.png){kind=icon}
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
As the long summer holiday looms and thoughts turn to how to keep the kids occupied during the warm weather, we’ve a whole host of fabulous ideas guaranteed to keep them entertained in the Cotswolds. From cookery schools and festivals to the chance to dress up as a medieval Knight – the only problem will be choosing which activity to do!
Young knights from across the kingdom are invited to join Sudeley Castle’s first knight school this summer! Boys and girls of all ages can get dressed up and try their hand at a host of knight-themed activities and crafts, all within the beautiful grounds of the 1,000-year-old Castle. Sudeley’s resident storyteller will be weaving magical tales of knightly chivalry and adventures every Wednesday, and youngsters can also play on the castle’s huge fun fort within the amazing adventure playground.
More information
Fancy earning some brownie points by taking your kids to their first festival? The Big Feastival in Kingham is the perfect family-friendly festival to do just that. Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Elbow and more will keep you dancing all weekend and with award-winning street food - make sure you bring your appetite! There’s plenty to entertain the kids including the chance to make farmyard friends at Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park or take part in NEFF’s Little Kitchen cookery classes – amongst much more!
More information
.jpg)
Bring the whole family (including the dog!) and explore the 56 acre magical tree garden at Batsford Arboretum this summer. Pick up a copy of the children’s trail on site; a fun way to explore the Arboretum, keeping little ones interested and entertained! You’ll find delicious lunches – including snack boxes for children – hot drinks and home-baked cakes from the Garden Terrace Café. Enjoy your meal on the wooden deck where you can soak up the sun whilst the children burn off some energy in the play area.
More information
The Lygon Arms have a whole host of child-friendly activities during the summer holidays including a kids summer afternoon tea, giant lawn games – including croquet, early evening movies, colouring books, jigsaw puzzles and child-friendly meals! Even better, under 16s go free during the school holidays, making it the perfect place to make the most of the summer.
More information
Lucknam Park’s Adult & Child cookery courses are an excellent opportunity to spend time together, learning fun new skills and cookery techniques. The school is led by Cookery School Head Chef, Ben Taylor, who teaches with a fun and relaxed approach. Suitable for children aged 6 and 13 years old, it aims to deliver the basics of cooking, emphasising the importance of fresh seasonal produce and includes refreshments on arrival, lunch, recipe folder and use of an apron.
More information
There are plenty of things for kids to do at Hidcote Manor Gardens. Go on an adventure through the various outdoor rooms in the summer trail or spot green woodpeckers hunting for their lunch and listen to the cries of buzzards often circling overhead. If you have your eyes peeled, you could even see a hummingbird moth fluttering around! With picnic benches beside the car park on the grassy Huntingdon Avenue, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a peaceful packed lunch with the family.
More information
Let your kids discover the wonders of nature on a log cabin lake holiday in the Cotswolds this summer with Log House Holidays. Look forward to long days spent exploring your private 130 acre nature reserve by foot, boat or bike. There’s everything from kayaking and paddle boarding to rowing boats and wild swimming. After a fun day outside watch the stars from your private steaming hot tub or gather round your lakeside fire pit and listen out for the sounds of nature all around.
More information
Why not get crafty this summer at New Brewery Arts? If you’ve got creative kids who need to keep busy over the holidays, you’ll find a whole host of workshops from creative printmaking to watercolour, pottery to Mexican puppet making. Courses are suitable for both younger children and teenagers, learning in small groups from enthusiastic and experienced tutors.
More information
.jpg)
Let your little ones run free this summer at Westonbirt Arboretum with their Kids go Free offer from Friday 26 July - Monday 2 September! You could also be the next tree champion and win green at the tree championships by competing against family and friends on active tree challenges around Silk Wood. Most importantly, remember to run on the grass, play ball games, touch the trees and take photos!
More information
Book an activity package with Habitat Escapes this summer and there’ll be no time for boredom! Your holiday at Lower Mill Estate includes a watersports lesson, bike hire, family yoga, a sunset safari, water regatta, Nordic walking and full use of paddleboards and canoes!
More information
Don’t miss Teddy Bear Tuesdays this summer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. Bring your own teddy or special cuddly toy and join in the fun of the teddy bear hunt. Catch the Teddy Bear Special diesel railcar at Broadway, Toddington or Cheltenham Racecourse station and travel to Winchcombe where a host of teddy bears will be waiting for you.
More information
This August there’ll be lots to see and do at Lodge Park with activities and events every day. From den building to scavenger hunts, farm walks to wild art there’s so much to keep your little ones occupied outdoors, while inside you can have a go at games from the 17th century, or try out technology for the household living history weekend. A party trail will help you discover everything you need to throw a 17th century party and you can also find out what it takes to look after historic collections.
More information
If you’re looking for excitement and adventure this summer, look no further than Berkeley Castle! With free quizzes and trails, woodland adventure, a tropical butterfly house, 8 acres of gardens & grounds to explore and of course a REAL Castle with a dungeon and cellar - what more could you wish for? You’ll find a packed summer events’ itinerary including unicorns on the castle lawns, picnics with a live jazz band, as well as the chance to mingle with Tudor royalty, learn jester skills and have a go at archery!
More information
There’s plenty for families to do at Dyrham Park this summer where young explorers can get out and experience nature. Old Lodge natural play area is a popular spot for the under-10s, with rustic play equipment, a ride-on tractor and an allotment that comes to life in the summer. Many of the National Trust’s 50 Things challenges can be completed on site and there are regular seasonal events for families including themed nature trails.
More information
Nestled in the heart of Stow is one of the Cotswold’s most luxurious, family-friendly holiday cottages – The Old Stocks Inn's Bolthole: Parson’s Barn. The three bedroom luxury holiday cottage – ideally located for family days out in the Cotswolds - provides plenty of space to relax with the family after a long day exploring. With everything from 32” Smart TVs to keep the kids entertained, to a living area perfect for family dining and going head-to-head over board games, it’s a home away from home, with all the luxury of a boutique hotel.
More information
The Cotswold Discovery Trail is 2 interactive treasure trail adventures for all the family. Designed to be a screen-free activity using real maps and tools to answer the clues, it allows you to learn and discover the Cotswolds as you follow the circular trails by car and explore different locations on foot. Suitable for children aged 8 and above but there are also activities in the trail pack for younger members of the family too.
More information
Discover more about the Cotswolds fascinating arts and crafts heritage by visiting Robert Welch Design’s studio shop this summer. With new designs still created in Chipping Campden where Robert Welch began his career, it’s a great way to discover more about one of the 20th century’s greatest product designers – and see the range of perfectly proportioned children’s cutlery sets.
More information
Take time this summer to enjoy the play area at the Oxford Bus and Morris Motors Museums where you’ll find ERN1 E – a playbus with working headlights, fog light and indicators just like the original 1960 AEC Reliance bus in the collection! You’ll also find brass rubbings of buses and trams, early learning toys and jigsaw puzzles and lots of model buses as well as a ‘Do you know your roadsigns’ quiz for older children.
More information
Related
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
