No one puts on a show like nature in October, so what better way to soak it all up than to plan a staycation in Gloucestershire?
Blessed with an abundance of beauty spots, SoGlos picks out some of the gems to make your half-term holiday sparkle with seasonal magic.
Places to stay near Batsford Arboretum
Beautiful Batsford Arboretum is a stunning spot for autumn strolls and often has children's trails to keep little ones engaged.
Curl up at honey-hued The Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh for a bit of luxury where dogs are welcome too. Or try the popular Moreton-in-Marsh Club Campsite with a play area and playground for the kids and cosy pods to hunker down in for the night.
Places to stay near Cranham Woods
This stunning Stroud spot is completely free to wander. Tranquil and a visual feast, it has a host of delightful pubs on the doorstep to fuel up after some fantastic fresh air. The Black Horse Inn is a particularly lovely spot.
Stay at The Painswick hotel which has a new cottage to make your own for a visit, or head to nearby Cherry Tree Glamping where you can hole up in a detached lodge with a garden, hot tub and log fire.
Places to stay near Westonbirt Arboretum
On most people in the know's radar, this expanse of curated trees planted in 1829 is an incredible sight in autumn. Full of blazing reds, russets and yellows — it will capture admiration from even the least likely nature lovers.
Calcot Manor, just up the road, has a fantastic spa and fitness centre to boost relaxation and wellbeing and The Hare and Hounds Hotel next door to the arboretum offers a toasty, upmarket base to explore the wider area.
Places to stay along The Cotswolds Way
Stretching 102 miles from Chipping Campden all the way down to Bath, there are many beauty spots to stop-off at along your adventure. Favourites include the ultra luxurious Lygon Arms in Broadway and stylish Cowley Manor hotel (only slightly off route).
Or bag a bargain bedroom with a cracking view all the away across to the Malvern Hills at The Rising Sun Hotel on Cleeve Hill. There's the option to tie in a visit to Cotswold Farm Park along the way too, which has lodges, tents and camping pods along with an array of cute farmyard creatures. The most southern part of the Cotswolds Way cuts through Woodcock Farm near Bath which offers luxury self-contained apartments within a pretty Grade II listed Cotswolds barn.
Places to stay in the Forest of Dean
From the incredible, expansive view at Simmonds Yat to the beautiful meandering Beechenhurst sculpture trail, the Forest of Dean is the perfect place to get lost over the October half term holidays.
Former 17th century hunting lodge The Speech House Hotel and Tudor Farmhouse are the top luxury choices, while a range of log cabin lodges at Whitemead Forest Park offering pet friendly stays and bubbling hot tubs are a breath of fresh air.
Places to stay near Bredon Hill
The best thing about Bredon Hill, near Tewkesbury, is the awe inspiring views that reward you after your climb. Find the perfect hideaway in nature after feeling on top of the world at Bredon Hill treehouses.
Croft Farm Water Park is a great family spot nearby too with camping, glamping, lodges and watersports to keep all ages thoroughly entertained. Former 18th century coaching inn The Beckford Inn in Beckford at the base of the hill has plenty of bedrooms and great pub grub, too.
