While the tourist crowds descend on the Cotswolds during the summer, autumn can actually be a better time to visit. It means fewer people, cooler weather for those country walks, and the cobbled villages giving you the perfect cosy atmosphere to enjoy the season. Here’s a round up of some of the region’s most stunning settlements to visit now that the weather has cooled down.
Bibury
There’s a row of terraced cottages in Bibury that may look familiar to you if you’ve been overseas this year. The former weavers’ cottages on Arlington Row featured as an illustration in passports issued between 2010 and 2020. Aside from finding fame in passport pages, Bibury is known for its honey-coloured stone buildings, which have a gorgeous warm glow in the autumn light.
The village was named the most beautiful in the world in a Forbes ranking in 2025, so in addition to Brits you’ll find tourists from all over the globe descending on this tiny settlement. The publication called it a “watercolour dream”, describing the scene by saying: “River Coln murmurs gently here—weaving through golden buttercups and forget-me-nots, while plump ducks paddle lazily beneath canopies of willow.”
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Broadway
Dubbed the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, Broadway is a larger village known for its bustling high street that’s packed with independent shops, quirky boutiques, traditional pubs, and cosy tea rooms, making it a perfect spot for picking up gifts and enjoying a leisurely afternoon.
Broadway sits at the bottom of a steep escarpment, and just outside the village is the 18th-century Broadway Tower, a 65ft tall structure that resembles a tiny castle. Climb the steep hill, followed by the stairs to the top, to explore a quaint local museum and enjoy panoramic views across the Cotswolds.
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Naunton Village
Naunton is a lesser-known, and therefore more peaceful, Cotswolds village that’s the perfect starting point for quiet country walks.
Unlike some of its neighbours, you won’t find much in the way of businesses or facilities in Naunton. It has a handful of hotels and places to stay and a village hall. But it has interesting historic sites such as the riverside Naunton Dovecote which dates back to the 16th century, and the medieval St Andrew’s Church.
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Bourton-on-the-Water
The River Windrush runs through Bourton-on-the-Water, making it the ideal spot for idyllic autumn riverfront walks. Cross the low stone bridges and you’ll spot rustic cottages, waterfront tea rooms, and lots of charming independent shops.
Along the river is a stretch of green that’s popular for picnics on dry days, but if the weather turns you can head into a chippy or traditional pub. Visit the Model Village to see Bourton-on-the-Water in miniature form, or head to the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection where you can meet a true celebrity of 90s kids TV. The original Brum used in the first two series of the show is enjoying his retirement here.
(Image: Getty)
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
