9 Things to Do in Bourton-on-the-Water
Most people planning a trip to the Cotswolds will be aware that Bourton-on-the-Water is one of its prettiest villages. With a gently flowing river, lawns shaded by weeping trees and streets lined with teahouses and elegant stone cottages, it’s the perfect place to soak up the Cotswold charm. Fortunately for us at Lords of the Manor, we are just a 10-minute drive from this beautiful village. To help you prepare for your holiday, we’ve selected nine of our favourite things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water.
1.) Visit Eclectic and Interesting Museums
Bourton-on-the-Water is a small Cotswold village, but you can go even smaller at The Model Village. You’ll feel like Gulliver as you walk between a miniature recreation of the village centre and surroundings from the 1930s. Car enthusiasts will love perusing collections of vintage cars and automobile memorabilia at the Cotswold Motoring Museum. While we are on the theme of transport, the Bourton Model Railway is sure to astound railroad fans.
2.) Discover Kid-Friendly Entertainment
This quaint village in the heart of the Cotswolds is a wonderful destination for days out with the family. Drop into Birdland Park and Gardens to meet exotic birds — playful penguins and graceful flamingos included — and tour a dinosaur trail. In the next-door garden, The Dragonfly Maze is a fascinating hedge maze where clues lead you around half a mile of pathways with many twists and turns. Will you find the golden dragonfly in the centre of the maze?
3.) Embark on a Treasure Trail
Treasure trails are a great activity to enjoy with friends and family. Discover more about the picturesque village while solving clues hidden on the buildings, monuments and thatched cottages. Purchase the downloadable Murder Mystery Treasure Trail and/or Spy Mission Treasure Trail maps and set off on a self-guided exploration.
4.) Get Spooked on a Ghost Tour
As romantic and pretty as it appears, Bourton also has gruesome, often undiscovered, side. Join the Bloody Bourton Walking Tour for an eery after-dark stroll around the village centre to listen to stories of crime, highwaymen, mythology and witchcraft. Maybe you’ll see the ghost of a man in a raincoat and flat cap that haunts High Bridge.
5.) Stroll Through a Nature Reserve
As we are in the Cotswolds it’s only right that you experience the natural beauty by walking amid stunning countryside. Just outside the village centre, Greystones Farm Nature Reserve is a 66-hectare wonderland where wildflowers grow and birds and butterflies thrive. The marked Wildlife Walk and Time-Travel Trail present intimate encounters with the reserve’s natural riches. Don’t miss the Brassey Nature Reserve, which is one of the only freshwater marshes in Gloucestershire.
6.) Picnic on the Riverside
On a sunny day there are few better places to enjoy a picnic than on the banks of the River Windrush. Lay down a blanket, stretch out your legs and watch as ducks float slowly beneath the old stone bridges. If you don’t have time to pack a hamper then grab a portion of fish and chips or pick up cakes, cream teas and pasties at the village bakeries and tea houses.
7.) Watch Football in the River
Every August Bank Holiday the calm and ankle-deep waters of the River Windrush become the setting for the unique and flamboyant Football in the River. Teams from the local football club compete in a 30-minute game in the hope of taking home the bragging rights. The best viewing spot is along the riverbanks, but be prepared to get splashed as the players charge by.
8.) Indulge Your Senses at a Perfumery
Among the boutiques and souvenir shops of the High Street is the one-of-a-kind Cotswold Perfumery. A specialist in producing bespoke fragrances, it also offers the chance for perfume lovers to make their own scents. From 1-day beginner workshops to 3-day advanced courses, you can get your creative juices flowing at events adapted to your personal experience. Of course, you can take your creation home to enjoy.
9.) Sip on Craft Ales and Gins
With so many things to see and do in Bourton-on-the-Water you are bound to get thirsty. Sure, you can have delicious coffees and teas at the village cafés but we wouldn’t be surprised if you want something stronger. Head over to the Cotswold Brew Co to tour the brewery and enjoy generous beer samples. Prefer botanics to hops? Pass by the Cotswolds Distillery Shop to taste the award-winning gins of the Cotswolds Distillery.
Looking for the ideal place to stay when visiting Bourton-on-the-Water and the Cotswolds? Book a room at our 17th-century hotel and let us help you arrange a delightful getaway.