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to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
A - Activity Parks – Make sure you stay active this summer. Here in the Cotswolds we have some wonderful free child friendly activity parks such as the state of the art Broadway Activity Park, Pittville Park in Cheltenham, Chipping Campden playground, Kilkenny Country Lane Park near Carterton & St Michael's Park in Cirencester to name just a few.
B - Butterfly spotting Discover the secret world of these delicate creatures as they showcase their vibrant colours and graceful flight patterns. Just in case you're not an entomologist specialising in lepidopterology then check out the Butterfly Conservation’s website which has a handy tool to help you identify the butterflies you find. Great locations include the nature reserves in & around the Cotswold Water Park or go on a butterfly walk across Rodborough Common near Stroud.
C - Cycling Looking for a fun and healthy activity for the whole family? Look no further than cycling with your kids! Discover some stunning cycle trails in the Cotswolds, including in the Cotswolds Water Park or start off gently cycling in Abbey Grounds Cirencester before checking out the Tetbury Trail but for those who want to test their limits check out the Hailey BMX Pump Track in Witney or the Pump Track at Burrows Field in Cheltenham.
D - Duck Detectives You and the family can play Duck Detectives almost anywhere there’s water! Playing duck detectives is a delightful activity to do with the kids; it’s a chance to connect with nature and create some lasting memories. If, like us, you aspire to be an ornithologist, why not have a go at identifying the waterfowl that you come across? The RSPB lists all of the native species that can be found in England!
https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/where-to-see/duck-guide-britain-species-identification-facts
E - Exercise Equipment No need for a gym membership, or fancy sports kits, just jump on some outdoor fitness equipment (warming up first, of course) and start on your fitness journey! To get you started we’ve found some play areas that have installed some great exercise equipment: Oxlease in Witney, Bredon Park near Tewkesbury, and Tetbury exercise trail. Fit Trail maps for more parks can be found here.
F - Fossil hunting Millions of years ago, during the Jurassic period, the area was under shallow warm water, where corals, fish and small sea creatures thrived. Fossil Hunts are organised regularly by the Cotswold Water Park Trust for its members when the local quarries are being excavated. Pop into Museum in the Park near Stroud this summer to view a small selection of fossil fish found in a dig at Kings Stanley and now on public display for the first time.
G - Go Geocaching The world’s largest treasure hunt. Geocaching is a great outdoor activity, in which you’ll use your mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world, not just the Cotswolds.
H - Historic sites Journey through time and discover secrets and stories hidden within ancient locations at Odda’s Chapel, Belas Knap Long Barrow, Nympsfield Long Barrow the mystical Rollright Stones or at Minster Lovell Hall ruins near Witney. Transport the kids back in time, sharing captivating tales of the people who once lived in these ancient civilizations.
I - Insect hunting ignites their curiosity and appreciation for the tiny creatures buzzing around us by taking part in a bug hunt! By instilling a love for insects at a young age, you may just inspire the next generation of environmentalists and conservationists! The Woodland Trust have a guide to identifying common UK insects.
J - Jump into jail but only briefly! You can check out the old court room at the Old Prison in Northleach, visit Winchcombe museum which has a small police focus or go to the police museum & court room in Tetbury to really get an insight of what law and order was like in the Cotswolds 200 years ago.
K - Kite Flying Fly a kite on a windy day and experience the joy of soaring through the skies, where dreams take flight and imaginations reach new heights! And for those children that want to understand the aerodynamic forces involved in flying one, and perhaps even have a go at building a kite themselves head over to NASA’s great ‘Forces on a Kite’ page.
L - Libraries are treasure troves of books, offering children a vast array of reading materials. By visiting the library, children can develop a love for reading and improve their literacy skills, which are essential for their educational and personal growth. Find a library in Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire
M - Mud It’s been raining and now it’s time to go outside and have some fun! You’re washing machine may disagree with us, but mud is perfect for entertaining the little ones! Put on some old clothes and a good pair of welly boots and start splashing in the puddles. This could be followed by some mud painting, the creation of mud pies, or even a mud bath for the plastic toys!
N - Night Hike Discover a world beyond the daylight, where nature comes alive under the enchanting night sky. Step into the moonlit forest, where every rustle and whisper becomes a secret waiting to be unveiled! Choose any of the great locations listed here for your next nighttime adventure!
O - Orienteering Are your navigation skills up for a challenge? Learn how to read maps, interpret symbols, use a compass, and understand the terrain. Perhaps start in Crickley Hill Country Park or try the Cotswold Discovery Trail which has two great treasure trail maps where you’ll explore the history and heritage of the Cotswolds or explore a treasure trail in one of the towns or villages.
P - Pooh Sticks It’s absolutely vital that all participants adhere to the rules of Pooh Sticks! All competitors must drop, and not throw, their sticks into the water at the same time, on the starter's call. The players must then cross to the downstream side of the bridge and wait for the sticks to emerge. The owner of the first stick to float from under the bridge is the winner!
Q - Quiet (not a chance!) – You could visit one of many historical churches such as Cirencester church and discover the Lego model, say hello (or woof !)to Tewkesbury Abbey’s two new assistant vergers or marvel at the medieval glass in Fairford church. But more likely, try Quad Quest on the Notgrove estate, an electric quad bike adventure bringing you a blend of countryside delights, a rush of adrenaline and bound to put a big smile on any face.
R -Riverside Walks are in abundance. Discover the ham nature reserve at Tewkesbury, circular walk from the peaceful Buscot village to Lechlade where you can spot a world war two bunker or try out one of the River Windrush Circular walks between Witney and Burford.
S - Skateparks You will be surprised at the number of skateparks in & around the region, so check one out and have a go!
T - Train Spotting If your family are railway enthusiasts (or ferroequinologists) then why not head over to one of the train stations that is part of the GWSR railway or wander around the engine sheds where the volunteers care for these wonderful steam & diesel engines from a by gone era. Alternatively visit one of the local towns on the railway line such as Moreton in Marsh, Charlbury or Stroud to spot the trains pulling into the station. Keeping with the train theme for smaller children why not climb aboard the Tetbury Play station which is a railway themed play area set within the towns former station.
U - Umbrella Don’t forget to pack an umbrella for a rainy day walk or to shade yourself from the summer sun. Rainy walks offer an opportunity to connect with nature in a different way; the rain can bring out vibrant colours, fresh scents, and a different ambience in the surroundings. So don't hide away inside when the rain starts to fall, instead, grab your brolly and have some fun!
V - Vanilla ice-cream – Embrace the summer sun with a delicious local ice-cream. With so many outlets from vintage bikes, vans, shops and cafes the hardest task is which flavour to choose. Local producers include Winstones who have been producing handcrafted, luxury artisan ice cream since 1925 & Marshfield farm who often supply local farm shops. Alfonso Gelateria brings a real taste of Italian culture and with shops all over the Cotswolds you are bound to not be disappointed.
W - Walking We know it’s an obvious one but walking together fosters quality family time, allowing you to strengthen your bond and create lasting memories. Visit Westonbirt or Batsford arboretum, take a stroll down the Cotswold canal or take a look at some stunning walking locations here
X - eXplore Coming up with an activity beginning with X was a challenge; we’ve settled on Xplore! Explore something new; venture into uncharted territories, discovering hidden trails, serene lakes, and breathtaking landscapes. Embark on a wildlife expedition, discovering the diverse flora and fauna that call the outdoors their home. So, why spend a fortune on indoor entertainment when the great outdoors offers endless adventures, waiting to be explored for free?
Y - Yoga If you enjoy the great outdoors, and you enjoy yoga why not merge the two and try that out with the family? Yoga can improve your breathing and circulation, develop your strength and flexibility and can have a great calming effect!
Z - Zip wires Feel their heart race and hear their laughter fill the air as they zip through the park, experiencing a rush like never before! You can find zip wires at Pitville Park in Cheltenham or Shipton-under-Wychwood Recreation Ground but for the real dare devil fun, try to aerial adventures at 270 Climbing which opened last year.
You can also find zip wires at family friendly attractions across the Cotswolds including Blenheim Palace, Cogges Manor Farm, Sudeley Castle, Cattle Country or Cotswold Farm Park where you will be assured of a completely full day of family fun that will make magical memories this summer time.
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