Do pretty much anything, from angling to archery and waterskiing to wakeboarding, at the Cotswold Water Park. Meet lions, hippos and more at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, then ride the train and invade the adventure playground. Or take a trip through stunning scenery on the Avon Valley Railway, with afternoon tea a scrummy bonus.
Get over to Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park to watch the lambing, milk the cows, let loose on the adventure barn, lose yourself in the maze and discover the rare breeds trail. Or see the show caves at Cheddar Gorge, where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, was found in 1903.
Wander the woodland trails and watch the birds of prey do their thing at Batsford Arboretum and Falconry Centre. See one of the largest collections or Roman artefacts at Corinium Museum. Visit a village in miniature frozen in time in the 1930s at Bourton-on-the-Water. Or meet the animals and take the Wilderness Walk at Fairytale Farm.
For a magical tree garden, home to trees from all over the world, you’ll want Westonbirt Arboretum: climb the Treetop Walkway, spot the Gruffalo and refuel in the café. Take a potter through Puzzlewood’s twisted trees, paths, bridges and lookout points. Or spot swallows, sandpipers, kingfishers and oystercatchers at Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Pack your trainers for the gym and your sense of serenity for the spa and sauna at classy Calcot Manor. Or book private yoga or massage on site. While you’re at it, you might also consider a foraging or falconry course on the estate. Stretch your legs walking the Cotswold Way, which runs handily through the site.
High up in the hills above Dursley, you’ll find Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club, described by the late Henry Longhurst as one of the most scenic courses in Europe. If fishing’s more your thing, head to Great Burrows Trout Lake in North Nibley or get your waders on and cast your rod in the River Wye for fly fishing.
Shop and potter in Tetbury for antiques and Wotton-under-Edge, Cirencester and Bath for quirky bits and bobs interspersed with cake and coffee. Hunt down some history at Berkeley Castle, Badminton House and Chedworth Roman Villa. Newark Park and Dyrham Park, with its ancient deer park, are also worth your time.
Come in May for the Badminton Horse Trials, in March for the Cheltenham Festival, in high summer for the Nibley Festival, and in late July for all things music and dance at WOMAD. End the day with a big night out in Bath, sipping cocktails at The Hideout and Circo, or twisting the night away at Labyrinth.
