20 Must-Visit Attractions in The Cotswolds

Standing tall in the most glorious of settings, Broadway Tower looks out across the breath-taking Cotswold scenery. Visitors can explore this unique, Capability Brown Folly Tower before hiking along the Cotswold Way, meeting the herd of red deer or just sitting back with a cup of tea, taking in the view.

Created and cultivated over the last 35 years by TRH The Prince of Wales, The Royal Gardens at Highgrove are a stunning example of sustainability, harmony with nature and a true love of all things horticulture. The gardens are open annually from April to October, and visitors can enjoy fascinating guided tours around the estate.

With a dedication to producing the very best artisan whisky and gin with a local twist, the Cotswolds Distillery is one of the smallest but arguably the prettiest distilleries in England. Find out all about the process on one of the distillery tours, before putting your feet up in front of a warming log fire for a tasting session in a relaxing environment.

Featuring over 150 lakes spread over 40 square miles, the Cotswold Water Park has plenty to keep you busy. There are lots of beautiful trails to explore via foot or on two wheels, as well as great fishing spots and a huge choice of watersports to try your hand at. There’s even a beach (yep, in the Cotswolds!) where you can swim and really feel like you’re on holiday.

Home to over 260 different species of animal, the Cotswold Wildlife Park is the biggest privately owned zoological collection in the country. Watch rhinos as they graze on the lawn of the manor house, get eye-to-eye with giraffes on the Giraffe Walkway and see the penguins at feeding time. The zoo is dog-friendly, so even your four-legged friends can come along for the day!

You’ll be blown away by the magnificence of Gloucester Cathedral – one of the finest medieval buildings in the country. Walk the extraordinary fan-faulted medieval cloisters (which even acted as Hogwarts’ cloisters in the early Harry Potter films), then climb to the top of the Cathedral’s tower for stunning rooftop views.

There’s not many places in England that offer such a unique opportunity to see a historic herd of fallow deer roaming freely. Dyrham Park, a grand late 17th century Baroque country house surrounded by beautiful ancient parkland, combines history with wildlife for an excellent day out for all the family.

If you’re looking for something to entertain the kids, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Cotswold Farm Park. Here, children can help hand and bottle-feed animals as well as learn all about farming. The working farm is home to a number of rare breeds, including Old Gloucester cattle and Castlemilk Moorit sheep, which you can often see on one of the tractor safari rides.

In the heart of this beautiful city you’ll find the historic Roman Baths. Built in around 70 AD as a grand place for bathing and socialising, it’s now regarded as one of the most-important and best preserved Roman remains in the world. You can walk among the ruins and can even take a sip of the spa water (believed to have healing powers by the Romans) in the Pump Room.

Tucked away in a hidden valley, offering unbeatable views of the Cotswold countryside, Painswick Rococo Garden feels like a secret treasure. Transporting you back to the elegance of the early 1700s, the country’s only Rococo garden celebrates a time when gardens were designed to really dazzle.

It’s no surprise that Blenheim Palace, a picture-perfect Baroque stately home, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend a day taking in the beauty of this Grade I listed building (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill), before taking to the great outdoors to explore over 2,000 acres of Capability Brown parkland and formal gardens.

Hidcote Manor Garden is one of England’s great Arts and Crafts gardens. The various gardens are divided by tall hedges and walls to create a series of outdoor rooms, each with their own character. From the grand formality of the White Garden to the natural charm of the Old Garden, there’s real beauty wherever you look.

Deep in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside you’ll find the unexpected – a dazzling 200-year old Mogal Indian palace. Yep, really! Sezincote House, built in the “Indian Style” is a feast for the eyes, with its weathered-copper onion dome and elaborate curving orangery. The gardens are equally impressive – and exotic! – featuring an impressive water garden and ornamental temples.