Looking for the best Cotswolds hotels for families– in a central location that won’t blow the budget? Then read on – this guide covers the best family friendly accommodation in the Cotswold region.
Known for its fairytale like villages, rolling hills and stunning countryside, the Cotswold is the perfect family friendly destination. But given the area covers around 800 square miles, it can be difficult to decide on the best places to stay in the Cotswold.
Some families choose a central base from which to explore the region, while others take a road trip approach and move to a different village every few days.
Whatever you decide – one thing’s for sure – the towns and villages of the Cotswolds are so charming and laid back that the entire family will absolutely fall in love with this gorgeous region of England!
But first things first – despite being a laid back part of England – there really aren’t many cheap Cotswold hotels. Plus, family hotels in the Cotswolds are fairly limited in most villages, with most hotel rooms only accommodating a couple. However, quite a few houses or apartments are available, which is perfect for families after Cotswold self catering accommodation.
As to where is the best place to stay in Cotswold – well that could be one of the larger towns with plenty of attractions, shops and places to eat. Or perhaps your family would like to stay in one of the tiny villages where the kids will undoubtedly think they’ve stepped into a real-life fairy tale land.
To help you find the best family friendly accommodation Cotswold offers, this guide will help you decide not only which town to stay in but also help you choose the appropriate accommodation.
Recently in town ourselves, we spent a fair bit of time researching the region and searching for places to stay in the Cotswold for families. We compared a range of towns and properties and have shortlisted 10, which we cover in this guide. We’ve included all the information you need to decide which is best for you.
So, let’s get started and find you one of the best family hotels in Cotswolds.
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Best Family Hotels Cotswold Map
The map below shows the location of all the Cotswold accommodation covered in this guide.
Zoom in and out for a closer view.
Best Family Hotels in the Cotswolds Overview
Below is a quick overview of the family friendly hotels in the Cotswolds covered in this guide. You can use this overview to quickly determine the best option for you.
For a more comprehensive review, keep reading below.
| Name | Location | Room Type / Amenities | Hotels Facilities | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Castle Inn | Castle Combe | Rooms Rooms with 1 double or 2 single beds Tea / Coffee with 1 double or 2 single beds | Restaurant Bar | Check Price |
The Swan Hotel | Bibury | Room with 2 double or 4 single beds Tea / Coffee | Restaurant Bar Lounge Parking | |
The Barrel Store | Cirencester | Family room with 2 x Bunk Beds | Communal kitchen | Check Price |
My Place Go | Cirencester | 3 Bedroom House with 2 double beds & 2 singles Kitchen Washing Machine | Free Parking | Check Price |
Kings Head Hotel | Cirencester | 2 Bedroom Apartment with 2 double beds Kitchen Washing Machine | Restaurant Bar Day Spa | Check Price |
Roman Villa | Bourton on the Water | 2 Bedroom home with 2 doubles & sofa bed Kitchen Washing Machine | Free Parking | Check Price |
Wadham Cottage | Bourton on the Water | 2 Bedroom home with double bed & 2 singles Kitchen Washing Machine | Free Parking | Check Price |
Chestnut Bed and Breakfast | Bourton on the Water | Room with double bed and sofa bed Tea / Coffee | Breakfast Included | Check Price |
Church Suite | Stow on the Wold | 1 Bedroom Apartment with double & sofa bed Kitchen | NA | Check Price |
Cotswold Apartment | Stow on the Wold | 1 Bedroom Apartment with double & sofa bed Kitchen | Free Parking | Check Price |
Best Place to stay in Cotswold for Families
As mentioned above – the Cotswolds is a huge region – so you’re not only going to need to decide on which of the family friendly Cotswold hotels to book – you’ll also need to decide on which town to stay in – or towns if you plan on driving around a bit.
There are many towns and villages in the Cotswolds – and in this guide, I won’t be going through them all. However, I will cover a few of the towns we consider more family friendly considering their accommodation options and proximity to attractions.
Castle Combe
When you visit Castle Combe, you’ll soon understand why this fairytale-like village is part of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Considered one of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, a visit to Castle Combe is a must for families.
The village is home to several historic landmarks, including the 14th-century St. Andrew’s Church and the Castle Combe Manor House, which dates back to the 12th century. The village also has a few pubs making it a popular place to stop for a meal or a drink.
In terms of Cotswold holiday accommodation, there isn’t much to choose from in Castle Combe. And you won’t find any family rooms, so if you want to stay here, you’ll need to book two rooms.
Castle Combe is a stunning location though – the kids will expect to see one of their favourite Disney princesses at any moment!
Bibury
Bibury is a small village just a touch bigger than Castle Combe and also one of the most beautiful in the Cotswolds. The village is most famous for its row of 14th century postcard perfect cottages, known as Arlington Row.
With the River Coln running straight through the village, it’s a lovely place for the family to stroll around. Things to do in Bibury offers include visiting the trout farm, enjoying a tasty lunch in an old pub, walking along the river and crossing an old footbridge.
Although like Castle Combe, there is not a lot of accommodation to choose from in Bibury. Although the accommodation available does accommodate families – buts it’s certainly not cheap Cotswold accommodation – still very charming if you’re willing to splurge.
Cirencester
Just a 15 minute drive from Bibury is Cirencester, one of Cotswold’s largest market towns. It is a beautiful town with gorgeous stone buildings and links to medieval times and the Romans.
Cirencester is an excellent central location for families to stay. In town, there are various attractions, shops, and places to eat and you can easily visit several Cotswold villages on day trips.
For families on a budget – Cirencester is the place to stay. This is where you’ll find some of the cheapest family friendly accommodation in all of the Cotswolds. However, accommodation in town is fairly limited, so in some cases, you may need to book a place outside of town. If you’re driving, this won’t really be a problem.
Overall I think Cirencester is the best place for families to stay in the Cotswolds- it’s a pretty town, central location and you get good value for money accommodation.
Click here for our full guide on where to stay in Cirencester with kids.
Bourton on the Water
Bourton on the Water is one of the most popular villages to stay in in the Cotswolds – in fact, this is where we stayed and based ourselves for our entire time in the Cotswolds. It is a small village known for its beautiful setting, historic buildings, and picturesque river which runs through the village.
As well as the village having plenty of family friendly attractions – it’s also located in an excellent central spot to take day trips to various Cotswold towns.
However, when it comes to hotels in the city centre – they tend to be Cotswold pub accommodation style and often can’t accommodate a family in a single room and they can be rather expensive. They generally don’t have parking either.
The good news is that Bourton on the Water has quite a few apartments and holiday homes available. These properties come with kitchens, usually 2 or 3 bedrooms and often a washing machine, and generally free on site parking.
Click here for our full guide on where to stay in Bourton on the Water with kids.
Stow on the Wold
Stow on the Wold is a short drive from Bourton on the Wold – so another great location to base yourself in while exploring the Cotswolds.
However, out of all the Cotswold villages we’ve visited – Stow on the Wold would have to be one of the most expensive! Plus, they don’t tend to have any child friendly hotels as they often can’t accommodate a family in a single room. They generally don’t have parking either.
However, Stow on the Wold has several apartments and holiday homes available. These properties come with kitchens, usually 1 or 2 bedrooms and often a washing machine, and generally free on site parking.
Click here for our full guide on where to stay in Stow on the Wold with kids.
Best Family Hotels in Cotswolds Review Guide
After hours of research and exploring the Cotswolds myself, I’ve shortlisted 10 of the best family hotels Cotswolds has below.
Castle Inn
The 4 star Castle Inn country pub is in the heart of Castle Combe in the historic village marketplace. The Inn dates back to the 12th century and is packed with character.
The individually styled ensuite bedrooms are generously sized and feature one double or two single beds, a desk, satellite tv and tea and coffee making facilities.
Unfortunately, there are no family rooms so you may need to book two rooms. However, cots are free on request and an extra bed for children aged between 3 to 12 years can be added to a room for an additional charge.
There is a restaurant, bar, conservatory dining room, and large garden terrace.
Click here for more information and to check the current price.
The Swan Hotel
The Swan Hotel is the most central accommodation Bibury has to offer. It is also one of the best family friendly hotels in the Cotswolds. This charming and characterful hotel is just minutes on foot from Arlington Row and Bibury’s main attractions.
The hotel has a restaurant offering kids’ meals, a bar, a library, a shared lounge and private riverside gardens. It offers free WiFi, free parking and an English breakfast is included in the price.
Most of the uniquely decorated 22 bedrooms sleep up to 3 people. The spacious family room can sleep 4 in either 2 double beds or 4 single beds. It has an ensuite with a bathtub, a safe, tv and tea and coffee making facilities.
As previously mentioned, The Swan Hotel is not one of the cheap hotels Cotswold offers families, but If you want to stay in a character packed property in the heart of this historic village, it is the best option.
Click here for more information and to check the current price.
The Barrel Store
Barrel Store is one of the best hotels in the Cotswold for families after budget accommodation. In fact, it is actually a hostel – but don’t let this deter you. This is a super stylish hostel where families will feel comfortable. Plus it is smack-bang in the centre of town, with everything on your doorstep – restaurants, shops, cafes, museums.
Family rooms sleep 4 in 2 bunk beds with your own private bathroom. Whilst the rooms are basic, there is a large communal kitchen with many tables to enjoy your family meals without sharing them with others. The kitchen is fully equipped, including a fridge to store meals and a large table with comfy chairs.
Even though this is cheap accommodation Cirencester has on offer, it doesn’t skimp on the furnishings. The beautiful craft features throughout include locally-made warm woollen throws, artisan-made chairs and light shades; even the bunks are shaped by the hands of traditionally trained welders.
Click here for more information and to check the current price
My Place Go
My Place Go is another of the best Cotswolds stays for those on a budget. It’s near the Cirencester town centre, at only 400 metres away you can walk there within minutes. However, if you’ve driven into town, you’ll be pleased to know that the parking at My Place Go is free.
Larger families will love the stylish mews 3 bedroom house accommodating up to 6 guests. Two of the rooms come with double beds, and the third room has 2 single beds. When you want to get the family together, there is an outdoor gated courtyard or a lovely living room with lounges and a dining table to share meals.
Meals can be prepared in the fully equipped kitchen with an oven, stovetop, microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster. And once you’ve finished dining, you can throw everything in the dishwasher to clean. The property also comes with a washing machine.
Click here for more information and to check the current price
Kings Head Hotel
Centrally located in the middle of Cirencester, the Kings Head Hotel is a modern and moody boutique hotel. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘Hotel’ in the name, as they offer apartments perfect for families. It’s one of the best places to stay Cotswold offers families.
The 2 bedroom apartments come with a double bed in each room, a bath in the bathroom – perfect for washing littlies when travelling, and you don’t even have to use the bath as a makeshift laundry, as the apartments come with a washing machine so you can wash your clothes in comfort.
The fully equipped kitchen has all the appliances you need to cook up a storm, however if you want the night off cooking, you can indulge at the onsite restaurant or grab a light meal from the Corn Hall Deli or the alfresco Courtyard.
And if it’s just a beverage you’re after, you can grab teas and coffees to wines and mocktails at The Terrace. Finally, if you can find a babysitter, adults can indulge at the Vaulted Spa, offering relaxing spa treatments.
Click here for more information and to check the current price.
Roman Villa
The Roman Villa is a quaint 2-bedroom home around 700 metres from the Bourton on the Water village centre at the end of a residential cul-de-sac. The surrounding homes have the same facade, so you will need to look for the house number to locate Roman Villa.
The property has two bedrooms, each with a double bed. The living room has a sofa bed, so there is room for children to sleep in their own beds.
The modern kitchen has all the conveniences of home, including an oven, stovetop, microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster, plus a dining table. The Villa also has a washing machine.
At the rear of the house is a small patio to get some fresh air and let the kids play. The patio also has a great green outlook to the hills, and the path into town runs past here. Roman Villa also offers free parking and free Wi-Fi.
Roman Villa is perfect for those after self catering accommodation Cotswold offers families in the centre of Bourton on the Water.
Click here for more information and to check the current price
Wadham Cottage
Wadham Cottage is a two bedroom home in the centre of Bourton on the Water.
The main bedroom with a double bed is on the ground floor, while the second bedroom is up a steep flight of stairs and has two single beds. To access the second bedroom, you must go through the main bedroom.
The fully equipped kitchen has an oven, stovetop, microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster. In addition, there is a dining table seating four guests and an outdoor dining table for enjoying meals during warmer weather.
Additional family friendly amenities include a bath which is great for the littlies, a washing machine to catch up on laundry, free parking (super convenient for this village) and free Wi-Fi.
Click here for more information and to check the current price.
Chestnut Bed and Breakfast
Chestnut Bed and Breakfast is in the centre of Bourton on the Water with a gorgeous outlook over the village green and the River Windrush. The central location means you’re surrounded by all types of retailers, including a pharmacy across from the accommodation.
The character filled rooms are compact and can sleep a family of 4 in a double bed and pull out sofa bed. However, this particular property only accepts children over 8, so unfortunately, if you have younger kids, this isn’t the property for you.
Rooms include tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi and folding chairs to take down to the river. A hearty English Breakfast is also included.
Click here for more information and to check the current price.
Cotswold Apartment
The Cotswold Apartment is a one bedroom home located an easy 500 metre walk from the centre of Stow on the Wold. For those driving into town, you’ll be pleased to know the property has free on site parking, making sightseeing around the Cotswolds super convenient.
This apartment accommodates families of 4 with a double bed in the bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room. As with all sofa beds, if used for sleeping, you have the challenge of folding it up during the day so you can use it as a couch – if you need to.
The corner kitchen is compact but has all the appliances you need to self-cater on your holiday with an oven, stovetop, microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster – and even a dishwasher.
If the weather is warm, there is a large outdoor patio with a great dining table to eat alfresco. Alternatively, there is an enclosed glasshouse sunroom which is another great option.
Click here for more information and to check the current price.
Church Suite
Going by the name ‘Church Suite’, you may already have guessed that this apartment is in a former church. Conveniently in the centre of Stow on the Wold, this old church has been renovated to a high standard, and you will notice some unique details, such as the open void in the bedroom to let light in from the huge old church windows.
The property accommodates families of 4, with a double bed in the upstairs bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room. If you want extra space during the day, you’ll need to fold up the sofa bed or sit on it as a bed.
The kitchen is well equipped to prepare meals using an oven, stovetop, microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster – and there is a small dining table for eating meals. Whilst there is no on site parking, there is free parking a short distance from the property.
Click here for more information and to check the current price.
Find even more tips on places to stay in the Cotswolds here.
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Hopefully, you found this guide on where to stay in the Cotswolds with kids helpful. We also have a guide covering all thefun things to do with kids in the Cotswolds. Other great guides you may also find helpful include things to do in London with kids, things to do in Bath with kids or things to do in York with kids.
Find even more tips on places to stay in the Cotswolds here.