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Cotswold Wildlife Park – approx 23m North East of Lea near Burford
Set within an extensive area of parkland this popular visitor attraction is home to a varied collection of birds, animals and reptiles including big cats, monkeys, rhinos and penguins. It also has a narrow gauge railway, petting zoo and adventure playground to keep the younger children happy.
Roves Farm – approx 17m East of Lea near Highworth
This working farm has diversified to provide a number indoor and outdoor activities and is a pleasing and educational way to spend an afternoon.
Outdoor Activities
Caen Hill Locks – approx 16 miles South of Lea near Devizes
Caen Hill is the point on the Kennet & Avon canal where canal barges have to navigate an arduous stretch of 29 locks in order to ascend over 70 metres from the Avon valley to Devizes. It is a great place for an afternoon walk or bike ride and the boat owners appreciate a helping hand opening and closing the lock gates for those with energy to burn off.
Coate Water Country Park – approx 15m East of Lea near Jct 15 of the M4
On the outskirts of Swindon and within a short distance of the M4 Motorway resides a surprisingly peaceful water park offering opportunities for boating, walking, cycling, fishing and feeding the ducks.
Cotswold Water Park – approx 9 miles North East of Lea near Ashton Keynes
Consisting of over 140 separate lakes formed from ex gravel pits the Cotswold Water Park offers visitors the chance to try out a number of different outdoor activities and water sports. Keynes Country Park, the most popular of the lakes, offers visitors chance to swim and sunbathe at the man made beach. Boats & cycles can be hired hire to explore the lakes and footpaths, and angling permits can be purchased for the many fishing pitches around the lake.
Lydiard Country Park – approx 9m East of Lea near Swindon
Lydiard Park is a great place for a picnic and afternoon out. It has a large children’s play area a small Palladian house, a parish church and walled garden.
Minchinhampton Common – approx 10m North of Lea near Stroud
Minchinhampton Common is one of the largest open spaces in the area and is a great place for dog walking, cycling, kite flying and summer picnics.
Slimbridge – approx 20m North West of Lea near Stonehouse
The Wildfowl and Wetlands trust at Slimbridge is the home to a vast array of nesting and migrating birds, ducks and geese. Visitors can view these from hides or by following laid out paths around the lakes and marshes.
Westonbirt Arboretum – approx 8 miles North West of Lea near Tetbury
The National Arobretum at Westonbirt is home to over 3000 different varieties of trees and shrubs and is an excellent place for a picnic or a leisurely afternoon stroll (dogs allowed in places). Whilst particularly spectacular in autumn, the arboretum is open all the year round and has numerous glades and footpaths that are a joy to behold throughout the change in seasons.
Houses & Gardens
Abbey House Gardens – approx 3 miles from Lea in the centre of Malmesbury
Abbey House Gardens is the home of the “Naked Gardeners” Ian and Barbara Pollard. With over 10,000 different plants and plants it has become a Mecca for the keen horticulturist but is equally enjoyed by visitors looking for a charming and relaxing day out.
Berkeley Castle - approx 20m North West of Lea near Dursley
This 12th century Norman castle overlooking the river Severn has dungeons, kitchens and state apartment for the visitor to view, along with extensive grounds and a butterfly garden. It also host to a regular series of events throughout the year such as the spectacular medieval “Joust” festival.
Buscot Park – approx 20m North East of Lea near Faringdon
This 18th century Italianate country house complete with its period rooms, extensive grounds, water gardens and lake is also the home of the Faringdon Collection of 18th and 19th century British Art.
Chavenage – approx 8m North west of Lea near Tetbury
Chavenage is a little known 16th century Elizabethan country house. Intimate guided tours are conducted by the current owners which offer visitors a rare insight into the history of the house and its various occupants through the ages.
Dyrham Park – approx 14m South West of Lea near Bath
Within the grounds of Dyrham Park is a beautiful Baroque mansion containing an extensive collection of decorative arts. The house has a number of restored Victorian period rooms, a formal garden and parish church.
Lacock Abbey – approx 11m south of Lea near Chippenham
Lacock Abbey is a country house converted from a 13th century Abbey and was the home of William Fox Talbot, the pioneer of photography. As well as the impressive house there is a photographic museum and a series of fine gardens with a children’s playground opposite the reception. The quaint village of Lacock is an easy stroll away and as well as being the setting for a number of film and TV period dramas it has a few excellent old fashioned inns.
Owlpen Manor – approx 13m North West of Lea near Nailsworth
This small Tudor manor house offers a selection of period rooms, formal gardens and lovely walks within the grounds of the estate. The Cyder House Restaurant and its delicious selection of seasonal produce from the local estate is the setting for a memorable lunch.
Museums
Athelstan Museum - approx 3 miles from Lea in the centre of Malmesbury
Based in the centre of Malmesbury this small, but often overlooked, museum provides a fascinating insight into the town’s history through the ages.
Corinium Museum – approx 9m North of Lea in the centre of Cirencester
The recently refurbished Corinium Museum in Cirencester contains a fine selection of Roman archaeology and informative visual display units about what was Roman Britain’s second largest city.
Steam – approx 13 miles east of Lea in the centre of Swindon
Steam is the Museum of the Great Western Railway and tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway. It cleverly uses an extensive range of film footage, models, and hands-on exhibits to recreate the great age of steam.
Children’s Play Areas
Magicland, Cirencester Magicland
Jolly Roger, Swindon Jolly Roger
Kidz Aloud Kidz Aloud
Space Adventure Space Adventure
Nearby Town and Villages of Interest
Avebury Avebury Tourism
Bibury Bibury - A Charming Cotswold Village
Bourton on the Water Bourton on the Water Cotswolds
Bradford on Avon Bradford-on-Avon- History & Directory
Burford Burford Cotswolds
Castle Combe Castle Combe - The Prettiest Village in England
Cirencester Cirencester Web Site
Dursley Dursley - A Local History Guide
Lacock The Medieval Village of Lacock
Lambourn Lambourn - Valley of the Racehorse
Lechlade Lechlade-On-Thames
Malmesbury Malmesbury Info
Marlborough Marlborough - Tourist information
Painswick Painswick Gloucestershire
Tetbury Tetbury Tourist Information Centre
Nearby Cities
Bristol Visit Bristol
Cheltenham Visit Cheltenham
Gloucester Visit Gloucester
Oxford Oxford Tourist Information
Swindon Swindon's Official Online Guide
Personally recommended places to visit within a 25 mile radius of Lea
All distances & directions are as the crow flies
Family Attractions
Avon Valley Country Park – approx 21m South West of Lea near Keynsham
A combination of wildlife, river walks, a boating lake, an adventure playground and a miniature railway make this country park a great all round family attraction.
Bowood – approx 10m South of Lea near Chippenham
Bowood House and Gardens is a great place for family day out. It includes an excellent children’s playground, an 18th century country house, gardens laid out by Capability Brown, grottoes and water cascades.
Cattle Country – approx 19m North West of Lea near Dursley
Cattle Country has activities to suit children of all ages and retains its links to its routes with a farm trail and a
selection of livestock. The grounds are well staffed and fully enclosed, allowing kids the freedom to explore the many activities without mum and dad trailing along in their wake.