As the weather warms up, everyone is looking for a good place to enjoy a day trip - and you won't find anywhere more highly recommended than Bourton-on-the-Water.
With thousands of visitors every year, the Cotswold village has plenty to entertain. And if you want to visit somewhere with beautiful scenery, wildlife and its own model village then Bourton is the place for you, reports Wiltshire Live.
The small village offers something for everyone, and is just over an hour's drive from Bristol. Despite its size it comes with a list as long as your arm of places to visit, all with a backdrop of the beautiful River Windrush.
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Described as "the Venice of the Cotswolds", Bourton-on-the-Water is famous for its honey-coloured stone architecture and idyllic waterside location. As its website suggests, "Bourton is not a theme park, it does not open and close nor is there an entry fee", but it is definitely a great day out, with activities to suit everybody's tastes.
It offers a wealth of attractions and shops, restaurants, cafes and tea rooms, or you can simply enjoy some restful moments by the crystal clear waters of the River Windrush. Although you might also find plenty of kids splashing around, described in high season "as bustling as any seaside resort".
Not one to be missed is Bourton's model village. A scaled replica depicting its beautiful Cotswold features. The tiny village is a one-ninth scale replica of the real one, and shows all its buildings from the Old Water Mill down to the Old New Inn and the ford. It took local craftsmen five years to build, and is so accurate it even features a model village within the model village as well as a flowing river with water wheel. Entry is £4.50 for an adult.
For the car fans, the Cotswold Motoring Museum is also popular with visitors to the village. Full to the brim with with classic and vintage cars, caravans, motorcycles and other motoring curiosities it takes you on a journey through time to explore the history of 20th-century motoring. And Brum, the BBC's super hero car whose adventures start and end at the museum can be found there every day.
If you want to meet England’s only breeding group of King Penguins and African Penguins, Bourton-on-the-water is your place. Birdland Park and Gardens is set in nine acres of gardens and woodland and houses over 500 birds including some very rare species. You might spot flamingos, pelicans, cranes and waterfowl that all live in the riverside habitat.
For something to eat Gloucestershire Live recommend Bakery on the Water, for their indulgent morning pastries and freshly brewed coffee. It has a charming riverside position, and "you have the option to eat in the café, the Riverside Garden or you could take one of our picnic baskets to eat by the River".
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