Things to do in the Cotswolds this Summer

Go Fossil Hunting

‍

The Cotswolds are famous for having an abundance of fossils, many of them evidencing that the region was once deep under the sea. For adults and children alike, a fossil hunt is a fun and rousing day out. 

Head over to any of these sites in the Cotswolds and close surrounding areas that have rich pickings for fossil-hunting fun:

• Cleeve Common – Southam, Cheltenham GL52 3NF
• Robinswood Hill – Reservoir Road, GL4 6SX
• Soudley Valley – Sutton Road, Cinderford GL14 2TU
• Wainlode Cliff – Bishops Norton, Tewkesbury GL2 9LW

‍

Alternatively, if you’re on a public footpath that happens to pass by a recently ploughed field, there’s a plethora of ‘Gryphaea’ or Devils Toenail’s to be found even on the edges. We see them most days when we walk the dog, it’s an easy win for an excited and curious child.

‍

Hire Electric Bikes and Take a Tour

‍

There’s nothing quite like exploring our beautiful region on a bike. An electric bike means you’ll keep going a little longer and probably go a little further too. You can hire one and see where the paths and roads take you, or hire one as part of a tour group that lets someone else do the hard work and lead the way.

Several companies are offering simple bike hire or additional tours too:

• Cotswold Electric Bike Tours (https://www.cotswoldelectricbiketours.co.uk) 
• Cotswold eBikes (https://www.cotswoldebikes.co.uk) 
• Cotswold Bike Hire (https://www.cotswoldbikehire.co.uk) 

‍

Immerse Yourself in Civil War History 

‍

Two battles of the English Civil War of 1642-1651 took place in the Cotswolds. Just north of Bath, on 5^th July 1643, the final stages of the Battle of Lansdown were fought as the Royalists tried to capture the cities of Bath and Bristol. The next was at Stow-on-the-Wold on the 21^st March 1646, when a Royalist army marched through the town hoping to join up with the King in Oxford. A fierce Parliamentary Army met them and a truly blood battle ensued.

The Cotswolds were also strategically important, and you can walk in the footsteps of Oliver Cromwell and Charles I and their armies all over the region. Most notably there’s rich history in Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh, Winchcombe and Broadway.

‍

Go Fly a Kite

‍

Harnessing the wind and sending a kite high into the sky is exhilarating. Many Cotswold commons and playing fields are ideal for kite flying on a windy day. But Minchinhampton Common, sitting above the Stroud Valley and Severn estuary, is a renowned and well-loved kite-flying spot. They even hold a kite-flying festival there in May. The common has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1913 and is a beautiful place to visit, brimming with wildlife. There’s non-designated parking near the Minchinhampton reservoir.

‍

Visit an Historic House 

‍

There’s no shortage of stunning historic houses to visit in the Cotswolds. Some properties are privately owned by individuals or organisations and the National Trust manages others. You can visit a house for an event, such as a classical concert, or simply for a day out to explore the house and grounds. Generally, there’s always a charge. However, a historic house and grounds can offer a chance for the whole family to explore and immerse themselves in history in a truly beautiful place.

 Here’s a pick of our favourites:

• Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe
• Snowshill Manor, Snowshill
• Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
• Westonbirt House, Tetbury
• Owlpen Manor, near Uley

‍

Buy a Pair of Binoculars, Create a Nature Spot-Sheet and Observe our Local Wildlife

‍

This is a cross-generational, simple activity offering hours of pleasure for everyone. Turning your binoculars to the sky, trees or undergrowth can offer some delightful surprises. From beautiful birds of prey to a skulk of foxes playing together in a field, getting close to nature can be incredibly rewarding.

Create a nature spotting sheet and note down your finds along the way, making sure to record where and when you saw each animal. Also, get down what they were doing and how healthy they looked. It doesn’t matter if you see lots of the same animals, you’ll come away with a hands-on picture of the wildlife around you.

We like the Nikon PROSTAFF P3 Waterproof Binoculars 10 x 42 Green available at John Lewis for £129.

https://www.johnlewis.com/nikon-prostaff-p3-waterproof-binoculars-10-x-42-green/p109396720

‍