Year Round Cotswolds

Spring

Spring is when most plants begin to grow. When visiting the Cotswolds in spring you would expect to see trees and plants alike burst into colourful life, including daffodils, snowdrops, magnolias, primroses and bluebells. A good place to visit to see the vast display of snowdrops is Painswick Rococo Garden. There is also much wildlife to spot in during spring, including baby lambs, birds coming back from migration and butterflies. The rolling hills of the Cotswolds make for some good walks in spring, as it can be quite sunny at times, but it is always advisable to bring an umbrella and some warmer layers of clothing. A well known event in the Cotswolds in May is cheese rolling - an ancient event that involves chasing a cheese down a hill.

Ideas for what to pack in the suitcase : Spring is known to be warm but also rainy (April showers) - layers are key for this time of the year, be sure to take a couple of lighter outfits but ensure you have a sweater or two and definitely a raincoat and umbrella. However if you are visiting in early spring, the weather can still have that winter chill - so ensure you pack more warm clothes in March time.

Summer

June, July and August can generally be very warm in the Cotswolds, so sun-cream and water is a must. Plenty of outdoor and indoor attractions are open throughout the summer including Bibury Trout Farm, Hidcote Manor Gardens, Blenheim Palace, Westonbirt Arboretum and many unique gardens to the Cotswolds. There is plenty to see and do for all ages. It gets dark around 10pm, at which point temperatures do drop and so a sweater is still advisable, but outdoor restaurants and terraces can still be enjoyed. During your stay you will see many bright coloured flowers (particularly roses), have a chance to pick your own fresh fruits (strawberries, raspberries) and enjoy light evenings.

Ideas for what to pack in your suitcase: Summer in the Cotswolds can be really sunny and warm especially in July and August - so T-shirts, light skirts and trousers would be suitable to pack. However the weather is variable so pack a cardigan or sweater and a waterproof jacket or umbrella just in case.

Autumn

The Cotswolds are famous for autumn colours and the area has some of the finest tree and arboretas, which provide stunning leaf displays in autumn. In particular Westonbirt Arboretum is worth a visit. Autumn is also the perfect time of year to visit some of the shopping towns of the Cotswolds, for example Cheltenham. The weather is likely to be mild, with the possibility of morning sunshine.

Ideas for what to pack in your suitcase: Early Autumn can still be warm, but layers are advisable. October, November time - you really need to be packing warmer items of clothing.

Winter

The temperature in the Cotswolds rarely dips below 0°C, but there is usually a nice crispness in the air and morning frostiness, therefore layers are advisable. This time of year is the perfect opportunity to sample homemade soups and drink warm punch and teas and coffees, especially at the Christmas market in Cheltenham. There are also many events/fairs catering towards Christmas celebrations, including an ice skating rink in Gloucester that makes an appearance around Christmas time. Some major attractions do often close during the Christmas period so it is worth checking opening times before setting off. Hours of daylight are usually only around 8 hours, so it is worth planning ahead for this.

Ideas for what to pack in your suitcase: Be sure to wrap up well in the winter months - a scarf, gloves and a hat should be included in your packing.