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Walking through Castle Combe

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You are here: Home > See & Do > Things to do in the Cotswolds

Things to do in the Cotswolds

In the Cotswolds, home to England’s largest National Landscape, the picture perfect villages and idyllic rolling pastures have to be the main attraction. Although you might be surprised what else there is to discover… like Castle Combe Circuit!

Still, you won’t be able to resist first exploring dreamy-looking towns and villages like Bibury, Malmesbury and Castle Combe. Their quaint Cotswold stone cottages and bygone beauty are hard to rival. Be sure to visit Lacock Abbey in the historic village of Lacock. As well as being the birthplace of photography, it also featured in 2 of the Harry Potter films (don’t miss a photo opportunity with the 500-year-old cauldron).

Be sure to visit the historic village of Box. Probably best known for its Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway tunnel and quarried stone. Views of Box Tunnel combined with his Road Bridge and magnificent Middle Hill Tunnel celebrates a wonder of the Victorian age and one of the finest views of a historic railway line in the country.

If you’re partial to a garden visit, don’t miss the displays at Dyrham Park. There’s always something different to see, from potted tulips to wildflower meadows. Or how about some mindful forest bathing at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum? It’s a treat year-round, from the blossoms in spring to the trees bedecked with twinkly lights at Christmas.

And you can get a decent cultural fix in the Cotswolds too. The Cheltenham Literary Festival in October attracts some of the biggest names in books. While you can catch top stage performances and live music at various venues. The Barn Theatre in Cirencester stages diverse productions ranging from family musicals to modern day interpretations of Shakespeare’s Henry V.

Take a look at the listings below for more things to see and do in the Cotswolds.

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Bath

The golden city of Bath has been welcoming visitors for over 2,000 years. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Bath is home to some of the most impressive architectural sights in the world such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum managed by Forestry England, is a remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees.
1. 1 Jan 202531 Dec 2025
Bradford on Avon
Canal & River Trust

The beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal (or K&A as its known) flows along 87 miles of the Great West Way. From Bath to Reading, it winds through quintessential rolling Wiltshire hills, bustling towns and even a World Heritage Site. Since 1810, narrowboats have drifted along at four miles an hour, plying their trade from Bristol to London. Today, you'll find a mixture of holiday and live-aboard boaters, all seeking the calm and tranquillity that comes from life on or by the water.
National Trust around The Cotswolds

Discover the National Trust properties in and around the south of the Cotswolds along the Great West Way.
Roman Baths

Epicentre (and raison d'etre!) of the Heritage City.
1. 1 Jan 202531 Dec 2025