With crisp sunny days and misty mornings, Autumn is one of the most magical times to pull up your wellies and head out for a walk in the Cotswold countryside. Whether you’re dreaming of walking through a woodland path of golden trees, kicking your way through piles of fallen leaves, collecting conkers or picking juicy blackberries, we have some enchanting Cotswold walks, trails and National Trust gardens for you to explore.
Cotswolds Things To Do in Autumn
Dyrham Park-National Trust
A park awash with colour, conkers falling from the trees and a bountiful pear harvest are just some of the delights at Dyrham Park in autumn. With 270-acres of open parkland, home to hundreds of trees, Dyrham Park is a great place to enjoy an autumn stroll where a landscape of sunset reds, orange and yellows exist.
The Windrush Way Walk
At 23km (14mi), the Windrush Way is a great choice for those looking for a challenging walk that can be finished in a day. The circular route links the Cotswold Way at Winchcombe with the Oxfordshire Way at Bourton-on-the-Water. Follow the trail up over the Cotswold Hills, through the remains of “lost” medieval villages and along the peaceful River Windrush. This quiet walk is the perfect route for getting away from it all. Just make sure you pack a picnic to refuel midway!
Westonbirt Arboretum
You can expect to see tree canopies that dazzle in shades of gold, orange and red between early October and mid-November. The days are getting shorter, the air that bit cooler which means the native and exotic trees in the arboretum will be coming to life in a rich, blaze of colour.
The diversity and vibrancy of leaf colours to be found at Westonbirt Arboretum are unsurpassed in Britain. Combine this with fruits, hips and berries in profusion, and you have the makings of a botanical experience like no other.
Journey through Bibury & Coln St Aldwyns
This Bibury walk is a longer route that joins the two beautiful Cotswold villages of Bibury and Coln St Aldwyns. There are pubs in each village to choose from, or maybe stop half way for refreshments. The walk starts in the village of Bibury where you can see the world famous Arlington Row and the route takes you on a scenic journey through the Cotswold countryside. This walk includes picture postcard villages, a stroll alongside the River Coln, woodland and lovely countryside views, plus with pubs in both villages, you are spoilt for choice.
The joy of Autumn is that there is a mix of enjoying the colourful outdoors as well as cosying up inside, as the days get shorter and we want to snuggle up by the fire, and delving into the seasonal activities held in the countdown to Halloween!
Pick your own Pumpkin
Autumn means pumpkin season, so whether you’re planning on craving one for Halloween or cooking up a tasty pumpkin pie, you can choose a prize specimen at one of the Cotswolds’ pumpkin patches this October. Among the places where you can pick your own pumpkin are Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power, Cattle Country Animal Park in Berkeley, Hayles Fruit Farm near Winchcombe and Over Farm Market just outside Gloucester.
Enjoy a Sunday Lunch by a Log Fire
What better way to spend an autumnal Sunday than tucking into a tradition roast dinner by a roaring fire in a country pub? We’re spoilt for choice in the Cotswolds with a whole host of cosy spots serving delicious, locally sourced dishes from The Bell at Sapperton, The Green Dragon at Cowley, The Five Alls at Filkins, The Angel at Burford & The Masons Arms at Meysey Hampton.
Ghost Hunt at Woodchester Mansion
Spend the night at the spooky Victorian Gothic Woodchester Mansion… if you dare! The mansion was abandoned partway through construction in 1868, when works mysteriously downed tools and left, never to return. Since then, there have been tales of strange happenings and ghostly sightings including a phantom horseman and floating head.
Bloody Bourton
Discover the dark side of the idyllic and pretty riverside town of Bourton with a Bloody Bourton Walking Tour, led by customed guide Edward Charnel. These two-hour Friday & Saturday evening tours reveal the town’s secrets, introducing you to its ghostly residents as well as discovering a cast of a fairies, witches, priests and murderers as you learn more about the history of Bourton.
Toast to Autumn with a Hedgerow Gin
Made with a selection of locally harvested sloes, damsons, blackberries and bullace plum, the Hedgerow Gin from the Cotswolds Distillery taste like autumn in a glass. The fruit is macerated slowly in their Cotswolds Dry Gin before being aged in oak casks, giving it a fruity, spicy flavour. It is delicious over ice-or try it warm on a cold day.
Hot Chocolate & Cake
Enjoy a velvety hot chocolate with soft marshmallows & whipped cream alongside a piece of delicious cake that takes your fancy at one of the many warm and welcoming local cafes in the Cotswolds like Lynwoods, Glaze Café in Cirencester, Blockley Café, The Old Prison in Northleach & Bakery on the Water in Bourton.
Considering a move to The Cotswolds? Here at The Cotswold Letting Agency, we can help you find the perfect rental in the Cotswolds – get in touch on 01993 684572 or drop us an email at hello@cotswoldlettingagency.com for helpful advice from our team!
