Uk Destination ‘better Than Spain And Italy’ Named As Best For September Holiday

Published on September 5, 2025

Spain, Greece, and Turkey person agelong been seen arsenic Europe’s eventual September getaways, drafting travelers pinch their sun-soaked beaches and vibrant resorts, yet this twelvemonth nan crown has shifted to nan rolling hills and aureate villages of nan Cotswolds successful nan United Kingdom, wherever nan blend of honey-stone cottages, sweeping countryside, cozy pubs, and a soft September glow creates an acquisition truthful authentic and enchanting that it surpasses moreover nan astir celebrated Mediterranean escapes, offering visitors nan uncommon chance to bask beauty, culture, and tranquility without nan request for long-haul flights aliases crowded coastal resorts.

The Cotswolds Named Europe’s Best September Escape

When nan UK skies darken pinch early autumn rainfall and nan upwind originates to transportation a chill, galore group instinctively look southbound to sunnier shores. Spain, Greece, and Turkey often return halfway shape successful September getaways, offering aureate beaches and lukewarm seas to those reluctant to fto summertime gaffe away. Yet this year, 1 destination overmuch person to location has captured nan spotlight, earning nan title of nan champion spot successful Europe to sojourn successful September. That destination is nary different than nan Cotswolds.

A Countryside Retreat Instead of nan Beach

Rather than lounging beneath thenar trees pinch a cocktail successful hand, nan Cotswolds offers a slower, profoundly British type of indulgence. Imagine stepping done rolling hills bathed successful amber sunlight, watching nan entity move pastel astatine dusk, and ending nan evening pinch a hearty repast beside a pub’s roaring fire. This is nan benignant of flight that recreation experts astatine Lonely Planet opportunity outshines moreover nan astir iconic Mediterranean resorts during September.

The guideline highlights really nan Cotswolds transforms astatine this clip of year. The aureate ray softens nan valleys and pastures, creating what they picture arsenic a glow that “oozes honey.” For travelers craving calm, it provides a refreshing alteration of gait from crowded airports and tourist-packed beaches further south.

A Region With Endless Corners to Explore

Though nan Cotswolds is hardly a secret, its sheer standard keeps it afloat of surprises. Stretching crossed astir 800 quadrate miles and spanning six English counties, nan area offers acold much than conscionable its postcard-famous villages. Each municipality and hamlet reveals its ain character—whether it’s nan chromatic cottages of Bibury, nan riverside charm of Bourton-on-the-Water, aliases nan historical marketplace municipality of Cirencester.

Because nan region covers truthful overmuch ground, it’s easy for travelers to rotation beyond nan tourist-heavy spots and observe tucked-away lanes, quiet meadows, and secluded trails. While Castle Combe aliases Bourton-on-the-Water whitethorn tie crowds, utilizing them arsenic stepping stones for countryside walks ensures their beauty tin still beryllium enjoyed successful peace.

Literary, Cultural, and Celebrity Connections

Part of nan Cotswolds’ allure lies successful its estimation arsenic 1 of Britain’s astir refined corners. Over nan years, it has attracted writers, filmmakers, and celebrities alike. The rolling landscapes and timeless architecture person featured successful countless novels and films, securing nan region’s spot successful nan nation’s taste fabric.

It is besides a favourite among high-profile figures who ain homes successful nan area, cementing its image arsenic 1 of nan UK’s poshest countryside retreats. Unsurprisingly, this fame has pushed spot values skyward, pinch nan mean location now fetching adjacent to six 100 1000 pounds—a fig that underscores nan area’s prestige.

Walking nan Cotswolds Way

For outdoor enthusiasts, nan jewel of nan region remains nan Cotswolds Way. This 102-mile stepping way stretches from Chipping Campden successful nan northbound each nan measurement down to Bath successful nan south. Traversing hilltops, valleys, and charming villages, it offers hikers a chance to acquisition nan afloat breadth of nan Cotswolds’ landscapes.

Many visitors dip successful and retired of nan way for time walks, sampling manageable sections while soaking up caller aerial and sweeping views. Whether it’s a greeting ramble aliases a full-day hike, nan way provides an perfect measurement to link pinch nan area’s earthy beauty, particularly erstwhile September’s mild ambiance makes stepping conditions conscionable right.

A Climate Made for Comfort

Unlike confederate Europe, wherever precocious summertime temperatures tin still climb into nan thirties, nan Cotswolds keeps its ambiance gentle and comfortable successful September. Visitors tin expect highs of astir 18°C—perfect for exploring without nan sweltering heat. It whitethorn not induce endless sunbathing, but it does connection nan perfect equilibrium for walking, cycling, and sightseeing without breaking into a sweat.

Outshining European Rivals

In Lonely Planet’s rankings, nan Cotswolds didn’t conscionable guidelines retired among British destinations. It besides surpassed respective noteworthy European spots, including Istria successful bluish Croatia, nan Canary Island of La Palma, and moreover Bologna, Italy’s historical assemblage city. That nickname underlines really nan Cotswolds is nary longer conscionable a home favourite but a contender connected nan world shape for autumn travel.

Each of nan rival destinations has its ain draw—whether it’s Croatia’s Adriatic charm, La Palma’s volcanic landscapes, aliases Bologna’s Italian culture. Yet what group nan Cotswolds apart, according to experts, was its expertise to harvester accessibility pinch timeless appeal. For travelers seeking beauty without long-haul flights, it stands retired arsenic nan much applicable and arsenic rewarding option.

Spain, Greece, and Turkey whitethorn beryllium famed for autumn escapes, but this September nan Cotswolds successful nan UK has stolen nan spotlight pinch its aureate light, rolling hills, and timeless countryside charm.

Why nan Cotswolds successful September

What makes September peculiarly typical successful nan Cotswolds is nan measurement nan region straddles seasons. Summer’s warmth lingers conscionable capable to make outdoor adventures enjoyable, while autumn softly originates to weave its spell pinch cooler nights and aureate light. The consequence is simply a mounting that feels live pinch alteration yet calm successful its rhythm, inviting visitors to slow down and savor nan moment.

Whether it’s enjoying a pint successful a centuries-old pub, stepping on meadows wherever sheep graze, aliases simply sitting successful a marketplace quadrate watching nan world spell by, nan Cotswolds offers experiences that consciousness authentically English. It’s a reminder that not each flight requires a passport aliases hours connected a plane—sometimes nan champion journeys are waiting conscionable beyond our ain backmost garden.