THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO A CALMER COUNTRYSIDE BREAK

How to keep kids entertained in the Cotswolds or Peak District—without screens

Long car journey? Rainy hour in the cottage? Children getting restless over lunch? These printable activity packs turn the awkward gaps in a countryside holiday into part of the adventure.

Family trips are full of little pauses: the drive there, breakfast before everyone is ready, a rainy hour in the cottage, a pub lunch, or the moment grown-ups would simply like to finish a cup of coffee while it is still hot.

That is exactly why we created two new Wanderlings printable activity packs. They give children a reason to look beyond a screen and become part of the holiday—learning about the places they visit, noticing the landscape and creating their own record of the adventure.

For honey-coloured villages and storybook days: the Cotswolds Explorer Pack

The Cotswolds can feel as though someone designed an entire landscape for family wandering: stone cottages, village greens, market towns, sheep-dotted fields and riverside walks.

The Cotswolds Explorer Activity Pack turns those surroundings into an adventure children can take ownership of. They can plan what to pack, design their own Cotswold cottage, explore a map and complete place-inspired challenges featuring Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Castle Combe, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester and more.

There are drawing prompts, puzzles, nature activities, a wildlife passport, a treasure hunt, word games, picture challenges and a special memory page. At the end, young explorers can complete their checklist and receive their own Cotswolds Explorer Certificate.

It is not homework disguised as a holiday. It is a playful companion that helps children notice where they are—and gives parents a ready-made, screen-free answer whenever the inevitable “I'm bored” appears.

For stepping stones and wild landscapes: the Peak District Explorer Pack

The Peak District has a different kind of magic: rugged edges, caves, viaducts, grand houses, winding paths and villages built for a proper day of exploring.

The Peak District Explorer Activity Pack brings that landscape to life through activities inspired by Stanage Edge, Dovedale, Castleton, Bakewell, Padley Gorge, Monsal Trail, Chatsworth and the park's famous sheep.

Children can design a Peak District cottage, tackle a map challenge, create a Bakewell pudding, invent a woodland trail, complete nature and word puzzles, make a souvenir coin and draw their favourite memory from the trip.

It is ideal for keeping little hands busy in the car or at the accommodation—but its best activities encourage children to look up, step outside and connect what is on the page with the real place around them.

Why parents pack Wanderlings

• Less screen time: a genuinely appealing alternative to handing over a tablet.
• Less preparation: download, print and add pencils—no complicated setup required.
• More excitement: children begin learning about the destination before the family even arrives.
• More peaceful pauses: useful for journeys, meals, rainy spells and quiet cottage mornings.
• A holiday keepsake: drawings, ideas and memories can be saved long after the trip ends.
• Print what works for you: use the full pack or select just the pages your child will enjoy most.

Which countryside adventure should you choose?

Choose the Cotswolds pack for a break filled with pretty villages, gentle walks, wildlife parks, castles and market towns. Choose the Peak District pack for caves, dramatic viewpoints, stepping stones, woodland trails and bigger outdoor adventures.

Visiting both? Take both packs and let your child compare two of England's most distinctive landscapes. Each one has its own places, puzzles and personality, so the adventures never feel repeated.