Autumn in the Cotswolds: My Favourite Things to Do (2026)

As soon as October hits, pretty much all of The Cotswolds turns into this mystical and magical place that’s covered with copper leaves, just like you can see in my photos here.

I’ve been going to The Cotswolds every year since I was about 16, and even though I no longer live close by, whenever I’m in the UK I always make a trip here – this year, I went with my sister, who you’ll see in many photos throughout this post!

I personally love visiting this time of year not just because it looks pretty, but because there are way fewer crowds than in summer. Although, I will be honest, even this year when I went, there were more people than I was expecting.

This guide has when the colours are at their best, my favourite things to do in autumn, what to pack and where I’d stay.

When Is Autumn Colour At Its Best In The Cotswolds?

The colours usually peak in the second half of October, but it changes a bit every year depending on the weather. The photos that you see in this post are taken in the first week of November and I reckon there’s still a week of these colours to go, so you basically have a month window to see it in its prime.

Month	What it’s like
September	Still warm and one of the driest months, with quieter villages once the schools go back & colours beginning to turn.
October	Peak autumn colour, especially in the second half of the month, but one of the wettest months
November	Bare trees by the end of the month, but the Christmas lights and markets start

Visit in September if you want the summer look without the summer crowds. Having lived in the UK for most of my life, I will say you never really know what September will bring, but in general it’s perfect for walking.

Visit in October if you want to see the colours in their prime – just bear in mind that it’s one of the wettest months too, so I’ve usually got my wellies or walking boots on.

Visit in November for fewer crowds and still enjoy some lovely colours in the first few weeks.

My Favourite Things To Do In The Cotswolds In Autumn

Walk Through The Colours At Westonbirt Arboretum

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum near Tetbury is THE place for autumn colour in the Cotswolds. The trees are usually at their best in the second half of October, and I personally don’t think I’ve ever seen colours quite so nice anywhere else.

It gets busy on autumn weekends, so I’d go on a weekday or early in the morning, and check Westonbirt’s opening times and booking before you go.

See Batsford Arboretum Near Moreton-in-Marsh

Batsford Arboretum is smaller and quieter than Westonbirt, just outside Moreton-in-Marsh, and its autumn colour usually starts from mid-October. You can walk there on the Blockley and Batsford circular, one of my favourite Cotswolds walks, and Batsford’s autumn colour updates show how the trees are looking.

Drive Through Broadway And Watch The Sunset At Broadway Tower

If you’ve read any of my other posts on The Cotswolds then you’re probably bored of me going on about Broadway Tower haha, but truly, it’s such a good spot to visit. In October, I always see the road through Broadway village lined with copper leaves (like everywhere tbh, lol), and it’s one of the prettiest drives in the Cotswolds that I always make an effort to do. And then of course, I walk up to Broadway Tower for sunset. I’ve been at different times of day in every season, and sunset wins every single time. My honest Broadway Tower review has the walk up and where to park.

Do An Autumn Walk (In Proper Boots)

September and October are great for walking in the Cotswolds: cooler than summer, quieter and so colourful, and the paths start getting muddy from October, so wear hiking boots or wellies. My sister and I did a circular walk around Castle Combe (in the first week of November) and it was foggy, but with beautiful coloured leaves and honestly, I thought it was perfect.

The walk we did was 10km, there was parking just outside of Castle Combe village (although it was full by about 11:30am), and there were a few places to pick up something to eat and drink in the village itself – although we found some places only took cash OR only took card, which is kind of weird.

There’s also a really nice little farm shop cafe 5 minutes up the road called Burton Farm Shop where we had a jacket potato and hot chocolate at the end of our walk – it came to about £16 for both!

If you like walking, then my 15 best Cotswolds walks has some other really nice walks in the area, and Castle Combe is one of the prettiest Cotswold villages I keep going back to.

Cosy Up In A Pub

As soon as the evenings draw in, the pubs light their fires again and it’s so damn cosy. I’ve never been to a Cotswolds pub that doesn’t have a fire on at this time of year haha, but if I had to choose one then I would say that Kingham is my favourite village to cosy up in. It’s my idea of a perfect foodie day: Daylesford farm shop in the morning, then the roast chicken at The Wild Rabbit, which is also the best roast I’ve had anywhere in the Cotswolds.

Go To The Cheltenham Literature Festival

Every October, Cheltenham, on the western edge of the Cotswolds, hosts the Cheltenham Literature Festival, with big-name authors and talks. I’ve not been to this because it’s not really my cup of tea, but I’ve heard that it’s very popular so I would recommend that you book the good events early, and check this year’s festival programme.

Start Christmas Early In November

By mid-November the Christmas season starts. The Blenheim Palace Christmas light trail opens on 13 November 2026, and Broadway’s late-night Christmas shopping is on Friday 27 November which I LOVE. Nothing screams Christmas more than this (even though it technically starts in Autumn). I’ve been once when I was back in the UK at the right time of year, but the rest of my family go every single year because they always change the theme to keep it interesting. My Blenheim Palace Christmas lights review and Cotswolds at Christmas guide have all the 2026 dates.

What To Pack For The Cotswolds In Autumn

Bring	Why
Waterproof boots or wellies	The paths get muddy from October
A rain jacket	October is one of the wettest months
Layers	Mornings and evenings get cold, even when the days are mild
A camera	The colours change fast, so go when you can

I’m not going to lie, when my sister and I were in The Cotswolds in autumn this year I was pretty damn cold. Maybe it’s because I’m now used to warmer temperatures, I don’t know – but seriously get those layers on. My sister is much more used to this weather, so she was a lot more prepared than me and luckily had a spare jumper in her backpack that kept me warm.

Where To Stay In Autumn

I’ve stayed at The Broadway Hotel once as a little treat with my boyfriend, and Broadway is the base I’d choose in any season: it’s small and lively without that overcrowded feeling, and in autumn you have the copper-leaf high street and the sunset at Broadway Tower right on your doorstep. If you’re not driving, my guide to getting around the Cotswolds has the trains and buses.

Autumn In The Cotswolds FAQs

When is the best time to see autumn colours in the Cotswolds?

Usually the second half of October, when the trees at Westonbirt and Batsford arboretums are at their best. It varies a little each year with the weather, so check the arboretums’ colour updates before you go.

Is the Cotswolds busy in autumn?

It’s much quieter than summer once the schools go back in September. Westonbirt gets busy on autumn weekends, and October half-term brings families out for a week.

What is the weather like in the Cotswolds in autumn?

September is often mild and fairly dry. October is cooler and one of the wettest months, and November is cold and grey with shorter days, so pack layers and waterproofs.

More Cotswolds Guides

All my Cotswolds posts are in one place in my Cotswolds travel guide, and these are the ones to read next:

• The best time to visit the Cotswolds
• 15 best walks in the Cotswolds
• Cosy things to do in winter
• A perfect 3-day Cotswolds itinerary