Uk break with toddlers - cotswolds or Whitstable?

[ispyachocolatepie]

Hi we're looking at going on a last minute break for a couple of days next week. Lots of availability on air b& b for cotswolds which I've always wanted to visit. The other place we've never been and always wanted to go to is whitstable. Completely different I know. Any ideas where would keep a 4 and 2 year old busiest?!

We live in Herne Bay which is just down the road from Whitstable. It's a very seasonal place, if the weather is nice it's great but if it's wet you're limited on activities.

There is obviously the beach here and in Herne bay there are arcades and soft play if it's wet. Or the swimming pool. If you don't mind getting out in the rain then there are coastal walks around Whitstable, Herne bay and Reculver. My kids love it, picking pebbles to paint, finding shells, throwing rocks, you've got the pier in Herne Bay too. Google Whitstable Castle, they sometimes have activities on for half term.

I'm cotswold based so pretty biased but there's lots of places to go. Cotswold Farm Park is always popular with little ones, and there's lots of nice villages nearby that will be good to pop into for lunch/dinner too.

Obviously the Cotswolds is a pretty big area so depends on where you're looking at?

Storm Dennis the Menace is coming, so perhaps check out the forecast before making your choice?

Thanks for your replies! Yes did think about Dennis - we were looking at going abroad but with that and the virus we've decided to stick with old Blighty this time! I think maybe cotswolds this time as would maybe be best to save sea side towns for when we can make the most of the beach!

Next question then - any suggestions on area of cotswolds / which village? It all looks so pretty but would be nice if there was some parks / playgrounds /restaurants/ things to walk to.

Thanks fox - am looking up cotswold farm park now!

If you want to see 'chocolate box Cotswolds' i would head to somewhere around Stow on the Wold - there are tons of pretty villages and Airbnb's within 10-15 mins of there and there will be plenty of places to go visit.

If the weather isn't completely terrible then there's Batsford Arboretum, or you could take them for a walk around the Slaughters or Bourton on the Water. BOTW has lots of touristy things to do (I remember the model railway museum went down well with little boys and husbands!) and is great for kids to feed the ducks etc

Daylesford is also over that area which is a lovely spot for lunch or to pick up some foodie bits from their farm shop.

Tons of great pubs around that area too!

Thanks Fox - super helpful. Will narrow down my search to those areas. So many beautiful cottages on air B and B!

I would second Bourton on the water as a place to visit. It also puts you in easy driving distance of Burford and the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Oxford, and the free museums (Pitt Rivers, (best for kids) or Ashmolean) would be a good call if the weather is bad. Likewise the museum in Woodstock and or Blenheim Palace.

Bourton on the Water has a model village too which is fun for children to run around.