Location: Cotswolds
Top Things to do in Cotswolds
10 Fun Activities & Games in Cotswolds That You Shouldn't Miss
The Cotswolds (/ˈkɒtswoʊldz/ KOTS-wohldz, /-wəldz/ -wəldz) is an area in south central England containing the Cotswold Hills, a range of rolling hills which rise from the meadows of the upper Thames to an escarpment, known as the Cotswold Edge, above the Severn Valley and Evesham Vale. The area is defined by the bedrock of Jurassic limestone that creates a type of grassland habitat rare in the UK and that is quarried for the golden coloured Cotswold stone. It contains unique features derived from the use of this mineral; the predominantly rural landscape contains stone-built villages, historical towns and stately homes and gardens. The population of the District is about 84,000.
Restaurants in Cotswolds
1. Hookshouse Pottery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Studio Pottery producing high fired stoneware domestic and garden pots, all hand thrown and mostly wood fired. There is a showroom at the pottery where the finished work can be seen and purchased. It is usually possible to view the workshop and see any work in progress, and visitors are welcome to ask about the production methods. There is a one and a half acre garden attached to the Pottery which is open to visitors from April to July. The garden offers a combination of open perspectives and intimate corners, and includes borders, shrubs, woodland glade, water garden with flowform cascades, kitchen garden and orchard. It is run on organic principles.
Reviewed By MandiLou62 - Sherston, United Kingdom
We visited Hookshouse Pottery for the first time, having seen some examples of the pottery at a local Art Exhibition. We were warmly greeted and shown to the Showroom by Christopher White, the potter, and left to look at his work, with a cowbell to ring if we had any questions! The pottery is hand crafted on site and is of a fantastic quality and originality. We bought a lovely planter for the garden and a smaller pot for the house. The pieces are well priced and there is a good range of designs. We would strongly recommend a visit.
2. Wotton Electric Picture House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
The independent cinema for Wotton-under-Edge and the surrounding area, showing a wide range of current releases, world cinema, and theatre broadcast live from venues including the National Theatre.
3. Cotswold Archery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 464 reviews
A dedicated archery range for all archers to find the archer from within. A wide range of bows to use and shoot with Expert tuition always on hand, friendly atmosphere within an area of outstanding natural beauty. Just a short walk away from good facilities such as bathrooms and garden terrace cafe. Dog friendly, but must remain on the lead.
Reviewed By curious_pol - London, United Kingdom
We had such a lovely day for my partner's birthday, it was great to get to use different types of bows and Neil and Jenny were so friendly and informative. I highly recommend this for a fun day out.
4. Lady’s Wood Shooting School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Based on the outskirts of Bristol, Lady's Wood Shooting School is one of the UK's finest clay pigeon shooting facilities. Lady's Wood offer a range of shooting tuition options, including individual and group shooting lessons for beginners and experienced shooters. Based in 55 acres of woodland and open fields, we offer a range of state-of-the-art shooting facilities to both clay and game shooters. Lady's Wood is also home to the Bowman Sporting Practice, our ten stand pay and play system. This self-guided course is suitable for experienced shotgun certificate holders only. Lady's Wood also has excellent corporate hospitality facilities and has hosted many events over the years; from small, intimate get-togethers, to large-scale charity fundraisers and everything in between. Our Cotswold stone shooting lodge is home to our Gallery room, the perfect space for business meetings and parties.
Reviewed By RRsport
Just to say a big thank you to the team at Lady’s Wood Shooting School. We visited last Wednesday with my granddaughter and really enjoyed the whole experience. The layouts are very good and the high tower has got to be the best. Great tuition from Ernie and he took the time to help my 15 year old granddaughter get to grips with shooting. I would recommend Lady’s Wood to all levels. Thank you.
5. Roki Pottery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Ceramics and art gallery with unique handmade items. Full range of hand thrown pottery which is functional and beautiful. Hand built ceramic artwork and acrylic paintings available to buy. Pottery day courses in the Cotswolds. Weekend or day courses in handbuilding and throwing on a potters wheel. A great time for adults in a friendly atmosphere. All courses need to be booked in advance.
6. Sherborne Cinema
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By suzyturner - Gloucester, United Kingdom
Nice little cinema old fashion tickets mug of tea/coffee and sweeks,clean toilet and helpful staff Up to date films free parking
7. SimAir737
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 195 reviews
SimAir737 Flight Simulators. Experience the thrill of flying the big jets in our newly upgraded B737-800 full sized simulator with 180 degree panoramic views. Fly out of Gloucestershire Airport to over 25,000 destinations worldwide guided by our professional instructors. Why not bring your friends and family to sit in the cabin seats to watch you fly. Refreshments available in our comfortable departure lounge and in the Aviator Pub on the airport. A fantastic experience for all the family.
Reviewed By emptynet
My son got a lesson as a generous birthday present from a family friend, and I was so jealous I booked one for myself the same day! Christina was our instructor, and helped me choose a "beginner" route from Glasgow to Belfast. I did the taxiing, the takeoff, the approach to Belfast and the landing, all in 45 minutes including a very thorough briefing. My son was less choosy (and more cheeky!) so Christina recommended a more "interesting" route - Innsbruck to Salzburg. As you can see in the pictures that meant a mountain to avoid on takeoff and a valley to fly through for the landing. Exciting and we did have to make one go-around but my son nailed the landing and declared it was "more fun than [he] expected it would be".
8. Trapped Escape Rooms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 246 reviews
A real life themed adventure in the heart of Gloucester where players work together to escape a locked room in 60 minutes. Use your mind not your muscles in this challenging yet fun game with your family and friends.
Reviewed By jeremyn208 - Peterborough, United Kingdom
Our first escape room in many months, and we were proud to be the first customers to walk through the door on their first day of opening since lockdown. A friendly welcome greeted us with excellent consideration to Covid precautions throughout. We tackled 'The Butcher' room and despite being an experienced group with 15 or so other escape rooms under our belts we still found this room fairly challenging, only escaping with seconds to spare! Thrilling to see the last few minutes ticking away on the countdown timer and such a buzz escaping in the nick of time! Plenty of thinking needed to solve puzzles plus physical clues to find. Great fun though and the theming was excellent. We booked an early slot on a weekday so it was good value too. Recommended to all and we would certainly visit again for the other rooms if we're holidaying in the area again.
9. Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By donnacS6255OP
Definitely make time to go to this pool, well worth it! Sat nav directs you to the entrance of a park, park in front of the castle where you'll have all day, the other side is limited to 2 hours, both free though, there is parking a little further away for town centre but you have to pay. A little hard to find, we had to ask someone, if you walk away from the park area and turn left there is 1 sign! Once you get in there its amazing; limited seats so get there early If you know it's going to be a hot day, we left the pool at about 11:20 and it was starting to get heaving then. Swimming goggles, ice creams and drinks all available, reasonably priced, books/ costumes to hire at a low donating, lockers £1 refundable. You can use your card to buy things and pay entrance fee which is under £15 for a family of 4. Slide available to use after 11am, really good life guards keeping control of any unruly behaviour. Toddler/ baby pool. Shaded/ covered in areas for sun shade or rain.
10. Tewkesbury Art Studios
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
An independent working artists studio. Resident artist, Jane runs courses , workshops, kids classes, life drawing and offers one to one mentoring. There are occasional guest artists and you can also book art parties for business, birthdays and private events.The studio is only open to the public by appointment and for booked sessions.
