“ After the rainiest spring and summer on record,
we could be in for the finest autumn colours on record”.

Tony Russell – BBC Garden writer and broadcaster.

It’s been an exceptionally wet spring and summer. But the good news is that all the rain
has done wonders for the trees across the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean. Our arboreta, natural spaces
and Forest are bursting into a dazzling display of autumn colour. Between now and Christmas we’re staging
more festivals and events than ever before. Our historic towns of Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and the city of Gloucester make great touring bases.There’s never been a better time to visit.

Events with a difference

How would you like to see the Cotswolds from the air ? The Avon Air Centre near Warwick is offering excellent deals on Autumn weekend flights starting from only £29 !  Tel 01926 678093 for details, or click here  to see the full range of what they do.

At Cheltenham Racecourse try the Open Meeting from 16th to 19th November. There's a great atmosphere on big race days at Cheltenham. Tel 01242 513014.

Food and Drink

Autumn is a fantstic time for English food and drink. Over Farm market at Over near Gloucester has it's annual glut of pumpkins galore, and farmers' markets including Stroud on Saturdays plus Gloucester and Cheltenham on Fridays will be selling an array of lovely seasonal things including apples, apple juices and cider.

Christmas celebrations

Put the fun back into Christmas shopping in our independent and designer shops and see the Christmas lights in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury. Gloucester’s well established annual outdoor ice rink is well worth a visit, and if you’re feeling romantic or adventurous, experience the medieval splendour of Berkeley Castle by candlelight, or try the ‘Enchanted Christmas’at Westonbirt Arboretum to see the trees lit up with breathtaking effects.
Tewkesbury also has an ice rink in the Abbey grounds for three days from 30th November to 2nd December - so don't miss it ! Plus Panto at the Roses Theatre and Christmas concerts by candlelight in the Abbey. For full details see the Events section of this web site, or phone Tewkesbury Tourist Information Centres tel 01684 295027.

Gloucestershire Tea 

Time for tea.  "Gloucestershire Tea" will be on the menu this half term in 50 cafes, tea shops and tourist attractions across the Cotswolds. You will be able to try out the "Gloucestershire Tea" at the following establishments:-
Cheltenham
Moka, Suffolk Parade, tel 01242 263646
Curious Cafe and Bistro, Bath Road, tel 01242 226854
Cafe Museum, Art Gallery and Museum, tel 01242 775718
Thatchers, Montpellier Street, tel 01242 584150
Tiffins, Montpellier Walk, tel 01242 222492
Queens Hotel, The Promenade, tel 0870 4008107
Cafe Everyman, Regent Street, tel 01242 572532
Badger Towers, Hales Road, tel 01242 522583
The Cotswolds
Ann Willow Tea Room, Stow-on-the-Wold, tel 01451 830000
Badgers Hall, Chipping Campden, tel 01386 840839
Blades Cafe, Northleach, tel 01451 860715
Small Talk Tea Rooms, Bourton-on-the-Water, tel 01451 821596
Tilly's Tea Room, Moreton-in-Marsh, tel 01608 650000
The Polly Tearooms, Marlborough, tel 01285 656362
Hodges Cafe, Lechlade Garden Centre, tel 01367 254100
Gloucester
Cathedral Coffee Shop, tel 01452 527701
National Waterways Museum, tel 01452 318209
The Place, Guildhall, tel 01452 396378
Lilys, College Court, tel 01452 307060
Caffe Roma, Westgate Street, tel 01452 520531
The Comfy Pew, College Street, tel 01452 524296
Sweet Success Tearooms, St John's Lane, tel 01452 383893
Nature in Art, Twigworth, tel 01452 731422
Stroud Valleys
Cardynham House, Painswick, tel 01452 814006
Rococo Gardens, Painswick, tel 01452 813204
Mills Cafe, Withy's Yard, Stroud, tel 01453 813204
Woodruffs, High Street, Stroud, tel 07877 819304
The Bay Tree, Stonehouse, tel 01453 822288
Hobbs House Bakery, Nailsworth, tel 01453 839396
Mcquiggs, Wootton under Edge, tel 01453 844108
Perfect Blend, Berkeley, tel 01453 810088
The Courtyard Cafe, Dursley, tel 01453 544246
Tewkesbury
The Aubergine, Church Street, Tewkesbury, tel 01684 292703
Abbey Refectory, Tewkesbury, tel 01684 273736
Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, tel 01684 295074
Melanie's Cafe, Tewkesbury, tel 01684 274433
The Old Tea House, Winchcombe, tel 01242 602366
Norths Bakery, Bishops Cleeve, tel 01242 672658
Cleeve Hill Golf Club, Cleeve Hill, tel 01242 672025