Young families looking to explore beyond the bustle of London should consider a few days of fresh air and free-range activities in the Cotswolds, a charming region of the English countryside that’s less than 90 minutes from the city by train or car.
By venturing to the Cotswolds, families get to experience a change of pace and scenery. Life moves slowly, and there’s more time to wander around the charming villages, visit the nature preserves, and jump in muddy puddles. Plus, it’s packed with cozy pubs that serve British fare without the fuss and hotels that treat tiny travelers like princes and princesses (even on a less-than-royal budget).
We traveled to the Cotswolds last year with our two little boys for spring break (pro tip: it’s a great option for March because it’s after UK half-term, so it’s not overly busy and prices are quite reasonable), and we had such a wonderful time visiting the myriad play areas, arboretums, and animal encounters that we’re going back again.
Ahead, the mom-approved travel guide to help plan the perfect family trip to the Cotswolds with kids.
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Where to stay in the Cotswolds with kids
The Cotswolds offer plenty of family-friendly hotels, cottages, or other accommodations for your travel needs. Here are a few favorites:
Calcot & Spa
At Calcot & Spa, everything revolved around families. The Play Barn for babies to teens is filled to the gills with toys, puzzles, dress-up costumes, and art supplies. Best of all, the rate covers four hours of supervised play (just be sure to reserve a slot in advance). What should parents do to fill the time? Hit the spa or pick up complimentary bikes and cruise around the 2-mile nature path.
We stayed in a two-bedroom suite with plenty of space for us all to snooze comfortably. Bonus: It was located just steps from the wooden play structures and outdoor tot area. More things that just make sense with littles: Calcot & Spa serves a special early dinner for tots with kid-approved dishes. Once bubs are sleeping peacefully, parents can take advantage of the listening service and head to the brasserie for date night.
Lucknam Park
Situated on a 500-acre estate near historic Bath, Lucknam Park is a luxury retreat for families that feels elegant yet easygoing. The expansive grounds are ideal for kids to roam. Activities range from duck herding and falconry to tennis. The excellent equestrian center gives mini riders the chance to try pony rides, while older kids can saddle up for a trot through the meadows. The Hideaway functions as a kids’ clubhouse of sorts—parents stay on-site to supervise arts and crafts, music, puzzles, games, and dress-up fun. There’s also an outdoor play area featuring Tractor Ted, plus an indoor swimming pool. Accommodations include suites and rooms within a grand Palladian mansion, as well as two-, three-, and four-bedroom cottages with kitchens and private gardens, making them especially well-suited for families.
The Lygon Arms
Located in the village of Broadway, The Lygon Arms is a charming, four-star hotel smack in the middle of the Cotswolds. When families aren’t out exploring nearby attractions like the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Cotswold Farm Park, they can enjoy the many on-property amenities—evening movies, croquet, puzzles, board games, and family splash time at the heated indoor swimming pool. Because relaxation is an essential part of vacation (yes, even when traveling with kids), the accommodations are warm and cozy with plenty of plaid. For a quintessential British experience, enjoy afternoon tea with sweet treats. Parents who need a little extra R&R can escape to the spa for massages and curl up in fluffy robes. Bonus: kids stay and dine free during UK school holidays.
The Lakes by Yoo
Families who prefer autonomy and ample space to spread out will enjoy The Lakes by Yoo, a kid- and dog-friendly 850-acre estate in the Cotswolds. With lakeside cabins, apartments, and homes featuring multiple bedrooms, living rooms, and full kitchens, it’s a brilliant setup for multigenerational families. The adventure camp activities like archery, bushcraft, climbing, and zip wire, plus football (what we call soccer in the U.S.) and cookouts, are better suited for the 5-year-old and older crowd. Tots won’t even know they’re missing out thanks to the awesome playground and farm animals. There’s also an all-day restaurant (if you’d rather not cook) and a relaxing spa with a sauna, steam room, plunge pool, and menu of rituals powered by Dr. Barbara Sturm and Wildsmith Skin.
Things to do in the Cotswolds with kids
Blenheim Palace
The biggest drawcard for kids visiting Blenheim Palace is the incredible adventure playground. Beyond the cargo nets, slides, secret chambers, and zip wires, the cinematic estate also offers a maze and stroller-friendly paths through the garden (both our kids took solid snoozes). Older children might enjoy learning about the history of “Britain’s greatest palace” or, at least, checking out the filming locations (it was the backdrop for many scenes in Disney’s live-action Cinderella). Moms might also be keen to see the spots where they filmed the Netflix hit Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
You could easily spend a full day wandering around Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and looking at all the animals—from meerkats and crowned sifakas to tortoises and wolverines. It also boasts a fantasy-level wooden playground. Highlights include the castle-themed clubhouse with a fast metal slide and the zip line in the tot section.
Cotswold Farm Park
What kids aren’t fans of cute creatures? Children can interact with more than 50 rare and native breeds of British farm animals—including Golden Guernsey goats, Hebridean sheep, Tamworth piglets, and Highland cows—at Cotswold Farm Park. There are play areas and plenty of feed to give furry friends a snack, plus on-site dining options for two-legged visitors (because every parent knows the importance of on-site food when hunger strikes). Of course, it’s not just fun but also an informative experience with instructions on how to care for animals and educational information about farming.
Westonbirt Arboretum
Parents will be impressed to learn that Westonbirt Arboretum is home to 2,500 different species of trees and plants from around the globe. While that factoid might not resonate with littles, the underage crowd doesn’t need to read the brochure to find delight in collecting flowers, roaming the leaf-laden paths, playing in the wooden play area, and seeing the Gruffalo in real life.
Little Wild Things
Little Wild Things puts on nature-centric, imaginative play classes that get kids outside in an unstructured yet supervised environment. Think: racing snails, digging for treasure, and feeding pretend dragons. Pro tip: Reserve a spot in advance, as spaces are limited and book up quickly.
Bibury Trout Farm & Gardens
After snapping a few family photos in front of the bridges and honey-hued buildings in the picturesque village of Bibury, treat the crew to a few fun-filled hours at Bibury Trout Farm & Gardens. On the docket? Feed the fish and ducks, admire the swans from a respectful distance, and play on the playground featuring wooden structures, a larger-than-life tractor, a zip line, and big puzzles. Hungry? Catch trout and have the kitchen prepare fish ‘n’ chips to eat at the restaurant or on one of the picnic tables.
Family-friendly restaurants in the Cotswolds
The Old Shed
The Old Shed is one of the best breakfast spots for crews in all of the Cotswolds, with hearty, affordable food and a down-to-earth atmosphere. Pancakes with berries, bacon, and eggs are a hit with kids. The same goes for homemade baked goods. Coloring pages and pencils wait on the shelf. The option to sit outside, which tends to be easier with littles, is much appreciated. There’s also a wooden tractor to play on while waiting for food.
The Restaurant at THE PIG-in the Cotswolds
If ever there was a place that could get kids to eat—and enjoy—vegetables, it would be The Restaurant at THE PIG-in the Cotswolds. Much of the produce is grown right on-site, and the rest of the ingredients come from local partners. I’m not suggesting ordering a side of roasted beets for a toddler, but it’s a great shareable complement to pasta bolognese or chicken with chips. Sprouts can also wander around the garden before the meal (or, as ours did, in between courses).
Bakery on the Water
Because sometimes all you need is a great sandwich and a croissant to make the kiddos happy. The family-run Bakery on the Water does baked goods, both sweet and savory, oh-so-well. It’s also in the lovely little town of Burton on the Water, which means ample ice cream shops and idyllic canals for family photos.
The Potting Shed
To be clear, The Potting Shed isn’t a kid-centric restaurant with trinkets and bland butter noodles. It’s a place both parents and children will enjoy thanks to the flavorful farm-to-table dishes with tasty tot-approved burgers for little palates. A changing table in the female restroom (which any caregiver will tell you isn’t a given) and high chairs, plus a grass lawn outside to roam and picnic tables (if you’d rather dine al fresco), make it a great spot for the whole family.
Otis & Belle
Perched on a pretty pedestrian street in the charming village of Stow-on-the-Wold, Otis & Belle is an artisan Cotswolds bakery that does everything well. The grab-and-go setup makes it a great place to pick up something sweet or savory when hunger hits. Though, admittedly, the sourdough baguettes, hot cross buns, cruffins, and croissants in the window look so delicious, it’s hard to walk by and not grab something.
FAQs about family travel to the Cotswolds
Can the Cotswolds be a day trip from London?
While it’s technically possible to travel to the Cotswolds as a day trip from London, it’s rarely the most enjoyable option for families. The journey alone can take four hours or more round-trip, which means managing long stretches of travel, keeping kids entertained, and coordinating car seats. Once there, having a car is almost essential for getting around, raising the question of whether to rent one for the day or drive from London. Either way, the logistics add up—and with so much time spent in transit, you’re left with only a short window to explore.
How many days do you need to see the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds make a wonderful weekend escape from London—especially if you leave on Friday morning, arrive in time for lunch, and enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Staying through Monday and returning to the city later in the day gives families an extra full day to explore, move at a relaxed pace, and factor in driving time without feeling rushed.
Best way to travel from London to the Cotswolds?
Families can catch the direct train from London Paddington and reach Moreton-in-Marsh in 1.5 to 2 hours. From there, it’s about a 25-minute taxi or bus to the scenic towns of Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bibury. While trains often beat cars for traveling with kids, in this case, renting a car is preferable. The drive from central London takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic, but offers far more flexibility, allowing you to break up the journey with a stop at a farm park, manor house garden, or for lunch. It also means you won’t be bound by bus schedules or have to juggle a car seat for taxi rides.
What town is best as a base for the Cotswolds?
Broadway and Bourton‑on‑the‑Water are central, full of countryside charm, and offer plenty of family-friendly attractions such as arboretums and animal parks, making both excellent bases for exploring the Cotswolds. Storybook Bibury is another wonderful choice. Upper and Lower Slaughter look like postcards, with stone cottages and pastoral walks through sheep-filled fields—perfect for days full of fresh air.
Lindsay Cohn, Contributing Writer
Lindsay Cohn is a freelance writer, avid traveler, and mom of two mini jetsetters. Her work has appeared on The Everymom, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, National Geographic, InsideHook, Hotels Above Par, Observer, and more. When she’s not writing or traveling—usually with her kids in tow—you can find her doing yoga, playground-hopping with her sons, and planning trips to the many destinations on her ever-growing must-visit list.
