THE OLD SURGERY www.oldsurgery.stengard-green.com +44(0)7989 404 535 [email protected]

Tetbury & The Cotswolds for Children

ACTIVITIES

Cotswold Water Park South Cerney (01285 861459). Open all year round. Every kind of water sport imaginable is available at these 133 lakes and two country parks. Try your hand at snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing and other water pursuits. Blue flagged children’s beach, cycle hire, picnic sites, nature reserves, café and visitors center. Go-By-Cycle provides cycle and related equipment hire for use on their own Keynes Country Park or beyond following the all terrain cycle route.

Fundays Playbarn Bourton-on-the-Water Children’s Indoor Playbarn offering children 12 years and under a colourful, safe and fun environment. A fantastic play structure including the awesome and scary double-drop slide, as well as the Rainbow slide. Toddler soft play zones are incorporated into the centre as well.

Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre Robinswood Hill One of the best and longest outdoor artificial ski slopes in the UK. From skiing and snowboarding to tubing and even 9 hole golf, but presumably not on the piste.

Go Ape! Lydney Three hours of tree top adventure, climbing 30ft up a rope ladder, Tarzan swing into a giant rope net and zip wire through trees, crawl through tunnels and tackle high wire rope bridges.

Go-Karting Hullavaton Hangers, a large track in a bomb-proof former aircraft hanger.

Horse Riding Barton End Stables 1 New Cottage, Barton End, Nailsworth, Glos 01453 834915

The Talland School of Equitation Church Farm, Siddington, Cirencester, Glos. 01285 652318

South Cerney Riding School Cerney Wick, Cirencester, Glos 01793 750151

Paint Balling Several locations are in the area, active mainly from Spring to Autumn.

Pick a Pot and Paint in the Cotswolds Cirencester Paint your choice of fun or functional ceramics ideal for younger children.

Old Surgery Tetbury GL8 8DH UK THE OLD SURGERY www.oldsurgery.stengard-green.com +44(0)7989 404 535 [email protected]

SPORTS & SPORTING

Beaufort Polo Club Down Farm, Westonbirt (01666 880510), www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk Polo 3 pm every Saturday & Sunday and 4.30 p.m. on weekdays during tournaments. from 1st May - 19 September. Spectators welcome (£5 per car - occupants free) and you might catch a glimpse of William or Harry.

Motor Racing Castle Coombe

Rugby Bath and Bristol (great rivals)

Football Bristol and Swindon

Horse Racing Cheltenham (www.cheltenham.co.uk) and Chepstow

Golf Minchinhampton Golf Club. Cirencester Golf Course. Cotswolds Hills Golf Club, Ullenwood, Leckhampton. Cotswold Edge Golf Club, Upper Rushmire, Wooton-under-Edge Westonbirt (9 hole; honesty box)

Tennis Indoor and outdoor courts at Esporta and Oxstalls, Gloucester. Outdoor courts at Nailsworth; Minchinghampton and at The Hare & Hounds, Westonbirt.

Swimming Pools / Leisure Centres Malmesbury, Dursley, Cirencester (outdoor lido), Cheltenham and Gloucester.

OUTDOORS & WILDLIFE

Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water. (01451 820480) Open daily 10am-4pm (summer, 6pm) Set amongst seven acres of woodland, gardens ponds and rivers see some of the worlds most exotic and rare birds. The River Windrush runs through the Park forming a natural habitat for Flamingos, Pelicans and Storks as well as an abundance of waterfowl. The colony of Penguins is an experience, especially at feeding time.

The Butterfly Farm Stratford-Upon-Avon (01789 299288), www.butterflyfarm.co.uk Open summer 10am-6pm, winter 10am-dusk.

Old Surgery Tetbury GL8 8DH UK THE OLD SURGERY www.oldsurgery.stengard-green.com +44(0)7989 404 535 [email protected]

Bristol Zoo Gardens Clifton, Bristol, (0117 9747300) Daily 9am-5.30pm See over 300 species of creature from lions to dung beetles. There is a reptile house, aquarium, twilight world, gorillas, monkeys and elephants to name but a few. There is also a children’s play area, restaurant and shop.

Cattle Country Adventure Park Berkeley, (01453 810510) Open 10am-5pm from Easter. A great family day out with: large adventure playground, trampolines, bucking bronco, roller racers, huge indoor slides, climbing frames and a ball pool. Birds of prey and other animals.

Cotswold Wild Life Park Burford. (01993 823006) Home to a varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates, from ants to white rhinos and bats to big cats. Asiatic lions and Amur leopards. Other animal highlights include meerkats, Lar gibbons and Siamang gibbons. Many are endangered species. All set in the large parkland surroundings.

Cotswold Falconry Centre Moreton-in-Marsh. (01386 701043) February-November 10.30am-5.30pm Birds of Prey are the focus of attention at this centre, which is devoted to their breeding and conservation. Many different types of birds of prey are on display here, including eagles, hawks, owls and falcons.

Dick Whittington Farm Park Gloucester Indoor and outdoor activities, over 8,000 square feet of indoor soft play including the new Astra and Mega Slide. Café, Shop. Pets Corner, Aquarium, Reptile House, Farm Animals and Nature Trail.

Horseworld Whitchurch, nr Bristol. (01275 540173) Open 10am-5pm summer, 10am-4pm October-March. Come to Horseworld and meet our friendly horses, ponies and donkeys. You’ll have a fantastic day out with our touch and groom areas, miniature farm, pony rides, daily presentations, adventure playground and restaurant.

National Arboretum at Westonbirt Nr. Tetbury, Gloucestershire. ( 01666 880220) www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt Open all year - 18,000 specimen trees and 17 miles of way-marked paths. A delight to visit at any time of year. There are seasonal events at Westonbirt Arboretum including winter luminaries and concerts by well know artists of all genres.

Puzzlewood Coleford Explore a mile of meandering pathways through beautiful ancient woodland. The mile of paths wind through gulleys and moss covered rocks, over bridges and through fantastic tree and rock formations.

Old Surgery Tetbury GL8 8DH UK THE OLD SURGERY www.oldsurgery.stengard-green.com +44(0)7989 404 535 [email protected]

Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Dursley, Gloucestershire ( 01453 89190) www.wwt.org.uk Fun as welll as educational with plenty to see and do throughout the year. Autumn - patience in the wilder areas of the reserve rewards visitors with glimpses of Britain's rich wildlife - remember to visit the popular Kingfisher Hide. Winter - the Bewick Swans are back from Siberia with over 30,000 other wild birds that flock to WWT Slimbridge for the winter months. Enjoy the spectacle every day at 4 p.m. and listen to their amazing stories in the commentated feeds from the comfort of our purpose-built heated observatory.

HISTORIC & MUSEUMS etc.

Arlington Mill Museum Bibury, (01285 740368) The daily grind of the mill worker is brought vividly to life with working machinery, photographs and documents detailing the history of the mill. Visitors are taken right back to the 17th century.

Avon Valley Railway Bath Road, Bitton. (0117 9327276) Midway between Bath and Bristol, the railway has brought steam back to the Avon Valley. Take a picnic or visit the station buffet. Gift shop, playground and special events throughout the year.

Bath’s Theatre Royal & The Egg (children’s theatre), Bath Tel. 01225 448844, www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Berkeley Castle Berkeley, (01453 810332) Notorious for the brutal murder of Edward 11 but famous for its beauty. Go and admire the terraced Elizabethan gardens and the famous Berkeley silver. Plenty of seasonal events with jousting etc.

Bourton Model Railway Bourton-on-the-Water The Bourton Model Railway Enter the world of your childhood dreams with some of the finest operating indoor model railway layouts in the country, covering over 500 square feet.

Explore-At-Bristol Bristol harbourside (0845 345 1235) Open daily 10am-6pm Explore involves people of all ages in a fascinating journey through science. Using the very latest interactive and hands-on techniques.

Wildwalk-At-Bristol Bristol harbourside (0845 345 1235) Open daily 10am-6pm Wildwalk is a living rainforest in the heart of the city. A unique mix of tropical gardens, live animals and stunning wildlife film and photography lets you get up close and personal.

Old Surgery Tetbury GL8 8DH UK THE OLD SURGERY www.oldsurgery.stengard-green.com +44(0)7989 404 535 [email protected]

Bristol Aero Collection Cirencester Bristol Aero Collection is a museum dedicated to the preservation and display of artifacts of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and its sister companies. On display are aircraft, engines, missiles, spacecraft, road transport and many more items designed and built in Bristol in the last century.

Clearwell Caves Nr Coleford (01594 832535) 10am-5pm daily, March-October Superb natural cave system, tunnelled into by mines searching for iron ore and ochre for over 4000 years. Nine impressive caverns to explore, geological and mining displays. Tearoom, shop, picnic area. An exciting underground experience for all ages.

Corinium Museum Cirencester After a £5m revamp the story of Corinium - the second largest Roman town - is told through lots of child- friendly interactive displays. As well as having Roman fun, visitors can chart the history of the Cotswolds up to the 19th century, with exhibits including a reconstruction of an Anglo-Saxon grave. (01285 655611; www.cotswold.gov.uk).

Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection, Bourton-on-the-Water. (01451 821255) Along with its collection of cars, motorcycles and pedal cars, the Museum also has a toy collection and has one of the largest collections of metal motoring signs. The Museum is also home to BRUM, the little yellow car from the BBC TV children's series.

Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway Toddington Station, (01242 621405) All weekends from March to October and selected weekdays. The ‘Friendly Line in the Cotswolds’ offers a 20-mile round trip from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse. The exciting 693 yard Greet Tunnel is one of the longest on a preserved railway. Tearooms.

Kemble Airfield Kemble, Gloucestershire Kemble Air Show – Sunday 18th June 2006 Popular Flying Association Rally – Friday 30th June –Sunday 2nd July 2006 Gloucestershire Steam Extravaganza – Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th August 2006

Museum of Costume Assembly Rooms, Bath (01225 477785) www.museumofcostume.co.uk March-October 11am-6pm, November-February 11am-5pm. One of the finest museums of fashionable dress in the world.

Perrygrove Railway Coleford Perrygrove Railway The steam train for all ages- and all weathers! A charming railway in the Forest of Dean where friendly staff welcome you. Fun for children in 20 acres and an Indoor Village with secret passages - treasure boxes are hidden here! 4 stations, each with paths to walk through ancient woods and solve the riddle of the Gale Stone. Lots of picnic tables outside and under cover.

Old Surgery Tetbury GL8 8DH UK THE OLD SURGERY www.oldsurgery.stengard-green.com +44(0)7989 404 535 [email protected]

Roman Baths Abbey Churchyard, Bath (01225 477785) www.romanbaths.com March-October 11am-6pm, November-February 11am-5pm. One of the greatest religious spas in the ancient world and a fine Roman museum. Bath’s thermal springs rise at the heart of the site.

SS Great Britain Gas Ferry Road, Bristol (0117 9291843) Open from 10am, closes 5pm in summer and 4pm in winter. Brunel’s ship was the first great ocean liner. See it where it was built in 1843 in Bristol’s Great Western Dock. Ticket also includes admission to the Martime Heritage Centre.

Sudeley Castle Winchcombe, Gloucestershire Tel. 01242 602 308, www.sudeleycastle.co.uk This Tudor castle was once home to Katherine Parr, wife to Henry V111. Lovely gardens, restaurant and Tudor costume exhibition.

The Teddybear Museum Stratford-Upon-Avon (01789 293160), www.theteddybearmuseum.com Open daily 9.30am-5.30pm.

Uley Long Barrow – (Hetty Pegler’s Tump) An unusual chambered burial mound dating from about 3000BC.

Woodchester Mansion Nympsfield (0800 970 7223) This 19th century masterpiece was deserted during construction. Hidden in a secluded Cotswold valley, it is untouched by time so you can observe the architectural detail and gain an insight into Victoria building techniques. And apparently haunted.

Old Surgery Tetbury GL8 8DH UK THE OLD SURGERY www.oldsurgery.stengard-green.com +44(0)7989 404 535 [email protected]

NON-ACTIVE

Cinema

Apollo Stroud, Merrywalks Shopping Centre, the local five screen cinema.

Showcase Cinemas, St Philips Causeway, Avonmead: Good to combine with IKEA on a wet day out.

The Venue, Cribbs Causeway: cinemas and an enormous shopping center including John Lewis, M&S and the usual suspects.

Theatre

Theatre Royal & The Egg (children’s theatre), Bath Tel. 01225 448844, www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Bristol Old Vic www.bristol-old-vic.co.uk, (0117 987 7877)

The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham (01242 572573), [email protected]

The Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham (01242 522852)

Shakespearience Stratford-Upon-Avon (01789 290111) A multi-sensory experience where the Carpe Diem company performs.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon (01789 295623)

Attic Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon (01789 404600)

Shopping Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham and Gloucester are the key centres with the most interesting being Bath, Cheltenham and the area around the university in Bristol.

Old Surgery Tetbury GL8 8DH UK