Cotswolds With Kids: An Ultimate Guide

When you think of England, you might imagine rolling hills, honey-colored houses, sheep, and cozy village pubs. And if that’s your vision, you’re probably picturing the Cotswolds!

I’ve heard of many people skipping the Cotswolds with kids, but in my opinion that’s a big mistake! There is so much to do in this area; you can see the pretty views and keep the kids happy with fun activities, animal visits, and adventure.

What Exactly are The Cotswolds?

Where are they?

Contrary to what some people think, the Cotswolds is not a single village or even a small group of villages. It’s an area covering 800 square miles of southwest England and England’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 

The Cotswolds officially spans six different counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, and Somerset. There are dozens of charming villages, as well as bigger market towns, each with its own unique character. Below are the main towns and villages to visit:

Additionally, some places—like Bath, Gloucester, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Oxford—aren’t technically part of the Cotswolds but are often included in itineraries because they sit just outside the official border and are well worth visiting.

What are the Cotswolds known for? 

I call it ‘picture-perfect England.’ Think honey-colored stone cottages, smoke curling from chimney stacks, cozy pubs with roaring fires, rolling green hills, sheep and horses on winding country roads, scenic walking routes, and grand historic manors and castles.

You’ve probably seen a picture of either Castle Combe or Arlington Row without knowing it, they’re the most photographed places in England! That said, both of these places are teeny tiny, and are more of the ‘take an aesthetic picture and go’ category so I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way with kids to see them.

That said, if you’re driving and happen to be nearby the village, it might be worth it to you! Case in point: we were driving home from Bath and it was just a 5 minute detour to see Castle Combe. I jumped out of the car to walk down the one main road while my husband continued driving slowly and the kids slept! I wandered a bit, saw the church, crossed the bridge, he picked me up at the bottom and we continued our roadtrip.

Is the Cotswolds worth Visiting with Kids?

“I can’t wait to stroll through the countryside, admiring the views and fairytale cottages!” said no kid ever. While most tourists come here to admire the villages, shop, and walk that doesn’t mean that is all there is to do here!

If you’re coming to England, the Cotswolds are definitely worth visiting with kids. The rest of this post will cover all the places in the Cotswolds that my kids have loved, along with nearby beautiful countryside sights to add in to help you plan a visit that makes both adults and kids excited.

The Best of the Cotswolds With Kids

Cotswolds With Kids: Bourton-on-the-Water

The first place you should add to your itinerary is Bourton-on-the-water! This village has so many things to do, both with and without kids. And it is SO cute! A little river runs through the town, and if you’re lucky with the weather, kids can even splash in the shallow water.

Top Things to Do in Bourton-on-the-Water with Kids:

• Model Village – A fascinating 1/9th-scale replica of Bourton itself—kids will love feeling giant-sized!
• Birdland & Jurassic Journey – Flamingos, penguins, and a dino-themed walk make this a great spot for animal lovers.
• Dragonfly Maze – A quirky hedge maze with hidden clues leading to a secret surprise at the end.
• Cotswolds Motoring museum – Classic cars, vintage toys, and the famous Brum car make this a nostalgic hit for both you and your kids.

The easiest way to get here is by car. If you don’t have a car, you have a few options.

Day trip tour: You can visit Bourton-on-the-Water as a day trip from London with a small group tour. They pick you up and drop you off in London! Check availability below.

Train option: Train 1.5 hours from London to Moreton-on-Marsh. From here you can either join a small group Cotswolds tour, use local bus routes to get to other villages, or use The Robin which is a bookable bus service capped at just 3 GBP! With this option I’d suggest leaving bright and early, or staying over night in Moreton-on-Marsh and returning to London the next day.

Cotswolds With Kids: Stow-on-The-Wold

While Bourton-on-the Water has the most activities, for some reason Stow-On-The-Wold is my favorite. You can drive between the two villages in just 10 minutes, catch a bus, or even take a walking path (though it will take a bit longer!)

Top Things to Do in Stow-on-the-Wold with Kids:

• St. Edward’s Church Door – Feels straight out of a fantasy book! Kids who love adventure stories will love seeing this “magical” doorway and knocking on the door.
• The Market Square – Lots of cute shops and places to eat. Importantly, a candy shop and next door Roly’s Fudge Pantry – perfect for bribing kids to behave while you browse.
• Cotswold Farm Park – This is a super cute hands-on farm experience where kids can feed lambs, cuddle rabbits, and learn about rare breed animals. You could spend 2+ hours here!
• Antique Shop – I’m all about combining kid things with adult things, so if you love antiques check out Tara Antiques, Durham House Antiques, or Tudor House Antiques.

The easiest way to get here is by car. If you don’t have a car, you have a few options.

Day trip tour: You can visit Stow-on-the-Wold as a day trip from London with a small group tour. They pick you up and drop you off in London!

Train option: Same instructions as above! You can train 1.5 hours from London to Moreton-on-Marsh. From here you can either join a small group Cotswolds tour, use local bus routes to get to other villages, or use The Robin which is a bookable bus service capped at just 3 GBP!

Nearby Picturesque Villages

Next to Stow-on-the-Wold are the villages Upper and Lower Slaughter. No, it doesn’t mean what you think – the villages are named after an Old English word that means muddy or wet!

While there isn’t anything here that’s particularly ‘kid friendly’ I would recommend a walk between them if you have time! It doesn’t take long and you will pass by some of the prettiest scenes and cottages! Here is a route on AllTrails for the shortest walk, though there are other options of varying distances.

Cotswolds With Kids: Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

If your kids love animals, this is an absolute must! This wildlife park has so much to do and while it’s a bit pricier at 19 GBP for adults and 13 GBP for kids, my kids loved it. We got here late in the day, but wished we’d arrived early as we could have spent 4+ hours here.

Things to Do Here:

• Visit all the animals from giraffes to rhinos and lions, etc.
• Play on the BEST adventure playground.
• Ride the little train that runs through the park, which is always a hit

Cotswolds With Kids: Lacock Village

Harry Potter fans, this one’s for you! Lacock is a beautifully preserved village that has been used as a filming location for Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and Pride & Prejudice. Technically Lacock is 3 miles outside of the official Cotswolds area, but it’s so close and we loved our visit here so I’m including it.

Top Things to Do in Lacock with Kids:

• Lacock Abbey – Featured as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films! Kids will love spotting familiar scenes from the movies. It’s also the birthplace of photography so don’t miss the museum!
• The Bakery – Grab a delicious pastry or a hot chocolate to warm up on a chilly day.
• Village Walks – Short and easy routes for little legs, plus a small playground and plenty of spots for a picnic.

I highly recommend getting here by car. If that’s just not possible, here are a few options:

London Day Trip: There are a few group tours from London to Lacock on Get Your Guide and Expedia, but honestly I wouldn’t recommend them! Only because they combine with too many other things that you’d be rushing from place to place and wouldn’t be able to enjoy the day, with or without kids.

By public transport: Take a train from London to Chippenham. From there take the 234 bus that runs to Lacock and is just 15 minutes. Another option if you’re planning to spend time in Bath is to train from London to Bath and spend the night. The next day join a small group tour of Stonehenge and Lacock (doable and enjoyable in one day!)

Cotswolds With Kids: More Fun Things to Do

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

A heritage steam train ride through the Cotswolds countryside. Perfect for train-loving kids! You can hop on and off to see a number of villages in your day, or ride it out and back just for the experience.

Sudeley Castle

You can never go wrong with a castle visit! Sudeley castle frequently has activities just for kids, fascinating history, beautiful gardens, and a fun adventure playground.

Cirencester Open Air Swimming

A heated outdoor pool with great views behind it! We always try to plan one water activity every trip as our kids love to swim and it burns a lot of energy.

Broadway Tower

A short but fun walk to the scenic Broadway tower with incredible countryside views. From the top of the tower you can see all the way to Wales! You can also experience the nuclear bunker, deer park, playground, and cafe here.

Where to Stay in the Cotswolds With Kids

Cotswolds By Train

If you’re traveling by train, base yourself in Moreton-in-Marsh and take day trips from there by bus or the Robin (a bookable bus). Use the map below to check availability and find something closest to the train station where you will arrive!

Cotswolds By Car

If you’re able to drive, here’s where I would stay.

Cirencester: If you want to see as much of the Cotswolds as possible, I would find a home base in Cirencester as the villages in the north and south of the Cotswolds are all drivable within 1 hour.

Bourton-on-the Water: Another fairly central location, with the most kid-friendly attractions, and a picturesque river running through the village.

There are lots of great options so I wouldn’t stress too much! You can check availability here to pick from a list of family friendly Cotswold stays.

Luxury Stays

If you’re looking for a unique and luxurious stay in the Cotswolds with kids, here are a few bucket list spots.

• The Treehouses at The Fish Hotel– Luxury treehouses with amazing country views in Broadway
• Ellenborough Park – This is just outside of the Cotswolds, but an amazing luxury hotel with a heated pool and great for kids.
• The Cotswold Water Park Retreats – Lakeside lodges with plenty of space.
• Whatley Manor – Countryside retreat with an award winning spa!

I hope I’ve convinced you to visit The Cotswolds with kids! They’re a must visit on your next trip to England.