A Cotswolds Christmas: How to Plan a Festive Family Visit in 2026

There's a reason the Cotswolds fill up in December. Honey-stone villages strung with lights, log fires in old pubs, frosty walks over the wolds - and, if you have small children, one of the most highly rated Santa experiences within reach of Bristol, Birmingham and Oxford. Here's how to make the most of a festive trip, whether you're coming for a day or a long weekend.

Meet Father Christmas at Cotswold Farm Park

Our Christmas Experience at Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park runs from 27th November to 23rd December 2026, with grotto slots bookable by date and time. It's built around younger children - toddlers, babies and those who are properly excited about Santa - and our elves are well used to tiny attention spans and sensory needs.

Here's what a children's ticket includes:

A personalised visit to Father Christmas, who already knows all about your little one thanks to a bit of North Pole magic
The Present Room, where children choose a gift from a collection suited to babies right up to older kids
The Teddy Bear Workshop — pick a cuddly friend and build it with the elves
The Gingerbread Kitchen, baked fresh on site and allergen-friendly, with plenty of toppings and mess allowed
Marshmallow toasting and s'mores around the fire pits as the light fades
Meet-the-animals in the indoor Animal and Discovery Barns, plus indoor and outdoor play whatever the weather

Exploring the Cotswolds in December

The Farm Park sits between Stow-on-the-Wold and Cheltenham, which puts you within easy reach of the villages people come here for:

Bourton-on-the-Water - the River Windrush runs through the village centre, and the Christmas tree stands in the water itself. Go at dusk when the lights come on.
Stow-on-the-Wold - a market-town square ringed with antique shops, tea rooms and old coaching inns. Good for a wander and a late lunch.
Broadway - the long, wide high street is at its best in winter, and the Broadway Tower walk gives you views across several counties on a clear day.
Cheltenham - the nearest town for Christmas shopping and festive events, around half an hour away.
The Slaughters and Naunton - quieter villages for a short, muddy, beautiful walk before a pub fire.

Many of the towns run Christmas markets and late-night shopping evenings through late November and December; check individual town websites for this year's dates before you travel.

A Cotswolds Christmas: How to Plan a Festive Family Visit in 2026