Postcard-Perfect England in the Cotswolds with Kids

Conjure up the typical English countryside scene: a patchwork landscape of fields alive with growing crops or dotted with sheep and the cutest lambs, interspersed with stately homes, church spires, farm shops and quaint little villages. Not much of rural England looks like this anymore, but the Cotswolds really does. (Although, if you want to snap a photo like the one below, you need to visit outside of peak season — avoid the UK state school summer holidays if possible, which run from the end of July to the start of September — and try to visit midweek when the streets are less crowded with other holidaymakers.)

The Cotswolds has something to delight everyone. There are beautiful manor houses, many of which have been turned into luxurious country house hotels and spas. You’ll find village streets made up of tea shops, gastropubs, shabby-chic homeware stores, Willy Wonka-style sweet shops and art galleries. Then there is the countryside itself, where you can wander along footpaths, cycle and go horse riding. If you’re a fan of the TV series Clarkson’s Farm, where Jeremy Clarkson and crew amusingly detail the trials and tribulations of running his Diddly Squat farm, you can visit that too.

Holidays with Kids in the Cotswolds: Where to Go & More

Where Are the Cotswolds?

‘Wolds’ are gentle hillsides, and this collection of shallow terrain stretches across southwest England. A 90-minute drive northeast of London will take you to the Cotswolds. It’s perfectly doable in a day trip from the capital, but it’s sandwiched between Gloucester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and Bath — all fantastic cities to visit in their own right. You could easily spend a week exploring and enjoying the whole region. 

Where Should We Base Ourselves?

The Cotswolds probably has the highest concentration of luxury country house hotels in England, and wherever you choose to stay once you’re in the area, nothing is much more than a 40-minute drive away. It is also pretty easy to get around via train and public bus, but services might not be as frequent as you would like. 

Bourton-on-the-Water

My favourite village is Bourton-on-the-Water, which is often ridiculously described as the Cotswolds’ little Venice. The River Windrush flows very gently through it. Historic cottages, built in the delightful honey-coloured local limestone common to most Cotswolds’ buildings, butt up against its banks. It’s crisscrossed with cute little footbridges and paddled in by ducks and kids with rolled-up trouser legs. Venice it isn’t, but it is charming when it’s not too crowded. And once you’ve seen the life-size version, you can marvel at the model village of the village in the gardens of the Old New Inn. There is even a model village of the model village in the model gardens of the model Old New Inn. 

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Stow-on-the-Wold, Woodstock and Broadway

Stow-on-the-Wold, Woodstock and Broadway are also lovely villages that are worth lingering in for a coffee, pub lunch or afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is somewhat of an event wherever it is served in England. Kids tend to delight in the structured formality of it, and if you time it for five-ish, you can get it to serve as supper too. Hotels often do a great and very filling afternoon tea, but they are typically more expensive than teashops. If it’s done right, dainty sandwiches arrive first, followed by scones, which you must pile with jam and clotted cream, and then the cakes follow.

So Once My Kids Get Village Fatigue, What Next?

This is where your hotel will come into its own. Look for one with an indoor pool and acres of grounds to explore; some have excellent kids’ clubs too, but they may only be open in school holidays. And don’t forget the spa for yourself.

The Lygon Arms is a gorgeous, family-friendly and very dog-friendly hotel in the middle of Broadway. It has a great spa, pool and gardens and a couple of excellent restaurants. Dating back to the 14th century, it’s easy to imagine what it would have been like once as a bustling coaching inn. If you check in here, be sure to get your children to do the treasure hunt around the hotel to bring its history to life.

Get Down on the Farm

If you can tear yourself away from the English country house set, head for Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park and get up close and personal with more than 50 rare and native British farm animals, including Golden Guernsey goats and Highland cattle. If you’re lucky with your timing, you may even get to see a chick hatch or bottle-feed a lamb.

Follow in Churchill’s Footsteps at Blenheim Palace

From flower shows to jousting tournaments, there is always something interesting and entertaining to do at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of one of Britain’s most well-known Prime Ministers, Sir Winston Churchill. Take a guided tour of the state rooms, marvel at the butterfly house, enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens and get lost in the maze; just save the adventure playground for last, because your kids won’t want to leave it.

If the sun’s shining, which it does quite often, the Cotswold Country Park and Beach is another lovely day out. Grab a bucket and spade and swimming costumes, because it’s home to the UK’s largest inland beach, and there is a swimming lake for the brave. You can try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding, boating and kayaking too.

Is There a Best Time to Visit?

If you can coincide your arrival with the sun, whatever time of year you arrive in the Cotswolds will be perfect. If you can’t arrange this, come prepared. Make sure that your accommodation has so many indoor pursuits that the kids won’t actually want to leave the premises. With a cream tea and a log fire in front of you, who cares what it’s like outside!

Where to Stay

The Lygon Arms — Step into history and enjoy all the luxuries that the 21st century has to offer, plus shops, walks, restaurants and tearooms right on your doorstep.

De Vere Cotswold Water Park hotel — Good aparthotels are few and far between in the UK, but this one is smart, clean and well located.

Calcot Manor — A fantastic luxury family hotel cut off from the rest of the world in its own beautiful grounds.

Relevant Links:

Browse all destinations and accommodations in England on Ciao Bambino

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Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.