Campsites in the Cotswolds

Go camping Cotswolds style and spend days exploring rolling hills and enchanting villages, the Cotswolds are a perfect English archetype. Find your perfect caravan and camping site in this wonderful Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covering 800 square miles, is perfect for exploring on foot, by bike or on cantering horseback. Aside from enjoying the gorgeous landscapes and villages, there are many superb attractions to be found here, from castles and stately homes to wildlife parks and mazes.

Home to the country's first Agricultural College, this rural region is famed for its bowling and has many stunning churches such as the Church of St John in Elkstone, or Hailes Church where you can admire the intricate wall paintings and stained glass windows.

Don’t Miss

• The Cotswold Way National Trail
• Sudeley Castle
• The Cotwolds Water Park
• Kelmscott Manor 

Unique Cotswold stone

If you love architecture, you’ll be enchanted by the delightful stately homes and castles in the Cotswolds. The beautiful Snowshill Manor and Garden in Gloucestershire offers an incredible collection of objects, from samurai armour to instruments and toys.

In addition to the stunning house, you can explore the hillside garden and even ride a penny farthing, which would make the older generation proud! It’s an area for blissful nostalgia, in lovely surroundings.

Kelmscott Manor is a fantastic farmhouse and former home of William Morris. You can see Morris’s works here and explore the gardens in full bloom, with easy access to the Thames Pathway.

If history gets you in the mood, you’ll be glad to hear the Cotswolds are well-populated with castles. Sudeley Castle is spectacular and sure to impress. Then head to Berkeley Castle, built in the 12^th century and now hosting superb theatre theatre productions in its vaulted great hall. The World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace is another magnificent building and was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, so a must-see for history lovers.

Beautiful gardens such as Hidcote, Bourton House, Snowshill Manor and Chasleton House are the best in the region. Visit in the spring to see some amazing colours. 

Tewkesbury Abbey boasts the largest Norman Tower in the world and a trip to look at the Romanesque Sculptures at Malmesbury Abbey will lead you even further through this maze of history. 

If you’re bonkers about the Bard, then William Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon is definitely worth a visit. You can explore all the details of his world including the houses and buildings which were significant in his life here. He left his ‘second best bed’ in his will, so this was a man who cared about furniture! Before you leave, grab a matinee at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

There are some absolutely gorgeous towns and villages to be found in the Cotswolds. Bourton-on-the-Water is regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England, but likes to show its grittier side with walking tours of its bloody and intrigue filled past. The village is home, also, to the Cotswold Brewing Company, so don’t leave without a tour and a tipple. Bibury is your next stop for wandering among the honey coloured Cotswold stone buildings- the perfect Cotswold experience.

Marvel at the natural world

If you’re keen for outdoor activities in the Cotswolds, there are thousands of miles of footpaths and bridleways to be found here, making walking, cycling and horse-riding a no-brainer.

There are a host of  nature reserves in the Cotswolds offering diverse scenery from woodlands to meadows and hills. The highest point in the region is found at Cleeve Common - ideal for a laidback picnic from on high.

The Westonbirt Arboretum is breathtaking with its collection of over 16,000 trees and is sure to be a hit with nature lovers.

Do not miss walking some (or all, if you’re hardy) of the Cotswold Way National Trail. This fantastic trail takes in 100 miles of beautiful scenery, picturesque villages and intriguing ancient sites. The walk up to Broadway Tower at the beginning of the trail is a sweat, but the views from the top are worth the climb. You can look down on an expanse around 62 miles in radius and peek at 16 counties.

The Cotswold Water Park is not an amusement park as the name suggests, but a beautiful region of wetland and lakes covering 40 square miles. Make a day of it for walking, cycling, and bird watching.  Watersports, wakeboarding, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing are all on the menu, if there's more time. Or if you’re feeling less adventurous, go for boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the numerous pretty lakes and rivers in the region.

If you fancy some fine foods, enjoy the wonderful selection of local produce sold in the various Cotswold villages and towns as well as the farmers’ markets held throughout the region.

There’s nothing quite like giving your feet a rest after a busy morning of exploring. That means you’ve earnt a delicious afternoon tea at one of the many tearooms found in the Cotswolds.

Days out with every generation

For animal antics, you can’t beat Longleat. The magnificent Longleat House can be explored via guided tour, while the safari and adventure park will have kids not wanting to go home.

There's the chance to go wild for the Cotswold Wildlife Park, which is full of animals your kids may never have seen such as tapirs, meerkats and wolverines. It also has a children’s farmyard, where animals can be stroked, and an elegant manor house. Stroll the peaceful manor gardens and forget all about city life! Cotswold Farm Park is another good choice for animal lovers. There are a lot of fun and educational things to do here which will teach kids about animal handling and care.

The brilliant Dragonfly Maze, just one of Bourton-on-the-Water’s many attractions should not be missed. The maze is fun to solve for adults and children- you collect clues on the way to solve a puzzle at the end.

Warwick Castle is the only stop you need if you feel like a little spinetingling fear. You’ll be treated to scary explorations of the 14th century castle dungeon and a visit to the Princess Tower for regal fun.

A tour of Gloucester Cathedral will leave both adults and children spellbound by the stunning architecture and the chance to walk in the wizarding world, as the cathedral featured in the first two Harry Potter films.