When autumn arrives, it brings an incredible palette of seasonal colours. Leaves range from bright yellow to deep red, the skies glisten a clearer shade of blue, and a crisp breeze fills the autumn air. The splendour of the Cotswolds really comes to life. If you want to set out on foot to explore the glory of autumn in the region, here are some of the best walks and excursions available to you.
WALK: MORETON-IN-MARSH TO BATSFORD ARBORETUM
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
Duration: About 40 minutes
Batsford Arboretum is a 55-acre arboretum and botanical garden near the quaint market town of Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire. With 1,300 different species of trees, shrubs and bamboo from around the world waiting to be enjoyed, it is the perfect spot for an autumnal walk. As home to such a diverse array of trees and shrubs, including magnolias and Japanese maples, Batsford Arboretum truly comes alive in Autumn, boasting deep oranges, yellows, and reds in late September.
With a mixture of level walkways and more challenging hills, there’s a route for every skill level. The walk from Moreton-in-Marsh to the arboretum is also easy, taking only about 40 minutes to cover 1.7 miles. In addition to the accessibility of the arboretum, it is dog-friendly, making it the perfect outing for the whole family.
You can pick up a map at the entrance, or take a leap of faith and just wander. In its blazing autumn finery, Batsford Arboretum is a place like no other. Take a stroll and pause for refreshments at the garden terrace cafe before heading home again or browsing Moreton-in-Marsh and it’s exquisite antique shops.
The Best of the Cotswolds Walking Tour and Grand Tour of the Cotswolds on Foot visit the nearby village of Moreton-in-Marsh, from where you can take walk to the arboretum to enjoy its autumnal glory.
WALK: BROADWAY TO BROADWAY TOWER
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.4 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Broadway Tower is another great Autumn escape in the Cotswolds, which can be a stop-off point as part of a larger North Cotswolds walking holiday. The tower is one of England’s most outstanding viewpoints, and at 312 meters above sea level, it is the second-highest point in the Cotswolds. It was designed by James Wyatt in 1794 to resemble a mock castle and today during a clear autumn day the tower offers uninterrupted views of up to 16 counties.
During autumn in the Cotswolds, the forests and farmland are a rainbow of different colours, which are a feast for the eyes. There is a herd of red deer that call the Broadway Tower park home and you’re likely to spot them on your way to the tower, making your autumn walk even more enchanting.
There are also a number of circular walks on the premises of the tower and park, the shortest one (a circular route featuring the tower itself) being 0.7 miles (1.2 km) in length and lasting about 20 minutes. Once you have ascended Broadway Tower for its fine views, you can meander down into the ever-picturesque village of Chipping Campden or continue on the circular trail back to Broadway.
Several Cotswold Journeys tours stop by this iconic English Countryside destination, including:
WALK: WINCHCOMBE AND BELAS KNAP
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.5 miles (8.8 km)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Winchcombe and Belas Knap are also perfect destinations for an autumnal stroll. Winchcombe is a charming market town right in the heart of the Cotswolds and during the autumn, shades of orange, yellow and red colour its countryside paths. Winchcombe draws visitors because it is the quintessential Cotswold village, with picturesque cobbled streets, yellow stone cottages, and quaint cafes and antique shops. Autumn brings a new energy to this already well-loved village.
Belas Knap is one of many Cotswold attractions for the history lover. It is a neolithic chambered long barrow, nearby on Cleeve Hill, which is fascinating to visit at any time of year, but the walk to it is particularly enticing when autumnal foliage makes its appearance. The ancient monument dates from around 3000 BC. Excavations in 1963 found the remains of 38 human skeletons, animal bones, and pottery dating from the Neolithic period. During the darker autumn days, Belas Knap holds a unique and powerful atmosphere.
The walk to Belas Knap from Winchcombe joins the Cotswold Way for a stretch and offers stunning views of Winchcombe, Sudeley Castle, and the English countryside. It is a circular route with moderate difficulty, featuring steep inclines at certain points.
Several Cotswold Journeys tours stop by this classic Cotswolds attraction, including:
WALK: BLENHEIM PALACE
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 4.2 miles (7 km)
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Blenheim Palace is another enviable autumnal walking destination. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim’s 2,000 acres of parkland are open all year round free of charge. Guests can walk the perimeter of the estate along a 4.2 mile path, where they can fully immerse themselves in the diverse flora and fauna that mke the estate a recognised Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Other walks are also available on the estate, offering unforgettable views of the Great Lake and Cascades.
Autumn is arguably the best walking season at Blenheim Palace, with cooler weather and quieter trails, and the palace’s Great Lake, Grand Bridge, and Water Terraces all beautifully punctuating the glorious autumn colours. In addition to the impressive Formal Gardens of Blenheim Palace, visitors will find themselves surrounded by nature and the largest collection of ancient oak trees in Europe, making for a spectacular site throughout autumn.
Our Cotswolds Highlights Cycling Tour includes a free day to explore Blenheim Palace and Oxford.
VILLAGE VISIT: BIBURY
Any ‘best of the Cotswolds’ roundup simply wouldn’t be complete without a few of the region’s beautiful villages. Bibury is, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit in autumn. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswold countryside, Bibury was famously called the ‘most beautiful village in England’ by artist William Morris. It’s renowned for its timeless charm and scenic beauty. The village sits on the banks of the River Thames and the River Coln, creating scenic paths at every turn. In Autumn, these paths take on a new beauty, splashed with rich oranges, reds, and browns.
Popular sites like the Bibury Court Manor House, Arlington Row, Rack Isle, and St Mary’s Church also take on a golden glow this time of year, framed by the crisp air and the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot. Wander past the honey-hued cottages of Arlington Row, pause to watch wildlife in the tranquil wetlands of Rack Isle, or step inside the centuries-old St Mary’s to admire its stained glass bathed in soft autumn light. Each landmark feels like a postcard brought to life, making Bibury an irresistible stop on any autumnal Cotswolds itinerary.
Our Heart of William Morris Country Walking Tour takes guests from Bibury to Kelmscott via Fairford, Inglesham, and Lecklade, exploring this gorgeous corner of the Cotswolds.
VILLAGE VISIT: STOW-ON-THE-WOLD
Stow-on-the-Wold is market town in Gloucestershire. It’s home to St. Edward’s Church, a glorious 13th-century church with a magnificent wooden door straight from a fantasy novel. The large Yew trees surrounding the church make it an impeccable site. Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the prettiest villages of the Cotswolds and is also brimming with quaint antique shops, delis and farm shops, and pubs, so it’s a perfect family-friendly day trip any time of year. This village also boasts several Iron Age and Roman historical sites, making it a popular stop for the history enthusiast.
Our Best of the Cotswolds Walking Tour visits this must-see Cotswold village.
VILLAGE VISIT AND WALK: CASTLE COMBE
Castle Combe is another particularly scenic Cotswold village that comes alive in autumn. Its beauty and historical charm have made it a popular location. Movies and TV series in which Castle Combe features include War Horse, Downton Abbey, Poirot, Doctor Dolittle, Stardust and The Wolfman.
Castle Combe is also home to one of the most photographed scenes in the Cotswolds, the iconic Water Lane Viewpoint. This viewpoint overlooks the stone bridge crossing the Bybrook River, complete with quintessential Cotswold honey-coloured stone cottages and is a sight to behold in autumn.
The village also boasts its share of outdoor Cotswold beauty, with a 6.2 mile (10 km) loop through forest and countryside. In autumn, visitors can expect to see local wildlife in the tranquil natural beauty of the autumnal English countryside. This 2.5-3 hour circular walk takes you through the best that Castle Combe has to offer, including stretches within the historic village itself, meandering along the river, and through the quiet woodland, even ending off crossing the Castle Combe Manor House hotel’s golf course.
Our Bath and the Cotswolds Walking Tour includes a stop at Castle Combe.
From sweeping parklands and ancient monuments to storybook villages and golden woodlands, the Cotswolds in autumn is rich in beauty and charm. Each walk offers its own way to savour the season—whether it’s the fiery hues of Batsford Arboretum, the far-reaching views from Broadway Tower, the timeless tranquillity of Bibury, or the cinematic charm of Castle Combe. With every step, the crisp air, rustling leaves, and warm autumn light make your Cotswold visit especially magical.