Family-friendly weekend breaks in the Cotswolds: where to stay and what to do

The Cotswolds covers a huge area, stretched across the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire you can get to it quite easily within an hour from many places in the UK. Even a trip from central London by train is just over an hour.

Throughout the Cotswolds, you can expect to see a lot of golden stone buildings and rolling hills, which define this picturesque region of the UK. It has several villages scattered around and it is very easy to drive from one to the next, making it a great place to explore and discover new quintessentially English market towns, palaces, castles and country homes, all whilst admiring the landscape. It is also a great destination for keen walkers, with more than 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore.

We have recently tried and tested a few places that make a great family weekend break with plenty of fun for the little ones and special treats for the grown-ups and will leave the whole family wanting to come back for more.

Our first stop was The Sheep on Sheep Street Hotel, a beautiful boutique hotel newly refurbished in 2016. Originally three buildings dating back to the 17th century, this family-friendly hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds has gone through a number of renovations and it keeps its gold stone charm amongst the new SoHo style décor.

I admit that I select a hotel partially by its décor and The Sheep did not disappoint! The service we received was outstanding and they were very quick to answer any requests we had. The bedroom décor was modern and elegant, with a very comfortable bed and pillows (you can always judge a hotel by its pillows!) and a large bath.

Bonus points for being also a dog-friendly hotel, so if travelling with dogs it is good to reserve one of their dog-friendly rooms. The Sheep is the perfect stop-over in this charming town. Originally a market town built to make the most of its central location and passing traffic, Stowe is beautiful and has been holding markets for over 900 years.

Weather and kids allowing, the next morning would have been perfect for a stroll to the Ancient Wells which is nearby and pram-friendly. Or alternatively you can check the many walks you can do around Stow to discover more of the beautiful rolling hills.

An idyllic hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds, The Wild Rabbit is a stunning boutique hotel with a jaw-dropping restaurant where they support British farmers and artisan producers. They were awarded a Michelin star in 2016, by using the finest seasonal ingredients to create dishes that celebrate traditional British cooking with a contemporary twist. The bedrooms are decorated with care and attention to provide an unforgettable stay, and aside from hotel rooms they also have cottages available and they also welcome dogs in a number of rooms.

What more could we ask for? Well, there is also the pub and bar area for when you just want to have a break in a more casual environment. The Wild Rabbit is family-friendly and it was the perfect spot for us to have a break before our next destination, the girls were happy with their treats and downtime and we were happy with the service and relaxed atmosphere.

And there is more. They also have bikes available for their staying guests, so you can discover the Cotswolds on two wheels for a different experience. Their customers travel long distances to have the chance to spend some time there, so it is advised to book in advance if you are planning a meal or a stay at The Wild Rabbit.

After having spent an active afternoon outdoors we looked forward to our next stop: a very traditional English afternoon tea, as you should when you are in the Cotswolds.

Chipping Camden is the perfect place to stay with a wide choice of family-friendly hotels and plenty of shopping. This ancient wool merchants’ town has many beautiful buildings, from St James Church right through to Dover’s Hill offering stunning views and family activities. If you have plenty of time to spend there, explore the town and all the different architectural building styles or go for a walk in the surrounding areas.

We chose to have Afternoon Tea in The Kings Hotel in the centre of town. A beautiful boutique townhouse hotel, they have cottage rooms and also standard rooms available. The afternoon tea was delicious, we were warmly welcomed on arrival and the team arranged to sit us in the dining room so we wouldn’t be ‘disturbed’ by the wedding party arriving later that day. They were very accommodating with our two children, bringing biscuits and toasts with butter for our fussy toddler who turned her nose up at our delicious sandwiches and home-made scones. The cakes were delightful– there was a good variety of flavours and it was just what we needed to get cosy on a cold English afternoon.

If you fancy staying here (an admirable choice) just remember to book in advance if you visit during peak season as this is a popular area and hotel.