We’re now halfway through July which means the school summer holidays are just around the corner. With children off for up to six weeks, here’s a list of five attractions to visit during those long summer days.

Visit a brand-new nature reserve

Officially opened just last week, Greystones is located just a 10-minute walk from the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water. The nature reserve will offer visitors the chance to learn about the ancient history of the site as well as enjoy the thriving collection of animals including water voles, barn owls and otters.

Immerse yourself in history at the site of a medieval battle

The Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place on 4th May 1471, was one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses. The forces loyal to the House of Lancaster were completely destroyed by those of the rival House of York under their monarch, King Edward IV. The site of the battle is just a short journey from Tewkesbury. Nowadays there are two giant wooden commemorative sculptures lying on the sight of the battlefield that are a must-see when visiting Tewkesbury.

Improve your culinary skills at Harts Barn Cookery School

If you’re looking to improve your culinary skills, or want to try a new style of cooking, Harts Barn Cookery School is the place to visit. Since opening in 2011 the school has earned a great reputation for improving the cooking skills of everyone who passes through the doors of the stunning wooden barn that overlooks the Gloucestershire countryside.

See the vast collection of feathered animals at Birdland

With their collection of pelicans, flamingos, penguins and other exotic birds, Birdland is one of the best animal attractions in Gloucestershire. Located in the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, Birdland offers visitors the chance to get up-close to their collection of birds as well as enjoy a walk through the woods where you might bump into a prehistoric dinosaur!

Take a trip to one the great arboretums

Perhaps the most important and widely known arboretum in the United Kingdom, Westonbirt Arboretum comprises some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area of approximately 600 acres. Its 17 miles of marked paths provide access to a wide variety of rare plants. There are two main areas to explore. The Old Arboretum is a carefully designed landscape offering beautiful vistas, stately avenues, and a host of rare and exotic trees from across the globe dating back to the 1850s.