Where Autumn Takes You

The Cotswolds wears autumn beautifully. Honeyed stone villages glow against canopies of burnished copper, hedgerows brim with late berries, and the promise of a crackling pub fire is reason enough to linger. If you’re tempted to wander here this season, let this be your guide to the loveliest walks, the cosiest inns, and a scattering of hidden corners where autumn feels like a secret shared.

Autumn in the Cotswolds: cosy walks & village charm

Broadway

One of my all-time favourites, Broadway feels almost tailor-made for autumn. The golden stone warms in the low light, while the hills that cradle the village turn to russet and flame. The high street invites a slow dawdle between independent shops and galleries, and when you’re ready to pause, The Swan Inn serves a Sunday roast that’s hard to forget. For a bracing walk, head up to Broadway Tower, where sweeping views reveal the countryside in its full autumn glory.

Castle Combe

Often hailed as one of the prettiest villages in England, Castle Combe doesn’t disappoint. In autumn, the little river that threads through its heart reflects drifting leaves, and the honeyed cottages could be plucked from a period drama. It’s a tiny place, easily strolled in half an hour but one you’ll want to linger in. A decadent afternoon tea at The Manor House makes the perfect excuse.

Lower & Upper Slaughter

Linked by an idyllic footpath, these twin villages are outrageously pretty. In Lower Slaughter, the old mill (now home to an ice cream and gift shop) is worth a wander, while Upper Slaughter, smaller still, exudes a quiet, timeless peace. Expect grazing sheep, mellow stone cottages, and that gentle stillness that seems unique to autumn afternoons. The Slaughters sit close to Bourton-on-the-Water, making it easy to enjoy all three in a single day.

Autumnal Activities in the Cotswolds

Daylesford Organic Farm

Admittedly posh (the car park a sea of Land Rovers, half of London in tow), but worth it. The shop brims with seasonal treasures such as heritage pumpkins, glossy figs, wild mushrooms, and candles that smell like autumn bottled. The café’s roast squash tart lingers in memory long after, and the Apple Day festival in October is pure celebration. Nearby, The Fox at Oddington makes for a stylish, firelit lunch or supper.

Pick Your Own Pumpkins — Cotswold Farm Park

Pumpkin fields stretching in every direction, tractor rides, animals to meet, and steaming hot chocolate if the day turns crisp. It’s a family favourite, but even without children, the charm is irresistible (and let’s be honest, it’s perfect for an autumn Instagram).

Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

Surprisingly enchanting in autumn: rhinos grazing in front of a Gothic-style manor, sweeping lawns edged with golden trees, and a miniature train that still chugs along on weekends. The woodland walk is especially beautiful in late October, and there’s space enough that even on busier days, it never feels crowded.

Dyrham Park

A little south of the main Cotswolds, but unmissable. This National Trust estate is set in a sweeping valley, its 17th-century house commanding the scene. Deer roam freely across the parkland, while ancient trees blaze with ochre and amber. It’s one of the most stirring autumn landscapes I’ve encountered.

Batsford & Westonbirt Arboretums

If you want autumn in its full splendour, head here. Batsford offers Japanese maples and meandering paths, while Westonbirt is famous for its Autumn Trail; a spectacle of colour best enjoyed from late October to early November. Check their websites for foliage updates before you go.

Where to Stay

The Bull, Charlbury

At heart a village pub, The Bull takes its food seriously, with menus shaped by close ties to local farmers and growers. Expect dishes cooked over open fire, produce fresh from Bruern Farms, and a philosophy rooted in the soil. Rooms are designed for cocooning weekends — freestanding baths, super-king beds, and all the comforts of a countryside retreat.

The Manor House, Castle Combe

A 14th-century jewel set in 365 acres of parkland, The Manor House feels every inch the storybook retreat. Castle Combe itself remains untouched since the 17th century, and the hotel captures the romance of a true country escape.

The Dial House, Bourton-on-the-Water

Rich with historic charm and honey-stone walls, The Dial House offers a boutique sanctuary in the very heart of Bourton. With peaceful gardens and a sense of timeless ease, it’s a place to stop, breathe, and soak up the Cotswolds at its gentlest.

The Cotswolds is one of the most popular places to visit in England (outside of London), that tends to be associated with  storybook images of stone cottages and rolling hills. If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds, with that dreamy vision of quaint English scenes in your head. Choosing the right place to stay is key to making that vision a reality.

If you long to see the Cotswolds beyond the postcard villages, a stay in a tucked-away hamlet or farm BnB can offer something more intimate. Here are two favourites:

• The Kingham Plough — A modern country inn in a small village within easy reach of Burford, Stow, Bourton, and Daylesford. Stylish rooms, excellent food, and an understated sense of luxury.
• The Ebrington Arms — A rustic inn close to Chipping Campden, surrounded by stately homes and gardens. Its gastropub is hearty and welcoming, and for the Cotswolds, surprisingly affordable.

The Cotswolds may be one of England’s most-visited regions, but in autumn it feels as though the landscape hushes, inviting you to slow your step. Between golden trees, fireside suppers, and winding walks, it’s a season that suits this corner of the world perfectly.