Cotswolds with little kids

[warmmfeet]

Hello

On a weekend away in the Cotswolds. Staying in a village called Bleddington, close to Chipping Norton, Bourton-on-the-water and stow-on-the-wold.

Can anyone recommend some good play parks around here? Or nice gardens, places with streams to explore etc?

Last time here we visited the Adam Henson farm park which was absolutely amazing but we don't want to spend as much this time. It's quite pricey. Just want some nice outdoor times with the kiddos who are 4 and 2.

Thank you 😊

There is a soft play in Bourton that we used to go to that was fairly nice, called The Clubhouse.
I'm a bit unfamiliar with the surrounding areas, but there is the river running through Bourton and up the road apparently there is a nice walk between Upper and Lower Slaughter, and the Slaughters have less tourists than Bourton, but with the same river.

Enjoy!

Burford Garden Centre isn’t far from Burton-on-the-Water, it has a playground, fabulous garden centre, a lovely toy shop and they do delicious meals.

Sudeley castle isn't too far from there and has a fab playground that I think is free to enter. You have to pay for the castle but I think the playground is just outside and free. I may be wrong as DS is 19 now so it's years since I've been.
Bourbon itself is a love place to walk through and has a number of smaller things (maze/model village/car museum/bird land) they all charge but I don't think they are extortionate. The town itself has a lovely stream and lots to look at for free. Morton in marsh is also not too far and has Batsford Arboretum nearby.

Apologies I just checked Sudeley castle play area and it seems it is included in the admission price now.

Fairytale farm, it's utterly bizarre and you'll be, at best, bewildered but it by my 3 year old is absolutely batsh*t about the place. Apparently just opened a new play area by the same designers that have done Blenheim's adventure park - name drop.
I highly recommend the duck race but dodge the mad singing mermaid and beware of mother goose.

There’s a really good (free) play park in Broadway, just off the high street. A lovely place to mooch around too, and the steam railway trip is worth it too!

Chipping Norton has an amazing big playground.

Broadway does too.

There is a good “old fashioned” pub in Snowshill with a play area and outdoor seating.

Bourton on the Water gets ridiculously busy but the river there is nice to play in if the weather is good.

Batsford Arboretum (just outside Moreton in Marsh) is lovely and lots of space to run. You can also visit the Falconry centre there.

Snowshill Lavender is very pretty.

Bibury is really pretty and has a stream.

I second Batsford, lots of space to run around and it’s beautiful. There’s a small playground with a sandpit and a good cafe too. Broadway park is good, as is Ilmington playground. Stratford on Avon isn’t too far- you can easily spend a day there in good weather as there’s a great playground and you can walk near the river and get ice cream etc. Birdland in Bourton on the water is quite good for a walk and a coffee, the kids seem to enjoy it- the penguins are amazing. There’s a great play ground and also they can dig for ‘dinosaur bones’. Then after that you could walk round Bourton and paddle in the river and feed the ducks. There are nice cafes / pubs too.

Bourton on the Water.
Birdland & Gardens is a must for children amazing place your children will have a great time.

Cotswold Wildlife Park. We used to head there a lot when we lived in Oxford, and it was a hit with kids of all ages, even sullen teens. Pre-schoolers adore it.

Take a picnic though, as the cafe is pretty average.