Posted on October 02, 2025
As the leaves turn and the air takes on that crisp autumn edge, there’s no better moment to escape into the Cotswolds for a boutique weekend stay. Whether you crave cosy interiors, roaring fires, gentle walks through golden woods or fine dining by candlelight, the region is full of hidden gems. Here are some of the most enticing boutique retreats to consider, perfect for a restorative autumn break.
The Painswick
Nestled in the heart of the “Queen of the Cotswolds,” The Painswick Hotel offers a refined hideaway in one of the region’s most beloved villages. With 17 individually styled rooms, valley views, and roaring fires, it strikes a balance between intimate charm and understated luxury.
From here, you can wander through the Painswick Rococo Garden, often beautifully lit in autumn, explore quiet lanes, and settle into the hotel’s lounges for evening wine and conversation.
Dormy House
Overlooking the Broadway village and set across 400 acres of the Farncombe Estate, Dormy House is a consummate retreat for those seeking style, comfort and a connection with nature.
With spa facilities, an indoor pool, and rooms designed with a chic modern-rustic aesthetic, it’s ideal for autumn weekends spent alternating between woodland walks and nestling into a soft armchair with a book.
Wild Thyme & Honey
This boutique countryside hotel offers the kind of stay where you can truly unwind. Rooms are stylish and softly appointed, while communal spaces promote lingering, whether you’re sampling seasonal menus or enjoying the garden terraces.
In autumn, the surrounding countryside takes on a rich palette of colours, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll feel at ease staying in just as much as exploring out.
Foxhill Manor
For a more all-inclusive experience, Foxhill Manor offers elegance wrapped in informality. Set in a 500-acre estate near Broadway, the hotel has reimagined boutique luxury with flexible rates that include meals, spa access, and even chauffeur service.
It’s a perfect pick if you want a weekend where every detail is taken care of, leaving you free simply to enjoy the season.
The Fish Hotel
A little more adventurous in its spirit, The Fish Hotel blends quirky design with woodland charm. Stay in treehouses, huts, or stylish rooms, and let the countryside become part of your experience.
Autumn is a great time here, fewer crowds, crisp mornings, and the landscape glowing in russet and gold. After a day wandering the grounds, gather in the cozy bar or restaurant for local food and warmth.
Thyme
A self-styled “village within a village,” Thyme is a boutique hotel, spa, cookery school and garden all rolled into one. With beautifully designed rooms, a botanical cocktail bar and menus rooted in seasonal produce, it’s an autumn escape that feels deeply connected to the land.
In autumn, Thyme truly comes into its own. Guests can enjoy long countryside walks followed by evenings spent in the cosy Ox Barn restaurant or curled up in one of the elegantly rustic sitting rooms.
The Lygon Arms
Steeped in history yet stylishly updated, The Lygon Arms offers indulgent rooms, a luxury spa, and crackling fires in the lounges, all set right in the heart of Broadway. Its centuries-old coaching inn character makes it especially atmospheric in the autumn months.
The Lygon Arms feels tailor-made for crisp autumn days. After a bracing walk through Broadway’s golden-hued high street or up to Broadway Tower, retreat to the spa, take afternoon tea beside a roaring fire, or enjoy hearty seasonal dining in its historic wood-panelled rooms.
THE PIG/ Barnsley House
Barnsley House is a country retreat with one of the most celebrated gardens in the Cotswolds. The boutique rooms blend elegance with cosiness, while the spa and restaurant offer the perfect post-walk indulgence.
As the days shorten, Barnsley House’s famous gardens take on a striking autumn palette, making it the perfect setting for gentle strolls or photography. Indoors, the spa provides a sanctuary to relax.
The Old Stocks Inn
The Old Stocks Inn is a 17th-century coaching inn transformed into a contemporary boutique hotel. Think stylish interiors, hearty seasonal menus and an unbeatable location for exploring Stow’s antique shops and autumn markets.
Autumn is a lively season in Stow-on-the-Wold, with antique fairs and artisan markets filling the town. The Old Stocks Inn places you right in the centre of the action, while its modern interiors, comforting seasonal dishes, and warm, friendly atmosphere create the perfect autumn retreat.
Things to Do During Your Autumn Stay in the Cotswolds
A boutique autumn break in the Cotswolds isn’t just about where you stay, it’s about what you do while you’re here. The season lends itself to slow adventures and cosy experiences that connect you to the landscape and local lifestyle.
Cotswold Walks
Autumn is the perfect season for walking, with crisp air and breathtaking landscapes dressed in gold. Pack a thermise, grab your camera and prepare to capture the Cotswolds in gorgeous hues of oranges and yellows. Explore our favourite autumn Cotswold walks here for inspiration.
Arboretums in Full Colour
Both Batsford Arboretum and Westonbirt Arboretum are at their most spectacular in autumn, with canopies of fiery red, orange, and gold. You’ll want to endlessly meander through the beautifully scaped treescapes, They’re the perfect spots for an afternoon walk followed by a warming drink.
Gastronomic Delights
The Cotswolds is renowned for its country pubs and seasonal menus. From hearty roasts to fine dining, discover our favourite pubs here, all the more inviting with warming foods, roaring fires and autumnal flavours.
Pumpkin Picking at Cotswold Farm Park
For a fun and family-friendly outing, head to Cotswold Farm Park, where pumpkin picking is a highlight of the season. With multiple dates through October, wander through the fields, pick your perfect pumpkin, and on Saturday evenings, there’ll be live music in the fields!
Seasonal cooking courses
Cooking Courses at Daylesford Organic
At Daylesford Organic, autumn is celebrated through immersive cookery classes that make the most of seasonal produce grown on the estate. From learning how to prepare hearty, nourishing dishes to mastering sustainable kitchen techniques, these courses are perfect for food lovers who want to take a little of the Cotswold harvest home with them.
Cookery School at Thyme
Thyme offers a cookery school that’s deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature. Here, you can try your hand at Canapés & Apéritifs led by expert chefs, all while surrounded by the beauty of Southrop Manor’s gardens and meadows. Autumn classes often focus on slow cooking, foraged flavours, and traditional British fare.