A family weekend in the cotswolds: Wildlife, Water Sports And Villages

Our other Cotswolds Guides: The best things to do in the Cotswolds with kids, things to do in Oxford for families, what to see and do in Broadway, visiting Lacock or guide to Castle Combe will help you plan an in depth visit to this dreamy destination. Feel free to get in touch for more advice.

Map of the Family Cotswolds Itinerary

Brief Overview of Itinerary

• Day 1: Burford High Street, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Minister Lovell Hall (optional extra)
• Day 2: Bibury, outdoor activities at the Cotswold Lakes and Northleach

Day 1: Burford, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Minister Lovell Hall

Burford High Street

Start the day in beautiful Burford, where you can stop for coffee or pick up supplies for the day ahead. Burford’s long, gently sloping high street makes for a lovely wander.

Begin at the south end (top of The Hill) for the best view of the sweeping honey-coloured buildings of the high street, then follow the road downhill until you reach the medieval three-arched bridge over the River Windrush. Along the way, explore the side streets and choose from the many independent shops and places to eat.

We love popping in to the Cotswold Cheese Company and Burford Sweet shop, then heading to either Lynwood & Co for sweet treats or the Thyme and Lovage Cafe for a locally sourced home-cooked brunch.

Pop into the Church of St John the Baptist to see a fascinating church clock, immaculate stained glass windows and an intriguing history. The church was once used to lock over 340 ‘Levellers’ inside while they awaited punishment from the government. In memory of the soldiers who were shot during the mutiny, the town hosts a ‘Levellers Day’ parade annually in May.

Cotswold Wildlife Park

Cotswold Wildlife Park is by far our favourite animal park in the UK, and we always allow at least 3–4 hours here. On arrival, check the daily schedule near the shop for animal talks and feeding times to help plan your visit.

There are several main areas to explore:

• Main walk: Lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and more roam the open parkland along the main path. Don’t miss the side route near the rhinos, which leads past ducks to wolves, capybara and tapirs.
• Walled Garden: Home to penguins, meerkats, birds and monkeys, plus a tropical greenhouse with a resident (but very shy) sloth.
• Madagascar: A walk-through enclosure where you can experience lemurs and other Madagascan creatures up close.
• Children’s Farmyard: Traditional farm animals and a goat enclosure where you can meet some very cheeky residents.
• Adventure Playpark: A huge play area with a treetop fort and equipment for toddlers through to teenagers.
• Railway: A leisurely ride around the park on an open-sided train.
• Reptile, insect and bat enclosures: Indoor areas featuring snakes, crocodiles, lizards and a fascinating variety of insects.

There are several restaurants and picnic areas throughout the park and the grounds themselves are beautifully planted and maintained.

Burford Garden Company

After your day at the wildlife park, either head back to Burford or, if you have time, stop at Burford Garden Company – part garden centre, part lifestyle store. The café is beautifully decorated with twinkling lights, and there’s also a great selection of plants, homeware, art and clothing to browse. You’ll find a small playpark near the car park and a beautiful toy shop in the garden centre.

Minster Lovell Hall and Dovecote

If you have time, we highly recommend squeezing in a visit to Minster Lovell Hall, which is about a 20 minute drive from either Burford or Cotswold Wildlife Park. The picturesque ruins of this former grand home are hidden behind St Kenelm’s Church, surrounded by beech trees on the banks of the gently flowing river Windrush.

It is a wonderful setting for an evening stroll, however before you visit, it’s important to plan carefully. The Hall and neighbouring medieval dovecote are managed by English Heritage and are free to enter. To find the dovecote, walk towards the river and go through the small, metal gate on your left. Turn immediately left and head back across the field.

Parking here is very limited: There are just a handful of spaces beside the church — do not drive past these, as the road is narrow, a dead end, and almost impossible to turn around in.

Please don’t park on the adjoining residential street, which is for residents only. If it’s busy, it’s best to come back later or combine your visit with a meal at one of the nearby pubs.

Where to Eat Nearby

• The Old Swan – A lovely pub less than half a mile from the hall, at the end of an enchanting row of thatched cottages. Book a table, then wander up to the hall and along the river afterwards.
• The White Hart – Another welcoming pub in Minster Lovell, around a ¾-mile walk from the hall

Day 2: Bibury, Northleach and Water Sports

Arlington Row, Bibury

Start Day 2 early to beat the crowds in tiny, but perfectly formed Bibury. Park on the roadside (GL7 5NP) and head straight to Arlington Row.

Arlington Row — a beautiful line of stone weavers’ cottages beside the river — is one of the most photographed views in the Cotswolds. You can take a quick look and follow the short path around Rack Isle meadow (10 minutes), enjoy a peaceful riverside walk to Coln St Aldwyns (a 6.6-mile circular route), or book breakfast at The Swan Hotel for a more leisurely start.

You could also try your hand at fishing at Bibury Trout Farm. They actively encourage beginners and will set you up with everything you need. You can even BBQ your trout afterwards.

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Northleach

Head to unassuming Northleach for lunch. Despite being one of the quieter Cotswold towns, it makes an excellent stop, with a handsome high street, an impressive church and some very good places to eat and drink.

Often overlooked, Northleach is actually one of the finest towns in the Cotswolds and sits in an enviable position right at the centre of the region.

Admire the magnificent Church of St Peter and St Paul, often known as the Cathedral of the Cotswolds. It’s scale reflects the town’s importance during its prosperous wool-trading years.

Wander around the traditional marketplace, taking in the half-timbered buildings and independent shops, then let the kids burn off energy at the playpark on Meadow Lane (GL54 3EP), which enjoys lovely views across the surrounding countryside.

For lunch, try the relaxed Old Prison Café, or for something special, book ahead at The Wheatsheaf Inn, which serves excellent food and has a gorgeous, plant-filled garden in summer.

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Outdoor Adventures at the Cotswold Lakes

After lunch, head to the Cotswold Lakes for an active afternoon. There are plenty of family-friendly options to choose from. We’ve visited (repeatedly) and love all of the following:

• Lake 86 – Paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking (age 8+) and swimming (adult only)
• Far Peak – Climbing walls and sauna on a large campsite with a lively bar
• 4 Lakes Waterski School – Rent a family-sized paddleboard; hilarious fun and surprisingly tricky. We became very well acquainted with the local ducks on our visit.
• Cotswold Country Park and Beach – The UK’s largest inland beach, with an inflatable aquaventure park, climbing, swan pedalos and picnic areas. Book ahead if the weather looks good.

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Best Places to Eat in the East cotswolds

• Thyme & Lovage (Burford): My go-to cafe in Burford. Excellent home-cooked food mostly sourced from local suppliers, the best coffee in Burford and an array of moreish baked goods. Wifi and a lovely courtyard. Find them down Church Lane and enter through the churchyard.
• Lynwood & Co (Burford & Northleach): A small local chain using locally sourced flour for excellent bread and baked treats. My kids love a ‘cruffin’ although they tend to sell out quickly.
• Old Prison Café (Northleach): Relaxed lunch with a bit of history
• The Wheatsheaf Inn (Northleach): Excellent food and a beautiful summer garden (book ahead)
• Far Peak Café (Outside Northleach): Casual food and coffee if you’re climbing or just watching
• The Swan Hotel (Bibury): A lovely spot for a leisurely breakfast
• Ohana Coffee Hut (Lake 86, Cotswold Lakes): Good coffee and snacks by the water
• Gateway Cafe (Cotswold Lakes): Next door to Lake 86, a large cafe with lake views and wooden beams next to Cotswold outdoor. One of our favourite walks, to a beautiful roundhouse, starts from here. Also functions as a visitor centre for the lakes.
• Pizzeria 720 (Cotswold Lakes): Delicious woodfired pizzas and great vibes next to the Gateway Centre in the Cotswolds lakes. This always goes down well after an afternoon at the lakes.

Rainy Day and Winter Itinerary Options

If the weather turns or you’re visiting outside peak season, consider one of the following options to make the most of your family Cotswolds itinerary.

Wet Weather Alternatives

• Chedworth Roman Villa: Much of the site is undercover and it’s fascinating for older children, with mosaics, ruins and interactive displays. The guided tour is brilliant and you will often find craft activities such as mosaic making. Children are always fascinated by the Roman toilet. Closed December and January.
• Crocodiles of the World: A surprisingly brilliant attraction with plenty of indoor viewing and talks throughout the day. One of the warmest places to be on a rainy day in the Cotswolds.
• The Old Prison Cafe: Alongside good food, head into the courtyard to find out the fascinating, and often gory, history of the building. There are prison cells and a courtroom, a children’s trail and rural collection. Free parking and free entry.
• Corinium Museum, Cirencester: A brilliant museum with lots of hands on exhibits charting the history of Cirencester (Corinium) from the stone age through to its importance in the Roman expansion into Britain and on to the present day.

Winter Family-Friendly Ideas

• Burford is particularly lovely in winter, with its historic high street and cosy cafés lit up by fairy lights
• Northleach Old Prison Café makes a great cold-weather lunch stop, with indoor seating and plenty of space
• The Cotswold Gateway Ice Rink runs from mid-November to mid-January. This is one of our favourite winter activities in the Cotswolds. It’s affordable and great fun for all ages. They have cute seal and penguin skate aids available for new skaters.

If you’re visiting in December, there are plenty of tempting festive events in the region — see our guide to Cotswolds Christmas events for the best light trails, markets and winter walks.

Practical Tips for Visiting the East Cotswolds

Getting Around & Distances

The East Cotswolds is best explored by car, particularly if you plan to visit the Cotswold Lakes. Distances are still manageable, but attractions are more spread out than in the North Cotswolds. Expect around 10 – 40 minutes of driving between stops.

Parking

Parking is generally easier here than in some of the more famous North Cotswolds villages, but Bibury can be extremely busy, especially in summer.

• Bibury – Arrive early to secure roadside parking (GL7 5NP).
• Northleach – Park at either the Old Prison then cross at the traffic lights and follow the road to the centre, or in the Market Square and adjoining roads.
• Minister Lovell – Very limited parking at St Kenelm’s church or combine with a meal in a local pub with parking.
• Burford – Free parking is available on the high street, although this can be difficult to get in and out of. There is a large, free carpark at the end of Church Lane, near the bottom of the hill.

Where to Stay

Base yourself in either Burford if you prefer a busy town with lots of eating and shopping options, or Northleach for a quieter experience. Both are well located for getting around the Cotswolds.