Christmas in the Cotswolds: What to Do with Kids
Christmas is a truly magical time of year in the Cotswolds. There are endless pubs to cosy up in front of a fire, warming Sunday roasts to sample, Christmas markets to explore, and mulled wine aplenty. These have always been my go-to things to do at this time of year. However, after the birth of my son and then daughter, I have had to do a slight pivot. Instead of lazy afternoons in the pub, it is meeting reindeer and enjoying the beauty of Christmas lights.
These are my top things to do in the Cotswolds this winter with children, whatever your budget.
A Personal Meeting with Father Christmas at Cotswolds Farm Park
£48.95 per child (include park entry)
If your child loves a meeting with Father Christmas (mine is petrified!), then this is the Rolls Royce of meetings. Too often, it is a hurried affair with a badly-wrapped piece of tat given out at the end. At Cotswolds Farm Park, Father Christmas greets your child by name. They then get to make their own teddy to take home, and pick a toy from the present room. This is all rounded off nicely by gingerbread decorating. Tickets also include entrance to the farm park, so you can really make a day of it.
Send a Letter from Daylesford Organic’s ‘With Love from the Cotswolds’ Post Office
Prices TBC
At Daylesford, they go all out for the festive period. The place is artfully decorated, and it is an excellent place to stock up on gifts and festive-flavoured treats. This year, they are also running their ‘With Love from the Cotswolds’ post office. Here, you can handwrite a letter to a loved one, and then frank it there in the shop.
See the Christmas Lights in any Village.
Free
The Cotswolds are truly spectacular at Christmas, with almost every village having its own display of lights. Many homeowners also decorate the houses and gardens, making the whole place feel utterly magical. Lots of villages have designated ‘light switch-on’ evenings, which usually involve craft stalls, mulled wine, and general festive cheer.
Some of my favourites are Broadway and Chipping Campden.
Christmas Markets
Free (or very expensive if you love mulled wine)
Throughout November and December, many villages in the Cotswolds hold Christmas Markets. These vary in size but generally offer a selection of food stalls, craft stalls, and local artisan producers. There is usually some kind of live music, often in the form of a local brass band or choir, playing a soundtrack of traditional Christmas songs to serenade you while you shop.
You can normally find trucks and stalls serving mulled wine, cider, hot chocolate, and a vast array of delicious things to eat. Some markets even have real-life reindeer to meet.
For the specific dates, check out my designated page here.
Blenheim Palace
From £72 adult and £47 children over 3
13th November to 3rd January
At Blenheim Palace, they go BIG for Christmas! The whole house is shrouded in glittering lights, as well as a spectacular light train. Inside the house, there is a Cinderella-themed adventure to explore. For older children and adults, there is an ice skating rink and a Christmas market.
See the Floating Christmas Tree at Bourton-on-the-Water
Free
The floating Christmas tree is one of the iconic images of the Cotswolds at Christmas. Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most visited villages in the Cotswolds, so it is often incredibly busy. It has become so popular with tourists that it has started to impact the lives of the locals who live there. Therefore, if you visit, please exercise some restraint and manners. Tidy up your rubbish, park in specified places, keep dogs on a short lead, and be considerate if you can; try to plan your visit during the week when it will be quieter.
Phil the Elf at Dunkertons
£15 for one child and adult
Saturday 5th December
Dunkertons host a whole range of events over the festive period, including wine tasting, quizzes, and wreath making. This fun show is aimed at younger children, particularly preschoolers. A similar vibe to a pantomime, this is a silly way to spend an hour that children will love. Afterwards, make sure you check out all the food options available and enjoy one of their ciders.
Giffords Circus
From £11 (child)
This is one of my son’s favourite things to do. We have been a handful of times, and it never grows old. The brainchild of Nell Gifford, this is what you think of when you imagine a traditional circus. All the costumes are handmade, the jokes are family-friendly, and the big top invites you to a world of spectacle and wholesome fun.
As the Cotswolds’ winter can bring biting temperatures, for the Christmas Show they relocate to the Circus Barn at Fennell’s Farm, Stroud. There are still the usual food and drink wagons outside. If you book a 7: 30 showing, you can also book a seat at their supper club, which I would highly recommend.
See a pantomime
Various
I never truly realised how much of a bizarre British institution pantomimes are until I moved abroad. The simplest way to describe them is as a play retelling a fairy tale, but in the campest way possible with a lot of silliness. As a child, I really enjoyed them. My children are still a bit young, but I am counting down the year until I can take them as I watch their faces light up with equal parts joy and confusion!
A list of pantomimes in the Cotswolds this winter can be found here.
Meet Santa’s Reindeer
£18.50
Meeting Father Christmas isn’t for all children, and my son isn’t a massive fan as he’s so shy. That shouldn’t mean they miss out on all the Christmas cheer and magic! At Cotswolds Reindeer Herd, you can meet and learn about the reindeer they keep here. There is also an option to meet the reindeer and Father Christmas for the braver children (and adults!)
Ride the Christmas Train at Evesham Valley
Adults £12.50 children £17, children below 2 £10
This isn’t technically in the Cotswolds, but it’s a 10-minute drive from Broadway and absolutely worth it. This park has lots of things to do, including a soft play, playground, nature walks, mini golf, dog agility, and more.
One of the things I find myself doing again and again with my children is riding the Evesham Light Railway. This is a small stream train (15” gauge apparently!) with little carriages you can sit in. The mile-long circuit takes you through countryside, with a stop halfway at the playground.
At Christmas, they can take the train to Santa’s Grotto. Here, they can meet the man himself, drink hot chocolate, and write their Christmas letters. It books up well in advance, so don’t leave it too long if you plan on going!