Cotswolds Tour with a Young Family – Rest, Rain, and Rolling Hills
Last week, I took a Cotswolds Tour with a young family and while we didn’t get back until late, it was one of those wonderfully full days that remind you just how much the English countryside has to offer.
One of the quiet benefits of travelling with little ones—especially after a long-haul flight to the UK or a few fast-paced days exploring London’s top attractions—is the chance to rest on the road. While the children dozed in the backseat or pointed out sheep in the fields, the adults could take a breather, gazing out at honey-stone villages and wide, green pastures.
Morning Coffee and Market Town Charm
We set off from London early for our Cotswolds Tour, driving just under two hours into the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our first stop was one of the region’s many quaint Cotswold market towns. With cobbled lanes, charming tea rooms, and independent shops, it was the perfect place to stretch our legs and grab a coffee.
There’s something timeless about these villages – every window box overflowing with blooms, every alleyway whispering centuries of history. Whether you’re visiting Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, or Chipping Campden, there’s no shortage of character.
Climbing Broadway Tower
we continued our Cotswolds Tour from there, we headed to the historic Broadway Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in the Cotswolds. The climb up was just the right balance of excitement and exertion for the children, and the panoramic views from the top didn’t disappoint—even with the clouds rolling in. You can see across several counties on a clear day, and even when the weather is more moody, the sight of rain drifting across the fields has its own kind of magic.
Through Villages and Into the Rain
We wound our way through a series of postcard-perfect Cotswold villages, many barely more than a main street, a pub, and a church. By the time we stopped for lunch, the weather had shifted. Rain began to drum softly on the windows as we settled into a cosy country pub—and honestly, it was the ideal setting. Watching the rain fall outside while enjoying a warm meal and a pint is one of the quiet joys of an English countryside escape.
Afternoon Options: Farms and Downton Abbey Connections
In the afternoon, we had several options. One was a visit to Cotswold Farm Park, always a hit with kids, with tractor rides, animal feeding, and plenty of fresh country air.
We were looking at the Cotswolds from the Downtown Abbey perspective, so included a trip to Cogges Manor Farm, (better known as Upper Yew Tree Farm in the series.
From there we opted to visit to the real-life Downton Abbey village, Bampton, which was used for much of the outdoor filming in the hit TV series. For fans, it’s a charming and familiar place to explore.
Though we couldn’t do everything, that’s the beauty of the Cotswolds: there’s always something left to discover.
Tailoring a Cotswolds Tour
The Cotswold region spans over 600 square miles, so no two days out are ever quite the same. Whether your interests lie in historic sites, nature walks, farm visits, or simply enjoying beautiful English countryside with a pint in hand, your itinerary can be completely tailored.
A Cotswold Tour with a young family can be a day out with elements to suit everyone. Animals, architecture fresh air and adventure. What more would you want ?
If you’d like more information, please use the contact form and we can put something together.