Family Activities in the Cotswolds
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
A great day out for the whole family. Take a walk around the Park and visit all the animals and enjoy the lovely grounds. Watch Rhinos graze on the lawns, walk up the Giraffe walkway or explore the Old Walled Garden’s Tropical House with free roaming sloths, birds and bats. . Watch Penguin’s being fed and then get up close with the Lemurs in their free-roaming Madagascar Exhibit.
* Over 260 Animal Species * Daily Penguin & Lemur talks
* Children’s Farmyard * Large Adventure Playground
* Reptile House, Insect House, Bat House * Cafe and picnic areas.
* Gift Shop & Kiosks * Train (April – Oct) * Wheelchair & Pushchair Friendly.
Warwick Castle
Visit Warwick Castles where it will take you through the beauty of the landscaped Capability Brown gardens, down into the medieval vaults and into the private residence of the Earl where you can discover the reality about his life. For those with stamina, you can even climb to the top of their 1100 year old towers and ramparts offering breath-taking views of the English countryside.
A visit to the castle wouldn’t be complete without watching the jousting tournament, the magnificent Birds of Prey, or the world’s largest trebuchet launching a fireball across the grounds which is definitely a site not to miss out on.
Crocodiles of the World
This is the only crocodile zoo in the UK, and not only is it free, but you sometimes even get to handle the smaller specimens (under supervision).On arrival you will be given a daily schedule for feeds, talks and animal encounters for that day. With something happening every half an hour, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
They also have a wonderfully non-PC and non-museumy line in dry humour as well, as in “Do not allow your children to lean over the rails because although alligators love kids, they are hard to digest.” The tiny monkeys are as interested in you as you are in them, and the meerkats will be a hit with the kids as well.
Cotswold Farm Park
Rare breeds, daily demonstrations, tractor school and farm safari rides, touch barn, adventure playground, bouncy pillows, conservation area, gift shop and café.
Discover Rare Breeds through History as you stroll the walkways surrounded by fifty flocks and herds of farm animals. Enjoy the undercover facilities in the Touch Barn and Demonstration Barn. Help bottle feed the lambs and goat kids, hold a chick and experience seasonal demonstrations, including lambing, shearing and milking.
Birdland Park & Gardens
Nine acres of park and garden with exotic and rare birds like the majestic King Penguins. Enjoy riverside walks and nature trails, set in the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Meet flamingos, pelicans, cranes, emus and waterfowl that live in riverside habitats with colourful parrots, magical owls, pheasants, hornbills, touracos and many more inhabiting over 50 aviaries.
Everyday is different at Birdland, and there is always something new to discover, with a full programme of entertaining feeding displays and close encounter sessions. Help feed Penguins, become a ‘Keeper for the Day’, or meet birds of prey, lizards, tortoises and snakes!
Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection
Based in the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water the Cotswold Motoring Museum is full to the rafters with vintage car collections, classic cars and motorcycles, caravans, original enamel signs and an intriguing collection of motoring curiosities.
It is also home to TV’s Brum and a wonderful collection of nostalgic toys and ride-ons.
www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk
The Model Village
The Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water is a one-ninth scale replica of the village, built by local craftsmen over 5 years, officially opened on the Coronation Day of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother) in 1937.
As a replica of Bourton the Model Village is of particular interest to historians and crafts people, it is a replica of the buildings that were in existence in the 1930’s, and demonstrates how they are used today as shops, the bank, the Victoria Hall etc.
Aston Pottery
The beautiful Oxfordshire village of Aston is home to the Aston Pottery, providing a great day out for all ages. Go along and see how the pottery is designed and manufactured, visit the gift shop or relax in the country café.
Startford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm
Take a trip to Stratford to visit hundreds of the world’s most spectacular and beautiful butterflies flying in an exotic environment of tropical blossom with splashing waterfalls and fish-filled pools.
Cotswold Falconry Centre
Based next door to the Batsford Aboretum is the Cotswold Falconry Centre, home to around 150 Birds of Prey.
In addition to the daily demonstration of free flying birds of prey you can follow the path through ‘Owl Wood’, a natural setting where the birds are encouraged to breed as they would in their native environment.
