Family Stay at the Sunset Lodges, Cotswold Farm Park: A Slow, Sunny Half-Term Escape
- Samantha
- May 24
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The kids didn't want to leave. Honestly, neither did we. That's the magic of Cotswold Farm Park.
Some holidays are about ticking off sights and racing between attractions. Others are about slowing right down, letting the kids run wild outdoors, and actually switching off as a family. Our stay at the Sunset Lodges at Cotswold Farm Park was firmly the second kind, and honestly, I think we may have found one of the best family escapes in the Cotswolds.
We visited over May half term, and between the sunshine, the rare breed animals, and a lodge that came complete with its own hot tub and BBQ, it ticked every box for a proper family reset to create magical memories we will always treasure.
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Note: For a visual journey through our stay here, feel free to explore my dedicated Cotswolds Instagram Highlight under the handle @SammyLouLuxe
Why Cotswold Farm Park works so well for a family staycation
Set in the rolling Cotswold countryside near Guiting Power, Cotswold Farm Park has built its reputation on rare breed animals and proper farm experiences, but it's the accommodation that turns a great day out into a genuinely special family break.
The Sunset Lodges sit in their own private field overlooking the hills and animal paddocks, so from the moment you arrive, you're surrounded by exactly the kind of scenery that makes you exhale a little.
What struck me most was how little effort it took to fill the time. There was no need to plan an elaborate itinerary. Everything the children wanted, animals, space to run, things to climb on and explore, was right outside the lodge door.
Our stay in a Sunset Lodge with hot tub and BBQ
We stayed in one of the Sunset Lodges, and it lived up to its name beautifully. Positioned to catch the evening light over the hills, with a private deck, wood-fired hot tub and BBQ right outside, it gave us exactly the kind of low-key luxury that works so well with young children.
Inside, the lodge felt bright, modern and properly thought through for family life: a well-equipped kitchen, a comfortable lounge with those big countryside views, and a private bathroom stocked with towels. Each lodge has slightly different bedroom arrangements, so it's worth checking what suits your family size when booking.
Some of these images are credited to Cotswold Farm Park and Encore PR
The hot tub was such a lovely little luxury after a full day of farm exploring, there's something wonderful about sinking into warm water as the light starts to soften over the hills, drink in hand, watching the kids splash about before bed. Pair that with a relaxed BBQ dinner on the decking, and it's the kind of simple combination that makes a holiday feel indulgent without ever feeling fussy.
Farm life with little ones: bottle feeding, rare breeds and tractor rides
This is where Cotswold Farm Park really earns its reputation, and where the holiday side and the farm side come together so well.
Over our stay, the children:
Bottle fed lambs and goat kids, which was an obvious highlight and the thing they talked about for days afterwards
Met more than 50 rare breed animals across the farm
Watched sheep shearing, which both my children found fascinating
Took a tractor ride around the farm
Spent hours in the indoor and outdoor play areas
Got stuck into seasonal crafting activities
Explored on gentle nature walks suitable for all ages and abilities
What I loved most was how unhurried it all felt. We weren't racing to fit everything in, we simply wandered between activities at the children's pace, popped back to the lodge for downtime, and returned to the farm whenever the mood took us.
Is it good for younger children?
Yes, very much so. If you're travelling with toddlers or younger children, the combination of space, animals and gentle activities is close to ideal. The farm's rare breeds walkway and small animal encounters are pitched perfectly for little ones, and bottle feeding time is an obvious favourite.
Having a self-contained lodge rather than a single hotel room also makes a huge difference with younger children. There's room to spread out, somewhere quiet for naps, and a kitchen for preparing meals or snacks on your own schedule rather than working around restaurant timings.
The nature walks are gentle enough for buggies and little legs, and there's enough going on, indoor play, outdoor play, animals, crafts, that you can easily fill a day without anyone (adults included) getting overtired.
What about older children?
Older children get just as much from a stay here, if not more. Sheep shearing demonstrations, tractor rides and the chance to properly understand where rare breed farming fits into British agricultural heritage all give older kids something a bit meatier to engage with, beyond simply looking at animals.
The crafting activities also tend to suit a slightly older age range, and the wider farm walks and walkways give more independent children room to explore at their own pace while still being safely within the farm boundary.
Evenings back at the lodge work well too. After an active day outdoors, older children are usually more than happy to wind down with a dip in the hot tub and a relaxed family dinner on the decking.
Free Farm Park entry included: why this matters for families
One of the best parts of staying in the Sunset Lodges is that Farm Park entry is included throughout your stay, with wristbands that allow unlimited re-entry for the duration of your visit.
This sounds like a small detail, but it completely changes how your days flow with young children. Rather than committing to one long day at the farm and trying to cram everything in before it closes, you can pop in for an hour before lunch, head back to the lodge for downtime or naps, then return later in the day for the activities you missed. With little ones, that flexibility is genuinely priceless.
Visiting during May half term
We visited over May half term, which turned out to be a brilliant time to go. The weather was glorious, the farm was in full spring mode with lambing season activities still very much part of the experience, and there was a real buzz of family energy around the park without it ever feeling overwhelming.
If you're planning a half term trip, it's also worth keeping an eye on seasonal offers. During our visit, children were going free with paying adults, which made a day at the farm (on top of the lodge stay) an easy decision for the whole family.
Tips for your stay at Cotswold Farm Park Sunset Lodges
After our stay, here are the things I'd tell every family planning a trip to the Sunset Lodges:
1. Book early, especially for school holidays. The Sunset Lodges are popular and May half term availability goes fast. If you have dates in mind, don't wait.
2. Arrive with the basics stocked. The nearest large supermarket is a short drive away. Pick up your breakfast bits, BBQ food and drinks before you arrive so you can settle in straight away without heading back out.
3. Make the most of the unlimited re-entry wristbands. Lodge guests get free, unlimited entry to the Farm Park throughout their stay. Use them. Pop in for an hour in the morning, head back to the lodge for lunch, return in the afternoon. You don't have to do it all in one go.
4. Plan your BBQ for the second evening. The first night you'll want to settle in and relax. Save the BBQ for when you've found your rhythm and the kids are happily occupied.
5. Check the daily activity schedule on arrival. Bottle feeding, sheep shearing and tractor rides run at set times. Pick up the timetable when you check in so you don't miss the ones your children most want to do.
6. Pack layers. The Cotswolds in May can be glorious, but evenings in the countryside can be cool. Bring something warm for hot tub sessions after dark — it makes them even better.
7. Don't underestimate the crafting sessions. We nearly skipped these and would have regretted it. Both younger and older children genuinely loved them, and they're a brilliant quieter activity mid-afternoon when energy starts to flag.
8. Explore beyond the Farm Park. Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford are both a short drive away and worth an easy morning out. The Cotswolds countryside is all around you — use it.
9. Use the children free offer. At time of writing, children stay free when accompanied by paying adults in the Sunset Lodges. Always worth checking the current offer when you book as this can make a significant difference to the overall cost.
Final thoughts: would we go back?
Without a doubt. Our stay at the Sunset Lodges at Cotswold Farm Park was everything a good family staycation should be: beautiful countryside, a lodge that felt like a proper treat with its hot tub and BBQ, and days filled with animals, fresh air and genuine quality time together.
For families with younger children, the combination of gentle farm activities, included entry and self-contained accommodation makes everyday logistics so much easier. For those with older children, there's enough depth in the farm experiences, plus the freedom to explore, to keep things interesting.
It's the kind of stay that makes you want to book the next visit before you've even left, and one I'd happily recommend to any family looking for a slower, more grounded kind of Cotswolds break.
Thank you so much to Encore PR for inviting us to experience the Sunset Lodges at Cotswold Farm Park.
If this has sparked your wanderlust, make sure you’re following me over on Instagram and TikTok [@sammylouluxe] as that’s where I share behind-the-scenes stories, travel tips, and magical moments from my trips as they happen. Think of my Stories as your front-row pass to the adventure, long before it hits the grid or features on the Travel Editorial.
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