The Cotswolds might have a reputation as a destination for couples sipping wine in boutique hotels, but spend any time here with children and you will quickly discover it is brilliant for families too. There are animals to meet, steam trains to ride, rivers to paddle in, and enough space for even the most energetic child to run themselves into happy exhaustion.
Here is a straightforward guide to some of the best family days out across the region, tested against the toughest critics of all — bored children.
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
Set in 160 acres of parkland around a Victorian manor house near Burford, Cotswold Wildlife Park is the standout family attraction in the region. This is not a cramped city zoo — animals here have generous enclosures spread across landscaped grounds, and the whole place has a relaxed, spacious feel that works brilliantly for families.
The park is home to over 260 species. Children tend to gravitate towards the lemur walkthrough (where ring-tailed lemurs wander freely around you), the penguin enclosure, and the rhino paddock. The reptile house is impressive, and the recently expanded Madagascar exhibit is worth seeking out. There is also a large adventure playground and a narrow-gauge railway that loops through the grounds (small extra charge).
Adult admission is around £19, children (3-16) from around £14 (check the website for current prices), and under-3s go free. The park is open daily year-round except Christmas Day.
Practical tips: The park is large enough to fill a full day easily. Bring a picnic — there are plenty of benches and grassy areas — or use the on-site cafe. The car park is free. Pushchairs navigate the paths without much trouble, though some gravel sections can be bumpy. Weekdays during term time are noticeably quieter.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
There is something about steam trains that captivates children in a way that modern transport simply cannot. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway runs heritage steam and diesel services along a 14-mile route between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, passing through some of the finest scenery in the Cotswolds.
The journey takes about an hour each way, climbing through Greet Tunnel (one of the longest on a preserved railway in England) and stopping at restored stations including Toddington, Winchcombe, and Hailes Abbey Halt. Children can watch the engine being turned at Broadway and there is usually a chance to meet the driver.
Return tickets cost around £20 for adults and £10 for children, with family tickets available. The railway runs most weekends and daily during school holidays, plus special events including Thomas the Tank Engine days and Santa specials.
Practical tips: Toddington is the main station with the largest car park (free). If you want to combine the trip with a walk, hop off at Winchcombe and explore the town before catching a later train. The Winchcombe to Hailes Abbey section is particularly scenic. Book ahead for special event days as they sell out.
Bourton-on-the-Water: A Village Designed for Children
Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most visited villages in the Cotswolds, and while it can feel crowded in peak summer, there is a reason families flock here — it has more child-friendly attractions per square mile than almost anywhere in the region.
The River Windrush runs through the village centre in a broad, shallow channel where children love to paddle on warm days. The water rarely reaches above knee height in normal conditions, though levels can rise after heavy rain. As with any open water, supervise children closely — river beds can be uneven and stones slippery.
Beyond the river, Bourton has Birdland Park and Gardens (home to penguins, flamingos, and over 500 birds in natural settings — around £12 adult, £9 child), the Cotswold Motoring Museum (a charming collection of vintage cars, caravans, and motoring memorabilia — around £8 adult, £4 child), and the Model Village (a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton itself, which is oddly fascinating — around £5 adult, £3 child).
Practical tips: Visit early or late in the day during summer to avoid the worst crowds. The pay-and-display car parks fill quickly, so the Station Road car park at the edge of the village is often the best bet. There are plenty of cafes and ice cream shops, though prices reflect the tourist trade.
Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park
If your children are more interested in animals they can actually touch, Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power is the answer. Founded by TV presenter Adam Henson's father in 1971, this is a proper working farm that also happens to be one of the best family attractions in the area.
The farm specialises in rare breed conservation, so children can meet Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs, Highland cattle, and dozens of other heritage breeds. During lambing season (typically March to May), there are daily lambing demonstrations — seeing a lamb born is genuinely one of those childhood experiences that sticks.
There is also a large outdoor adventure playground, a bouncing pillow, pedal tractors, and a seasonal maize maze in summer. The farm trail takes you through fields with panoramic views across the Cotswold hills.
Admission is around £13 for adults and £12 for children (3-16). Open from February to October, plus some winter weekends.
Practical tips: Lambing season is the best time to visit but also the busiest. The farm is genuinely rural — down narrow lanes with limited signage, so use the postcode GL54 5FL for satnav. Wellies are advisable, especially after rain. The on-site cafe serves decent food using farm produce.
Chedworth Roman Villa
History can be a hard sell to younger children, but Chedworth Roman Villa manages it well. This National Trust property in the Coln valley is one of the largest and best-preserved Romano-British villas in England, and the Trust has invested heavily in making it accessible and engaging for families.
The villa's mosaic floors are genuinely impressive — intricate geometric patterns and figures that have survived for nearly 2,000 years. Children tend to be fascinated by the underfloor heating system (hypocaust), which is exposed so you can see how it worked. The bathhouse section, with its sequence of hot, warm, and cold rooms, is another highlight.
The Trust provides family activity trails and interactive displays. During school holidays there are often extra activities such as Roman craft workshops and archaeological digs for children.
Admission is around £13 for adults, £6.50 for children (National Trust members free). Open from February to November.
Practical tips: The villa is down a narrow, winding lane — drive carefully. The site is partially undercover but you will spend time outdoors, so dress for the weather. The small cafe is decent. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Combine with a walk through the surrounding Coln valley woodlands.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Westonbirt might not sound like an obvious choice for children, but this 600-acre arboretum near Tetbury is far more than a tree collection. The Forestry England site has invested heavily in family facilities and the result is a place where children run wild while parents actually enjoy themselves too.
The STIHL Treetop Walkway is the centrepiece for families — a 300-metre elevated walkway that rises to 13 metres above the forest floor, giving you a bird's-eye view of the canopy. Children love it, and the gentle bounce of the structure adds to the thrill.
Beyond the walkway, there are waymarked trails of varying lengths (the shortest is about a mile), a natural play area with dens and climbing structures, and seasonal activities including autumn colour walks and spring wildflower trails. The autumn colour display, typically peaking in late October, is genuinely spectacular.
Admission is around £16 for adults, £5 for children (5-17), and under-5s are free. Open daily year-round.
Practical tips: The arboretum is large — even the short trails take longer than expected with children in tow. The main cafe is good. Wellies or sturdy shoes are essential in autumn and winter. The autumn colour weekends are very popular; book parking in advance. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe has a long and dramatic history — it was home to Catherine Parr (Henry VIII's sixth wife), besieged during the Civil War, and left as a ruin before being restored in the 19th century. For families, it strikes a good balance between historical interest and child-friendly fun.
The castle gardens are beautiful and extensive, with a knot garden, the Queens' Garden (where Catherine Parr is buried in the adjacent chapel), and wildflower meadows. The castle itself has displays on its Tudor and Civil War history.
For children, the main draw is the outdoor adventure playground, which is large and well-designed. There is also a pheasantry with rare breed pheasants and other birds. During school holidays, the castle runs family events including jousting displays, falconry demonstrations, and craft activities.
Admission is around £23 for adults, £10 for children (3-15). Check the website for current prices. Open from late March to late October.
Practical tips: The castle and grounds easily fill half a day. The cafe in the old kitchen is atmospheric and serves good food. Combine with a walk up to Belas Knap Neolithic long barrow if your children are old enough for a 3-mile round trip with a steep climb.
Making the Most of a Family Visit
A few general tips for visiting the Cotswolds with children. The region is rural, and attractions are spread across a wide area, so a car is almost essential. Many of the best villages have limited or no public transport.
Pack layers — the Cotswold hills create their own weather, and a sunny morning can turn grey by lunchtime. Wellies or waterproof shoes are useful year-round for anything involving fields or woodland.
Many of the smaller villages have excellent farm shops and delis where you can pick up picnic supplies that are far better (and often cheaper) than cafe food. Daylesford Farm Shop near Kingham and Hayles Fruit Farm near Winchcombe are both worth a stop.
Finally, do not try to cram too much in. The Cotswolds rewards a slower pace, and some of the best family moments here are the simplest — skimming stones in the Windrush, spotting red kites circling above the fields, or sharing a cream tea in a village pub garden while the children play on the grass.
