Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds (2024)

There are plenty of things to do in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, from visiting historic gardens, to exploring houses and ancient sites amongst a patchwork of commons, woods and valleys. Start planning to get the most from your visit.

Places to visit

Top places to visit in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Place

Dyrham Park

Ancient parkland, 17th-century house and garden

Place

Snowshill Manor and Garden

Snowshill is the unconventional home of the eccentric Charles Wade, who delighted in creating a stage for his life and passions.

Place

Buscot and Coleshill Estates

Villages and countryside criss-crossed with trails

Place

Hidcote

Arts and Crafts-inspired garden with intricately designed outdoor spaces in the rolling Cotswold hills.

Place

Newark Park

A secluded estate with glorious views, providing country house hospitality, garden strolls and woodland walks

Place

Woodchester Park

Beautiful secluded wooded valley

Place

Chedworth Roman Villa

Cradled in a beautiful Cotswold valley rest the remains of one of the grandest Roman villas in Britain

Top things to do in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Family-friendly places in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Gardens and parks in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Houses and buildings to visit in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Countryside areas in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Walking in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Dog friendly places in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Places to eat in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Volunteering in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Summer holidays in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Endless summer adventures in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Looking for a day out that'll keep the whole family entertained? Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer.

Outdoor theatre in the South West

Come and experience a theatre performance in the great outdoors this summer, with plenty of shows to choose from across the South West. Bring the whole family, a picnic blanket and some popcorn and settle down to watch the show with nature and perhaps a historic house as your backdrop.Browse our programme of shows and find your nearest performance.

More places to visit in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Place

Chastleton

Discover the myths and memories of an ancient country house, a compelling time capsule of 400 years of family life

Place

Hailes Abbey

13th-century Cistercian abbey

Place

Lodge Park and Sherborne Park Estate

England's only surviving 17th-century grandstand, within a tranquil Cotswold estate full of diverse wildlife

Place

Westbury Court Garden

Dutch water garden - a rare and beautiful survival

Castles and forts in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

An opportunity to explore distinctive landmarks rich in wildlife and archaeology with tremendous panoramas. There's plenty for the whole family to do with walks to the summit and a chance to explore the woodland on the way.

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Crickley Hill

Discover an area rich in bird, plant and tree life on Crickley Hill. Take a walk on the wild side and see what you can spot along the way.

Place

Haresfield Beacon and Standish Wood

Explore a wealth of archaeological features, including long and round barrows, a hill fort and cross dyke. It's the perfect vantage point for there are views across the Severn estuary towards the Forest of Dean and Brecon Beacons. Image Override

Outdoor activities in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

Get active this winter with outdoor activities in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds including running, fishing, cycling and horse riding.

Place

Woodchester Park

Head to woodland near you and take part in activities in the fresh air including running and walking.

Sustainable travel

Looking for greener travel options to the places in our care in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds? Find out how you can travel by train, bus, bike or on foot.

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Sustainable travel in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

There are a number of sustainable options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your visit.

Upcoming events

See all events

Event

Two Day Stone Carving Course

Snowshill Manor and Garden, near Broadway, Gloucestershire

On this two day course you will learn the skills needed to create your own stone sculpture to take home.

Event

Hidcote photography competition

Hidcote, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

Discover the gardens in an entirely new way as you take up the challenge of capturing the best shot of the flora and fauna at Hidcote.

Event

Two Day Wood Carving course

Snowshill Manor and Garden, near Broadway, Gloucestershire

On this practical 2 day hands on course, you will use traditional wood carving and hand tool skills to carve a relief in lime wood.

Event

2024 Festival of Archaeology at Chedworth Roman Villa

Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Do you have the curiosity, patience and persistence to be an archaeologist? Join us for demonstrations, re-enactments and archaeological activities to find out.

Event

Nature’s Tapestry | Botanical Embroidery at Hidcote

Hidcote, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

Botanical and embroidery artist Olga Prinku brings her exclusive Nature’s Tapestry: Botanical Embroidery at Hidcote exhibition to Hidcote. Find out more.

Event

Summer of Play at Newark Park

Newark Park, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire

Join in with the Summer of Play 2024

Event

Newark Park's Hidden Objects

Newark Park, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire

An exhibition exploring a collection of objects which have been discovered at Newark in the last 75 years.

Event

Summer of Play

Snowshill Manor and Garden, near Broadway, Gloucestershire

The Summer of Play lands at Snowshill with something to keep the whole family entertained.

Explore an area nearby

Bath and Bristol
Worcestershire and Herefordshire
Birmingham and West Midlands
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
Somerset

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

Plan a visit