Cotswolds and kids

[ChoccyJules]

Booked a cottage in Stow on the Wold for halfterm. We went to Broadway as a wider family a few years ago and I remember posh gift shops and a design/furniture museum. DD went to the wildlife park with other family members.
Anyway, I like old-fashioned stuff, eg am definitely going to the model village in Bourton on the Water. We are not big fans of crowds. The kids (6 &9) like to let off steam and tend to whizz through anything museumy unless there is a trail or similar to follow.
We are National Trust members.
What do you think are our must-do's?
Also, we are within walking distance of Stow so if you are local -where are the nice eateries, pubs etc? Even public playgrounds?
Am still pinching myself we got a cottage 4 weeks before halfterm!

Ended up at the Oasis as kids insisted on 'indoors' and we've wasted money before on heated outdoor pools...some kids just shiver and sob in that much coldness! We were pleasantly surprised by the state of the place given some of the reviews we'd read beforehand.
Today we did the crocs. Loved it!
You know what, we have only found one nice pub to eat in, all week. I think a lot of them seem to rely on being in a tourist place and don't care about service or food quality. Really disappointing. Cafe-wise we have usually been in an attraction, so all very samey and to be expected. Croc place friendly cafe staff and good food though.
Gosh, am really all about the grub!
Can hear the thunder now...

F

The steam museum in Swindon is good. Lots of chain restaurants in the designer outlets next door as well. There’s also a really fun newish playground in the outlets with a whole wall of climby tunnels (can’t think how to describe it but 6-9 is probably the optimal age, my 4 yo wasn’t tall enough to do a lot of it).

God I love that crocodile place. Did you hold one? I will never forget DD2's shock when she was handed a real crocodile... she thought we were queuing to have our photos taken with a rubber one. She was quite little at the time.

DD1 held one yes, she was nervous which shows in the photo but she was pleased she did it. She got the keyring/magnet package. DD2 was too scared but we got some pix with her near the tanks.

Climey tunnels sound right up their street!

The butchers in Stow on the wild is fabulous! That’s the name of a restaurant btw although the town butchers is great!

here’s some pictures choccy it’s probably not exciting enough to justify its own visit but great if you’re near Swindon anyway.

We had some meat pies and potatoes from that butchers the other night, so glad I paid that bit extra as it was scrummy
Will look up the restaurant!

We often visit family in the South West so can do a stop-off at the tunnels one day

The Kingham Plough and the Wild Rabbit are about 15 mins away in Kingham, family friendly as long as well behaved and great food

We always have a hefty stab at well-behaved but both kids have invisible disabilities so...

Thanks to all the Cotswolds Clan for your advice this week! We are back home now and looking at the mountain of washing...