Kat Purchase Photography

Outing Ideas For The Last Week Of The Summer Holidays

Are you feeling exhausted from planning daily activities for the kids this Summer?

As we move into the last week of the holidays before schools reopen, I thought I’d take a moment to share some places I like to visit with my son around the Cotswolds, in case you are searching for some inspiration to keep the kids happily occupied during this final stretch…

  1. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Toddler in patterned vest standing on a train platform next to a vintage train with an adult looking out the window in the background.

How about a magical ride on a steam train this weekend (24th-26th August) to finish off the holidays?

GWSR are offering a deal where up to 3 children can travel for £1 when you purchase an adult Rover ticket. This is an online exclusive and tickets must be purchased by 12 noon on Thursday 22nd August.

At their Winchcombe station, they are also offering FREE children's craft activities in the Tim Mitchell building.

Click HERE to find out more.

2. Cotswold Farm Park

Two children sitting on a wooden swing holding sunflowers, with a dog between them, surrounded by a field of flowers and greenery.

I’m sure many of you have probably aready visited here already this Summer, however with so many things to do there (including the sunflower field) and an offer on for GL postcodes, I think it’s still worth a re-visit!


Here’s their exclusive Summer Afternoon pricing for GL Postcodes:
Adults & seniors: £9.95
Children & Toddlers: £4.95


This offer is valid until 1st September 2024 (inclusive). Simply provide proof of address when booking to enjoy these fantastic rates. Buy tickets online HERE.

3. Westonbirt Arboretum

Red-haired toddler in a green sweater peeking from behind a tree, surrounded by greenery.

Get out and enjoy some fresh air and family activities at Westonbirt.

Their family activity days are running till August 31st. You can design your own wooden raft and take part in a water race. You can also learn to use marbling inks, try some leaf chromatography, and discover how trees transport their water up and down the trunk.

They also have their Green Games summer family trail in the Old Arboretum too.

4. Perrygrove Railway

Child looking out of a red train window, with tracks and another train in the distance.

A little on the outskirts of the Cotswolds, but one of mine and my son’s favourite places to visit is Perrygrove Railway in Coleford.

They are currently offering their new Boomerang Pass where you can save 50% on your return visits to Perrygrove this Summer! Just show your original ticket and you get 50% discount on the gate. Valid as many times as you like until 3rd September. Click HERE to book.

They also have a competition running at the minute to win a family day out at Perrygrove. Details are on their Facebook page.

5. Visit a Cotswold village

Young child with red hair wearing a brown sweater, looking upwards, seated indoors.

If you feel like enjoying a delightful day out where you aren't spending too much money, why not consider having a leisurely wander around a picturesque Cotswold village and take the opportunity to stop off for a refreshing drink and a delicious slice of cake?

This picture was taken in one of our favourite spots in Stow, The Porch House, which proudly holds the title of England’s oldest inn. Even if the weather is being typically British and a bit dreary, you can easily cosy up in a pub like this one, warming yourself while enjoying lovely views of the Cotswolds out of the window. The Porch House has a lovely, cushioned window seat, which is where we enjoyed watching the world go by and where this image was captured.

Other villages with lovely cafe's and pubs that we like to explore are Lower Slaughter, Woodstock, Broadway and Prestbury Village.

We reccommend The Slaughter's Country Inn, The Woodstock Arms, Morris and Brown Cafe and Penny Blacks as places to stop for a drink and bite to eat.

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