Cowley Manor Experimental
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Cool, playful and relaxed — this is the Cotswold manor for families who'd rather skip the kids' club. Bunk-bed sofas in family rooms, a games room and that dreamy outdoor pool keep children busy, while the cascades and lakes in the grounds make for brilliant explorations. Teenagers will think it's the coolest hotel they've stayed in.
For the children
- Pool
- Outdoor play
- Games room
- Nature activities
- Family dining
- Family rooms
- Cots
- Extra beds
- Spa
- Best for
- Families with older children and teens
- Ages
- All ages
- Pool
- 15m heated outdoor pool and 17m indoor pool
- Family rooms
- Family rooms with sofa-bunks; cots on request
- Outdoors
- 55 acres of gardens, lakes and woodland, Cotswold walks
We only list facilities we could confirm on their website — something not listed may still be there.
Days out nearby
~15 miles · ~30 mins
Farm park · excellent toddler activity
Adam Henson's farm showcases rare British breeds, with animal handling, tractor rides, jumping pillows and a woodland adventure trail. It is surrounded by Cotswolds villages and boutique hotels, so ideal for a weekend.
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens ↗
~23 miles · ~30 mins
Wildlife park · ideal day trip
Rhinos grazing on the lawn in front of a Victorian manor sums up this park's charm. A narrow-gauge railway, walk-through lemur enclosure and a big adventure playground make it a relaxed family day in the heart of the Cotswolds.
~39 miles · ~45 mins
Zoo · ideal day trip
Bristol's zoo moved to open woodland on the city's edge, so animals such as gorillas, okapi and red river hogs have far more room. Children get woodland trails and big play spaces, and it fits easily into a Bristol or Bath weekend.
~43 miles · ~45 mins
Science centre · rainy day option
Bristol's hands-on science centre with hundreds of interactive exhibits and a 3D planetarium. Great on a wet day during a Bristol or Bath weekend.
~43 miles · ~45 mins
Castle / historic · ideal day trip
Brunel's iron ship sits in a dry dock with a glass 'sea' you can walk beneath, and children can climb the rigging, explore cabins and smell the galley. Immersive history right on Bristol's harbourside.
~45 miles · ~1 hr
Castle / historic · ideal day trip
A real medieval castle where children can climb towers and ramparts, watch a giant trebuchet fire and see birds of prey swoop over the grounds. Live shows and a horrible-histories style dungeon turn history into theatre.
~51 miles · ~1 hr
Indoor play / activity · rainy day option
An interactive chocolate attraction with a ride through a cocoa-bean world, demonstrations of the real thing being made and free samples along the way. The adventure play area outside helps burn off the sugar.
Reviews from Tumble families
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Family facilities
- ParkingFree and secure car park
A guide, not a guarantee. Shown only where the venue or a trusted source has told us. Not listed doesn't mean not available — check with the venue if it matters for your visit.
Researched by Tumble in October 2026 from each place's own website. Tumble doesn't take these bookings — prices, availability and children's club details change, so check with them before you book. Distances and travel times are approximate.