Upper and Lower Slaughter – the two small villages in the Cotswolds, collectively known as ‘The Slaughters’.
Located only a couple of miles from the more famous Bourton-on-the-Water, The Slaughters are tiny, but extremely beautiful.
With pretty English country hotels, shallows rivers running through the centre, and of course the honey stone cottages that make the Cotswold famous- the Slaughters are a great stop of any tour of the Cotswolds –
There is even a working water mill in operation in Lower Slaughter, and both villages are surrounded by pristine English countryside.
Are The Slaughters good to visit with children?
The answer to this question really depends on the child and how you spend time as a family – if your kids are happy to play in streams, make games in nature with sticks and stones, and are interested in the Water Mill, then yes (well suited to little ones, perhaps, more that older primary and teens!)
If your children are use to some walking, or you are looking to get them started with walking in the countryside, these villages are also a good option; easy walking from Bourton-on-the-Water (where there are a number of things to tempt them for afterwards!)
Why are they called the Slaughters?
When we first moved to the area, the name put me off visiting for ages – it seemed a bit, well, gruesome!
The mere word Slaughter conjured up images of bloody medival battles, or worse – but when we eventually gave it a go after many recommendations from friends, we were glad we did.
They are really, really pretty, the little streams and waterways are adorable, and it’s no way near as busy as it’s other Cotswold counterparts.
Plus, the name ‘Slaughters’ is derived from an old English word – Slothre – meaning a muddy place. Nothing macabre after all!
We’ve spent many a sunny spring day exploring the Slaughters and the surrounding countryside; read on to find out our guide for seeing these hidden gems of the Cotswolds – with the kids in tow.
Best Things to do in The Slaughters with kids
Lower Slaughter
The Old Mill
The Old Mill, at the end of the main street in Lower Slaughter, used to be a small museum which closed it doors in early 2023. The water mill still worked, and the historic building dates back to 800AD – well worth the stroll to see it. It’s setting beside the River Eye and the pool in front of it, and the stone cottages are delightful. Actually a great place for a picnic in the summer on the green opposite it, too.
My boys are set with rocks to throw in the river ( good job as that’s all there is here!) so we did this for a bit before walking back along the street, to and fro crossing the little bridges over the shallow river.
In 2024 the mill changed owner and has since reopened – we are not currently sure if the museum has reopened, but there is a recently advertised tea room which looks like it is an artisan coffee trailer, serving hot drinks, cakes, pastries and light lunches such as sandwiches and soups. We look forward to trying it – there instagram page linked below states they will be reopening after winter in spring 2025.
The Slaughters Manor House
The Manor House is a 4 star hotel, set in magnificent grounds/ gardens – it looks absolutely perfect here on a summers’ day, and the hotel offers nice looking afternoon teas, childrens menus and hampers to take away and enjoy on your adventures in the manor house gardens or the village, including children’s hampers.
The Slaughters Country Inn
This country Inn is quite simply, what Cotswolds dreams are made of. The idilyc setting, with seating under this beautiful blossom trees beside the River, is so blooming gorgeous. Such a great place to stop for a drink after a countryside walk. It’s the sister hotel to the previously mentioned ‘Slaughters Manor House’, just across the river. The Country Inn, like its counter part, offers a children’s menu, and makes a point on the website of being welcoming to families. They also have games on the lawn in the summer – croquet and tennis.
Walks in The Slaughters
Taking a walk in Lower Slaughter to see the prettiness is really the main thing to do here, and what everybody comes here for. It’s the perfect way to spend a nice weather day in the Votswolds, and if combining it with a drink at the Old Mill, Inn or Manor House, you can’t go far wrong!
If you are coming directly to Lower Slaughter, there are a few car parking spaces on the road near the Manor House Hotel. You can get out and walk down the ‘main street’, all the way to the end when you reach the watermill, then simply cross the river on one of the bridges and come back the other side. Perfect if you have little ones and toddlers who can walk very far.
If you have a little bit longer and feel the family can go a bit further, you could try the walk from Lower to Upper Slaughter (which is approximately 1 mile each way).
We like to walk from Bourton-on-the-Water, which is also a fantastic nearby village to visit, and has more choice of shops, resturants and cafes. The walk follows the River Eye and is lovely. This one is a bit longer at 5.5 miles.
Upper Slaughter
Upper Slaughter is the smaller of the two villages, meaning it is tiny. It’s very picturesque – there is a lovely spot behind the historic church where you can sit on a bench overlooking the shallow river and the stone cottages that line the riverside.
The river here is so idilic, it’s shallow and calm and more like a stream – there are low stone bridges that cross it and honestly our two kids were in heaven just paddling, playing with stones and sticks in the water. It’s so lovely seeing kids just being, enjoying the natural world. If you are walking from Bourton-on-the-Water, and you are bringing your lunch, this places is the perfect picnic spot.
Apart from a few nice cottages and streets, a tiny square in the centre, the church and the river there isn’t much here, no cafe as such but there is the Lord of the Manor country house hotel. The good looks amazing but it is a luxury hotel – we have never stopped here yet as I am too intimidated and anxious my wild ones will tear up the place! If anyone goes here for lunch with the little ones – let us know in the comments we would love to hear your thoughts.
Places Nearby
LELess than 2 miles from Lower Slaughter is Bourton-on-the-Water. Bourton-on-the-Water is a lovely, larger village nearby, it is very busy and popular with tourists, but that does mean there are lots of food, drinks and activity options here – including quite a few good options to entertain the kids.
Gallery
Cotswold Little Explorers 
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