Local Attractions
HIGHGROVE
Open from April until October every year, HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall welcome you to join one of their expert guides on a tour to discover the history, inspiration and unique organic management behind the incredible series of gardens at The Royal Gardens at Highgrove.
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Highgrove is 5 minutes from The Ormond
WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM
Westonbirt Arboretum is an historic, Victorian picturesque landscape and an internationally important tree and shrub collection with 17 miles of paths through five national collections. It is managed by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.
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Attracting over 350,000 visits per year it is known worldwide for its spectacular display of autumn colour and the rhododendron, azalea and magnolia displays in the spring. Westonbirt arboretum is perfect for groups, individuals and educational visits. Popular events include the Forest Live Music concerts every summer, Treefest and the Enchanted Christmas illuminated trail, not to mention the special “Dog Days” held in the autumn.
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Just 5 minutes drive from The Ormond.
https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum
https://www.forestryengland.uk/music
https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/enchanted-christmas
SLIMBRIDGE WETLAND CENTRE
Slimbridge is wildlife up close… great spectacles… things to do beautiful landscapes… places for children to explore… good food… friendly faces…and beautiful pink flamingoes!
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Slimbridge offer unique experience for all the family to enjoy beautiful surroundings. Be sure to visit the interactive visitor centre. The flamingo’s are a must see and if you want to do some serious twitching then there numerous hides overlooking the adjoining marshes.
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There is a restaurant and children’s play area within the grounds and don’t forget to buy some bird feed which is on sale in the excellent shop.
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Just 30 minutes from The Ormond.
COTSWOLD WATER PARK
The area known as the Cotswold Water Park contains 147 lakes and was formed by quarrying and gravel extraction over the last 50 years. So far these lakes cover almost 1,000 hectares of open water and provide excellent leisure opportunities for sailing, water skiing, wind-surfing, canoeing and diving.
For those who prefer to stay on land there is walking, cycling, bird-watching, angling, paint-balling and in summer the Cotswold Country Park is ideal for children with its sandy beach, adventure playground and children’s activities and pedalos.
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With a rich variety of flora and fauna these lakes provide a home for a stunning variety of wildlife thoughout the year. Birdwatchers will be rewarded for their patience in the bird hide, as regular visitors include the great crested grebe, sedge warblers, whitethroat and kingfishers and a visit in winter could well include sightings of fieldfare, brambling, wigeon, pochard and teal.
Just 20 minutes from The Ormond
CYCLING IN COTSWOLD WATER PARK
Go-By-Cycle
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01285 862152 or 07970 419208
Go-By-Cycle is a cycle hire, cycle sales and cycle repairs centre providing cycling opportunities in the Cotswolds for individuals or the whole family, as well as school groups, youth clubs, stag and hen parties and corporate entertainment. We also have camping facilities for those wishing to extend their stay in the Cotswold Water Park.
Bainton Bikes
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01865 311610 / 07969 295502
Bainton Bikes provides comfortable and practical bikes available for hire 24 hours a day 7 days a week from the Cotswold Water Park and a number of locations throughout the Cotswolds. By downloading the Donkey Republic App onto your phone, you can easily unlock and lock our bikes at your leisure.
CASTLE COMBE
Castle Combe has been called ‘The Prettiest Village in England’ and with good reason; visitors have been coming to enjoy its charms for at least a century and the small street leading from the Market Cross is as picturesque today as it ever was.
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In recent times the village has played host to many filming activities, the most famous of these being ‘Doctor Doolittle’, ‘War Horse’, ‘Stardust’ and ‘The Wolf Man’. The village is also home to the famous Castle Combe Circuit, the West Country Home of motorsport with a racing calendar featuring three of its own buoyant club championships and the Hot Hatch Challenge as well as a host of other events throughout the year and driving experiences for individuals and corporations.
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Castle Combe is 20 minutes from The Ormond
BATH
The ancient Roman city of Bath is a jewel of the South Cotswolds. Just 45 minutes from our door but offers hours of endless exploration
for everyone.
The attractions and museums in Bath and beyond take you on a trip through time. There’s such an exceptional choice of things to see and do – from the world famous Roman Baths and the Jane Austen Centre (a shrine to the city’s most famous resident) to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath Abbey and Fashion Museum. Why not spend the day at one of the many attractions in Bath’s surrounding countryside? You can enjoy a family day out to Longleat or a trip to Stonehenge.
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Bath is 45 minutes from The Ormond
5 MINUTES FROM THE ORMOND
Chavenage House
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Beautiful Elizabethan manor house known for its ghosts and recently used in BBC's Poldark offers private guided tours
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Rodmarton Manor
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Supreme example of a arts and crafts house with one of the finest gardens in the Cotswolds with 8 acres designed by Ernest Barnsley to explore.
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Malmesbury Abbey
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https://www.malmesburyabbey.com and Abbey House Gardens http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk
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