Red Pandas

It's not a public zoo setup, so access isn't guaranteed, and you'll definitely want to check what's currently possible before heading out. But if you do get the chance to spend time with these captivating animals in such a personal setting, it's genuinely worth the effort to arrange.

Filkins itself deserves exploration in its own right. The village has all those characteristic honey-coloured stone buildings that define the region, and it occupies one of the more genuinely quiet corners of the Cotswolds, positioned well away from the main routes. You get that real sense of being properly removed from the bustle.

The location works excellently as a base for reaching nearby market towns. Burford and Lechlade are both easily accessible from here, making it straightforward to combine a visit with wider exploration of the area. The red pandas have become something of a local talking point, the kind of surprising detail that reveals how varied the Cotswolds really is when you venture beyond the obvious attractions.

Even if arranging a visit to see the pandas doesn't pan out, the village itself and the quiet countryside surrounding it make the journey worthwhile. It's the sort of place that rewards a bit of curiosity.