There’s something particularly special about the Cotswolds as summer gives way to autumn. The countryside shifts to shades of gold and russet, the air turns cooler and long lunches, country walks and evenings in a cosy pub start to sound very appealing.
Set beside the River Windrush in Great Barrington, just a short drive from Burford, The Fox is perfectly placed for making the most of the season. Think muddy boots by the door, something hearty from the kitchen and a glass of red or local ale waiting at the end of the day.
Autumn walks from our doorstep
You don’t have to travel far to find beautiful walking country here. Footpaths lead out from Barrington through open fields, woodland and alongside the River Windrush, so it’s easy to build a walk around lunch or dinner at The Fox.
For something gentle, explore Great Barrington and Little Barrington, with their Cotswold stone cottages, quiet lanes and views across the Windrush Valley.
If you fancy heading further, the surrounding countryside opens up towards Windrush and Sherborne, with plenty of opportunities to discover quieter corners of the Cotswolds away from the busier tourist spots.
Autumn is one of the best times to explore. Cooler temperatures make longer walks more comfortable, the changing leaves bring a different feel to familiar routes and there is always the promise of a cosy pub waiting at the end.
Bring the dog too
The Cotswolds are made for dog walking, so there’s no need to leave four-legged companions at home for a day out.
With countryside routes close by and plenty of space to explore, The Fox makes an easy stopping point before or after a walk. Head out across the fields, follow the river or explore the lanes around the Barringtons, then return to the pub for a well-earned drink or something to eat.
Dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub, making it easy to turn a country walk into a proper autumn day out.
Explore Burford and the surrounding Cotswolds
A visit to The Fox also puts some of the Cotswolds’ best-loved places within easy reach.
Spend a morning wandering through Burford, browsing its independent shops and historic streets before heading into the quieter countryside around Barrington. Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury and the surrounding villages can all be worked into a day exploring the area, while Cotswold Wildlife Park is also close enough for a family day out.
The real appeal, though, is being able to combine those days out with the quieter pace of the countryside around Great Barrington.
Autumn on the menu
After a morning out in the Cotswold countryside, autumn calls for the sort of food you can really look forward to coming back to.
The Fox’s menus bring together seasonal ingredients, pub favourites and dishes that feel particularly well suited to cooler days. Start with wild mushroom and Taleggio arancini with white truffle mayonnaise, or warm up with the soup of the day served with sourdough.
For something heartier, the short crust pie of the day with seasonal vegetables and red wine gravy feels made for autumn. There’s also an 8oz ribeye steak with roast tomato, flat mushroom and garlic butter for those evenings when only a proper pub dinner will do.
Sundays deserve their own mention too. A country walk followed by a roast is hard to beat at this time of year, and The Fox makes a very good place to settle in for a long Sunday lunch after exploring the surrounding countryside.
And if there’s room for something afterwards, a dark chocolate pot or The Fox cheese board with chutney, grapes and crackers makes a suitably cosy finish.
Stay a little longer
There’s no need to head home once dinner is finished.
With seven individually styled bedrooms, The Fox is also a great base for an autumn break in the Cotswolds. Wake up beside the River Windrush, head out for a morning walk, explore the surrounding villages and return for another evening at the pub.
Please note that while dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub, our bedrooms are not dog friendly, so dogs are not permitted to stay overnight.
As the nights draw in, it’s the perfect time to pull on your walking boots and enjoy a few cosy days in the Cotswolds.
Plan your Autumn visit to The Fox at Barrington, book a table for a post-walk lunch, or make a night of it with a stay in Great Barrington.
