A lesser-known gem of the Cotswolds and south-west region, North Gloucestershire offers visitors stunning scenery, less crowds and the chance to switch off and relax this autumn, with a range of excellent (and affordable) accommodation to suit families, couples, walkers, and solo travellers.
Hotels in North Gloucestershire - For those looking for five-star luxury without the Cotswold crowds, a staycation in North Gloucestershire offers a slower pace and the chance to enjoy spectacular scenery without compromising on style and comfort. Ellenborough Park Hotel (rooms from approx. £229 per night) is a magnificent five-star country house hotel and spa steeped in history and surrounded by 90 acres of glorious North Gloucestershire countryside, nestled on the side of Cleeve Hill (pic - the highest point in the Cotswolds).
Great for couples and equally as hospitable for families (with kids staying and eating for free during school holidays), plus there are dog friendly rooms for those looking to escape with their four-legged friend this autumn. The hotel’s complimentary boot room offers Dubarry jackets and boots in a range of sizes for guests to enjoy a stomp around the hotel’s beautiful grounds.
The hotel is a great base for exploring nearby Winchcombe, a picturesque ‘chocolate box’ style Cotswold market town with independent shops, cafes and cosy pubs. Another excellent choice for couples or families looking for a luxurious staycation is The Greenway Hotel & Spa, proud holder of four AA Red Stars (rooms from approx. £169 per night).
This 16th century Elizabethan manor house hotel is located within eight acres and boasts an award-winning spa. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll love the nearby 270 Climbing Park, which features a dedicated ‘fun walls’ climbing room, plus outdoor low and high ropes, and for the brave adults they can have a go at some of the highest climbing walls in both the UK and Europe!
Or if you’re lucky with the weather, head to 417 Bike Park on Crickley Hill to explore the autumn landscape on two wheels. Book the autumn escape package and enjoy a one-night stay with five-course seasonal tasting menu and 55-minute spa treatment from £355 per room per night (based on two sharing a deluxe room).
Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa (rooms from approx. £125 per night) is another great option for those looking for affordable luxury hotels in North Gloucestershire. This dog and family friendly hotel offers stylish, comfortable rooms, and a fantastic spa with swimming pool and wellbeing facilities.
Pay a visit to the nearby award-winning Nature in Art, said to be the world’s first museum dedicated exclusively to fine, decorative and applied art inspired by nature, and a great place to admire the seasonal autumn colours through the medium of art. The gallery hosts a vibrant programme of contemporary exhibitions, artists in residence and regularly changing displays.
If staying with kids, they’ll enjoy a visit to the nearby Jet Age Museum, a fun (and free) way to spend a couple of hours exploring aircraft from across the ages. The independent, family-owned Tewkesbury Park Hotel boasts an award-winning 18—hole Deerpark golf course with panoramic views and offers overnight golf breaks starting from £145pp.
The hotel is well-placed for exploring the nearby Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, for those looking to make the most of the great outdoors during the magnificent autumn season. The reserve is dog friendly (on lead) with good accessibility for all ages and abilities, and a haven for wildlife.
Or wander along the River Severn to Deerhurst and visit the beautiful 9th century Deerhurst Church and Oddas Chapel, built in 1056. Afterwards, head back to the hotel to warm up with a delicious afternoon tea of delicate sandwiches and freshly baked cakes, accompanied by impressive views across the grounds (from £30 pp, or £37pp with sparking rosé).
The medieval market town of Tewkesbury stands proudly at the top of the North Gloucestershire region and is steeped in history and character. Tudor House Hotel (rooms from approx. £105 per night) is a traditional, dog friendly hotel in a charming black & white building dating back to 1546, located in the heart of Tewkesbury town.
All of its 24 rooms are unique and brimming with character, from oak beams to leaded windows, roaring open fires to sensational four-poster beds. Spend your days wandering the historic streets of Tewkesbury, sipping hot chocolate in one of its quaint cafes, and taking in the magnificent architecture of Tewkesbury’s 900 year old abbey (if visiting between 16th October and 4th November, don’t miss the breathtaking large-scale lunar installation, ‘Museum of the Moon’, by Luke Jerram.)
Pubs with Rooms - The Lion Inn (rooms from approx. £129) in Winchcombe is a beautifully restored 15th century coaching inn with nine stylish en-suite bedrooms and a delicious, locally sourced seasonal menu, and is the perfect place to escape for a cosy autumn break. Bring your four-legged friend and set off on some of the areas most fantastic walks. Discover a variety of self-guided walking routes, highlights of which include a circular loop around the magnificent Sudeley Castle & Gardens, which looks especially spectacular against the changing colours of the autumn landscape.
If visiting before 3rd November (when Sudeley Castle & Gardens closes to day visitors until March 2026), be sure to call in and enjoy the splendour of the Castle’s grounds in autumn. Or embark on the Great Sudeley Pumpkin Trail (25th October – 2nd November). Between 21st November – 30th December, the magical Spectacle of Light trail will illuminate the Castle’s grounds, weaving the tale of King Arthur through the ruins and remains with sensational lights, projections and costumed actors.
Other walking highlights in the area include the Cotswold Way national trail, Bela’s Knapp (a neolithic long barrow), and Cleeve Common (the largest common in the Cotswold National Landscape and also the highest point in the Cotswolds at 330m). The Fleet Inn, Twyning (room from approx. £103) a waterside retreat that dates back to the 1800s and offers three cosy, dog and family friendly rooms, nestled along the river Avon, and is well-placed for exploring nearby Tewkesbury town, Croome National Trust or Cotswold Designer Outlet.
Self-catering accommodation - North Gloucestershire is particularly well-populated when it comes to self-catering accommodation, which is spread out across its 160 square miles of spectacular countryside.
Those looking to explore the area on foot will find plenty of comfortable and stylish self-catering accommodation in the pretty market town of Winchcombe, filled with quintessentially Cotswold cottages and pretty historic buildings. The Vine is a great option for couples, with beautiful views and a rolltop bath, while Kingfisher Cottage is a great option for large groups sleeping up to 10 guests.
Sudeley Castle & Gardens has 17 charming cottages set within its impressive grounds. Ranging from beautifully renovated ancient buildings, including a paper mill, an old forge and 18th-century workers’ cottages, to new cottages built in distinctive Cotswold stone, the Sudeley Castle Cottages and farmhouses are perfect for between 2 to 14 guests (and some are dog-friendly).
Families or those seeking an active stay will enjoy the self-catering accommodation at Croft Farm Water Park. Featuring a range of well-equipped accommodation, from lodges with hot tubs, to brand-new, luxury lakeside cabins, chalets, caravans, and glamping pods, plus a private lake with excellent water sports offering, there’s plenty to enjoy.
