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What To Do in the Cotswolds this Autumn
Autumn brings a different pace to the Cotswolds. Across all five counties, you will see the leaves begin to turn, the walking trails become a little quieter and as the first chill appears in the air, returning to a cosy cottage feels all the more inviting.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a seasonal woodland walk, spend the afternoon exploring a new Cotswold village and or simply settle in for a delicious Sunday lunch beside a pub fire, there’s something for every generation.
Here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy autumn in the Cotswolds.
See the Autumn Colours at a Cotswold Arboretum
Few places celebrate autumn quite like an arboretum. As the season progresses, the trees change through shades of gold, copper, crimson and russet, creating some of the most beautiful landscapes and autumn colours in the Cotswolds.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is home to thousands of trees from around the world and is particularly impressive during autumn. Follow one of its marked trails or simply wander beneath the colourful canopy at your own pace.
Batsford Arboretum, close to Moreton-in-Marsh, is another favourite of ours. With paths winding past Japanese maples, ornamental cherries and views across the surrounding countryside, you’ll easily work up an appetite for the Garden Terrace Café.
Step out on a wonderful walk
Cooler temperatures and the changing landscape make autumn an excellent time to explore the Cotswolds on foot – and you certainly won’t be short of walking routes.
Why not plan a route on National Trails where you’ll find plenty of choices from circular walks you can complete in a day to multistage and guided walks. One popular circular walk takes in Broadway Tower. Starting from the high street in Broadway the route takes you along historic tracks before you climb the steps to enjoy the breathtaking views from Broadway Tower.
Equally, the beech woods around Cranham, the trails surrounding Minchinhampton Common and the countryside near Burford are all great walks taking in the changing colours. Remember though, conditions can be muddy underfoot, so bring suitable boots and an extra layer. Autumn weather in the Cotswolds likes to keep walkers guessing.
Find more Cotswold Way walks and view cottages close to several of the Cotswold Way starting points!
Plan an October Half-Term Adventure
October half term arrives just as the Cotswolds are looking their autumnal best. Local attractions often run seasonal trails, family activities and special events, while farms, wildlife parks and historic houses offer plenty to fill a day out.
Whether you’re looking for a patch on which to go pumpkin picking, want to take the children to meet the animals at Cotswold Farm park or hire bikes for an outdoor adventure, there’s plenty to choose from for all ages of the family. We’ve shared some of our favourite things to see and do in this October Half Term blog.
And don’t forget to take a look at our cottages with half term availability.
Enjoy Some Halloween Fun
As the nights draw in, the Cotswolds embraces the spookier side of the season. Expect pumpkin trails, haunted castles, fancy-dress discos and family-friendly evenings filled with ghosts, ghouls and plenty of treats.
Some events sell out well in advance, particularly those taking place over the half-term holidays. Take a look at our guide to Halloween events in the Cotswolds to find something suitably spooky.
Celebrate Bonfire Night
Wrap up warm and head out for an evening of fireworks, bonfires and autumn treats. Displays take place throughout the Cotswolds, from traditional village gatherings to larger organised events with music, food and entertainment.
Our local Bonfire Night and fireworks guide brings together some of the best displays taking place across the region, with the dates and booking information you will need before setting off.
Explore Quieter Villages and Hamlets
The Cotswolds’ best-known towns and villages are beautiful throughout the year, but visiting during the quieter shoulder season gives you a little more room to appreciate them.
Explore the honey-coloured streets of Broadway before the Christmas crowds arrive, browse the independent shops in Stow-on-the-Wold or wander beside the River Windrush in Burford. The market town of Charlbury is home to several fabulous restaurants and independent shops, whilst the less talked about town of Winchcombe is another great place to sample a slower Cotswold way of life.
Smaller villages such as Guiting Power, Longborough, the Oddingtons and the Wychwoods are equally rewarding, particularly when you can slow down and notice the details. And, of course, there are the Slaughters, where a walk beside the River Eye is especially lovely once the summer crowds have eased.
Guiting Power makes a charming stop when travelling between Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh. It is also within easy reach of Cheltenham and Cotswold Farm Park, making it a useful addition to a day exploring the North Cotswolds.
Longborough may be best known for its summer opera festival, but autumn reveals a quieter side to the village. Wander around its Cotswold stone cottages, enjoy the countryside views and appreciate it without the bustle of festival season.
You may not have heard of Bampton, but parts of it might look familiar. The village provided the setting for many of the outdoor scenes in Downton Abbey, and fans can recognise locations including the church, the village green and several of the houses used in the series. Even without the television connection, it is a lovely place for a leisurely autumn wander.
These villages make the perfect location for family autumn breaks in the cotswolds!
Look Up at the Autumn Night Sky
The longer nights are not only an excuse to settle beside the wood burner. Away from the brighter lights of the larger towns, the Cotswolds offers some wonderful opportunities for stargazing.
Among the region’s best-known locations are the Rollright Stones, Cleeve Hill, Painswick Beacon and Broadway Tower. Their open, elevated settings and wide horizons make them excellent places from which to appreciate a clear night sky. The Rollright Stones, consisting of The Whispering Knights, The King’s Men and The King Stone, are a particularly atmospheric location for stargazing. Maybe don’t read up on their association with witchcraft before heading out on a dark night though.
Cleeve Hill, situated around four miles north-east of Cheltenham is the highest point in the Cotswolds. It is a much larger and more exposed location for stargazing than the Rollright Stones so be sure to be sure to pack a blanket. Finally Broadway Tower, standing at 65 foot tall offers sweeping views across 16 counties. It’s a great location for stargazing as its location on the Cotswold escarpment means it is away from light pollution from any surrounding towns.
Choose a clear evening, give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness and you may be surprised by just how much you can see. And remember to pack a flask of something warm, a blanket and a torch. Always check opening times, parking arrangements and after-dark access before setting out, as some sites are on private or managed land.
Settle in for a Sunday Roast
After a long autumn walk, few things are more welcome than a traditional Sunday roast in a cosy Cotswold pub.
Think open fires, local ales, generous Yorkshire puddings and plates piled with seasonal vegetables. Many of the region’s best pubs are found in smaller villages, making lunch an excellent reason to venture beyond the familiar places. Booking ahead is sensible, particularly for Sunday afternoons – take a look at some of our favourite Sunday roasts.
Warm Up in a Local Café
Autumn provides the perfect excuse to linger over coffee, hot chocolate or a pot of tea. The Cotswolds has no shortage of welcoming independent cafés, artisan bakeries and farm shops where you can escape the weather for a while. Lynwood & Co is a firm favourite with our team. Owners Rob and Kat launched their first Lynwood & Co in Lechlade back in 2015 and now have nine cafes spread across the Cotswolds.
Another favourite with our team in the Stow-in-the-Wold office is The Hive. Serving one of the best breakfasts – until 3pm on Sundays! – they’re also well known for the hearty lunches and incredibly handy children’s snack boxes.
Here we’ve reviewed five fabulous cafes to visit. All of which offer the perfect place to pair your drink with a freshly baked pastry, a slice of homemade cake or something seasonal. It is a particularly lovely way to break up an afternoon of walking, sightseeing or shopping.
And if you’re on the go, take a look at our guide for the 10 best places for takeaway coffee in the Cotswolds.
Start Your Christmas Shopping Locally
It may feel a little early, but autumn is an excellent time to make a start on Christmas shopping. The Cotswolds’ independent shops, galleries, makers and farm shops are filled with gifts you are unlikely to find on the high street.
Browse homeware and antiques in Tetbury, discover independent boutiques in Cirencester or Burford, and look out for locally produced food, drink, ceramics, candles and artwork throughout the region.
With our office based in Stow-on-the-Wold we’re quite familiar with the shops so our team were delighted to put together a guide to shopping in the town.
Shopping early means quieter streets, more time to browse and the satisfaction of supporting local Cotswold businesses. And if you’re planning to return later in the year take a look at our things to do at Christmas in the Cotswolds.
Make the Most of Autumn in the Cotswolds
Whether you come for the colourful walks, seasonal events, quieter villages or the promise of a fireside Sunday lunch, autumn gives you plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.
Cotswold Holiday Accommodation in Autumn
Explore our collection of Cotswold holiday homes and find a cosy base for your autumn break. If you capture the season at its best, remember to tag @staycotswold in your Instagram photographs – we would love to see where your Cotswold adventures take you. Feeling inspired to visit the Cotswolds? Explore even more things to do in the Cotswolds for ideas and inspiration!
