A Gloucestershire Guide to Living Autumnally

Oct 24, 2024

4 min read

[Image description] photo of green and gold trees against a bright clear blue sky, the morning sunlight is shining through the trees

Image by Iona Leaf

‘Tis the season of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, cinnamon rolls, the first frost, and binge-watching Gilmore Girls. As the days get colder and shorter, it can be hard to find things to do that fill the gap between the Summertime high and the Christmas rush.

So, embrace the Brambly Hedge lifestyle and check off these cosy activities this Autumn…

Watch the seasons change!

Don your hat, gloves, and scarf for a cold hot girl walk. Gloucestershire has some stunning walks where you can find yourself surrounded by trees. The shift of leaves from green to golden is in full swing, and I can’t imagine a better way to clear my mind than wandering through an autumnal utopia as the leaves flutter to the ground and crunch underfoot.

[Image Description] photo of a huge tree covered in a mixture of colourful leaves from green to yellow to orange. The tree fills most of the scene reaching out from the left hand side of a path and across the image. The path is grassy with some some smaller bare bushes lining the right hand side. The sky is blue with white fluffy clouds and the sun feels warm shining on the tree.

Image By Olivia Grinsel

A popular spot for this is Crickley Hill Country Park in Birdlip. “I think the Cotswolds have really beautiful places to walk,” says Rosina Ayre, “It was so nice to drive past the leaves and trees on the way to Crickley.”

Watching the season change can be just outside your door and is an easily accessible way to spend your time, “I love walking through Pittville Park and seeing all the leaves change colours,” says Katie Boulton, “and I love the little coffee shop in the park, it’s so cosy and does the best coffee!”

The Pumpkin Spice Latte

Speaking of good coffee, you’ll know Autumn has truly begun when the smell of pumpkin spice radiates from every café. It’s the most cliché staple of the season, and why not? Don’t let anyone tell you that a drink, that’s popular for a reason, is basic. But where can you find them?

The answer: pretty much anywhere! But the best ones are most likely to be found in a small independent café with the most visually appealing vibes. And no café has

better vibes than Bakery on the Water which is just as aesthetically pleasing on the inside as it’s classic Cotswold surroundings in Bourton-on-the-Water.

[Image Description] An instagram post of a pumpkin-shaped cookie on a white plate. The cookie has orange icing outlining the pumpkin shape and facial features resembling a jack-o’-lantern, with triangular eyes and a zig-zag mouth. Next to the plate there is a cup of coffee with frothy milk on top, placed on a wooden table.

Their seasonal sweet treats are on another level with their in-house bakery. Embrace the autumn with their cinnamon rolls, pumpkin spice cupcakes, and gingerbread treats.

Suffolks Sunday Market

Every month, deep in the heart of Cheltenham, the Suffolks Sunday Market comes to life.

Do your part to support local businesses and take a long, and I mean really long, stroll along the market. There is something for everyone to find from the carefully curated Arts & Crafts stalls to the delicious home baked goods stalls, and so much more…

But there are only two left this year! The next, the Halloween Harvest market, is happening this weekend on Sunday 27th, and the last is a festive Christmas market on Sunday 24th November.

Pumpkin Patch

Stuck indoors doom scrolling on a sunny but crisp Autumn Day? Stop that, and take yourself out to a pumpkin patch. Sure you could just go to the shop and buy one there, but that’s boring and doesn’t really get you out of the house.

“Primrose Vale Pumpkin patch is amazing despite the mud,” said Ella, “I love all the little signs and photo opportunities around the patch.” It is a true outdoorsy experience and wellies are 100% recommended.

[Image Description] an instragram post featuring a photograph of a pile of bright orange pumpkins with green stems. The pumpkins are stacked closely together, filling the frame.

What’s great about picking your own pumpkin is that not only does it get you outside with friends/family, but the fun doesn’t stop after picking…take it home, carve it, paint it, cook with it! If you’re going to spend time and money picking a pumpkin, have fun with it later!

Crafts, crafts, and more crafts!

There is no better time to learn a new hobby than now. Why stop at carving pumpkins when you could crochet pumpkins as well!

The days are getting colder, darker, and bleaker; brighten up your home with crocheted garlands, crocheted pumpkins, and start making your own knitwear for when winter truly arrives.

Rosina, token crocheter of her house said, “I’ve also been crocheting pumpkins for our house to make it more autumnal and cosier. I’m loving it.”

[Image Description] photo of a tiny orange crocheted pumpkin at the front and centre of the image. It’s sitting on a red felted leaf and surrounded by autumnal décor and trinkets: a mustard yellow felt leaf, brown twine, a mini statue of a hedgehog sleeping on a leaf bed, and a ceramic beige and brown mushroom. Image by Rosina Ayre

Crochet can be picked up quite easily if you practice enough, and trust me, once you start you can’t stop.

Channel your inner (Chilton) Rory Gilmore

Gloucestershire is not wanting for independent bookshops – they are everywhere! I can’t think of a better way to spend a cosy autumn evening huddled up with a blanket and a hot chocolate, and a new book.

[Image description] a display of books on a table in a bookshop. There are several books stacked and arranged in rows. Some of the visible book titles include “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney, “Enlightenment” by Sarah Perry, and “The Voyage Home” by Paul Barker. There is also a vase with yellow and white flowers on the table. In the background more books are visible on the shelves.\

When it comes down to vibes, The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop in Tetbury and Nailsworth wins! Tucked away in the beautiful Cotswold village, it’s the perfect place to find your next read.