FREE things to do this Summer in the Cotswolds

5th August 2022

Some great places to picnic, parks and play areas to enjoy, discovery trails to follow, nature sites to explore and some wonderful free events - including a football match in the river!

Have a picnic
There are so many wonderful places to enjoy a picnic in the Cotswolds. Here are just a few suggestions:
 - Minchinhampton and Rodborough Common offer some superb views and are ideal for a picnic, with their large swathes of open grassland on the hill top and slopes of the Cotswolds escarpment.
 - The ruins of Minster Lovell Hall provide an interesting backdrop to a picnic on the banks of the River Windrush.
 - Bourton on the Water – enjoy your picnic on the wide, grassy banks of the river. There are plenty of places to buy picnic items and ice cream nearby!
 - At 330 metres above sea level, Cleve Common is the highest point in the Cotswolds and makes a great spot for a picnic with a view. There are lots of footpaths so you can walk off your lunch!
 - Lechlade Riverside Park - Spread out across three large fields, with substantial river frontage, Riverside Park can offer loads of green grass for running about, ball games, plus it’s a great spot for picnics and just relaxing.
 - At the top of Fish Hill, there is a fantastic picnic site, with panoramic views across the Vale of Evesham. You’ll also find wild flowers, colourful woods and Giants' Steps there!
 - Coaley Peak is a picnic site with an amazing view across the Severn Vale towards the Forest of Dean.

Hit the park
The historic Pittville Park in Cheltenham has two children’s play area, tennis courts, a pitch and putt golf course, skate park. It also has aviaries which are home to various birds and even some cute bunnies! With its natural layout, lake and area of woodland, it’s also great for family walks.

With 21 hectares of open space, Kilkenny Lane Country Park is perfect for playing, walking and having a picnic. The large play area has a zip wire, swings, slides, trampolines, hammocks, sandpits and the extensive Witch’s Cauldron climbing frame, along with unusual features like a willow maze, willow igloos and a totem pole.

The excellent Broadway Activity Park has state-of-the-art facilities including a climbing wall, multi-use games area, space net, zipwire, grass pitch for football and rounders and picnic area.

Follow the play trail at Woodchester Park and have fun with climbing frames, bridges, musical logs, a zip wire and much more. You can also have a go at building a den and creating some wild art.

Follow a discovery trail

The town of Woodstock has its own special children’s trail – explore the town and look for historic things along the way.

Nature-spotters!
Follow the trail around Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve and learn about the many species of birds, butterflies and plants that reside in wetland meadows.

Take your binoculars and go wildlife watching at Cotswold Water Park area – visit the Gateway Centre first to pick up some tips.

Saul Junction, where the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and Stroudwater Canal meet is a great place for wildlife.