Autumn in the Cotswolds: cosy walks & village charm

The Cotswolds really knows how to do autumn. Think golden stone villages framed by copper-coloured leaves, hedgerows bursting with berries, and pub fires that make you want to linger just a bit longer. If you’re planning a trip this season, here’s a guide to some of the best spots to soak it all in — including my favourite autumn walks, cosy pubs, and a few lesser-known gems to escape the crowds.

Autumn Villages to Explore

Broadway

One of my all-time favourite Cotswold villages, Broadway is especially charming in the autumn — the golden stone glows even warmer in the low light, and the leaves in the surrounding hills turn brilliant shades of red and amber. The high street is perfect for a lazy browse, with loads of independent shops to peruse. The Swan Inn is a fantastic pub with the best Sunday roast I’ve ever had, so I can highly recommend it for a bite. Don’t miss Broadway Tower for the views, which is a perfect brisk autumn walk.

Castle Combe

Often called one of the prettiest villages in England, and yes, it lives up to the hype. In autumn, the little river that runs through the village is framed by falling leaves, and the cottages look like they belong in a period drama. It’s tiny — you can see it all in half an hour — but it’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger in. Try the Manor House for a fancy afternoon tea.

Castle Combe is one of the most well-known Cotswolds villages, but somehow, I've managed to visit it while empty every time. One of my visits was over a weekend in October, and we had the quiet village all to ourselves, so autumn can be a great time to visit the Cotswolds and avoid the crowds. 

Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton is my favourite Cotswolds Village. Something about the willow-lined stream running through the village with its little stone bridges make it feel like a scene from a children's book. Bourton has lots of beautiful shops and tearooms, plus the charming Model Village which was so cute last time I visited in the autumn.

Lower & Upper Slaughter

These two villages are linked by an idyllic footpath and both are outrageously pretty. Lower Slaughter’s old mill (now an ice cream and gift shop) is worth a peek, and Upper Slaughter is smaller but somehow even more peaceful. Expect sheep, stone cottages, and that lovely stillness you get on an autumn afternoon. The Slaughters are very near to Bourton-on-the-Water, so I always do these three together in one day.

Bibury

Arlington Row is the postcard-famous bit, and hopefully in the autumn the tourist crowds have thinned out a little bit. The Swan Hotel is so picturesque in the autumn as it is covered with ivy turning a brilliant red. 

The Swan Hotel in Bibury

Autumn Walks with a View

Broadway Tower Walk

Start in Broadway village and follow the circular route up to the Tower — it’s about 4 miles and manageable even if you’re not feeling especially energetic. The path climbs gently through meadows and open farmland, and when you reach the top, you get panoramic views (on a clear day, anyway).

The Slaughters Walk

Park in Lower Slaughter and take the easy, well-marked footpath through fields and past sheep to Upper Slaughter. It only takes about 30 minutes each way, but the route is pure countryside magic in autumn — stone bridges, trickling streams, and sleepy sheep dotted across the hills. You’ll hardly see anyone else, especially on a weekday.

Autumnal Activities in the Cotswolds

Daylesford Organic Farm

Yes, it’s absurdly posh — the car park is packed with Land Rovers and half of London seems to show up on weekends — but it’s such a treat. The shop is full of seasonal produce like heritage pumpkins, fresh figs, wild mushrooms, and handmade candles that smell like autumn distilled. The café does a roast squash tart I still think about, and the Apple Day festival (usually in mid-October) makes it extra festive. The nearby Fox at Oddington is a great spot for lunch or dinner too — stylish, cosy, and the food is genuinely good.

Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Cotswold Farm Park

A family-friendly outing with rows and rows of pumpkins to pick from, plus tractor rides, animals, and hot chocolate stands if it’s chilly. It’s an especially fun one if you're travelling with kids — or just want an excuse for a seasonal Instagram.

Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

Surprisingly lovely in the autumn. Think sweeping gardens with tall grasses and changing leaves, rhinos grazing in front of a gothic-style manor house, and a charming little train that still runs on weekends. There’s a woodland walk that’s especially pretty in late October — and it’s spacious enough that even on busy days, it doesn’t feel too crowded.

View of Dyrham Park

Dyrham Park

A bit south of the main Cotswolds area, but completely worth the detour. This National Trust estate has a grand 17th-century house set in a dramatic valley, with wide views across to the Severn Estuary. The ancient trees turn incredible shades of amber and ochre, and you’ll often spot deer roaming the grounds. It’s one of my favourite places to visit in the Cotswolds and I was really taken with the autumn landscape when I visited.

Batsford and Westonbirt Arboretums

If you want full-blown autumn colour, these are your spots. Batsford has Japanese maples and quiet walking paths, while Westonbirt is famous for its Autumn Trail. Best time is usually the last week of October through the first two weeks of November — check the websites for foliage updates.

Spooky Light Trail at Blenheim Palace

Kicks off at the end of October and runs into November. Expect glowing pumpkins, flickering candles, and dramatic lighting across the palace grounds. It’s family-friendly but atmospheric enough for adults too.

Avebury Stone Circle

Not technically in the Cotswolds, but close enough that I often stop on my way back to London. Avebury is vast and atmospheric, with huge ancient stones scattered across farmland and a quiet eeriness that feels especially fitting in misty autumn weather. Built around 2500 BCE, the Avebury stone circles are among the largest Neolithic monuments in Europe, believed to have been used for ceremonial gatherings and aligned with ancient cosmological beliefs.

Lacock Village

Again, just outside the Cotswolds boundary but too charming not to include. It’s a National Trust-owned village with cobbled lanes and old timber-framed houses — and if it looks familiar, it’s because it’s been used in lots of films, including Harry Potter. You can visit the abbey cloisters that stood in for Hogwarts interiors, which feel extra moody in the autumn light.

Bibury

Example one day itinerary: Autumn in the Cotswolds

This is a suggested route for a one-day autumn escape in the Cotswolds, with stops grouped by area to keep the pace relaxed and scenic. You can shuffle things around depending on where you’re staying, but here’s what I’d do for a cosy autumn day in the Cotswolds:

Broadway, The Slaughters & Bourton-on-the-Water

• Start your morning in Broadway with a coffee and a wander along the high street — the shops are lovely and full of autumn bits. If you’re up for a walk, the trail to Broadway Tower gives you one of the best views in the area. Eat lunch at The Swan Inn, my favourite pub lunch ever!

• Pop over to Daylesford Organic Farm Shop — browse the deli and homeware, grab something seasonal for lunch, and soak up the full posh-farm-shop experience.

• Head over to Lower Slaughter, where you can park and follow the footpath to Upper Slaughter and back. It’s a short, peaceful walk with classic countryside views.

• Spend the afternoon in Bourton-on-the-Water — explore the little bridges, browse the tearooms and maybe pop into the Model Village if you’re feeling nostalgic.

• Overnight somewhere nearby — The Dial House in Bourton is a cute b&b.

If you are staying for a weekend, you could drive down to the southern end of the Cotswolds to visit Castle Combe and Dyrham Park, or explore more of the Cotswold villages that are more central to the region.

Tiny version of Bourton at the Model Village

There’s something about the Cotswolds in autumn that just hits differently — the crunch of leaves underfoot on the path to Broadway Tower, the golden hillside views from Dyrham Park, and the quiet hum of village life as everything winds down for the season. It’s a time for slow walks between the Slaughters, warming up with pie and a pint by the fire, and spending a little too long picking out the perfect pumpkin or candle. This guide has covered my favourite villages, walks, and autumn stops — hopefully it helps you plan a trip that feels as cosy and memorable as the season deserves.

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