Top Holiday Attractions in Gloucestershire - what to do, where to go and what to see

If you are heading to Gloucestershire for a cottage holiday or self catering short break we have compiled some of the must see places and the best things to do. Whether you are looking for some family fun, visit relaxing and peaceful gardens or immerse yourself in the history and culture of Gloucestershire then take a look at some great ideas below.

And, if you are still to book your self catering accommodation we have listed some great Gloucestershire cottages and apartments close to the attractions and available direct from independent owners and leading holiday operators.

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Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection, Bourton-on-the-Water

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Although the main focus here is on motoring, the museum has a toy collection that includes teddy bears, aeroplanes and rare pedal cars. It is also home to Brum the little yellow car from children's TV, which was filmed here.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access Pet friendly All weather Sunny days


Soldiers of Gloucestershire, Gloucester

Attractions in Gloucestershire

The story of Gloucestershire's soldiers and their families in peacetime and war over the past 300 years is told in this award-winning museum.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Space for eating own food


Prinknash Bird & Deer Park, Gloucester

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Enjoy a wildlife experience walking in this bird park with fallow deer and pygmy goats, peacocks and cranes. There are bird pavilions and a reputedly haunted fish pond teeming with large trout.


All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Tailor of Gloucester Beatrix Potter Museum, Gloucester

Attractions in Gloucestershire

The attraction and shop are in the very house used by Beatrix Potter to inspire her story of helpful sewing mice, ‘The Tailor of Gloucester'. Displays and models bring this classic English tale to life.


All weather Sunny days


Berkeley Castle, Berkeley

Attractions in Gloucestershire

This stunning medieval castle, stately home of the Berkeley family for 900 years, was the scene of Edward II's murder. It is filled with treasures and is set in beautiful Elizabethan terraced gardens. There is a programme of events, with lots of fun activities for children.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Museum in the Park, Stroud

Attractions in Gloucestershire

An innovative museum set in a park; it has imaginative displays including dinosaur bones, a Roman temple and the world's first lawnmower. There are also family activity packs, special events and exhibitions.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Space for eating own food


National Waterways Museum, Gloucester

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Take a journey through Britain in this award-winning museum, telling the 200-year story of inland waterways. Investigate interactive displays, historic craft, a traditional blacksmith's and an activities room. You enter through a replica lock complete with running water.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe


Dyrham Park, Chipping Sodbury

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Dyrham Park was built 1691 to 1702 for William Blathwayt and its rooms have changes little since they were first furnished. There are restored Victorian domestic rooms, including kitchen, bells passage, bake house, larders, tenant's hall and a delft-tiled dairy.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Robinswood Hill Coutry Park, Gloucester

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Explore 250 acres of open countryside with way-marked nature trails and a visitor centre. Pay a free visit to the rare breeds farm and see traditional breeds of farm animals


Disabled/Wheelchair Access Pet friendly All weather Sunny days Space for eating own food


Birdland Park & Gardens, Cheltenham

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Spot the penguins; flamingos; storks; cranes; parrots; ibis; hornbills and many other birds at this centre for all things feathers, set in woodland and gardens.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access Pet friendly All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Puzzlewood, Coleford

Attractions in Gloucestershire

This pre-Roman open-cast iron-ore mine is set in 14 acres of spectacular scenery. Pathways take you through deep ravines and passageways between moss-covered rocks, forming a very unusual maze. There is also an opportunity to meet the farm animals. More recently Puzzlewood has been used as a film location for TV shows such as Dr Who and Merlin.


All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley

Attractions in Gloucestershire

A farm park with exotic cattle such as American bison. It also has Gloucester Old Spot pigs and a large adventure playground with big slides and an outdoor paddling pool (in summer) and miniature railway.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Set in beautiful grounds, Sandford Parks Lido tempts the whole family to take the plunge in the 50m heated outdoor pool.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Chedworth Roman Villa, Cheltenham

Attractions in Gloucestershire

See the remains of one of the largest Roman-British villas in the country. The site comprises of more than a mile of walls, several fine mosaics, two bath houses, hypocausts, a water-shrine and a latrine. The museum houses objects from the villa


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


WWT Slimbridge, Slimbridge

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Visit a large collection of exotic, rare and endangered ducks, geese and swans in this reserve. The Discovery Centre has hands-on displays.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Cotswold Farm Park, Cheltenham

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Meet more than 50 flocks and herds of British rare breeds. Enjoy seasonal demonstrations and children's activates including adventure playgrounds, an indoor tractor school, farm safari rides and a pet's corner.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Woodchester Park & Mansion, Stonehouse

Attractions in Gloucestershire

Knows as ‘The Secret Valley', this park was formerly an 18th Century park with five lakes and it is now virtually covered with trees. It contains an unfinished Victoria Gothic mansion. There are way-marked walks and trails through the woods.


Disabled/Wheelchair Access Pet friendly All weather Sunny days Restaurant or cafe Space for eating own food


Looking for Accommodation close to Gloucestershire

If you are looking to spend a short break or holiday in Gloucestershire there is a lot of great quality self catering accommodation, ranging from apartments and cottages to lodges and chalets, to choose from. Of course, you will also find some lovely guest houses, bed and breakfast and hotels in Gloucestershire. Find out more by using the links below:

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Find Cottage Holidays

Find Cottage Holidays mission is to promote the very best of the UK and Ireland's wonderful self catering accommodation, whether it be cottages, apartments, lodges, chalets, houses, villas or bungalows. But, it's not just about the cottages, we also try and bring you some helpful guides and information on the places to go, things to see and activities to do while you enjoy your break in England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland. In fact, we are adding to our list daily but if you think we have missed somewhere special tell us via our Facebook page. With wonderful countryside and superb coastlines to explore the UK and Ireland has so much to offer.

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