It’s autumn! My absolute favourite time of year. The season of crisp cool air, crunchy colourful leaves, hot drinks on repeat, bonfires and an overall sense of happiness that seeps straight into your bones.
Along with my love for autumn brings about my favourite places to visit during this season – and there are MANY.
The Cotswolds is one of my favourite areas of England – no matter the season. However, there is something about these quaint villages as the weather grows cooler.
You’ll spot ivy creeping on the cottages, turning from lush greens to vibrant orange and reds. Smoke swirling from the chimneys. It’s the perfect time of year to visit these beautiful towns and villages. Here is my guide to the Cotswolds of places you absolutely need to visit.
Three Cotswolds villages to visit this autumn
Castle Combe
This is such an iconic village in England and if you’ve never heard of it before, I guarantee you’ve seen this Cotswolds beauty amongst your pages on Pinterest.
Castle Combe is an absolutely beautiful village in Wiltshire, famed for its gorgeous bridge that sits at the bottom of the main and only road that runs through the heart of the village. You’ll be surprised to hear that there are no new homes that have been built in this area since the 1600s. I can’t imagine trying to add any more beauty to this place, if I’m honest.
Fun fact: A castle even once stood in the area, thus the name, but was sadly demolished centuries ago. I always wonder how much history used to be around these places. It’s so rich in it already, and there’s even more beneath the surface.
I’d also recommend walking over to The Manor House in Castle Combe. It is stunning and is one of my favourite buildings there.
Bibury
Another famous spot in the Cotswolds is Bibury, located in Gloucestershire. You’ll recognise Arlington Row immediately. This row of cottages was actually built back in 1380 as a monastic wool store but was converted into cottages in the 17th century.
Can you even imagine living in a place like this? It’s hard to believe but Arlington Row is actually a residential area. There are people who live in these cottages.
You won’t typically spot them out and about during the daytime… I’m not totally sure I could deal with the tourist footfall either. But every now and then you’ll see one of them if you arrive quite early in the morning. Residents will typically be out walking their dogs.
Just down the main road you’ll spot The Swan Hotel and pub. It’s known for its beautiful ivy creeping along the exterior. I always get annoyed as there are usually tons of cars parked outside which ruin the view, but it is what it is! Still such a beautiful spot.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Moving onto the largest of my three favourite Cotswolds spots to visit in the autumn is Stow-on-the-Wold. It’s a market town in Gloucestershire. Its name actually translates to ‘holy place on the hill’. Which is why I’m about to share one of my favourite parts about the town.
The absolutely BEST thing to see there is St. Edward’s Church. The 13th century door is surrounded by two giant yew trees.
The door and trees are said to be the inspiration behind Tolkien’s famous Doors of Durin that guard the west-gate entrance to Moria.
You’ll find many people stopping by to take photos of this church entrance, but luckily I always feel like everyone moves along quite quickly if you’d like to spend some time there.
Once you’ve seen the door, in Stow-on-the-Wold you’ll find many stores, restaurants and market shops to visit. I’d recommend the lovely cheese shop, The Cotswold Cheese Co (obviously), The Porch House pub and literally all of the vintage furniture shops.
Have you been to the Cotswolds before? If not, where would you want to go visit first?
Kelly xoxo
