into a really decent pram nap for an hour or two around lunchtime. That’s why you’ll find a few really great lunch recommendations in this guide, including a special occasion, fine-dining option. Well, if he gets to enjoy a snooze, why shouldn’t we enjoy a treat too?!
After such a great experience in Porlock in January, we booked our accommodation with Classic Cottages. We checked into the adorable Bank Cottage for a long weekend. Located just outside Moreton-in-Marsh in the picturesque village of Longborough, this three-bed cottage proved to be the perfect base for a family holiday in the Cotswolds. I’ll share all the details towards the end of this post.
Family-Friendly Activities In The Cotswolds
Explore Bourton-on-the-Water’s Model Village
I had a huge sense of nostalgia as we arrived at Bourton-on-the-Water’s model village. As a kid, I’d stay with my aunty in Cheltenham during the summer holidays, and she would take me there! Returning as an adult, with our little one in tow, felt extra special.
Constructed from traditional Cotswold stone, the village is a one-ninth replica of Bourton-on-the-Water. You’ll see churches, shops and the photogenic bridges crossing the River Windrush.
Our son was absolutely fascinated by it! He toddled up and down all the streets, looking in the windows of the houses and knocking on the doors. Watching him interact with the models was adorable!
If you’re planning a family holiday in the Cotswolds, this is a must-visit attraction. But, to be honest, even if you’re visiting without kids it’s worth paying to enter.
There’s one quirky surprise to look out for too. Located inside the model village… is a model of the model village! It feels like some kind of infinity loop when you spot it. It definitely made us smile!
Visit Fairytale Farm
Do you have young children? Fairytale Farm, just outside Chipping Norton, is a brilliant place to visit! Fairytales are brought to life with interactive characters, storytelling and activities. There are some adventure playground activities, musical games, plus an area dedicated to dinosaurs, with an interactive dino bone dig!
There’s also a farm with goats, donkeys, ducks, turkeys, pigs, alpacas, rabbits and guinea pigs, many of which you can pet or feed. Even for a young toddler, there was absolutely loads to interact with. He loved it!
I particularly enjoyed the Fairy Dell area, with its magical giant mushrooms and walkways to climb through. It felt like we’d all been shrunk to the size of little fairies!
Fairytale Farm is definitely best visited on a dry day, as the majority of the activities are outdoors. However, there is a café and soft play area inside, so you can dive for cover if necessary!
See the landscapes on a country walk
What could be more ‘family’ than spending quality time together on a lovely country walk? The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a stroll is a great way to appreciate the picturesque views.
Our son loves being outside, and was desperate to get and explore! However, his walking pace is a little slower than ours, so we popped him in our hiking backpack, and set off across the fields from Longborough towards Bourton-on-the-Hill.
This was a lovely walk, with a mix of rolling hills, wildlife, views to Sezincote House, quaint villages and even a pub! It ticked all the boxes. We’ve written a full guide to this walk on Great British Bucket List, which you can read here.
There are lots of amazing walking routes in this part of the Cotswolds, including around Broadway Tower, the Rollright Stones, the village of Broadway and the town of Moreton-in-Marsh. I’d recommend searching on All Trails or the Cotswolds National Landscape website, where you’ll find details of several self-guided walking routes.
Spend the day at Cotswold Farm Park or Cotswold Wildlife Park
If your little ones are interested in animals, there are two brilliant attractions in the area.
Cotswold Farm Park covers a whopping 50 acres in the stunning Gloucestershire countryside, and is home to lots of rare breeds. You’ll get to see animals such as pigs, goats, horses and cows up close. There are options to feed and pet them, plus there are fun activities such as tractor rides. There’s a really good adventure playground, plus lots of interesting educational activities throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Cotswold Wildlife Park spans 160 acres and is where you’ll see much wilder creatures! It’s home to over 260 species from around the world, including monkeys, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, lions and penguins. One of the highlights is the Madagascar Walkthrough, where lemurs roam freely. Kids will love the adventure playground here, as well as the miniature train ride.
Both of these attractions are brilliant for kids of all ages, you just have to decide how wild you like your animals!
Enjoy a meal at a cosy Cotswold pub
Looking for great places for family meals in the Cotswolds? I have the perfect pub for you! We enjoyed a hearty Sunday roast at The Swan Inn, a sixteenth century timbered pub in the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood. This ticks all your ‘cosy pub’ boxes! It’s got low beams, a central bar, cosy nooks and a roaring log fire.
We booked for a Sunday roast, and were not disappointed. The roast chicken was succulent and generous, with flavours of garlic and thyme. It came with a huge number of accompaniments too, including cauliflower cheese, red cabbage, potatoes, carrots, parsnips and a Yorkshire pudding.
I’ve visited some other lovely pubs in this part of the Cotswolds, so if you want any other recommedations, work your way through these:
- The Ebrington Arms, Ebrington – smart food
- White Hart Royal, Moreton-in-Marsh – gastropub
- The Red Lion Tavern, Chipping Campden – great roast dinners
- The Stag at Stow, Stow-on-the-Wold – don’t miss the pies!
- The Lygon Arms, Broadway – fine-dining
- Horse and Groom, Bourton-on-the-Hill – classic Cotswolds pub
Enjoy the cafes and pubs in Moreton-in-Marsh
We usually choose to base ourselves close to the popular market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. It’s a hive of activity, with a thriving high street featuring lots of charming shops and cafes. You can mooch from cheese store to wine shop, enjoy a warming hot chocolate from a cafe, or indulge in an English cream tea in one of the tearooms.
From this trip I’d recommend the amazing toasties (seriously, they were 5*!) at artisan bakery, Otis and Belle. I ordered the truffled brie, ham and bacon sandwich, and after two bites uttered the words ‘this is the best toastie I’ve ever eaten’! This café also has branches in Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold.
The coffees and cakes from Lynwood & Co are also excellent. This large café has lots of seating, and is a great place to rest tired legs and refuel.
Visit Broadway Tower
I’ve visited this iconic tower several times now. Standing on a hill between Moreton in Marsh and the village of Broadway, it was built in 1798 by architect James Wyatt. The idea for it came from Capability Brown.
The striking three-sided landmark has three turrets and several balconies. You can buy a ticket to go inside, and climb up the tower to the top. There’s even a nuclear bunker on the site – a relic from the Cold War days. On a clear day, from the top of Broadway Tower can see for miles. In fact, it’s said you can see up to 16 counties at once!
This is a lovely place to visit as a family. There are often deer grazing in the grounds, plus there’s a decent café to grab a bite to eat in, too.
Go shopping in Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold is another quintessential Cotswolds market town. It’s got a large town square, surrounded by pretty Cotswolds stone buildings, many of which house shops. I’ve always really liked this town, so I was excited to return with our little one.
For kids, I’d recommend Ella’s Toy Shop, Oscar & Me and Rhubarb Rhubarb Boutique. The latter two sell beautiful children’s clothing. For treats, you could stop by Cotswold Sweet Company or the fudge shop.
For adults, there are lots of lovely homeware stores and fashion boutiques. I’d recommend looking around Sam Wilson, which is full of countryside loveliness, with candles, homewares and more. Scotts of Stow has two stores, selling clothing, homewares and garden items. Plus, Atelier 8 is an arts hub in the town, holding exhibitions and art classes.
While you’re there, don’t miss the opportunity to see St Edward’s Church. Constructed between the 11th and 15th century, it’s famous for its magical entrance, which is flanked by two yew trees. Many think it inspired J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘Doors of Durin’.
Enjoy a Michelin-starred lunch at The Royal Oak
I mentioned that some things on this list are ideal for families, and some are better suited to the parents! Being total foodies, we were keen to fit a fine-dining experience into our trip. After a bit of research, we discovered that just on the edge of the Cotswolds, near Shipston-on-Stour, is Michelin-starred pub, The Royal Oak.
We enjoyed an 8-course tasting menu, which focused on local, wild and foraged ingredients. The chefs at this restaurant are more like artists, telling wonderful stories through their food. There was meaty pheasant agnolotti, topped with an indulgent cheese foam and a wild garlic oil. There was venison, which came from a few fields away, served with a silky-smooth chestnut puree and a flavoursome jus.
One of the final courses shone a light on the under-used quince. There was parfait, ice cream, a daringly delicate tuile, and more. It was delightful!
As parents to a toddler, treats like this are rare, but we managed to enjoy half the meal uninterrupted, while our son slept in his pram. Unfortunately, he was just as keen on the Michelin starred dishes as we were, quickly taking a fork to the whipped butters!
We love what Richard, Solanche and the team are producing at The Royal Oak. It’s worthy of its prestigious star, but it’s also a lovely welcoming pub to visit. If you’re looking for somewhere for a special occasion during your holiday in the Cotswolds, look no further!
Visit Daylesford Farm
A trip to Daylesford is another activity that is more directly suited to adults. I’d describe this as an upmarket village of delights for grown-ups! Starting out as a luxury organic farm and shop, it’s expanded into its own bougie lifestyle brand.
For sale are delicious ingredients and pre-made meals, wine, plants, homewares, clothing and toiletries. There are also several places to dine, including The Trough Restaurant, which has a Michelin Green Star for its dedication to sustainability. We saw lots of families perusing the items for sale and grabbing a bite to eat in the cafes.
Also on site are a cookery school, spa and accommodation. See, it really is like its own little village! I also love that Daylesford holds events throughout the year, from floristry and cookery classes, to book signings. There are even courses specifically for children, so do check the website before your trip.
Stay in a beautiful cottage in the Cotswolds
So, what’s missing from your family trip to the Cotswolds? The perfect accommodation! Don’t worry, there are lots of amazing Cotswolds holiday cottages to choose from.
We stayed at the charming Bank Cottage (available via Classic Cottages) in the idyllic village of Longborough, a few minutes’ drive from Moreton-in-Marsh. Located in the heart of the village (the pub is literally across the street!), this three-bedroom cottage is ideal for a family stay.
There are three large bedrooms, an open-plan lounge and dining room, and a very well-appointed kitchen. It’s great for families visiting with small kids, as it has a travel cot and high chair. It’s also dog-friendly.
The lounge is really cosy, in that true Cotswold style, with a huge log fire and tweed furniture. The kitchen has everything you’d need for a family holiday. I really liked the beautiful glassware in the cabinets too – a nice touch.
Each of the three bedrooms is of a good size. I absolutely loved the loft room, with its characterful vaulted ceiling and statement wallpaper. It was such a gorgeous space to unwind in, and lovely to look out over the village from the top of the house, too.
Longborough is an ideal base for a Cotswolds trip. Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold are both under ten minutes by car, plus attractions like Fairytale Farm, Sezincote House and Cotswold Farm Park are short drives away.
There’s a full review of Bank Cottage, with plenty more photos, over on An Adventurous World.
I hope this guide helps you plan your family holiday in the Cotswolds. If you’re looking for any more recommendations for your time in the region, take a look at these guides:
- Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Moreton In Marsh in The Cotswolds
- Things To Do In The South Cotswolds
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