There are many wonderful things to do in Bourton on the Water whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with your family in tow. As one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds, Bourton on the Water is famous for its prime location along the River Windrush and its five historic canals.

From museums, to mazes, to animal-centric activities, a trip to this lively Cotswolds village is sure to keep you entertained. Here’s a look at the top things to do in Bourton on the Water for all ages.

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Bourton on the Water is one of the most family-friendly destinations I’ve ever visited. From animal-focused activities, to hands-on museums, to shallow canals perfect for wading babies, this village is ideal for little explorers. In fact, not only is the town chock-full of activities perfect for little ones, it’s equally fun for parents as well!

While I traveled solo on my first visit, I hope to return to Bourton on the Water in the future with my husband and our little one on the way.

One of my absolute favorite things to do in Bourton on the Water was visiting the Model Village.

This miniature replica is an impressive rendition of Bourton on the Water at one-ninth the size.

The attention to detail here is uncanny, from impressive replica signage, to holy music inside the replica church, to Cotswold Stone facades on the miniature buildings.

If you’re a lover of tiny replicas, you definitely can’t miss a visit here – whether you have little ones in tow or not!

The Model Village is open daily year-round from 10AM until 6PM, with the exception of Christmas and Boxing Day.

Despite having a lot of interesting replicas to admire, the exhibit is small and can be explored in as little as half an hour. (That said, I stayed for nearly two hours since I couldn’t put my camera down!)

Keep in mind that the pathways that wind around the village are narrow. While they’re perfect for young adventurers, they may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.

You can check out admission information here. Tickets are available for purchase by card only and can only be purchased on-site (not in advance).

For a small additional fee, you can also purchase a ticket to “Miniature World,” an exhibition featuring moving miniatures.

The Model Village is located at The Old New Inn on High Street in Bourton on the Water.

Another great stop for littles (as well as car-lovers of all ages) is the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection.

Located adjacent to the Old Manse Hotel, one of the best places to stay in Bourton on the Water, the Motoring Museum features a collection of motoring memorabilia and unique vehicles spread throughout seven separate showrooms. This includes cars, motorbikes, caravans, and fascinating toys from the 20th century.

The child-focused highlight of the museum is Brum, the beloved superhero car from the famous British television series. In fact, the museum itself is known as the “Home of Brum” and features his likeness in various areas throughout the museum.

There’s also a gift shop featuring many car-themed toys and goodies which is a huge hit with the kiddos.

The museum is open daily for walk-ins from 10AM to 6PM. You can check out admission information here.

The Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection is located at The Old Mill in Bourton on the Water.

I’ll readily admit that before traveling to the UK, I’d never associated England with birds (particularly flamingos). So what a pleasant surprise it was to explore Birdland Park & Gardens, one of the best things to do in Bourton on the Water for bird enthusiasts!

This nine-acre wildlife park features over 500 birds ranging from waddling penguins, to majestic flamingos, to owls, storks, and more.

While the park predominantly features birds, it’s also home to other lovable creatures such as tortoises. There’s even a Jurassic section you can wander through to scope out all of the life-size dinosaur replicas.

They also host seasonal events that are fun for the whole family, such as “Trick or Tweet” weeks in October.

Birdland Park & Gardens is open daily from 10AM until dusk.

You can check out admission information here.

Birdland Park & Gardens is located on Rissington Road in Bourton on the Water.

Another one that’s fun for the kiddos and adults alike is the popular Dragonfly Maze. Located just to the right of Birdland Park & Gardens, this classic English hedge maze features a golden dragonfly at its center – and 14 mind-bending clues to find your way to it!

I’m bummed that I missed out on this awesome labyrinth experience on my first trip, but I hope to check it out and report back on a future visit.

Generally, the Dragonfly Maze can take anywhere from 20 minutes to about 50 minutes to complete.

Since it’s small, the number of visitors is intentionally limited by time slots. Advance bookings are not accepted; instead, you can only purchase tickets in-person at the kiosk on the day of your adventure.

You’ll find admission and pricing information here.

Dragonfly Maze is located on Rissington Road in Bourton on the Water.

If you love British pub food and other tasty delights, you’ll be right at home in Bourton on the Water. This popular town is chock-full of tasty pubs and eateries with plenty of classic British options to suit a variety of palettes.

In my opinion, no trip to England would be complete without a delicious meal of fish and chips! I enjoyed my first official British fish and chips at The Chip Shed on High Street.

This casual take-away establishment may not look like much at first glance, but they make a mean order of fish and chips!

I devoured mine and can honestly say it was one of the best I’ve had. You can choose from a variety of fish options, including cod, haddock, and lemon sole. There are also other menu offerings such as burgers, scampi, and homemade pies as well.

You can either order your meal to go or elect to sit in the small dining area. I sat inside because I tend to be a messy eater. It was definitely the right choice!

Also, if you like it here and plan to spend more time in England, you’ll be happy to know that Chip Shed has locations in Warwick, Minchinhampton, and Cheltenham. Plus, a new location in Stratford Upon Avon will be opening soon.

Chip Shed is located on High Street in Bourton on the Water.

For a tasty start to your day, head to Bakery on the Water for a coffee and a delicious pastry.

This village hotspot is located next to the Motor Museum, so you may even decide to stop for a pick-me-up on the way.

Specializing in artisanal handmade pastries and breads, Bakery on the Water always seems to be popping with hungry tourists. It’s also a cute spot to enjoy afternoon tea. If you do, I recommend grabbing a table outside for the lovely backdrop of the River Windrush.

Can’t get enough of Bakery on the Water? Then you’ll be happy to know that you can also visit their Gloucestershire location as well as two “Bakery on the Hill” locations in Burford and Oxfordshire.

Locations are open from 8AM to 5PM, and breakfast is served from 8AM to 11AM.

Bakery on the Water is located at 1 Sherborne Street in Bourton on the Water.

I’m all about hunting down yummy gelato on my travels, and the cone I had at Bourtanicals Marsfield Farm was one of my favorite gelato spots to date!

Not only do they have a huge variety (which actually made it challenging to make a final decision), but they also offer some really unique flavors you won’t often find at other shops. I had the lemon ginger and it was delicious.

One of my absolute favorite eateries in Bourton on the Water is La Reine Café. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I went twice in my two-day visit!

This lovely café specializes in homemade goodies ranging from breakfast and brunch offerings to hearty sandwiches and salads.

While I originally came for tea with my lovely England-based-blogger-friend Sophie from thirdeyetraveller, we were both a little hot on a balmy June day, so we opted for cold drinks instead.

I also ordered the tuna sandwich, which was one of the best I’ve had! I polished this off with carrot cake for dessert, another solid choice.

The café is open from Monday to Sunday from 8AM to 4PM.

La Reine Café is located on High Street in Bourton on the Water.

Bourton on the Water offers such a welcoming vibe and is the perfect village for people-watching. One of the best places to relax and watch passersby strolling is along the River Windrush by the town’s beloved canals.

I suggest packing a picnic lunch and enjoying it on the lawn by the water. There are also benches that line the canals if you’d prefer that experience. Regardless, you definitely won’t be the only one with this picnic idea, particularly in spring and summer!

While I’m usually not a fan of crowds, there’s actually something enjoyable about seeing people spread out and soaking up the sun (if you’re lucky) along the water. It feels like a collective experience where everyone is enjoying what Bourton on the Water has to offer simultaneously.

I enjoyed a lovely stay at the Old Manse Hotel – one of my top Bourton on the Water hotel recommendations – and would suggest it to anyone looking to be centrally-located while in Bourton on the Water.

Located right along the River Windrush, you can enjoy beautiful canal views from the comfort of your room.

But even if you’re not planning to stay at the Old Manse Hotel, it’s worth swinging by for a classic British pub-style meal. While there’s an indoor bar, I actually suggest requesting an outside table so you can enjoy the lively atmosphere and canal views as you eat.

If you prefer exploring on your own two feet, then you’ll find Bourton on the Water has plenty to offer. This small village is incredibly easy to navigate on foot and offers numerous activities just a short walking distance of each other. Here are a couple of great ways to get your daily steps in.

Along with beautiful Castle Combe, the Slaughters are some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.

The Slaughters consist of two separate parts – Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter. Lower Slaughter is the more frequented one of the two and features the idyllic 19th-century flour mill. It’s also home to the Church of St. Mary as well as some beautiful row homes.

This is also where you’ll find The Slaughters Manor House, if you fancy an afternoon tea-time splurge – or a decadent stay in the Cotswolds.

Otherwise, if you wish to base yourself in the Venice of the Cotswolds, be sure to check out the top accommodations in Bourton on the Water.

Upper Slaughter, on the other hand, is more residential and incredibly tranquil. Here, you’ll find grassy banks and charming homes.

While staying in Bourton on the Water, many travelers will opt to do a circular walk to the Slaughters.

While there’s technically more than one way to do this walk, one of the most popular routes is a 5.4-mile journey round trip. You can find directions for the circular walk from Bourton on the Water to the Slaughters for the simplest journey.

If walking is one of your favorite ways to explore a new town, joining a private walking tour may be right up your alley. These tours tend to cover a variety of towns and can provide a half or full day of exploration.

Here are some popular private tour options that include Bourton on the Water as well as some lovely neighboring villages.

Who doesn’t love free activities? Thankfully, Bourton on the Water offers plenty of them. So even if you weren’t planning to shell out a bunch of cash in this Cotswolds village, you’ll still find plenty to keep you occupied in Bourton on the Water.

Once in the heart of Bourton on the Water, you’ll quickly understand how it earned its nickname as the “Venice of the Cotswolds.” One of the joys of visiting is strolling over the village’s bridges – and snapping some fun photos along the way.

While there are a total of five footbridges, the oldest – and arguably the most famous – is Mill Bridge, dating back to 1654. It’s located by the war memorial.

This is followed by High Bridge, constructed in 1756 and located in the center of the town green.

Throughout the warm summer months, the River Windrush is the perfect place to remove your shoes and relax with your toes in the refreshing water.

The water is pleasantly shallow (particularly along the edge of the lawn), and it’s quite invigorating. Unsurprisingly, this is a popular wading area for everyone from little explorers to four-legged friends.

You may even spot some furry friends fetching sticks and living their best doggie lives here!

If you’re the type of person who enjoys strolling church graveyards (guilty!), then don’t miss a visit to St. Lawrence’s Church & Graveyard.

There’s just something about old cemeteries that gets the creepy-movie fanatic in me excited.

Or if the idea of wandering a graveyard sounds too morbid, you can enjoy a more wholesome experience checking out St. Lawrence’s Church. This Norman church has origins extending back to 1110. (This was preceded by a wooden Saxon Church from the 8th century.)

St. Lawrence’s Church is located at The Rectory on School Hill in Bourton on the Water.

One of the lesser-known things to do in Bourton on the Water – and an awesome free option – is to pay a visit to Greystone’s Farm Nature Reserve, part of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Here, you’ll find everything from a field (and barn) of cows to the Salmonsbury Camp, dating back to the Neolithic and Iron Age periods.

Plus, if you’re lucky, you may even see some wily wild foxes scampering throughout the fields.

Be sure to check the visitor page before your visit, as opening times can vary for the various offerings.

Entry to the farm is free for all visitors.

Greystone’s Farm Nature Reserve is located at Greystone’s Lane in Bourton on the Water.

The location is a bit off the beaten path. To begin, follow the signs posted in the town center of Bourton on the Water. You’ll eventually need to walk by a series of residential homes before arriving here and you may have the feeling you’ve taken a wrong turn.

Some of these next activities don’t necessarily fit squarely into a previously-mentioned category, but they’re definitely worth mentioning! Here are some additional activities you won’t want to miss while in Bourton on the Water.

If you’re a collector of perfumes – or just curious about the process involved in creating your own signature scent – consider a visit to the Cotswold Perfumery.

Here, you can browse some of the finest English fragrances of the past 50 years or concoct your own in a hands-on perfumery course.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of this gem on my first trip, but I’ll have to sniff it out next time and report back!

The Cotswolds Perfumery is located on Victoria Street in Bourton on the Water.

Bourton on the Water is bustling with charming specialty shops and boutiques, making it the perfect place to pick up a special souvenir for your loved ones back home.

Here are some of the most popular Bourton on the Water gift shops:

• The Cotswold Pottery
• Cotswold Sheepskin
• Cotswold China and Cookware
• Chestnuts Fashion Fix
• Once Upon a Candy Shop

Bourton on the Water is wonderful in its own right, but it’s also a great jumping off point for visiting some lovely neighboring towns. I personally loved spending time in the Slaughters during my stay in Bourton on the Water.

However, there are many other villages to consider that are close by.

Here are some of the most popular day trip options from Bourton on the Water:

• The Slaughters (5-min drive, approx. & popular circular walk)
• Stow-on-the-Wold (10-min drive, approx.)
• Moreton-in-Marsh (15-20 min drive, approx.)
• Bibury (25-min drive, approx.)

One of my best suggestions for things to do in Bourton on the Water is simply to enjoy an overnight stay. This is one of the best ways to appreciate this beautiful village in the evenings when day time crowds clear out and in the morning before it gets busy.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my top recommendations for places to stay in Bourton on the Water, including a full description of my time at the Old Manse Hotel.

Now that you’ve gotten the lowdown on the best things to do in Bourton on the Water, have I inspired you to visit? If so, what activity will you tackle first? Let me know in the comments below!

Planning a trip to the beautiful Cotswolds region? Check out my other guides:

• 12 Best Places to Stay in Bourton on the Water (from Canal-View Stays to Country Inns)
• Is Castle Combe Worth Visiting? 15 Compelling Reasons to Love this Romantic Cotswolds Village (Or Not)
• 10 Irresistibly Charming Places to Stay in Castle Combe, England