Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

6 brilliant family days out in Gloucestershire

Eager to experience something exciting that suits all ages? Forget dull family days out in Gloucestershire, because this awesome selection of attractions will have adults jumping in anticipation just as much as the kids!

Woodchester Mansion

Woodchester Mansion offers something a little bit different when it comes to visiting a stately home. That’s because construction of this beautiful 19th century Victorian Gothic building was never completed. This provides visitors with the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the construction techniques used by the builders and masons who worked on this Grade 1 listed house. In addition to exploring the mansion there is also another treat on offer. Two rare bat colonies use the mansion for giving birth and visitors can find out more about these intriguing creatures in the mansion’s Bat Exhibition Room.

Cotswold Farm Park

If you’re keen to see some delightful rare breeds of farm animals then the Cotswold Farm Park is the place to go. Adults and kids alike will enjoy meeting the pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses and ponies, plus there are many exciting daily events as well. Enjoy a shearing or milking demonstration, as well as getting to bottle feed, touch and handle some of the farm’s animal residents. A tractor and trailer ride is also a great way to find out about the farm park while sightseeing in a fun and relaxing style.

Dyrham Park

With its remarkable 17th century mansion, beautiful formal garden and striking deer park complete with its own resident herd of fallow deer, Dyrham Park has something to appeal to all members of the family. The mansion contains marvellous tapestries and ceramics, while for exploring the outdoors there are kids' tracker packs that can be collected from reception for free. The picnic and play area also offers excellent entertainment for kids with its straw maze and fun play equipment.

Bourton-on-the-Water

It’s hard not to be charmed by Bourton-on-the-Water. Not only is this picturesque village often referred to as the Little Venice of the Cotswolds and sure to enchant explorers who wander around it but there are also several excellent family attractions to visit here. These include the likes of the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection which is home to Brum, the famous yellow car which is a TV star in its own right thanks to the popular kids’ TV show it featured in. Alternatively check out the enticing Dragonfly Maze with its entertaining clues to be solved or enjoy the feathered fun on offer at Birdland.

The Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean is packed full of family fun thanks to the incredible natural scenery that provides countless hours of exciting exploring. Families can choose to discover the forest on foot or take to two wheels and enjoy a great day of cycling. Alternatively try out treetop adventures with zip wires, test your paddling prowess in kayaks or brush up on bushcraft skills, in addition to many other great activities to choose from.

Wot Pots

Families who are keen to get creative will have loads of fun at Wot Pots, a pottery studio in Westbury-on-Trym Wildlife Park. The studio offers exciting clay workshops and pottery painting sessions, making this a great opportunity for families to get arty together – plus come out with wonderful souvenirs of a brilliant family day out!

Get out and about in great Gloucestershire

These awesome family days out in Gloucestershire showcase the diverse but equally appealing attractions that Gloucestershire has to offer. Whether you’re a family with younger kids, teens or both, these amazing days out that appeal to a variety of ages and interests will ensure that everyone can have a terrific time during a fantastic family outing.

This article was last updated on June 23, 2014
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