Location: Cotswolds
Top Things to do in Cotswolds
What to do and see in Cotswolds, England: The Best Specialty Museums
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. Jet Age Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 599 reviews
Dedicated to the preservation of Gloucestershire's rich aviation heritage, Jet Age Museum is an all-volunteer, registered charity. We tell the story of the Gloster Aircraft Company, focussing on the first Allied jet flight. Our mission is to preserve the past and inspire the future by telling the stories of the people and places that put the County at the forefront of the aerospace industry.
Reviewed By 124harryp
Came here with my three year old on a saturday. She loved looking at the planes and getting to play in the various different plane cockpits. The ticketed tours of the larger planes are well worth it as well, staff are friendly and informative and for free admission and parking it's well worth a visit.
2. Bugatti Trust Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By BasilandEddie
A few, quite wonderful Bugatti cars are on display along with examples of Ettore Bugatti’s engineering prowess. On site are 27,000 original drawings and over 10,000 historic photographs, all of which can accessed for research. The museum provides educational activities and workshops and facilities are available for private hire, group events and car club events.
3. Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
The Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Museum is a registered Charity (CIO) number 1191551, our charitable object is "To advance the education of the public in the history of the railway and general transport heritage of the United Kingdom, with special reference to the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited from 1860 to 1986 and industrial and light railways in the Gloucester area, in particular but not exclusively by the creation and operation of a museum and owning, repairing, constructing and preserving railway heritage, coaching stock and associated artefacts for the use and appreciation of the public".
4. Cotswold Motoring Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,898 reviews
Located in the picturesque village of Bourton on the Water, the Cotswold Motoring Museum is a fascinating journey through the 20th century that the whole family can enjoy. The Museum is bulging with great cars, quaint caravans, precarious looking motorcycles, enamel signs and an intriguing collection of motoring curiosities! Brum, the BBC TV's little super hero car whose adventures start and end at the museum can be found here every day.
Reviewed By daisyhall - The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom
This is a very quaint very English type of museum like walking back in time to your grandparents garage. Great displays jam packed with memorabilia from the past so much to look at . Brilliant price admission £6.50 per adult. Great range and great for a motor enthusiast into collecting toy cars as there are so cars many in the cabinets dinky and Corgis from the past all the old cars are polished to perfection. A real novelty museum to bring children and grandparents . A collectors haven.
5. Winchcombe Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
6. Dr Jenner's House, Museum and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Situated in the historic market town of Berkeley, The Chantry is the striking Grade II* listed house where Edward Jenner lived for 38 years until his death in 1823. This is the house from which he pioneered vaccination against smallpox and it is now a museum celebrating his life and legacy. Discover how his work here eventually led to the eradication of smallpox and find out more about his other achievements before relaxing, as Jenner did, in an acre of peaceful gardens.
7. Corinium Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 785 reviews
The Corinium Museum is located at the heart of Cirencester the 'Capital of the Cotswolds'. Its principal collection consists of the highly significant finds from the Roman town of Corinium. However the museum today is much more than that, taking the visitor on a journey through time and charting the development of the Cotswolds from its prehistoric landscape to the modern day. The light and modern galleries offer the visitor an exceptional interactive experience. The museum is renowned for its learning provision, with an education centre and temporary exhibition space that ensure a vibrant, changing programme of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.
Reviewed By 752spikec - Stamford, United Kingdom
An absolute must I you’re visiting the town A real in depth look at the history of Cirencester and lots of mosaic floors to see Many finds from burial sites including some high status jewellery Worth every penny
8. John Moore Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By corrien156
The John Moore Museum is a very interesting group of museums. It is part of a terrace of very old buildings, one of which has been left as it was in Tudor times, another houses a spectacular collection of countryside exhibits and animals, and there is also a very early Baptist Chapel. We were a bit late in the season to appreciate the cottage gardens at their best and the Baptist Chapel was closed to visitors, so visit before the end of September if you want to see everything! Even so, it was a very good couple of hours.
9. Gordon Russell Design Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
The museum celebrates the life and work of renowned furniture designer Sir Gordon Russell and his company. Schooled in the Arts and Crafts tradition of the Cotswolds, Gordon Russell believed that the hand crafted tradition of British cabinet making could be fused with the possibilities of the machine, making good design accessible to all. From the workshops in the village of Broadway, which now houses the museum, the company gained an international reputation and had a profound influence on British industry, design and education. The displays cover a rich period of 20th century design, from Arts and Crafts to Modernism and beyond, accompanied by a changing programme of exhibitions and events. The museum shop brings the story up to the present day, showcasing the work of contemporary designer-makers. Pre-booked tickets only: please book a 1 hour time slot via our website. Your slot admits up to 6 people per booking, with admission payable on arrival. Thank you.
Reviewed By Crispie21 - Market Drayton, United Kingdom
Came across this place next to Tourist Information really interesting about Gordon Russell and the furniture designs Lovely lady on reception who gave us a detailed insight of the family and what the brought to Broadway including The Lygon Arms Hotel
10. Tewkesbury Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
TEWKESBURY MUSEUM A local museum in a wonderful Tudor building, celebrating the town's rich and diverse history with collections that range from early Roman and the Battle of Tewkesbury to Antarctic exploration and the Mop Fair. A highlight is the recently restored model fair - music and motion for the first time since the 1960s. The museum is changing all the time. For those interested in the history of this fascinating market town, there are some real treasures to discover here. The museum has partially re-opened after lockdown with COVID precautions in place. See our website for details www. tewkesburymuseum.org
Reviewed By philhalliwell - Ilfracombe, United Kingdom
Just visited with my wife. We really enjoyed it, especially the antique toy fair. The lady on the door is very informative, providing additional information and local knowledge. Its a free museum with donations taken.
