A three day budget break in the Cotswolds

Get your steps in as you tick major landmarks in Cirencester – the capital of the Cotswolds – off your list. The Whereat Trail starts at the Corinium Museum and winds its way for a mile or so to the Roman Amphitheatre, passing the 19th-century open-air swimming pool.

Now you’ve earned a rest and a nice cup of tea at this cosy cafe in a corner of the Corn Hall indoor market, decked out with chandeliers, mirrors and colourfully painted chairs. The venue’s ‘specialteas’ are served in vintage china, paired with a jam-topped scone. A mug of builder’s tea is also available if Earl Grey and red bush aren’t your (tea) bag.

This converted Victorian brewery is a community space lined with craft shops and makers’ studios for local artists to do their thing in. Start at the contemporary art gallery, home to a changing collection of art by makers and designers, meet independent artists in their studios and, yes, there’s a cafe and even a place to stay…

If family-run spaces dishing up fresh food and locally sourced products are your thing, you’ll love this relaxing restaurant. Try the mix-and-match £6 Brekkie Deal, which includes delights such as sausage and eggs, or wilted spinach, roasted mushroom and tomatoes on toast topped with a poached egg, plus a hot drink.

Part of New Brewery Arts, The Barrel Store is a hostel that knocks the average bland-and-budget place to stay into a handmade cocked hat. Single, double and family rooms are lined with artisanal craft pieces, from warm woollen throws to covetable chairs and light shades. There’s also free WiFi and a communal kitchen for rustling up edible home comforts.

There’s a wealth of nature to be explored on footpaths and river walks, at Cotswold Lakes. Hire a pedal-powered Swan pedalo for a mosey around the lake or a mini electric boat if your calves are aching. Want something more challenging? Explore this gorgeous inland lagoon on a paddleboard. Don't worry, falling in is all part of the fun!
 

Because you can never have enough wildlife-rich nature and you can never have enough cake, we’ve directed you to this patchwork of wetlands with an added cafe. Once you’ve admired meadows, ponds and a lake that’s an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) due to its distinctive aquatic plants, sit on the decking with a slice of Victoria sponge.

Sustain Farm Shop in Royal Wootton Bassett is a community-focused farm shop bursting with fresh, locally sourced produce, homemade goods and a variety of farm products. Go gooey over baby goats grazing, stock up on freshly made bread and bag bargains at the regular Sunday car boot sales.

This atmospheric village pub with rooms near Malmesbury is a cosy combination of centuries of history, log-burning fires and garden views. Just off the courtyard, smart doubles and singles have pretty views and free parking. Rustic dinner delights include baked camembert with herbs and spicy vegan burgers.

With a whopping 4,000 diverse objects on display, there’s plenty to see at the Museum in the Park. Housed in a 17th-century mansion, the collection tells the story of the town and its industrial history. Added bonuses are the eclectic gallery and walled garden. And yes, there’s a cafe serving Cotswolds ice cream.

If you've a head for heights, you'll love 270 Climbing Park on the Cheltenham and Gloucester border. Try the 60-obstacle High Ropes course (there are low ropes for young children) or the 18m-high freefall jump and zip line.

Set in the heart of Cheltenham, Bombay & Co. transports diners to India with authentic dishes inspired by the streets of Mumbai. From lightly battered chilli paneer to crispy onion bhajis or fried prawns with green chutney, you’ll be wowed by the fragrant flavours.

Less visited than its counterparts, one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds has the romantic, honey-coloured stone buildings we come to the Cotswolds for. There’s also history, with a 12th-century church and Eyford House, said to have inspired poet John Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’.

Every town has one, and Moreton-in-the-Marsh is no different. Mermaid Fish Bar, a little high-street fixture, serves generous portions of fish and chips with lashings of vinegar and curry sauce (if that’s your thing). Take them away to eat on a bench, watching the world go by in this thriving market town.