There’s horse riding, rally driving, wakeboarding and even a beach at the Cotswold Water Park. See eye-to-eye with giraffes on the special walkway at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, then ride the train and meet the monkeys. Or enjoy bottle feeding, tractor rides and rare breeds at the Cotswold Farm Park.
Head to Cattle Country for farm animals, outdoor play equipment, a giant play barn and fresh food in the Graze café. Meet more cute creatures, including European brown bears, at The Wild Place Project. Ride Shetland ponies at Newbrook Farm Equestrian, or take the tunnel through the Coral Seas Display at Bristol Aquarium.
See the miniature village at Bourton-on-the-Water, picnic by the river bank and save your crusts for the ducks. Catch a flick at Stroud Vue or theatre at the Cotswold Playhouse. Get your hands around some clay at Honeybourne Pottery Studio. Or learn all about the origin of vaccinations at Dr Jenner’s House and Garden.
Explore over 50 organic acres at St Augustine’s Farm Park. Meet wild birds, including pink flamingos, from all over the world at The Wildlife and Wetlands Centre, Slimbridge. Go underground for the show caves at Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole. Or find out how crazy golf can get over 36 holes at Mr Mulligan’s Cheltenham.
Hack with horses at Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre, do your bit for pest control by bagging clay pigeons at Ian Coley near Cheltenham, or walk the Cotswold Way from the property. Bring your clubs and spikes for world-class golf at Stinchcombe Hill. Recover with coffee and cake at Leaf and Ground Café.
History hollers loudly at you here, so get down to Malmesbury Abbey, Berkeley Castle and Gloucester Cathedral. Eat, drink, shop and be merry at Bristol’s buzzing dockside area. Ride the wild water at Europe’s first full-size surfing lake at The Wave in Bristol. Or tackle both wet-side and dry-side activities at The Cotswold Water Park.
Enjoy the splendour of The Cotswolds with tearoom-rich drives through lovely villages such as Tetbury, haunt of King Charles, and Bourton-on-the-Water. Enjoy rooftop spa bathing and architectural masterpieces in Bath. Conquer the themed walls at Xheight Adventure Club. Or shoot for the bullseye with the Bowmen of Minchinhampton.
Come in March to back a nag at the Cheltenham Festival. Book a boat trip or canal cruise at The Black Shed and wrap up with a sausage sandwich at the café. Relax the mind, soothe the spirit and beautify the body at Calcot Spa. Finish the day with a tipple at Lily Gin’s in Cheltenham or join farmers, rock stars and celebs at Gifford’s Circus.
