Going to Cotswolds on Monday recommendations please...

[MonkeyChicken]

I'm going to stay in a cottage near Circencester for 4 nights from Monday with my DH, DD (2.5), DS (8 months), MIL and FIL (in their 70s DIL is awaiting a second hip op). I'd like to go to Cotswold Zoo and a friend said I should chcek out the beach (?) at the COtswold waterpark but any other suggestions? Obvioulsy FIL is not brilliantly mobile...

Many thanks.

Cotswold Farm Park is good for children if the weather is nice, great adventure playground, lots to see, lambs to feed, chicks to hold, and that kind of thing. Take a picnic if the weather is nice.

Cotswold Wildlife park also good.

Both options would involve a fair bit of walking though.

Bourton on the Water is a pretty village with a river running through it, quite a few "tourist" attractions such as the Bird Park and the Model Village which are admittedly a bit cheesy but kids seem to like them. Gets very crowded in good weather but if you are here midweek it should be fine. There are some nice cafes and it is all on the flat which would be good for your FIL. There is a big car park by the Bird Park, just follow the signs.

I've never been to the "beach" but have heard good things about it.

A bit sad but we like to go to Dobbie's garden centre and look at the fish in the aquarium section! Possibly not your idea of an exciting day out though...

Sherborne village just off the A40 has a lovely little shop and cafe, and there are beautiful National Trust parklands you can walk in too (again possibly a bit challenging for your FIL....)

Hope the weather is kind to you.

On reflection the Farm Park would probably involve less walking and there is also a tractor "tour" which takes you round on a huge trailer to see all the animals.

Cotswold Wildlife Park does have a little train as well. My kids love to go on the train and wave madly at all the people.

Cirencester itself is lovely. Good shops, interesting church (if ecclesiastical architecture is your thing). Also a roman museum which I went to about 30 yrs ago but is aparently quite good.

Also cheltenham is good for shops.

thanks for your suggestions. DS is rather poorly and has vomitted over both DH and me this eve, at this rate we'll lucky to get there!

You wouldn't be hugely far from Westonbirt Arboretum - you can hire scooter sit down things (there must be a proper name) for the less mobile.

Be some lovely magnolias I should think.

Also have scooter sit down things at WWT Slimbridge I thing? check website. They have a Wellyland which is brilliant for littlies - best take a change of clothes. I don't usually get any further than that with dd which is a shame!

i know you are there already but will reply for anyone else reading this in the future! cattle country is lovely as mentioned already, a full day really. Nailsworth and tetbury are nice too, lots of independant shops. Coming from tetbury towards nailsworth you pass through avening, there is a fab pub here, the weighbridge, the 2 in 1 pies are a must try.

stroud farmers market on sat morning is lovely,very alternative, only go to stroud then tho, the rest of the week is bland. (woodrufs is a nice veggi cafe with toddler play area upstairs and yummy foos) Thistledown near nailsworth is a nice place for a walk with pigs/sheep etc and cheap with views of the windmill.
On rodbrough common the ice cream factory is scrummy, its called winstones and open til 6 on dry days.

hope you've had fun!