When to go

The Cotswolds: month by month

Average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and daylight for each month, what to pack, and the bank holidays that can change crowds and prices. Averages are Met Office 1991-2020 figures, not a forecast.

The Cotswolds guide · Rainy-day ideas in the Cotswolds

Arlington Row, a terrace of Cotswold stone cottages at Bibury, beside a path and garden
Arlington Row, a terrace of Cotswold stone cottages at Bibury, beside a path and gardenPhoto: Saffron Blaze, CC BY-SA 3.0
Abbey Grounds, Cirencester
Outdoors: Abbey GroundsPhoto: Clint Mann, CC BY-SA 2.0
Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold
Under a roof: Fosse GalleryPhoto: Rodw, CC BY-SA 4.0

For a dry day and a wet one: photos from our guide, with where to find each place.

The Cotswolds climate by month

Warmest month: July (highs about 22°C). Coolest: January (about 7°C). Wettest: December (90 mm). Driest: March (56 mm).

Station: Cirencester. Mean daily maximum and minimum, rainfall, days with 1 mm or more, sunshine hours and day length.
MonthMax °CMin °CRain mmRain daysSun hoursDaylight
January7.41.28313578 h 15
February8.01.35811769 h 48
March10.72.6561011511 h 50
April13.74.2561016313 h 53
May16.87.0641019215 h 45
June19.89.759918716 h 41
July22.311.759919916 h 10
August21.811.6671117314 h 34
September18.99.6581013912 h 29
October14.57.0841210310 h 28
November10.33.88914658 h 42
December7.71.69013557 h 47

Source: Met Office, Cirencester, 1991-2020 averages (Open Government Licence v3.0). Daylight is calculated from the latitude of the Cotswolds for the 15th of each month. Cirencester is one station in a large, hilly region; higher ground such as Broadway and Stow is usually cooler and wetter.

Pick a month

Choose a month for what to expect, what to pack and the bank holidays. Without JavaScript every month is listed below.

January in the Cotswolds

1–7°CTypical night to day
83 mmRain, 13 days
8 h 15Daylight
57 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 7.4°C at the warmest and nights 1.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 83 mm of rain falls over roughly 13 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 57 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 15 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the coolest month on average.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 15 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 57 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (13 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jan

  • Fri, Jan 1, 2027: New Year’s Day
  • Mon, Jan 3, 2028: New Year’s Day

February in the Cotswolds

1–8°CTypical night to day
58 mmRain, 11 days
9 h 48Daylight
76 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.0°C at the warmest and nights 1.3°C at the coolest.
  • About 58 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 76 hours of sunshine in the month and 9 h 48 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 9 h 48 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.
  • Averaging about 76 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Feb

No bank holidays in England in February for the next two years.

March in the Cotswolds

3–11°CTypical night to day
56 mmRain, 10 days
11 h 50Daylight
115 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.7°C at the warmest and nights 2.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 56 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more, the driest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 115 hours of sunshine in the month and 11 h 50 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 11 h 50 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Mar

  • Fri, Mar 26, 2027: Good Friday
  • Mon, Mar 29, 2027: Easter Monday

April in the Cotswolds

4–14°CTypical night to day
56 mmRain, 10 days
13 h 53Daylight
163 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 13.7°C at the warmest and nights 4.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 56 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 163 hours of sunshine in the month and 13 h 53 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 13 h 53 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Apr

  • Fri, Apr 14, 2028: Good Friday
  • Mon, Apr 17, 2028: Easter Monday

May in the Cotswolds

7–17°CTypical night to day
64 mmRain, 10 days
15 h 45Daylight
192 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 16.8°C at the warmest and nights 7.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 64 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 192 hours of sunshine in the month and 15 h 45 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 15 h 45 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in May

  • Mon, May 3, 2027: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, May 31, 2027: Spring bank holiday
  • Mon, May 1, 2028: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, May 29, 2028: Spring bank holiday

June in the Cotswolds

10–20°CTypical night to day
59 mmRain, 9 days
16 h 41Daylight
187 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.8°C at the warmest and nights 9.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 59 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 187 hours of sunshine in the month and 16 h 41 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 41 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 9 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jun

No bank holidays in England in June for the next two years.

July in the Cotswolds

12–22°CTypical night to day
59 mmRain, 9 days
16 h 10Daylight
199 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 22.3°C at the warmest and nights 11.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 59 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 199 hours of sunshine in the month, the sunniest of the year and 16 h 10 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the warmest month on average.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 10 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • One warmer layer for the evenings, when it cools to around 12°C.
  • A packable waterproof, just in case: a drier month on average, but showers still happen.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Jul

No bank holidays in England in July for the next two years.

August in the Cotswolds

12–22°CTypical night to day
67 mmRain, 11 days
14 h 34Daylight
173 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 21.8°C at the warmest and nights 11.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 67 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 173 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 34 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 34 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • One warmer layer for the evenings, when it cools to around 12°C.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Aug

  • Mon, Aug 30, 2027: Summer bank holiday
  • Mon, Aug 28, 2028: Summer bank holiday

September in the Cotswolds

10–19°CTypical night to day
58 mmRain, 10 days
12 h 29Daylight
139 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 18.9°C at the warmest and nights 9.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 58 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 139 hours of sunshine in the month and 12 h 29 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 12 h 29 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a sweater or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Sep

No bank holidays in England in September for the next two years.

October in the Cotswolds

7–15°CTypical night to day
84 mmRain, 12 days
10 h 28Daylight
103 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 14.5°C at the warmest and nights 7.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 84 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 103 hours of sunshine in the month and 10 h 28 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 10 h 28 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Oct

No bank holidays in England in October for the next two years.

November in the Cotswolds

4–10°CTypical night to day
89 mmRain, 14 days
8 h 42Daylight
65 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.3°C at the warmest and nights 3.8°C at the coolest.
  • About 89 mm of rain falls over roughly 14 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 65 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 42 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 42 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 65 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a sweater or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (14 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Nov

No bank holidays in England in November for the next two years.

December in the Cotswolds

2–8°CTypical night to day
90 mmRain, 13 days
7 h 47Daylight
55 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 7.7°C at the warmest and nights 1.6°C at the coolest.
  • About 90 mm of rain falls over roughly 13 days with 1 mm or more, the wettest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 55 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 47 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 47 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 55 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet sidewalks: this is one of the wetter months here (13 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays (public holidays) in Dec

  • Fri, Dec 25, 2026: Christmas Day
  • Mon, Dec 28, 2026: Boxing Day
  • Mon, Dec 27, 2027: Christmas Day
  • Tue, Dec 28, 2027: Boxing Day

Holidays and busy periods

Bank holidays (public holidays) for England come from GOV.UK, listed for the next two years in each month above. Many Britons travel on bank holiday weekends, so book transport and rooms early.

School vacations are set by each local council, so we do not list dates here. Check School term and holiday dates (GOV.UK).

From our the Cotswolds guide

The Cotswolds can be visited all year. The best-known villages draw day visitors, so timing matters more than season.

  • Spring (March to May): A good time for walks on the Cotswold Way and for hill viewpoints such as Dover's Hill and Broadway Tower.
  • Summer (June to August): The longest days. Expect Bourton-on-the-Water and other well-known villages to be busy; Cotswold District Council charges a levy in Bourton's main parking lot to manage visitor numbers.
  • Fall (September to November): Cooler walking weather. Some attractions change their opening hours, so check each website before you set out.
  • Winter (December to February): Short days and some seasonal closures. Inns and museums are the best bets, but confirm opening times first.

We do not publish crowd or price seasonality: none of the sources used for this page states it.

How we work this out

  • Temperatures, rainfall, rain days and sunshine are the Met Office 1991-2020 monthly averages for one weather station (Cirencester). They describe a typical month, not a forecast. We never call a live weather service for this page.
  • Packing: warm coat below 10°C highs, warm jacket below 15°C, light layers below 20°C. A full waterproof when a month has 12 or more days with 1 mm of rain or at least 80 mm; a light waterproof from 9 days; sunscreen and a hat from May to September. Shoes with grip when typical nights are 3°C or colder.
  • Daylight is the astronomical day length, including the usual allowance for atmospheric refraction, on the 15th of the month at the latitude of the Cotswolds.

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