10 Things to Do in the Cotswolds on a Small Budget

Broadway Tower and Park is a family-owned private parkland on 80 hectares of land loaded with English heritage, iconic scenery and historic sites. The tower is a famous regional landmark atop the Cotswolds escarpment and dates to the 18th century as the vision of designer ‘Capability Brown’. It was constructed in 1798 for George William, 6th Earl of Coventry. Today the Saxon Tower’s eccentric architecture is showcased through a museum, multimedia guides and breath-taking views of 16 counties from the top.

You’ll see a mismatched collection of architectural features on the way, from turrets to battlements to gargoyles overlooking balconies. It’s a quirky, unique, fun walk into the Cotswolds’ past.

Gloucester Cathedral offers iconic and historical sites that cater to adults and children with fantastic views, workshops, hands-on activities and ancient tombs. Among the more famed sites here is the Tomb of Edward II. You and the family can also explore the cloisters inside. The building is a community hub of Gloucester and hosts community events throughout the year. It is also a functioning cathedral, so if you visit during services, you are asked to show the proper respect.

The Cathedral is free to visit and allows you to explore over 1,300 years of Christian history and heritage. Its architecture dates back to 679, and much of it is still in its original form.

Doing the Cotswolds by public transportation is a great way to save money while catching iconic and breathtaking scenes from the rolling English countryside. The region encompasses multiple counties and more than 800 square miles of terrain. While a car rental may be easiest, you can get around without a automobile. You may miss a few villages and attractions, but if you carefully plan your itinerary, train and bus can be a way to see the landscape.

The key is timing. Trains run on a semi-regular schedule between the larger cities, and connections run irregularly to some smaller towns. Buses are best within cities, but some do run between cities.

Pittville Park is one of Cheltenham’s largest ornamental urban parks and is ideal for families on vacation or couples on a romantic getaway in unspoiled natural surroundings. On the eastern side, you will find a vast kids’ play area, a sand and water park, and a beautiful pump room. On the western side, you’ll find more play neighborhoods, a skate park for older kids and a large recreational lake.

Whether you’re looking for space to enjoy a picnic, take a romantic lakeshore walk with your partner or allow the kids to run off some excess energy, this park has it. It’s a stunning spot to recharge and escape the noise of the city.

Tewkesbury Abbey offers a few hours of opportunity to explore wonderfully-preserved architecture from the Norman area, ornate and lovely decor and beautifully tended gardens. The abbey was founded in 1087 and consecrated in 1121, so it’s a chance to walk through the past of Tewkesbury. Even today, it is a functioning church. Everyone is welcome, but please be respectful of any services in progress when you visit.

When services are not in session, you can explore the ancient nave and see plaques, signs and documents describing the storied history of the place. You also get the chance to see some amazing stained glass windows. Guided tours are available to learn even more.

The Thames Path in Cirencester is a hidden gem of the region and runs from Log House Vacations to Kemble, along the famed English River from its source. The path along the Thames runs to the ocean, a full 180 miles, along which you’ll find beautiful meadows, quaint and ancient country villages and many picturesque pubs.

Few people undertake the entire journey, though it is possible if you take a few days to do it and stop for rest and respite along the way. The journey, however, would certainly be memorable, and every pint you raise at a country public house would be well deserved.

The Corinium Museum in Cirencester showcases the whole history of the region with hundreds of exhibits, artifacts, documents and ephemera from ancient Rome through the modern day. The museum is renowned for its vast collection of ancient Roman artifacts, including many from archeological excavations of the town of Corinium Dobunnorum that once stood where modern-day Cirencester sprawls. These include mosaic floors and carvings dating from the 2nd and 4th centuries. In addition, the museum has an extensive collection of Neolithic artifacts from indigenous peoples and costumes, photos and items from the Victorian era.

The building is also a historic attraction, built in the mid-18th century as a house. Today it is a Grade II listed building.

Coaley Peak is considered one of the prime picnic spots in the Cotswolds, with spell-binding views of the rolling green fields of the Severn Valley. It’s just a few minutes away from Stroud. It offers postcard-perfect panoramic vistas along 5 hectares of reclaimed farmland. It is now turned into a vast wildflower meadow right next to a beech plantation belonging to the Woodland Trust.

The peak is also along the famed Cotswold Way footpath, which will take you through the Neolithic burial site of Nympsfield Long Barrow. Whether you’re here for a romantic escape or you’re in it for Instagram-worthy countryside photos, this idyllic and historic spot is a great escape.

The Moreton in March Outdoor Market is one of the largest street markets in the Cotswolds region and offers a vibrant culture and great deals. Here you can walk by dozens of stalls covering a long shopping street and vending everything from leather jackets to purses, books to vintage vinyl, collectable books to vintage clothes, cookware and housewares, pet products and even fresh fish, meats and produce. It’s held every Tuesday on the High Street of Moreton in March.

If you’re looking to score great bargains on arts, crafts and secondhand items, you can find buried treasures here. It’s also a spot to soak up plenty of local color.

The Gloucester Docks are the home to one of the furthest inland shipping ports of the entire UK and are a popular visitor attraction that’s free to visit. The docks are a historic spot and a thriving example of a still-functional Victorian port with warehouses and buildings dating to the 19th century. Many attractions can be found here, including the National Waterways Museum, the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, a modern-day designer outlet center and a working dry docks.

Many people come here to take photos of the boats coming into and leaving port, while others take guided tours. You can see model boat displays, shop antique stores and even go paddle boarding.