Cotswolds Guidebook
Sightseeing
The Cotswolds offers a lot of beautiful sightseeing opportunities, here are a few of our favourites.
Pictured is the most photographed attraction in the Cotswolds - Arlington Row. Its a beautiful row of 14th century cottages set in the Cotswold village of Bibury. Also in Bibury is the trout farm which is great fun for the kids.
Fun fact - Arlington Row is featured in UK passports!
198 paikallista suosittelee
Bibury
Pictured is the most photographed attraction in the Cotswolds - Arlington Row. Its a beautiful row of 14th century cottages set in the Cotswold village of Bibury. Also in Bibury is the trout farm which is great fun for the kids.
Fun fact - Arlington Row is featured in UK passports!
Beautiful village straddling the river Windrush known for its low bridges and traditional stone houses. Perfect for a stroll along the river and also home to Birdland, Cotswold Motoring Museum and the model village for something fun to do with the kids.
450 paikallista suosittelee
Bourton on the Water
Beautiful village straddling the river Windrush known for its low bridges and traditional stone houses. Perfect for a stroll along the river and also home to Birdland, Cotswold Motoring Museum and the model village for something fun to do with the kids.
The idyllic town of Tetbury oozes heritage and tradition on every street corner. Near to Highgrove house it offers produce from the royal estate at Highgrove shop, a wonderful range of antique shops and perfect places to stop for afternoon tea.
If you're lucky enough to be in the area on the last bank holiday in May you must check out Tetbury Woolsack races. Its a lively street fair with entertainers, stalls and amusement rides with the races themselves involving runners carrying a sack of wool up and down a hill that reaches a gradient of 1 in 4 (very steep!)
204 paikallista suosittelee
Tetbury
The idyllic town of Tetbury oozes heritage and tradition on every street corner. Near to Highgrove house it offers produce from the royal estate at Highgrove shop, a wonderful range of antique shops and perfect places to stop for afternoon tea.
If you're lucky enough to be in the area on the last bank holiday in May you must check out Tetbury Woolsack races. Its a lively street fair with entertainers, stalls and amusement rides with the races themselves involving runners carrying a sack of wool up and down a hill that reaches a gradient of 1 in 4 (very steep!)
A private estate that welcomes visitors to explore their grounds, wether is a countryside walk, dog walk, ramble to the pub or even horse riding, Cirencester Park is a lovely part of Cotswold countryside to enjoy.
55 paikallista suosittelee
Cirencester Park
A private estate that welcomes visitors to explore their grounds, wether is a countryside walk, dog walk, ramble to the pub or even horse riding, Cirencester Park is a lovely part of Cotswold countryside to enjoy.
On the outskirts of Cirencester is the massive earthwork remains of one of the largest Roman Amphitheatres in Britain. Built in the early 2nd century when the Roman city of Corinium was second only to London in size and importance.
Access: Small flight of steps at entrance, part of the site and uneven and not suitable for wheelchairs.
Free access and dogs are welcome.
15 paikallista suosittelee
Cirencester Amphitheatre
30 Cotswold AveOn the outskirts of Cirencester is the massive earthwork remains of one of the largest Roman Amphitheatres in Britain. Built in the early 2nd century when the Roman city of Corinium was second only to London in size and importance.
Access: Small flight of steps at entrance, part of the site and uneven and not suitable for wheelchairs.
Free access and dogs are welcome.
The grounds of the Parish Church of St John Baptist. Free to access complete with bandstand, small lake, children's play area and remains of exposed Roman walls.
The church itself is a must see too, its one of the largest and most elegant medieval churches in the county.
11 paikallista suosittelee
Luostarin puisto
3 Blake RdThe grounds of the Parish Church of St John Baptist. Free to access complete with bandstand, small lake, children's play area and remains of exposed Roman walls.
The church itself is a must see too, its one of the largest and most elegant medieval churches in the county.
Places to take Children
As we have a young family ourselves we are always looking for things to do for the kids while we are away, here are a few of our kids favourite places to visit.
Cotswold Wildlife Park exhibits over 260 species of animals. Its set in 160 acres of landscaped parkland and gardens so its a really beautiful animal park to visit. You can easily spend the whole day here (on a nice day preferably as its mainly all uncovered) with seeing the animals, playing in the large kids playground, picnicking on in the gardens, riding the train and treating the kids to an ice cream! And its also dog friendly!
442 paikallista suosittelee
Cotswoldin eläinpuisto ja puutarhat
Cotswold Wildlife Park exhibits over 260 species of animals. Its set in 160 acres of landscaped parkland and gardens so its a really beautiful animal park to visit. You can easily spend the whole day here (on a nice day preferably as its mainly all uncovered) with seeing the animals, playing in the large kids playground, picnicking on in the gardens, riding the train and treating the kids to an ice cream! And its also dog friendly!
Westonbirt Arboretum is an amazing place to visit if you love exploring nature. There are two sections - one is dog friendly. They always put on special trails for kids to follow and explore, there are lots of hidden den building sections, wooden sculptures a play park and a restaurant and cafe for refreshments.
340 paikallista suosittelee
Westonbirt, Kansallinen arboretum
Westonbirt Arboretum is an amazing place to visit if you love exploring nature. There are two sections - one is dog friendly. They always put on special trails for kids to follow and explore, there are lots of hidden den building sections, wooden sculptures a play park and a restaurant and cafe for refreshments.
Whether relaxing with friends and family on a sandy beach beside a beautiful swimming lagoon, or enjoying activities from water sports to mini-golf within beautiful parkland, the Cotswold Country Park and Beach offers the perfect day out, time after time. North Lake is home to our huge, brand new for 2022 AquaVenture with action-packed obstacles. Try out kayaking or stand up paddle boarding (SUP). The Family Beach offers fantastic pay and play activities from swan pedalos to mini-port electric boats, all available to hire on the day, take a dip in the swimming lagoon at the beach, supervised by lifeguards in peak season, or stay on dry land and head for the new pedal go karts, from mini golf to adventure playground.
Prebooking is essential!
88 paikallista suosittelee
Cotswold Country Park & Beach
Spratsgate LaneWhether relaxing with friends and family on a sandy beach beside a beautiful swimming lagoon, or enjoying activities from water sports to mini-golf within beautiful parkland, the Cotswold Country Park and Beach offers the perfect day out, time after time. North Lake is home to our huge, brand new for 2022 AquaVenture with action-packed obstacles. Try out kayaking or stand up paddle boarding (SUP). The Family Beach offers fantastic pay and play activities from swan pedalos to mini-port electric boats, all available to hire on the day, take a dip in the swimming lagoon at the beach, supervised by lifeguards in peak season, or stay on dry land and head for the new pedal go karts, from mini golf to adventure playground.
Prebooking is essential!
Kaupunkia koskevat ohjeet
Liikkuminen
Easiest to travel by car
It is easiest to travel around the Cotswolds by car. Although there are buses running due to all the little villages and country roads they are much slower and less frequent than in busy cities.
Tätä ei kannata jättää väliin
Markets
Cirencester Market offers a Farmers market on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Throughout the year the marketplace and the abbey grounds have special events like the Pheonix Festival, The Food Festival etc so make sure you check if anything is happening during your visit.
Tapoja säästää
Saving on parking
At the weekends the council offices carpark (GL71PX) and St. James Place carpark (GL&1FP) are free to use and only a short walk into the town centre.