The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of the loveliest places on the planet, but very few people are lucky enough to call the region home. The rest of us will simply have to make due with visits, TV shows, and pretty photographs. 

As cooler weather sets in throughout much of the northern hemisphere, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the most beautiful Cotswold autumn scenery. Where possible, we've also included walkable StreetView links so you can browse a bit of the local area through Google's footage.

Beautiful Cotswold Autumn Scenes

Broadway Tower

This folly sits atop Broadway Hill, just outside the village of Broadway in Worcestershire. It was the brainchild of famed landscape architect Capability Brown, and it offers views that extend more than 20 miles on a clear day. It's been undergoing restoration throughout 2021, but you can still visit and walk around the area. 

Want to explore the surrounding area? You can use the Google StreetView frame below:

 

 

The Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe

Some places get far more than their fair share of beauty, and Castle Combe's Manor House Hotel is one of those places. Looking at this photo, it's hard not to hear the rustling leaves and smell the damp on the stones surrounding the path. 

Though the hotel isn't on Google's StreetView coverage, you can enjoy a wee stroll around the village below:

 

The Parish Church of Saint Mary

This pretty stone church can be found in the village of Lower Slaughter, and it's comprised of an early 13th-century arcade alongside newer parts constructed in 1867. Should you ever find yourself in the area, you can browse the churchyard before taking a stroll towards The Slaughters Manor House for a lovely afternoon tea service. 

You can take a virtual walk through the area below:

 

Bourton-on-the-Water

Often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds”, Bourton-on-the-Water is thick with tourists during the spring and summer. As the weather begins to cool and kids go back to school, however, things get a little quieter – and if you're very lucky, you might just happen upon a scene this calm and peaceful. 

Below, you can take a peek at some of the shops and restaurants around the water:

 

 

St. Eadburgha's Church

Outside the village of Broadway, you'll find the simple St. Eadburgha's Church. The 12th-century church sits quietly on a small country lane, but with a bit of fog and some autumn foliage, it's elevated to almost unreal levels of loveliness. It's named for Alfred the Great's granddaughter Eadburgha, the child who famously chose the Bible over jewels when given the option.

You can explore the area below:

 

 

Woodchester Village

This 1200-person village is nestled in the Nailsworth Valley about two miles south of Stroud (where the British TV series Back is set). There isn't a whole lot to do in Woodchester (which can be a plus or minus, depending on your outlook) – but the scenery is lovely and it's quite close to both Nailsworth and Stroud. 

 

Old Mill at Brimscombe

The village of Brimscombe was once a small and thriving textile producer with a number of cloth and woolen mills along the canal. These days, they've fallen out of use or been adapted – but they continue to inspire painters, photographers, and others who just love pretty old buildings. 

 

Walkers in Burford

What could be more fun than browsing the shops on a crisp autumn day in the Cotswolds? The shop above is a bit different now (focusing more on the stoves), but regardless, Burford's High Street still makes for a lovely afternoon out. 

You can browse it more thoroughly in the window below:

 

Westonbirt Arboretum 

If you're keen to spend a bit of time in nature, Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury offers plenty of autumn colours. It's home to more than 2500 different species from around the world, and features a treetop walkway and a Gruffalo area for the kids (and young at heart). 

For maximum autumn atmosphere, we recommend going on a cool, misty morning to enjoy scenes like the one below. 

 

The Swan Hotel

Doesn't it just make you want to enjoy a warm hot cocoa by a fire? The scene above is The Swan Hotel in Bibury, and if the four-star hotel is out of your price range, you can always stop in for afternoon tea, a meal, or a drink. 

Want to have a wander about the area? You can use the window below:

 

What's Your Favourite Autumn Beauty Spot in the Cotswolds?

Given that the Cotswolds region covers nearly 800 square miles – and a LOT of it is beautiful – we've no doubt missed far more lovely spots than we could ever hope to cover in a single post. What's your favourite go-to scenery spot in autumn? Feel free to share in the comments!

 

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