Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in the Cotswolds
We’re really lucky here in the Cotswolds to have so many wonderful visitor attractions on our doorstep. If you’re coming here for a holiday or short break, it can be hard to know where to start!
To help you plan your holiday in the Cotswolds, we’ve put together a guide to our top 10 must-visit attractions. We’ve chosen a variety of different places, from medieval buildings to a wildlife park. Whatever you and your family love to do, you’re bound to find somewhere you love on our list.
Broadway Tower
Broadway Tower is an extraordinary place to visit. The 18th-century folly sits at the top of a hill above the pretty village of Broadway, and on a clear day, you can see an astonishing 16 counties from its roof platform.
Visitors can explore the Tower and its museum, or climb downwards to discover the hidden world of the Cold War nuclear bunker. The Tower is set in 200 acres of beautiful grounds including a deer park. You can make the most of the wonderful Cotswold Way walking trail to hike up to Broadway Tower, or you can simply park in the attraction’s car park. Other facilities include a shop and a cafe.
Find out more: https://broadwaytower.co.uk/
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle has stood near Winchcombe in the beautiful Cotswold countryside for over 1000 years. Its varied architecture tells the story of its long history, as do the ten separate gardens in the 15-acre estate.
Sudeley is probably best-known for being the home then burial place of Queen Katherine Parr, Henry VIII sixth and arguably luckiest wife. Take a guided tour to discover more about Katherine’s life and times, or simply explore the rooms and exhibitions yourself. Families will love the adventure playground and new Animal Ark digital safari experience.
Discover more at https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/
Cotswolds Wildlife Park
The Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens near Burford is a must-visit family attraction. The beautiful 130-acre parkland is home to over 260 species of animals, which are divided into four sections: mammals, small mammals & primates, birds, reptiles & amphibians. There’s also a small farmyard where the small and cuddly residents live.
As well as meeting the animals, there’s a lot to do at the Park. Older children can experience “Skymaze”, a series of interconnecting treehouses, bridges and slides, 20 feet high in the air. Younger explorers will love the “Mini Manor ”, complete with its miniature zip wire.The whole family can enjoy a narrow-gauge train, which is a great way to admire the beautifully planted gardens.
Find out more about the Park and its inhabitants at https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/
Hidcote
There are so many gorgeous gardens in the Cotswolds that they could have made up our entire top ten! In the end, we chose Hidcote, an unusual collection of Arts and Crafts-style gardens in a manor house estate.
The gardens comprise a series of interconnected outdoor “rooms”, planted with a huge selection of species, including some rare varieties. The cafe is also worth a visit (this is a National Trust property, after all), and the local village, Chipping Campden is truly lovely.
For opening times and further details, see Hidcote Manor Gardens
Roman Baths
The Roman Baths in Bath has to be one of the most famous visitor attractions in the Cotswolds. These remarkably well-preserved baths date back to early Romano Britain, when people came to Aquae Sulis to worship the Goddess Minerva and bathe in the healing waters. This natural thermal spa became the foundation of the modern city of Bath.
Today you can tour the baths and the Temple of Sulis Minerva, and there’s also a fascinating museum next to the bath complex. While you’re in Bath, you can “take the waters” yourself, by drinking from the fountain in the elegant Georgian Pump Room restaurant.
Plan your visit at https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/
Cheltenham Racecourse
If you time your Cotswolds holiday well, you might be able to go to the races at Cheltenham. The famous racecourse holds several meetings throughout the year, including the legendary Gold Cup.
Cheltenham Racecourse also hosts events and exhibitions, and there’s always a full programme around Christmas. Just fancy a look round the iconic grandstands and course? You can book onto a non-race day guided tour with exclusive behind-the-scenes access (minimum of ten guests).
Find out about race meetings and other events at https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/
Tewkesbury Abbey
The Cotswolds has more than its share of pretty parish churches, along with spectacular places of worship like Gloucester Cathedral and Bath Abbey. If we had to choose one church to visit, Tewkesbury Abbey with its fine Norman architecture and beautiful vaulted ceiling is a definite favourite.
The Abbey is open for worship, guided tours or simply for a look around. Keep an eye on the Abbey’s website to find out more about its musical programme, and there are special events such as fairs held here throughout the year. Before you leave Tewkesbury, spend some time in the lovely medieval market town, too.
For more information, take a look at https://www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk/
Corinium Museum
There are excellent museums across the Cotswolds and frankly, we’d recommend any of them! However, if you’re interested in local history and archaeology, try the Corinium Museum in Cirencester. It tells the story of the area in Romano-British times through displays of extraordinary archaeological finds.
Exhibition highlights include Rusty, an Iron Age dog skeleton (probably a terrier) and a collection of rare Roman cavalry swords, which were discovered locally at a metal detectorists’ rally. See the museum’s website for forthcoming talks, tours and special events.
Visit https://coriniummuseum.org/ for more information.
Westonbirt Arboretum
If you love a bit of forest bathing, head for Westonbirt National Arboretum near Tetbury, which is home to 2,500 species of trees from all over the world. This important site also cares for five national tree collections.
For visitors, one of the best things at Westonbirt is the spectacular Stihl Tree Top Walkway, a pathway 13 metres above the forest floor. It’s a unique and memorable way to explore the trees, and the 300-metre trail is fully accessible for mobility scooters and wheelchairs. Kids will love the (optional) interactive points along the way, like the rope bridge and crow’s nest.
Read more on Forestry England’s website, https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum
Blenheim Palace
Described as “”Britain’s Greatest Palace”, this grand house and gardens are on most people’s Cotswolds must-see list. Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is the Baroque home of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
Visitors can explore the great State rooms of the palace, as well as the family’s more domestic spaces (including the room where Churchill was born). Outside, there are stunning formal gardens and sweeping parkland, with a fabulous playground for younger visitors.
For more details, visit https://www.blenheimpalace.com/
Lords of the Manor: the perfect base to explore the Cotswolds
Lords of the Manor makes a splendid base for exploring the Cotswolds, and you can easily reach all ten attractions from our hotel in Upper Slaughter. Take a look at our luxurious accommodation, and drop us a line to book your Cotswolds break.