Just beyond the winding lanes and honey-stone villages of the Cotswolds, a little
piece of rural magic hums quietly through the August air.
Cotswold Farm Park, with
its rolling fields and gentle animals, is not merely a tourist stop — it is an invitation
to step into the rhythm of the countryside.
August here is a month of warmth — not only from the sun, which sets the grass
aglow, but from the friendly chatter of children, the rustle of picnic blankets, and the
soft bleating of sheep in the distance. Established in 1971 by Joe Henson, a
passionate farmer and conservationist, the park was the first of its kind in the UK,
dedicated to protecting rare breeds of farm animals. Today, it remains a living
storybook of agricultural heritage.
Walk through the gates in August and you’re greeted by paddocks filled with
rare-breed sheep, towering shire horses, inquisitive goats, and the occasional
cheeky piglet trotting about. The farm hums with late-summer energy — lambs are
strong and curious, calves stand steady on their feet, and the air smells faintly of
hay and wildflowers.
Families wander from the Rare Breeds Through the Ages trail to the Discovery
Barn, where little hands can stroke fluffy chicks or watch rabbits hop about.
Outside, tractor rides bounce gently along the fields, offering wide views of the
Cotswold hills under their summer haze.
And yet, August is not only for the little ones. Adults find themselves lingering too
— at the farm café over warm scones, or in the farm shop selecting jars of local
honey and chutney. The sunsets here are worth staying for: as the day cools, the
light softens, casting the fields in a painter’s palette of golds and greens.
Visiting in August is as simple as arriving in good time — the park is open daily
from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, and pre-booking online is recommended on sunny
weekends. It’s about a 25-minute drive from Cheltenham, winding through classic
Cotswold scenery. Leave with muddy shoes, a full heart, and perhaps a newfound
appreciation for the humble sheep.