Villages & Towns1 mile
South Cerney
Your home village — a short stroll through the back gate. Three pubs (the Elliott Arms, Royal Oak & Old George), shops, an Indian and a chippy.
Our local little black book
Days out & local gems
The places we send our own guests to — across the Cotswold Lakes and the wider Cotswolds.
A perfect base
150 lakes on the doorstep and the whole Cotswolds beyond
You're staying in the heart of the Cotswold Lakes, with charming market towns, rolling countryside and big days out all within easy reach. Filter the guide below to find your kind of day — distances are from South Cerney.
57 ideas — tap a category to filter
Villages & Towns4 miles
Cirencester
The 'Capital of the Cotswolds' — Black Jack Street boutiques, the Roman Corinium Museum, New Brewery Arts and weekend markets.
Villages & Towns3 miles
Somerford Keynes
A pretty lakeside village, home to Cotswold Beach and the Cotswold Sculpture Park — indoor and outdoor art with a café on site.
Villages & Towns~20 mins
Bibury
Arlington Row — one of England's most photographed streets — plus the 11th-century church, a trout farm and lovely River Coln walks. Arrive early in summer.
Villages & Towns~25 mins
Bourton-on-the-Water
The 'Venice of the Cotswolds', with the Windrush running through its centre — Birdland, the Model Village, the Dragonfly Maze and the Motoring Museum.
Villages & Towns~30 mins
Burford
The 'gateway to the Cotswolds' — a sloping high street of antiques and delis, the Tolsey Museum, the River Windrush and the wonderful Burford Garden Company.
Villages & Towns~30 mins
Stow-on-the-Wold
A handsome market square of antique shops and galleries, the medieval St Edward's Church and characterful pubs and tea rooms.
Villages & Towns~40 mins
Chipping Campden
A golden-stone wool town and home to Clarkson's Farm Shop, plus the quirky Cotswold Olimpicks and the Scuttlebrook Wake village fair.
History & Culture~50 mins
Blenheim Palace
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Churchill's birthplace — England's largest private palace, set in sweeping Capability Brown parkland.
History & Culture~35 mins
Gloucester Cathedral
Founded in 679 AD — the shrine of Edward II, breathtaking cloisters, and a filming location for the Harry Potter films.
History & Culture~1 hour
Bath
A UNESCO World Heritage city — the Roman Baths, honey-stone Regency crescents and the rooftop Thermae Spa. A brilliant full day.
History & Culture~45 mins
Lacock Abbey & Village
A Grade I National Trust abbey, birthplace of Fox Talbot's pioneering photography — and another Harry Potter location in a beautifully preserved village.
History & Culture~20 mins
Chedworth Roman Villa
One of the grandest Roman villas in Britain (National Trust) — remarkable mosaics and bath houses tucked into a wooded Cotswold valley.
History & Culture4 miles
Corinium Museum
In Cirencester — an outstanding collection of Roman and local artefacts, with costumed legionaries on selected days. Great for a rainy afternoon.
History & Culture~40 mins
Broadway Tower
A hilltop folly with a 200-acre estate, two cafés, deer encounters and even a Cold War nuclear bunker tour. Wonderful views.
Wildlife & Nature~30 mins
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Rhinos, giraffes, big cats, meerkats and more, set in landscaped gardens near Burford — a guaranteed family winner.
Wildlife & Nature~35 mins
Cotswold Farm Park
Adam Henson's rare-breed farm — lambing, animal handling, tractor rides and adventure play. Perfect for younger children.
Wildlife & Nature~45 mins
Westonbirt Arboretum
One of the world's great tree collections — spectacular in autumn and spring, with miles of trails and a treetop walkway. Allow a full day.
Wildlife & Nature~35 mins
Batsford Arboretum
Sixty stunning acres of rare trees and a tranquil Japanese garden, near Moreton-in-Marsh — beautiful in every season.
Wildlife & Nature~25 mins
Greystones Farm Reserve
A free nature reserve at Bourton-on-the-Water — water meadows, ancient farmland and brilliant birdlife along the River Eye.
Wildlife & Nature~40 mins
Minchinhampton & Rodborough Commons
Vast open commons where cattle and horses graze freely in summer — wonderful walking, kite-flying and far-reaching views. Free.
On the WaterOn-site
Fishing — Windrush & Isis
Your own lakes are free to fish — just ask security for a pass on arrival. Carp on Windrush, trout on Isis. Day tickets for nearby lakes from Tackle Den.
On the WaterNearby
Wild Swimming
Bookable open-water swimming at Lake 86 and supervised sessions at Real Outdoor Experience (ROX) — clear, spring-fed Cotswold water.
On the WaterNearby
Kayak, SUP & Sailing
Kayaking, paddleboarding and dinghy sailing at ROX and Lake 86 — plus your own two-person kayak that comes with every lodge.
On the Water3 miles
Cotswold Beach
At Somerford Keynes — a sandy lakeside beach with giant inflatables and swim sessions. A summer hit with the kids.
On the WaterNearby
Waterskiing & Wakeboarding
Get out on Spring Lake with Lakeside Ski & Wake and the 4 Lakes Waterski School — lessons, sessions and banana-boat fun.
On the Water~20 mins
Bibury Trout Farm
Feed the trout, catch your own, and book one of the riverside BBQs — one of the oldest working trout farms in the country.
Free & Low-cost~25 mins
The Classic Motor Hub
Free to wander a showroom of stunning vintage and classic cars — Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari and more — with a coffee shop. Walk-ins welcome.
Free & Low-cost~15 mins
Amazon Fulfilment Tour
A genuinely fascinating free 90-minute tour just off the A419 — see the robots in action. Book in advance online.
Free & Low-cost~20 mins
Arlington Row, Bibury
Free to walk and photograph — a row of 14th-century weavers' cottages so lovely it featured in Bridget Jones's Diary. Go early.
Free & Low-cost4 miles
Cirencester Park
Open parkland on the edge of town, free to walk — grand avenues of trees and big skies, perfect for a morning stroll or a run.
Free & Low-cost~25 mins
Cotswold Motoring Museum
In Bourton-on-the-Water — free entry to a charming collection of vintage cars, caravans and motoring memorabilia (home of Brum!).
Free & Low-costVarious
Riverside & Common Walks
Free walking everywhere — the Windrush at Burford, the Coln at Bibury, the Thames Path from the door, and the grazing commons at Minchinhampton.
Trains, Planes & Cars~15 mins
Cotswold Airport
Historic aircraft and a buzzy aviation scene, open most days. Combine with lunch at The Rectory or The Potting Shed in nearby Crudwell.
Trains, Planes & Cars~20 mins
Swindon & Cricklade Railway
A heritage steam line open most weekends, with ale & cider festivals, Jazz on the Tracks, afternoon-tea trains and magical Santa Specials.
Trains, Planes & Cars~25 mins
STEAM Museum, Swindon
The story of the Great Western Railway, brought to life — with Retrofest, Comic Con and Lego weekends through the year. Beside the Designer Outlet.
Trains, Planes & Cars~40 mins
Castle Combe Circuit
Sports-car racing, track days and driving experiences all year — and one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds right next door.
Food & Shopping~50 mins
Diddly Squat Farm Shop
Clarkson's famous farm shop near Chadlington — outdoor eatery and seasonal produce. Go on a weekday morning to dodge the queues.
Food & Shopping~35 mins
Daylesford Organic
A premium organic farm shop near Kingham with several restaurants on site — including Old Spot Pizza and The Legbar. A treat of a day.
Food & Shopping~30 mins
Jolly Nice Farm Shop
A brilliant deli and outdoor eating spot at Frampton Mansell — a perfect stop for supplies or a relaxed lunch en route to Stroud.
Food & Shopping~10 mins
Abbey Home Farm
The Organic Farm Shop just outside Cirencester — lovely local produce, a café and woodland walks. One of our nearest treats.
Food & Shopping~30 mins
Burford Garden Company
Far more than a garden centre — exquisite plants, homeware, a superb food hall and a lovely café. Easy to lose an afternoon here.
Food & Shopping~25 mins
Hawkstone Brewery
Clarkson's brewery near Bourton — two-hour tours and tastings of beer and lager brewed from the farm's own barley.
Food & Shopping~25 mins
Swindon Designer Outlet
Luxury and high-street brands at outlet prices, set in the beautifully restored GWR railway works — fully undercover, ideal on a wet day.
Theatres & Evenings4 miles
Barn Theatre, Cirencester
An intimate theatre with a six-week run of touring productions, free evening parking and the Theatro restaurant for pre-show dining.
Theatres & Evenings~25 mins
Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Touring shows, comedians, tribute acts and Strictly stars — the area's main mid-size theatre for a big night out.
Theatres & Evenings~25 mins
The Arts Centre, Old Town
A small Swindon theatre for comedy and touring productions, in Old Town — which is full of excellent independent restaurants for dinner first.
Theatres & Evenings1 mile
South Cerney Pubs
A proper village evening on your doorstep — the Elliott Arms, the Royal Oak and the Old George, all an easy stroll or short drive away.
Theatres & EveningsFurther afield
Cheltenham, Oxford & Bristol
For a really special night, the larger theatres of Cheltenham, Gloucester, Oxford and Bristol are all within comfortable reach.
Seasonal EventsLate May
South Cerney Duck Race
A much-loved village favourite with a summer-show atmosphere. (Ashton Keynes also holds a Boxing Day duck race with mulled wine.)
Seasonal EventsEarly July
Cotswold Show & Food Festival
A two-day extravaganza in Cirencester Park — music, a funfair, monster trucks, food stalls and family activities.
Seasonal EventsSummer
Cotswold Lavender, Snowshill
Rows of fragrant purple lavender, a distillery and a Beechwood trail for the kids — open through the summer flowering season.
Seasonal EventsJuly
Royal International Air Tattoo
One weekend each July at RAF Fairford — one of the world's largest military airshows, just up the road. Spectacular (and loud!).
Seasonal EventsLate May
Cotswold Olimpicks
A wonderfully eccentric 400-year-old tradition near Chipping Campden — shin-kicking and all — held the last Friday in May.
Seasonal EventsDecember
Cirencester Christmas Market
Magical in winter — carol concerts, a towering tree and quality local craft stalls, indoors and out. Not to be missed if you visit in December.
Seasonal EventsWinter
Undercover Ice Rink
Festive skating at the Gateway Centre — bratwurst, doughnuts, glühwein and marshmallow toasting at the firepit. Pure winter joy.
Seasonal EventsDecember
Cricklade Santa Specials
A magical family ride on the heritage steam railway to meet Father Christmas — books up fast, so plan ahead for December stays.
A little local help
Want a personal recommendation?
We know this area inside out and love helping guests find hidden gems — whether it's the calmest morning to visit Diddly Squat or the best table for a special dinner. Just ask.