Top 5 Summer Camps Near the Cotswolds: A Parent’s Guide

Choosing a summer camp is an important decision for families in the UK. Alongside location, parents often consider the quality of supervision, opportunities for independence and how enriching the setting will be for their child.

Below is a selection of five well-established summer camps located within reasonable travelling distance of the Cotswolds. All options listed are based on publicly available information.

Dean Close School Summer Programmes (Cheltenham)

Location: Cheltenham, on the edge of the Cotswolds.

Ages: Around 8–16.

Language: English.

Camp type: Day and residential summer programmes.

Dean Close School offers established summer programmes combining academic enrichment, sports and creative activities within a traditional independent school setting.

Best suited for:

Families seeking a school-based summer programme with residential options.

Mill on the Brue Outdoor Camp (Somerset)

Location: Near Bruton, approximately 1.5 hours from the Cotswolds.

Ages: 8–16.

Language: English.

Camp type: Residential, outdoor adventure.

Mill on the Brue provides a long-running residential outdoor experience focused on adventure activities, teamwork and confidence-building in a professionally supervised rural environment.

Best suited for:

Children and teens ready for a full residential adventure camp.

PGL Liddington (Wiltshire)

Location: Near Swindon, approximately 1 hour from the Cotswolds.

Ages: 8–16.

Language: English.

Camp type: Residential, outdoor activity camp.

PGL Liddington is a well-known UK residential activity centre offering summer camps with supervised outdoor challenges, teamwork activities and structured daily programmes.

Best suited for:

Children and teens looking for an energetic, structured residential experience.

The Bushcraft Company – Cotswolds Camps

Location: Countryside locations within the Cotswolds region.

Ages: Typically 8–16.

Language: English.

Camp type: Residential, bushcraft and outdoor skills.

The Bushcraft Company runs residential summer camps focused on outdoor living skills, nature-based learning and personal development, with programmes hosted in rural Cotswolds locations.

Best suited for:

Children who enjoy immersive outdoor experiences and learning practical life skills.

Kingswood Grosvenor Hall (Kent)

Location: Ashford, Kent (approximately 2 hours from the Cotswolds).

Ages: 8–17.

Language: English.

Camp type: Residential, outdoor adventure.

Kingswood Grosvenor Hall is a long-established residential summer camp offering adventure activities and supervised group experiences, often selected by families across southern England.

Best suited for:

Children and teenagers looking for a traditional residential camp environment.

Comparing Summer Camps Near the Cotswolds

When comparing summer camps in the Cotswolds, families often consider whether a nearby school-based programme or a full residential camp best suits their child’s independence and interests.

The region’s rural landscape offers a calm and enriching backdrop, with access to well-established camps across the South of England.

Looking for Something Beyond a Local Summer Camp?

Many UK families now choose to complement local countryside camps with an international summer camp, where children and teenagers live alongside peers from different countries, use English throughout the day, and develop confidence through cultural exchange.

An international summer camp in Spain offers a broader experience: outdoor adventure, an international community, and a sunnier climate — while maintaining full supervision and English immersion.

Discover our international English-speaking summer camp experience in Spain

Information is based on publicly available details provided by each organisation. Families are encouraged to confirm programme availability, age ranges and formats directly with camp providers.