The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful areas in England and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Distinctive market towns, villages and sleepy hamlets, built in honey-coloured Cotswold limestone, are scattered amidst the gently rolling hills that for centuries supported the sheep that first brought prosperity to the region.

What to See and Do in the Cotswolds

Today, the Cotswolds is full of treasures for the tourist, from hidden villages off the beaten track, and historic houses to arboretums, wildlife parks, upmarket shopping, and a wealth of sporting activities.

Picturesque Villages

Painswick
Often referred to as the 'Queen of the Cotswolds, Painswick is an historic wool town with numerous quaint cottages in Cotswold stone and narrow streets. The famous Rococo Gardens and the pretty villages of Sheepscombe, Edge and Slad (Laurie Lee country) are all within a mile of the town centre, and this beautiful area offers marvellous country walks. Approx 10 miles from Folly Farm Cottages and the Great Tythe Barn.

Bibury
Set alongside the River Coln, Bibury is famous for its 17th-century Cotswold stone cottages in Arlington Row. These were converted from an original hall to homes for the weavers who worked in Arlington Mill. The mill is now a folk and agricultural museum with a room dedicated to the artist and craftsman, William Morris. Approx. 30 minute-drive from Folly Farm Cottages and the Great Tythe Barn.

Burford
A beautiful town on the banks of the River Windrush. Burford's main street is lined with 17th and 18th-century houses and the parish church dates back to medieval times. The Tolsey Museum was originally where traders used to pay their tolls in the 16th century. Approx. a 40-minute drive from Folly Farm Cottages and the Great Tythe Barn.

Castle Combe
Considered to be one of the loveliest villages in the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is so picturesque that it has served as a backdrop for a number of films and television dramas over the years. The properties in the village are listed as ancient monuments and the village is well worth a visit. St Andrew's Church is contains an interesting 15th-century clock. Approx. a 30-minute drive from Folly Farm Cottages and the Great Tythe Barn.

Historic Houses

Chavenage House
Chavenage House is an impressive Elizabethan manor house, just 4 miles from Tetbury.

Owlpen Manor
A Tudor manor set in a picturesque valley among bluebell woods right under the Cotswold hills with formal terraced gardens. Located at Uley, 10 miles from Tetbury

Sudeley Castle - Winchcombe
The public can visit the Sudeley Castle gardens, grounds and exhibitions. Tours of the castle's private apartments are available at set times, three days a week. Please note; children under 12 years of age are not permitted on the tours and dogs are not allowed in the gardens. Approx. an hour's drive from Tetbury.

Bowood House - Calne, Chippenham
A delightful stately home that stands in a Capability Brown designed park with gently sloping lawns stretching away from the house to the lake beyond. A great day out - with a superb adventure playground for children under 12. Approx 40-minute drive from Tetbury.

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum & Village
Owned by the National Trust, the village of Lacock, dating from the 13th century, and the former abbey are certainly worth visiting. You may well recognise the abbey if you are a fan of the Harry Potter films. The Museum of Photography is dedicated to William Henry Fox Talbot, a pioneer of photography who lived in the house. Located 19 miles from Tetbury.

Dyrham Park - Bath
William and Mary mansion nestling in an ancient deer park just outside the city of Bath.17 miles from Tetbury.

Arboretums and Gardens

Westonbirt The National Arboretum
Westonbirt covers over 600 acres with a collection of over 3000 different trees and shrub species. A wonderful place for inspiring walks with a wide choice of trails. Just four miles from Tetbury.

Batsford Arboretum
Located in the north of the Cotswolds at Moreton-in-Marsh, Batsford Arboretum has a collection of over 1600 different trees, shrubs and bamboo with an emphasis on species from the Far East. Approx. 35 miles from Tetbury.

Hidcote Manor Gardens
Gardens planted in the 'Arts and Crafts' style by Major Lawrence Johnston as a series of outdoor rooms. Located at Hidcote Bantrum, near Chipping Campden.

Wildlife Parks

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
Cotswold Wildlife Park is set in 160 acres of parkland and gardens around a listed Victorian Manor House and is home to a fascinating and varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates from all over the world, many of which are endangered. Approx. a 35-minute drive from Tetbury.

Cotswold Farm Park
Cotswold Farm Park has an unrivalled collection of rare breeds of British farm animals including sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, horses, poultry and waterfowl, plus there are outdoor and indoor animal displays and daily demonstrations. Located at Temple Guiting near Cheltenham, it is within an hour's drive of Tetbury.

Cotswold Water Park and Keynes Country Park, Cirencester
Britain's largest water park, with attractions that include a wide variety of water sports, riding, cycling and walking in the country parks and nature reserves. There are also jet-skiing, canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling, sailing and windsurfing courses for everyone from beginners to the experienced. Approx. 12 miles from Tetbury.

Longleat Safari Park
One of the country's leading wildlife attractions, Longleat was the first safari park to open in Britain. Drive around the park to see lions, tigers, rhinos, giraffes and monkeys. Voyage on the Safari Boats towards Gorilla Island and watch the Californian sea lions as they approach the boat. Longleat has a wealth of other attractions, not least of which is Longleat House, home to the Marquis of Bath. Approx 45 miles from Tetbury.

West Midland Safari and Leisure Park
A great day out for the family! On the four-mile drive-through safari you can encounter white tiger, elephants, rhino, giraffe, lion, wallaby, emu, camel, zebra, gnu, eland, ankole, Asian buffalo, wolf, llama and antelope. Located at Bewdley, 1hr.30min drive from Tetbury.

Birdland
Birdland is a natural setting inhabited by over 500 birds from around the world, including the only King Penguins in England and over 50 aviaries of parrots, falcons, pheasants, hornbills, toucans, touracos, pigeons, ibis and many more. Located at Bourton-on-the-Water, 26 miles from Tetbury.

Shopping

The towns and villages throughout the Cotswolds offer many independent and interesting shops from antique shops, boutiques, gift shops, jewellers and galleries to delicatessens and farm shops.

Famous for its antique shops, Tetbury also has a wide range of specialist shops selling everything from cheese to Persian carpets. Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford are also renowned for their antique shops and galleries. For more information on antiques shops in the Cotswolds, click on Cotswolds Antiques Dealers. For the serious shopper, Cheltenham and Bath have a great selection of shops, as does Cirencester.

Farm Shops

The Organic Farm Shop, Abbey Home Farm, Burford Road, Cirencester
The Butts Farm Shop, South Cerney, Cirencester
The Veg Shed at the Duchy Home Farm, Highgrove, Tetbury, - Open on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Stroud Farmers' Market

Golf Courses

Minchinhampton Old Course - Minchinhampton Common, near Stroud
Minchinhampton New Course - East of Minchinhampton
Newent Golf Course - 01531 820478
Cirencester Golf Club - Cheltenham Road, Cirencester
Brickhampton Golf Course - Churchdown
Cotswold Edge Golf Club, Wotton-under-Edge
Cotswold Hills Golf Club, Cheltenham

Cotswolds Walks

There are many walks all over Gloucestershire, including walks from Tetbury. Local guidebooks are available.

Cycling and Bike Hire

National Cycle Route Network - formed by Sustrans
Cotswold Country Cycles - Chipping Camden
Country Lanes Cycle Centre - Bicycle hire at Moreton-in-Marsh station
Go By Cycle - Keynes Country Park, Shorncote

Horse Riding

Camp Riding Centre, Nr Stroud - 01285 821219
Hyde Riding Centre, Nr Stroud - 01453 882413
South Cerney Riding School, Nr Cirencester - 01793 750151
The Talland School of Equation, Nr Cirencester

Fishing

Donnington Trout Farm - 01451 830873
Santhill Fisheries - Bourton-on-the-Water
Milestone Lake
Bibury Trout Farm

Hot-Air Ballooning

Ballooning in the Cotswolds - Cirencester

Go Karting

Ultimate Karting - Hullavington
Castle Combe Skid Pan & Kart Track - Chippenham

Motor Racing

Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit