It is no secret that The Cotswolds is one of the most magical places to spend Autumn. The months of September, October and November are a time for slowing down, reflecting and resting and the countryside is the perfect backdrop for it. Picture the scene: wrapping up warm, countryside strolls, pub pit-stops, sitting by the fire with a new book, celebrating harvest and watching movies in a cosy cottage. From wholesome activities to seasonal events, we have curated the ultimate guide on how to get in the Autumn mood. Escape busy routines and embrace a calmer way of life.
Attend Local Events
When it comes to moving from the warm, fast-paced summer into a quieter, cooler winter, attending seasonal events can be the perfect catalyst to awaken your autumn spirit.
Farmers Markets
Immerse yourself in the symbolism of harvest by attending a farmers market. Shop for local produce, meet members of the community, learn about the farming way of life and soak up the rural town atmosphere. When it comes to finding a great local farmers market, The Cotswolds boasts a delightful selection of options. Discover fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, artisan cheeses, local meats, preserves, regional specialties and handmade crafts. We at Bolthole Retreats have compiled a few of our favorites:
- Stroud – Cornhill Market Place and surrounding streets (Saturdays 9am-2pm)
- Cheltenham – The Promenade (2nd and last Friday of month 9am-2pm)
- Cirencester – Market Place (2nd and 4th Saturday of the month 9am-2:30pm)
- Stow-on-the-Wold – Market Square (2nd and last Thursday of month 9am – 1pm)
- Bourton-on-the-Water Producers Market – Royal British Legion Car Park (Last Sunday of the month 8:30am -12:30pm)
Cheltenham Literature Festival (9th October to 18th October 2026)
Spend a day at Cheltenham Literature Festival, attend a talk by one of your favourite authors or public figures then wander through the festival village to the Waterstones book tent. Why not treat yourself to a new read? This festival is the ultimate Autumn event and is perfect for bookworms.
Bolthole Retreats Autumn Bucket List
This time of year is a time to take inspiration from the changing seasons. Embrace slowing down, resting and choosing to live your weekends in a more creative way with our Bolthole Retreats Autumn Bucket List!
Coffee and a Walk
Sometimes, there is nothing better than putting on your boots, gloves, hat and scarf and meeting up with a friend for a walk through the countryside with a takeout coffee in hand (or hot chocolate!) When it comes to finding a lovely walk through The Cotswolds, there are plenty to choose from. Get outdoors, breathe in the crisp air and discover why Autumn in best spent here.
Broadway and Broadway Tower, Worcestershire
The Walk: Start on Broadway high street and walk towards the Cotswold Way footpath. Follow the signs and wander through the fields and woodland until you reach Broadway Tower. From here, you can choose to walk a longer, circular walk or loop around the monument before heading back down the path you came.
The Vibe: Vast open spaces, panoramic views, quintessential English village charm.
The Coffee Stop: Stop at one of the independent coffee shops or tearooms along the Broadway high street and get your drink to go or pick up a drink from Morris and Brown Café near the tower at the top of the hill.
Pittville Park, Cheltenham
The Walk: This a gentler stroll through regency Cheltenham starting at Pittville Pump Rooms and walking past the lakes, over the bridges and through the beautiful lawns.
The Vibe: Family-friendly social atmosphere, 19th century regency aesthetic, lakeside views.
The Coffee Stop: Stop off at Havanas Coffee, a much-loved independent café just on the edge of Pittville Park, before your walk for great coffee, breakfasts and baked treats. Central Cross Café and The Boathouse Café in the heart of Pittville Park are perfect for a mid-walk pit stop. For a great pre-walk or post-walk coffee break, head to Heritage Café at Pittville Pump Rooms; where delicious coffee, wonderful views and Cheltenham’s history combine.
Bourton-on-the-Water and The Slaughters, Gloucestershire
The Walk: Start your walk at the War Memorial on the High Street, walk past the church and follow The Monarch’s Way footpath out of the village. Next, head North across the fields until you reach the A429, cross over the road carefully and pick up the path to Lower Slaughter. Follow the riverside footpath in Lower Slaughter, past the Old Mill, then join The Warden’s Way along the river to reach Upper Slaughter. Follow the signed footpaths and bridleways back to Bourton-on-the-Water to complete the circular route.
The Vibe: Charming Cotswold Stone village, quiet lanes, slow pace, scenic, fields and cosy atmosphere.
The Coffee Stop: Bakery on the Water is a cosy café offering freshly baked goods and quality coffee. If you wish to save your coffee pit stop for Lower Slaughter, Old Mill Café Kiosk is a lovely spot serving artisan coffee. Please note, there isn’t a café in Upper Slaughter so be sure to pick up your beverage of choice in either Bourton-on-the-Water or Lower Slaughter.
Cleeve Hill, Cotswold Way Circular Walk.
The Walk: Cleeve Hill Common circular walk is a wonderful option for Autumn as it showcases an exquisite panoramic view of the transforming landscape. Start your walk in the car park, head towards the escarpment, locate the trig point, a triangular pillar which marks the highest point of The Cotswolds and continue across the common. Keep an eye out for the ‘singular beech tree’, a prominent landmark for hikers. Loop towards the woodland edges and return via the common near the golf course and back to the car park.
The Vibe: Crisp, clear air and atmosphere, hiking, hills, highest point in the Cotswolds, panoramic views, transforming Autumnal landscapes.
The Coffee Stop: Stop off at Cotswold Way Café either before or after your walk for a cuppa. Located opposite the car park on Cleeve Hill.
Top Tips:
- Wear Sensible Attire:
Autumn in The Cotswolds can get quite chilly! We recommend you wrap up warm, bring layers and wear sensible footwear.
- Obey The Countryside Code:
Many of The Cotswolds’ footpaths pass through farmers fields and rural landscapes, therefore it is important to be mindful of livestock, particularly if you are walking with a dog. Keep your dogs under control and protect the environment you are in by taking your litter home and leaving gates as you find them.
Visit an Arboretum
Perhaps the most picture-postcard Autumn landscape is an arboretum between the months of September and November. Add visiting an arboretum to your Autumn Cotswolds itinerary and discover why they are visited by so many each year.
Westonbirt Arboretum
Time it right: The best time to see the autumn colours in their full glory is from mid-October – early November.
Best Parts:
STIHL Treetop Walkway – offers a different perspective of the changing Autumn leaves, from an elevated view.
The Silk Wood – a dog-friendly, natural working woodland offering an excellent backdrop for photography and nature observation.
Batsford Arboretum
Best Parts:
Particular focus on Japanese Maples – see their explosion of red and oranges flourish in Autumn.
The Candy Floss Tree – discover the sweet smell it emits when leaves fall onto wet ground described by many as a burnt sugary, toffee apple like scent.
Tips for visiting an Arboretum this Autumn:
Book before you visit – this is a very popular destination, especially at this time of year, so booking a slot online is recommended.
- Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear.
- Plan your route around the arboretum before you visit.
Farm Shop Trips
Autumn symbolises change and transition as well as a time for reaping the rewards of the harvest. Embrace this harvest season by heading to a farm shop and shopping for locally sourced produce. Whether you wish to create your own hampers or gather ingredients for baking seasonal goods, there are plenty of delightful farm shops to choose from. We have curated a list of our favourites.
The Three Turnips
Photo Credit: @tomsbarncotswolds
Set on a family-run working farm in Andoversford, Cheltenham, The Three Turnips is a cosy rural spot where you can shop for produce such as soup, fresh bread and pantry staples including homemade apple and plum jam and chutneys. Discover The Three Turnips’ homegrown tomatoes, squashes and corn on the cob and pick up some lamb or beef for a slow cooked Sunday roast.
Perfect for nature lovers looking for a wholesome weekend farm shop trip with a coffee and fresh goods.
Why we love this: We love the atmosphere at The Three Turnips. Wander around the shop, grab a coffee and a scone from the on-site café and sit by the log burner. This is a wonderful place to unwind and discover wonderful products, such as Hampen Farm’s ‘Knit Your Own’ kits made from their own sheep wool and plant dye.
Please note: The Three Turnips is open Thursday and Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10-1pm.
Jolly Nice Farm Shop
Sustainable farm shop set near Stroud offering high-quality, locally sourced food and drinks. With a strong focus on regenerative farming, this is a lovely place to add to your Autumn itinerary.
Why we love this:
We love Jolly Nice’s Drive Through offering premium breakfast baps, speciality coffee, fresh pastries and farm-counter service.
Daylesford Organic
Visit popular Cotswolds landmark, Daylesford Organic this Autumn. Renowned for its strong focus on sustainability and upscale rural atmosphere, this farm shop offers a range of organic vegetables, freshly baked bread artisan cheeses.
Why we love this:
We love Daylesford Organic’s field-to-fork ethos and commitment to providing responsibly sourced produce.
Sunday Lunch by the Fire
What is cosier than a long walk through the British countryside followed by a Sunday roast feast by a roaring fire? When it comes to finding the perfect country pub for your roast dinner, we’ve got you covered! Here are our team’s recommendations:
The Fox at Oddington
The Vibe: Farm-to-table high-end feast, large Yorkshire puddings, beef dripping roast potatoes, part of the Daylesford collection.
The Mount Inn, Stanton
The Vibe: Classic, panoramic Cotswold views, dog-friendly, cosy English village pub.
The Bull, Charlbury
The Vibe: Responsibly sourced local ingredients, charming country pub, open fire cooking, gastropub.
The Farmer’s Dog, Burford
The Vibe: Exclusively British produce, hearty, traditional, countryside atmosphere, rustic, popular tourist spot, dog friendly.
The Feathered Nest Inn, Chipping Norton
The Vibe: High-end rustic pub, uninterrupted vistas across the Evenlode Valley, cosy ambience, traditional roast with a fine-dining flair.
Bookshop Browse
Shelter from the cold Autumn weather within the cosiness of a bookshop. Soak up the comforting smell of paper, the gentle ambient lighting and the sight of satisfyingly pretty book covers whilst you dream up which new book world you’ll find yourself in. Here at Bolthole Retreats, we love getting lost in a good book. These are our bookshop recommendations:
- Hollyhocks, Cirencester – new independent romance bookshop founded by mother and daughter duo
- Octavia’s Bookshop, Cirencester – cosy shop set on a quaint Cotswolds street
- Fireside, Stroud- charming secondhand bookshop
- Rossiter Books, Cheltenham – small independent shop selling carefully curated books and gifts.
Unlock Your Dream Autumn Getaway with Bolthole Retreats
Burford Farthingdales
4.8/5Exquisitely furnished and decorated home in the heart of Burford’s medieval quarter, with a wood burning stove and a hidden garden.-
Charming cottage in the untouched Cotswolds walking distance from a pub set on the Cotswold Way. -
This period stone cottage enjoys a fantastic valley view. Inside are original features and a cosy wood burner. -
A rural woodland retreat offering families a tranquil, secluded getaway with an open fire and trout pond. -
Gorgeous 18th-century coach house with an abundance of charm and character and a great pub within walking distance. -
A gorgeous cottage in an idyllic village, close to Soho Farmhouse with countryside walks on the doorstep. It’s the perfect Cotswold escape.