15 best things to do in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds might be known for postcard-perfect villages and rolling hills, but there’s more going on here than just country walks and cosy pubs. You can feed rare-breed animals, explore a crocodile zoo, or catch a performance in a converted barn, all with a backdrop of honey-colored stone and big skies.

This is one of the best regions in England for a slow, scenic break. If you're into food, nature, or exploring tiny shops in even tinier towns, there’s no shortage of things to do in the Cotswolds.

1. Hunt for antiques in Burford

Burford is known for its historic high street, honey-stone buildings, and steady stream of antique shops, one of the best towns in the Cotswolds to go treasure hunting. You’ll find everything from vintage signs to 18th-century furniture and retro kitchenware.

Start at Burford Antiques Centre and Gateway Antiques near the roundabout, then work your way up the hill to browse independent dealers and tiny tucked-away shops. The George and several other spots along the main drag are worth a slow wander, even if you're just window shopping.

Skip the rush, take your time, and you might just leave with a piece of the past.

2. Visit the UK's only crocodile zoo

Crocodiles aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Cotswolds, but that’s exactly what makes this place stand out. Tucked away in the village of Crawley, Crocodiles of the World is home to over 80 reptiles, including Nile crocodiles, American alligators, and the critically endangered Siamese crocodile.

There’s an underwater viewing area, regular feeding sessions, and the chance to handle baby crocs and other reptiles. It’s compact, well-run and surprisingly educational, a proper hit with families.

If you're exploring England with kids and want something that’s not all farm parks and playgrounds, this is one of the more unexpected but worthwhile things to do in the Cotswolds.

3. Catch a show at one of Britain's smallest theatres

Tucked into the high street of Chipping Norton, this 213-seat venue is one of the smallest working theatres in Britain, and one of the most loved in the Cotswolds. Open since 1975, it was co-founded by former Doctor Who actor Tom Baker and now runs a busy program of plays, comedy, films, and live music.

Its Christmas panto has become a local institution, and the theatre also hosts regular workshops and rotating art exhibitions. Small but ambitious, it’s the kind of place where you might stumble into a hidden gem, or just enjoy a proper night out in a classic Cotswold town.

4. Get cosy in a proper country pub

There’s no shortage of pubs in the Cotswolds, but it’s not just about good food and local ales. These are often the heart of the village, the only place to eat, drink and catch up with locals. In winter, you’ll find low beams, open fires and battered board games. In summer, beer gardens fill up fast with hikers, cyclists and weekend escapees.

Two standouts: The Royal Oak in Ramsden serves a brilliant smoked haddock “smokies” dish, while The Plough in nearby Finstock hosts the Finstock Mummers every Christmas Eve, a local group performing a chaotic, comic play out on the street.

Whatever time of year you visit, pull up a stool and try a pint from Hook Norton Brewery or one of the region’s many small-batch guest ales.

5. Walk the grounds at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace isn’t just one of the best things to do in the Cotswolds; it’s one of the best places to visit in England. This vast UNESCO-listed estate in Woodstock was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and remains one of the most impressive English castles (technically a palace, but with all the grandeur you'd expect).

Inside, you’ll find opulent staterooms, exhibitions, and a butterfly house, plus cafés, a maze, and formal gardens. But the real highlight? Getting out into the grounds. Skip the main entrance and head to Combe village, where a public footpath runs along the edge of the park. From Combe Lodge, take an hour-long circular walk through open fields, ancient oaks, and postcard-perfect lake views, without the ticket queues.

6. See the Cotswolds in miniature at Bourton’s model village

Bourton-on-the-Water has its fair share of tourist traffic, but this little gem tucked behind the Old New Inn still stands out. Built in the 1930s, the model village is a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton itself, complete with tiny bridges, manicured gardens, and little limestone cottages to match the real thing just outside the gate.

Look closely and you’ll spot a model of the model village, and inside that, a model of the model of the model village. It’s a local landmark in its own right and a hit with both kids and adults who like their sightseeing low to the ground.

The model village is open year-round and takes under an hour to explore, making it a fun stop if you're passing through or need a break from the crowds on the high street.

7. Sample farm life at Cotswold Farm Park

Run by farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson, Cotswold Farm Park offers a proper hands-on look at rural life in the Cotswolds. This is a working farm with a focus on conservation, home to rare-breed cattle, sheep, pigs, and more, all up close and kid-friendly.

You can bottle-feed lambs, stroke rabbits in the barn, and ride around on pint-sized electric tractors. There’s a woodland play area, a zip wire for braver kids, and a wildlife walk with a viewing tower if you need to escape the crowds.

It’s a fun, easy-going day out and a great way to get a feel for the region’s farming roots, especially if you’re travelling with children.

8. See the Big Five (and more) at Cotswold Wildlife Park

Just outside Burford, Cotswold Wildlife Park combines big-animal encounters with stately home surroundings. You can stroll past rhinos grazing in front of a manor house, spot lions lounging in the sun, or watch penguins being fed near the walled garden. There are also giraffes, camels, lemurs, and all the usual creepy crawlies, plus a children's farmyard and a decent adventure playground.

The site is flat, open, and walkable, with plenty of space for picnics and let-them-run laps. Inside the manor house, kids can try brass rubbing or cool off in the shade during summer months.

9. See horse trading at the Stow-on-the-Wold Gypsy Fair

Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the prettiest Cotswold villages to visit, with winding lanes, crooked cottages, and a spacious market square at its center. But time your trip right, and you’ll witness something far more lively, the Gypsy Horse Fair, a twice-yearly gathering that dates back to 1476.

Held in May and October, the fair draws the travelling community from all over the UK to buy, sell, and parade horses. It’s loud, gritty, and full of character: a proper contrast to the Cotswolds’ postcard image. Horses line the fields, deals are made, and the atmosphere is anything but staged.

If you’re looking for things to do in the Cotswolds that offer something beyond quaint tea rooms and antique shops, this is a glimpse into a centuries-old tradition that still holds strong.

10. Get close to nature on a Cornbury Park walk

Sometimes the best way to experience the Cotswolds is the simplest, boots on, phone off, and a walk through open countryside. One of the most scenic routes runs through Cornbury Park, a 1,700-acre estate near Charlbury with herds of deer, ancient oaks, and sweeping views over the River Evenlode.

Start in Finstock and follow the path through the parkland toward Charlbury, where country pubs and cafés make the perfect finish line. It’s a quiet, restorative walk, no crowds, no signage overload, just woodland trails, open skies, and the occasional burst of birdsong.

This isn’t a showy route, but if you’re after a slow, scenic ramble with local flavor, it holds its own among the best hikes in the UK.

11. Wander the gardens at Hidcote

Hidcote Manor Garden near Chipping Campden is one of the best-known Arts and Crafts gardens in England, and rightly so. Designed in the early 20th century by American horticulturalist Lawrence Johnston, it’s a series of carefully planned outdoor rooms filled with rare plants, clipped hedges, and bursts of color across every season.

You can meander through quiet green corridors, sit by lily ponds, or pick up gardening inspiration from experimental planting beds. It’s peaceful, perfectly kept, and one of the most rewarding things to do in the Cotswolds if you’re into gardens or design.

12. Take in the view from Broadway Tower

Standing 312 meters above sea level, Broadway Tower offers one of the best panoramic views in the Cotswolds, and one of the most atmospheric hilltop spots in the country. On a clear day, you can see across 16 counties from this 18th-century folly, perched just outside the village of Broadway.

The tower itself has links to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, and there’s a café and walking trails around the site. It’s a proper standout among the most beautiful places in England, especially in golden-hour light.

13. Explore the ruins of Hailes Abbey

Just outside Winchcombe, the ruins of Hailes Abbey are a quiet, contemplative spot with serious history. Founded in the 13th century and once home to Cistercian monks, it became a major pilgrimage site thanks to a supposed relic of the Holy Blood. It was destroyed during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, but the remains still speak volumes, low stone walls, carved archways, and traces of tile work underfoot.

There’s a small museum on site, and it's rarely crowded. If you’re after things to do in the Cotswolds that dig deeper into the region’s past, this is a peaceful and powerful place to start.

14. Cycle the Cotswold Line rail trail

If you want to slow down and explore the Cotswolds beyond the car, the Cotswold Line rail trail offers a scenic route that connects towns and villages by bike or on foot. It loosely follows the train line between Oxford and Worcester, passing through places like Charlbury, Kingham, and Moreton-in-Marsh.

You can hop off at any station and cycle a stretch of quiet lanes, rolling hills, and wooded paths. It’s one of the more laid-back but rewarding things to do in England if you’re after rural charm, good pubs, and a bit of physical effort, without the pressure of a full long-distance trail.

15. Visit the Rollright Stones

Just north of Chipping Norton, the Rollright Stones form one of England’s most atmospheric prehistoric sites, a trio of ancient monuments made up of a stone circle, standing stones, and a burial chamber. Shrouded in folklore and myth, they’re often compared to a mini Stonehenge (but without the crowds or fences).

The setting is low-key but powerful, surrounded by farmland and open skies, with interpretive panels and trails connecting the different features. If you’re planning a trip to England and want something older, stranger, and more elemental than a castle or stately home, this one’s worth the detour.