Enjoy your stay at

Things to Do

Everything you need to get the most out of your stay

Cotswold Tours & Travel

Tour company offering 35 unique luxury experiences across the Cotswolds and South West of England. From sheepdog demonstrations, private house and estate tours, private falconry experiences on their family farm, private castle and garden tours, blacksmith experiences, farming experiences in the countryside, learning how to play polo and even baking an afternoon tea in a cottage are just a few experiences Cotswold Tours & Travel can offer.

www.cotswoldtoursandtravel.com

[email protected]

Quad Bikes

The nearest site is about 40 minutes away in Warwickshire at Adventure Sports and worth the trip for quads and full on action with 4×4 off roading, argo cats and much more.

Clay-Pigeon Shooting and other Country Pursuits

Visit Rob Ireland Country Pursuits for an exciting range of country pursuits. From a couple of hours of clay pigeon shooting or archery to a whole day of activities with a steak barbecue, you can design your own day. Rob’s website is www.robireland.co.uk and his phone number is 07860 783013.

Horse Riding

For horse riding there is The Vine Stables, near Broadway offering hacks and lessons for individuals or groups. Their telephone number is 01386 584250 and the website is www.cotswoldsriding.co.uk

Adventure Sports

Paintballing is held in a wood nearby. Visit www.letsgoout.co.uk/to/cotswold-paintball-games-moreton-in-marsh for details or phone 07836 657397. There’s also information on the website about country pursuits – which are provided by Rob Ireland (see above).

Photography

Make the most of being together with a photography session at your Cotswolds country house from James Crockford, a fantastic photographer who will come to your holiday house to take photos of family and friends. Follow the link below to see some lovely examples of James’ photography at our Cotswolds houses.
www.jamescrockford.com/portraits/bigcottage/

Pampering

Glo Pamper
At Glo Pamper mobile massage & beauty therapists bring spa quality treatments to you. Their organic and truly indulgent service delivers tailor-made treatment packages for individuals, couples and groups of all ages to the comfort of the house. To book please use the contact details below and remember to quote ‘kate & toms’. Guests are advised to book well in advance.
0207 096 0385 | www.glo-pamper.co.uk

Wine Tasting

Little Oak Vineyard in Chipping Campden aim to produce wine of the highest possible quality using a range of grape varieties, primarily Siegerrebe. Offering wine tastings at the vineyard to give you an insight into operation and a tasting of the products. You can also book to join them for lunch, which consists of local hams, cheeses, chutneys, bread, and an extra glass of your favourite still wine. www.littleoakvineyard.com

Wine Cellar Tour

The Hidden Secret of Shipston
Extensive tour of the Cellars and Board Room finishing with Tutored Tasting of some fine wines and free time to browse in the shop.
6 New Street, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 5EN (20-minute drive)
01608 661 409 | [email protected]

Distillery Tour

Cotswolds Distillery
Nestled in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, The Cotswolds Distillery is the first of its kind in the area, and the closest working distillery to London. Surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the distillery has been built in traditional Cotswolds stone and set in beautifully landscaped gardens. The shop and tasting room is open Mon-Sat from 9am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm and has been designed with visitors in mind. Much like a home from home you can sit back, relax and enjoy a tasting in front of the cosy log fire. Tours run at 11am and 2pm daily.
Phillip’s Field, Whichford Road, Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 5HG (20-minute drive)
01608 238 533 | www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

Top Things to Do for Children

Cotswold Wildlife Park

Burford. Open every day except Christmas Day. Fantastic parkland setting with a train ride through the grounds in peak season, an adventure playground, café and of course lions, zebras, hippos, penguins, fruit bats and monkeys to name just a few of the animals.
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk Tel (01993 823006)

Batsford Arboretum and the Falconry Centre

Bourton-on-the-Hill. Next door to each other, the Batsford Arboretum has some lovely woodland walks and is spectacular in the Spring and Autumn. There is also a great café with wonderful views, delicious homemade cakes and a garden centre, www. batsarb.co.uk. At the Falconry Centre you can watch exciting displays of falconry, www.cotswold-falconry.co.uk

Cotswold Farm Park

Near Guiting Power. Open March – September. Especially for younger children, a great place to feed the animals, ride on a tractor and learn about rare breeds. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk Tel (01451 850307)

Warwick Castle

Definitely a whole day out. Arrive early to avoid ticket queues. Jousting, archery, falconry, medieval displays and mighty trebuchet catapult throughout the Summer. Ice rink in December. Open all year. Info 0870 442 2000/ booking 0870 442 2371 | www.warwick-castle.com

Moreton-in-Marsh

For a quick trip out there is a lovely playground opposite Warner Budgens in Moreton-in-Marsh suitable for younger children. Pop into Ask Pizza for a quick meal or visit The Cotswold Tearoom for tea and cakes.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Apart from all the connections with Shakespeare, Stratford is a great place for picnics, boating and shopping. You can park at the Butterfly Farm Car Park (follow directions to the Butterfly Farm as soon as you enter Stratford). There are always boats to hire or boat trips in the summer and the Butterfly Farm is worth a visit – great for a rainy day as it’s warm and dry inside!
01789 299288 | www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

Bourton-on-the Water

Touristy but very pretty with the stream running through and lots to do for children including: Birdland Park and Gardens – open all year. www.birdland.co.uk/Miniature Village; Cotswolds Motor Museum with the TV character Brum. www.cotswold-motor-museum.co.uk; and a Miniature Railway exhibit within the Toy Shop on the main High Street Hidcote Manor Gardens Open March to September. One of the most visited National Trust gardens in the UK, Hidcote is a beautiful place and fun for children as there are lots of garden “rooms” and grounds to run around in.

Sudeley Castle

Winchcombe. Explore the castle, the gardens and the big fort in the adventure playground. The wooden fort is full of hidey-holes and towers. Closed in the Winter months.
www.sudeleycastle.co.uk

Corinium Museum Cirencester

Fascinating museum about the Romans. Holds holiday events.
www.coriniummuseum.org

Woodstock and Blenheim Palace

A little further afield (about 40 minutes) but a great day out. As well as the Palace there is an adventure playground, butterfly farm and miniature train. Check for limited opening hours in the Winter months.
www.blenheimpalace.com

In Woodstock there are lots of shops to explore and there is the local Oxfordshire museum on the High Street – worth a quick visit and enjoy a coffee and cake in the airy glass-fronted café.

Heritage Motor Centre and Museum Gaydon

Open all year. Perfect for car enthusiasts and older children. Outdoor activities in peak periods include Land Rover 4×4 driving, Go Karting and Miniature Roadway. Open all year apart from Christmas week.
www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk Tel (01926 641188)