Kate’s guidebook
Sightseeing
An impressive March castle built in the late 12th Century and brimming with history. It’s set in some lovely gardens with a yurt cafe and it is also home to a butterfly house during the summer months. Check opening times before visiting. It’s closed through the winter and then open Sunday to Wednesday.
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Berkeley kastali
An impressive March castle built in the late 12th Century and brimming with history. It’s set in some lovely gardens with a yurt cafe and it is also home to a butterfly house during the summer months. Check opening times before visiting. It’s closed through the winter and then open Sunday to Wednesday.
A fun-filled farm park with attractions for both younger and older children; with numerous play areas, an animal experience centre, play barns, boating lake and much more. Check opening times/days before visiting.
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Cattle Country Farm Park
A fun-filled farm park with attractions for both younger and older children; with numerous play areas, an animal experience centre, play barns, boating lake and much more. Check opening times/days before visiting.
For a tree themed adventure the arboretum offers a tranquil escape. Boasting 2,500 different species from the far corners of the globe, traverse the Tree Top Walkway, wander a seasonal trail or look for the Gruffalo in the deep dark woods.
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Westonbirt, Þjóðartrégarðurinn
For a tree themed adventure the arboretum offers a tranquil escape. Boasting 2,500 different species from the far corners of the globe, traverse the Tree Top Walkway, wander a seasonal trail or look for the Gruffalo in the deep dark woods.
A grade I listed Victorian Gothic house, which is an unfinished masterpiece. Located in a hidden Cotswold Valley, with beautiful walks through the woodland and around lakes, including a play trail. Check for opening times/days for the mansion and cafe.
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Woodchester Mansion Trust
B4066A grade I listed Victorian Gothic house, which is an unfinished masterpiece. Located in a hidden Cotswold Valley, with beautiful walks through the woodland and around lakes, including a play trail. Check for opening times/days for the mansion and cafe.
Why not visit this beautiful wetland conservation centre, whether you are a keen bird watcher or a little explorer you’ll find something for you. With bird hides, an adventure playground, an outdoor ‘Welly Boot Land’ water play area, canoe safari and lots of ducks, geese and flamingos!
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WWT Slimbridge
BowditchWhy not visit this beautiful wetland conservation centre, whether you are a keen bird watcher or a little explorer you’ll find something for you. With bird hides, an adventure playground, an outdoor ‘Welly Boot Land’ water play area, canoe safari and lots of ducks, geese and flamingos!
An ancient deer park with 17th Century baroque country house, which is surrounded by over 270 acres of formal gardens and parkland.
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Dyrham Park
An ancient deer park with 17th Century baroque country house, which is surrounded by over 270 acres of formal gardens and parkland.
A Tudor hunting lodge with beautiful gardens set over three levels, roamed by friendly peacocks. You can take in the lovely views from across the estate, which covers 700 acres some of which can be explored on way-marked trails.
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Þjóðtrú - Newark Park
A Tudor hunting lodge with beautiful gardens set over three levels, roamed by friendly peacocks. You can take in the lovely views from across the estate, which covers 700 acres some of which can be explored on way-marked trails.
Highgrove is the private residence of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and through the spring and summer months guests are welcomed to visit the gardens. You need to pre-book your tour, why not really indulge with the Champagne Tea Tour! All profits are donated to the Prince of Wales’s charitable fund. The gardens are organically managed and are a haven for wildlife.
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Highgrove Gardens
Highgrove is the private residence of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and through the spring and summer months guests are welcomed to visit the gardens. You need to pre-book your tour, why not really indulge with the Champagne Tea Tour! All profits are donated to the Prince of Wales’s charitable fund. The gardens are organically managed and are a haven for wildlife.
Why not visit the UK’s only complete surviving rococo garden? In a hidden valley, this is a little local gem. Discover magical follies, lose yourself in the maze and wander through the woodland walk. Famous for the carpets of snow drops in early spring, it’s a lovely place to spend a few hours.
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Painswick Rococo Garden
Gloucester RoadWhy not visit the UK’s only complete surviving rococo garden? In a hidden valley, this is a little local gem. Discover magical follies, lose yourself in the maze and wander through the woodland walk. Famous for the carpets of snow drops in early spring, it’s a lovely place to spend a few hours.
Neighborhoods
Heading north, Cheltenham is just a 40 minute drive away; a regency spa town which has been a health and holiday spa resort since the discovery of the mineral springs there in 1716. Today you can still admire the architecture, said to be “the most complete regency town in England”. Take a stroll around Pittville Park, overlooked by the magnificent grade I listed pump room, or along the Promenade flanked by the colourful Long Gardens. Cheltenham is famous for the annual festivals it hosts including ones on literary, science, jazz and music. If horse racing is your thing, then each March the steeplechase Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup take place.
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Cheltenham
Heading north, Cheltenham is just a 40 minute drive away; a regency spa town which has been a health and holiday spa resort since the discovery of the mineral springs there in 1716. Today you can still admire the architecture, said to be “the most complete regency town in England”. Take a stroll around Pittville Park, overlooked by the magnificent grade I listed pump room, or along the Promenade flanked by the colourful Long Gardens. Cheltenham is famous for the annual festivals it hosts including ones on literary, science, jazz and music. If horse racing is your thing, then each March the steeplechase Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup take place.
Gloucester is home to a remarkably complete example of Victorian docks, with warehouses standing tall over Britain’s most inland port. There is a working dry dock, a Mariners Chapel, Gloucester Waterways Museum and The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. The docks are also adjacent to the Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet where you can do a spot of retail therapy. If you are looking for food or refreshments, you’ll find a range of waterfront bars, restaurants and coffee shops here also.
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The Docks
Gloucester is home to a remarkably complete example of Victorian docks, with warehouses standing tall over Britain’s most inland port. There is a working dry dock, a Mariners Chapel, Gloucester Waterways Museum and The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. The docks are also adjacent to the Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet where you can do a spot of retail therapy. If you are looking for food or refreshments, you’ll find a range of waterfront bars, restaurants and coffee shops here also.
A historic Roman town and the largest in the Cotswold District, Cirencester is packed full of beautiful golden Cotswold stone architecture, lovely places to eat and wonderful boutique shops. Highlights include the Corinium Museum, which contains a superb collection of Roman mosaics and the Roman Amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in Britain. Taking a wander through the lovely restored courtyards, alleyways and old streets there are lots of independent shops to explore. There are regular craft and antique fayres in the Corn Hall and the Charter Market takes place twice a week and the farmers’ market twice a month, so it is a super spot for a little bit of retail therapy in a beautiful setting.
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Cirencester
A historic Roman town and the largest in the Cotswold District, Cirencester is packed full of beautiful golden Cotswold stone architecture, lovely places to eat and wonderful boutique shops. Highlights include the Corinium Museum, which contains a superb collection of Roman mosaics and the Roman Amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in Britain. Taking a wander through the lovely restored courtyards, alleyways and old streets there are lots of independent shops to explore. There are regular craft and antique fayres in the Corn Hall and the Charter Market takes place twice a week and the farmers’ market twice a month, so it is a super spot for a little bit of retail therapy in a beautiful setting.
Just 50 minutes drive away and you’re in the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as “the Venice of the Cotswolds”. It is a charming English village in the heart of the Cotswolds and regularly voted one of the prettiest in the country. It is a tranquil spot with the River Windrush flowing through, and quaint bridges to wander across. There is plenty to do here to fill a day sightseeing; you can book a tour and tasting session at the Cotswold Brewing Company, visit the The Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection, try not to get lost in the Dragonfly Maze or explore Birdland. Little ones will also love the Model Village. There are also plenty of shops to browse and tea rooms from which you can sit and watch the world go by.
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Bourton on the Water
Just 50 minutes drive away and you’re in the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as “the Venice of the Cotswolds”. It is a charming English village in the heart of the Cotswolds and regularly voted one of the prettiest in the country. It is a tranquil spot with the River Windrush flowing through, and quaint bridges to wander across. There is plenty to do here to fill a day sightseeing; you can book a tour and tasting session at the Cotswold Brewing Company, visit the The Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection, try not to get lost in the Dragonfly Maze or explore Birdland. Little ones will also love the Model Village. There are also plenty of shops to browse and tea rooms from which you can sit and watch the world go by.
Just over half an hour’s drive away and you reach Castle Combe, a quintessentially English village often named as the ‘prettiest village in England’ with houses of honey coloured Cotswold stone. There you will find a Market Cross and St Andrew’s church dating from the 13th century. It has often been featured as a film location. There are a couple of lovely pubs and the Manor House does a wonderful afternoon tea. Stroll down to the bridge and take in the stunning views of the village. You’ll often find the locals selling homemade cakes and gifts from their homes. Well worth a stop off and a wander to take in the Cotswold charm. But it is worth noting that the car park is at the top of quite a steep hill, which you need to descend into the village.
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Castle Combe
Just over half an hour’s drive away and you reach Castle Combe, a quintessentially English village often named as the ‘prettiest village in England’ with houses of honey coloured Cotswold stone. There you will find a Market Cross and St Andrew’s church dating from the 13th century. It has often been featured as a film location. There are a couple of lovely pubs and the Manor House does a wonderful afternoon tea. Stroll down to the bridge and take in the stunning views of the village. You’ll often find the locals selling homemade cakes and gifts from their homes. Well worth a stop off and a wander to take in the Cotswold charm. But it is worth noting that the car park is at the top of quite a steep hill, which you need to descend into the village.
Food scene
Della Casa
18 B Parsonage StThe Everest Nepalese & Indian Restaurant
18-20 Long StreetBank Café
80 Parsonage StThe Dilraj
37 Long StThe Old Spot
2 Hill RdLeaf and Ground
Dursley RoadOld Fox at Coaley
The StreetEgypt Mill Hotel & Restaurant
Stroud RoadThe Tipputs Inn
Vestry Cafe at Prema Arts Centre
South StreetWotton Farm Shop
Bradley RoadThe Stables Cafe
Visit for dinner at the Brasserie, or pop to the Hive which is a cafe by day and cocktail bar by night.
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Calcot Spa
Visit for dinner at the Brasserie, or pop to the Hive which is a cafe by day and cocktail bar by night.
City/town information
Just a 40 minute drive and you can be in the buzzing city of Bristol. There you can take a boat trip around the harbourside and admire the characteristic colourful houses, take a stroll out across the Avon Gorge on the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, visit Brunel’s iconic SS Great Britain or check out some of Banksy’s anti-establishment street art dotted around the city. Every year in August Bristol also hosts the International Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons. If shopping is your scene, then you are spoilt for choice! There are numerous markets held around the city, Gloucester Road is home to one of the longest stretches of independent shops in the country and Clifton Village has many upmarket boutiques. Family friendly activities include a visit to Bristol Zoo, Bristol Aquarium or We the Curious (full of interactive exhibits and experiments).
Bristol
Just a 40 minute drive and you can be in the buzzing city of Bristol. There you can take a boat trip around the harbourside and admire the characteristic colourful houses, take a stroll out across the Avon Gorge on the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, visit Brunel’s iconic SS Great Britain or check out some of Banksy’s anti-establishment street art dotted around the city. Every year in August Bristol also hosts the International Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons. If shopping is your scene, then you are spoilt for choice! There are numerous markets held around the city, Gloucester Road is home to one of the longest stretches of independent shops in the country and Clifton Village has many upmarket boutiques. Family friendly activities include a visit to Bristol Zoo, Bristol Aquarium or We the Curious (full of interactive exhibits and experiments).
Just an hours drive away is this beautiful city full of Georgian honey-coloured stone architecture, Bath is the only city in the UK designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its ancient Roman baths and the modern Thermae Bath Spa houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in. After a wander around the sights, including the Abbey, Pultney Bridge and up to the Crescent then why not treat yourself to the original Bath Bun at Sally Lunn’s world famous tea house and one of the oldest houses in Bath. For shoppers Bath offers it all, from exploring the mazes of alleyways lined with shops, browsing around Jolly’s (the UK’s oldest department store) to SouthGate, a shopping complex full of major high street names. If you’re having a winter break then the Bath Christmas market is also well worth a visit.
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Rómversk Bað
Abbey ChurchyardJust an hours drive away is this beautiful city full of Georgian honey-coloured stone architecture, Bath is the only city in the UK designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its ancient Roman baths and the modern Thermae Bath Spa houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in. After a wander around the sights, including the Abbey, Pultney Bridge and up to the Crescent then why not treat yourself to the original Bath Bun at Sally Lunn’s world famous tea house and one of the oldest houses in Bath. For shoppers Bath offers it all, from exploring the mazes of alleyways lined with shops, browsing around Jolly’s (the UK’s oldest department store) to SouthGate, a shopping complex full of major high street names. If you’re having a winter break then the Bath Christmas market is also well worth a visit.