October short breaks are the perfect time to welcome the colder months with a few days of cosiness. Heading out from your home from home holiday lodge only to explore the surrounding nature and enjoy the nearby Cotswolds for the best things this month has to offer. Choose one of our favourites below to make your Cotswold break even more special.
A perfect Cotswold day out…
Westonbirt Arboretum is a world famous collection of trees, which we highly recommend seeing at any time of year – and it’s at its absolute best in October! Walk the paths and enjoy the autumn colors that transform every vista. Make sure you head to the tree top walkway too for something completely unique. Raised to a height of 13 metres walk this 300 metre stretch through the canopy of age old trees. On your way back stop at Tetbury. A haven for antique shops and quaint boutique shops that line this towns winding lanes. A perfect spot to head to for a dose of proper Cotswold scenes. On your way back, head for the nearby Trouble House Inn. This excellent pub brings together ingredients from the areas best producers in a warm and cosy environment. With the autumn weather on its way it’s a perfect place to take refuge and enjoy good food, wine and company. They also run a great Café Bar just outside if you have less time but want to pick up something delicious still. This pub has lots of history as the name suggests and is a definitely up on our top 10 Cotswold pubs to head to at the moment.
For more info:
Head inside for a Hobbs House Bakery cookery course
Hobbs House Bakery bring award winning breads and patisseries to all of the best shops and restaurants across the Cotswold’s. This certainly makes them the perfect place to go for a bread, pastry, or cake making course. They also hold kids days which would make the perfect day out for a family holiday in the Cotswolds. Check out their website below for upcoming courses throughout the year. Who needs Great British Bake Off when you’ve got Hobbs House Bakery courses to go to!
For more info: Hobbs House Bakery Courses
Attend the Cheltenham Literature Festival
The Cheltenham Literature Festival is a world-renowned 10-day celebration of reading, writing and authors held each Autumn just 25 minutes from your hidden log cabin holiday. Enjoy guest speakers including literary legends, politicians, designers, comedians and stars of the stage and screen. For book lovers this event is not to be missed. Retreat afterwards to your cosy cabin and read that book you’ve been hearing about in front of the crackling log fire.
For more info: Cheltenham Lit Festival
Explore a Cotswold farmers market for seasonal foods
The Cotswold’s produces lots of great local foods and has more than its fair share of passionate artisans. A great way to spend a morning whilst on a holiday in the Cotswolds is the head to one of the markets and meet these producers, try some tastings and bring a few ingredients back. Your luxury log cabin has a fully equipped kitchen for preparing a delicious meal to be enjoyed whilst taking in the unspoilt lake scenes all around. Choose warming autumnal recipes like a spiced squash soup or berry crumble for an unbeatable cosy atmosphere. A top choice is the award winning Stroud Farmers Market every Saturday 9am – 2pm. Picking up Radio 4’s Best Farmers Market in the Country Award speaks for itself. Look out for our favourites stalls that include Cotswold cheeses and locally made pies!
A full list of markets and days can be found in the ‘Food and Drink’ section of our travel guide: Cotswold Holiday Guide.
Whilst at the Lake…
October is a romantic time of year to be staying at the lake. Enjoy wrapping up and heading out around the 2 mile lakeside walk. Our rarest bird sightings are often in October when we sometimes see bittern and osprey. So keep an eye out whilst soaking in the hot tub as you take in the surrounding sights and sounds of the nature reserve. As the temperatures begin the fall, everyone will appreciate gathering around your fire pit or indoor log fire and toasting a few marshmallows. Clear nights mean lots of stars to look out for too. If you want to try a spot of fishing, the colder water now certainly makes this a good time to throw the spinner in.