Feed and pet the lambs, goats and pigs at the Cotswold Farm Park, then let off steam in the adventure barn. At the Cotswold Water Park, you can try anything from angling to aerial adventure and horse-riding to learning wilderness skills. You can even play on the beach.
Meet red pandas, African penguins and tree kangaroos at Bristol Zoo. Steam you way through the countryside on the Dean Forest Railway and refuel in Whistles Café. Or ride the train at Perrygrove and stay awhile for the treetop adventure, covered picnic and play area indoor village with secret passages and den-building in the woods.
Head to the Corinium Museum to turn hyperactive into interactive over Roman finds in the heart of the Cotswolds. Take the self-guided treasure trail around Cirencester, or get down to Birdland to meet owls, pelicans, cranes, cassowary and rare species such as the Waldrapp Ibis.
Buckle up for some of the rides of your life at Billy Danter’s Funfair, or brave the Buffalo Coaster and the Accelerator at Drayton Manor Theme Park. Discover the wonder of under at Clearwell Caves, an unfathomable cave system that’s been mined for 4500 years. Or head upwards instead at The Warehouse Climbing Centre.
Walk the Cotswold Way right out of the front door, walk or run the five-mile Painswick Beacon Loop through the woods, or hit the Woolpack Loop past Chilham Castle and Shelley’s Tea Rooms. Or test yourself on the waymarked walks of the steeper Cooper’s Hill, but watch out for bouncing cheeses.
Explore the village with woolly chums from Tibbiwell Alpacas. Go Ape in the Forest of Dean. Shoot pretend pigeons with Stroud Clay Club. Shoot 18 holes at Painswick Golf Club, with its views of the Cotswold escarpment. Or just shoot off for some R and R and the Greenway Hotel, awarded five bubbles from The Good Spa Guide.
Rent bikes and e-bikes from The Bicycle Hub in Cheltenham. Fish the four lakes at Harescombe Fishery. Hack the lovely countryside on horseback with Hyde Riding School. Or head down to Burford for its garden centre, café, activity centre, art gallery and gift shop.
Ride out to stately, opulent Blenheim Palace, the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house to call itself a palace. Then wander around Batsford Arboretum – 56 acres of trees and shrubs in a magical setting. As dusk descends, make a night of it in Montpellier’s gin and cocktail clubs or just grab a naughty nightcap in The Falcon.
