Bibury in Gloucestershire is the perfect destination for an autumn getaway, with its 17th-century stone cottages and natural beauty earning it the reputation of a quintessentially British village
With temperatures becoming chilly and the days much shorter, it’s fair to say that summer is well and truly behind us.
The colder autumn months have arrived and some may see it as the perfect opportunity to go away on a short staycation. Luckily for us, one charming village in the UK may just be the perfect destination. Bibury in Gloucestershire turns into a stunning spectacle of autumn colours at this time of the year, wowing visitors who go there with its golden leaves and 17th-century stone cottages. Earning the reputation of a “quintessentially British village”, Bibury is often described as one of the UK’s most beautiful and picturesque villages, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Situated on the River Coln, this Cotswolds treasure boasts Arlington Row which is an iconic landmark featuring a row of 14th-century weavers’ cottages adorned with seasonal greenery. Originally built in 1380 as a monastic wool store, the building was then converted into a row of weavers’ cottages in the 17th century.
Bilbury is also popular due to its trout farm, which stands as one of the oldest of its kind in England. Established in 1902, guests can feed the trout from their hand and try their hand at fishing in the beginner’s fishery. St Mary’s Church, a historical Saxon treasure dating back to the 8th century, is also worth a visit, while a walk along the River Coln before stopping to eat and drink at one of the village’s many eateries also makes for a lovely day. The Catherine Wheel pub is particularly cosy and offers blazing log fires in the winter. The Swan Hotel boasts an acclaimed restaurant and offers traditional dishes as well as elegant European dining.
Like many picturesque locations across the UK, Bibury can become quite crowded on a sunny summer day but it is known to be less busy towards the end of the year when temperatures drop. The village is stunning all year round and many visitors have said as much when reviewing their stays on TripAdvisor.
One said: “My wife and I fell in love with the Cotswolds our first visit. We saw Arlington Row on a bus tour from London on that trip, and it was a sunny spring day. This time around it was a dreary autumn afternoon, but Arlington Row continues to be a favourite.” Another visitor added: “Bibury is a breathtakingly beautiful destination. Just be aware that it can get extremely congested during the travel season making it very difficult to navigate both on foot and by car. “If you can manage an early visit, you’ll be rewarded with beauty and serenity. Don’t miss the Trout Farm, The Swan Inn and a bit further up the road, The Catherine Wheel Pub. Of course, Arlington Row is a fairy tale and a prime reason to visit Bibury. Highly recommended!”.
A third described Bibury as: “Unusual and picturesque – worth an hour or so of anyone’s time.” They continued: “We visited during a misty autumn day and it was still a beautiful village well worth visiting. Once you’ve wandered around the village and taken your photographs there are a couple of pubs and a tea room to finish your visit off.” With a 4.3-star rating on Google Reviews, visitors have commented on the village’s “great beers, tasty food and top-notch service”, while others have praised the “delicious food” and “lovely location”.
