Whether you are visiting from abroad or resident in the UK, it is always useful to know what the weather will be like during the time of year you are visiting. While Cheltenham follows the trends for the overall British climate, local conditions can be different from the rest of the country and on the whole statistics for Cheltenham weather show the area is a good prospect for experiencing fine weather at most times of the year. Obviously, there are extremes of weather from time to time and in recent years; a trend towards warmer wetter weather has been experienced due to seasonal shifts in the Gulf Stream.
The beauty of life here at Cooks Green Cottage is that whatever the season and whatever the weather is doing, the warm welcome and cosy surroundings of our friendly holiday home is the perfect haven whatever the weather is doing. Cold snaps and dreary days are warmed by our wonderful open fire and modern heating system, while the balmy days of spring and summer can be enjoyed in our private garden where you can sit, barbeque, or soak up the sun.
The British climate is what is known as a maritime climate and there are four distinct seasons in the year. The Cheltenham weather is similar to the rest of the British Isles, but regional variations mean that the weather can be warmer, cooler, and wetter from place to place. Fortunately, paying a visit to Cheltenham in the summer you can expect the summer climate to be warm and inviting interspersed with the odd rainy spell that only lasts a few days. Cheltenham also experiences very pleasant weather in late spring with May being a particularly bright, fine month.
Spring
Spring occurs from March to May and is usually a calm, cool, but dry period with many sunny spells. As Spring progresses, the days grow longer and the sun grows higher in the sky, temperatures rise quite high in the days but cool again quickly at night. Very early spring may cause the Cheltenham weather to experience some snowfalls as winter ends and on the rare occasion; snow has fallen as late as May! The spring weather in Cheltenham is perfect for discovering the new growth after the winter, many gardens as well as the countryside will have a show of flowers, and trees will be blossom covered. Young animals will be playing in the fields and you will experience the renaissance of this wonderful part of England after the cold of winter.
Summer
Summer is the warmest season lasting from June to August. Long days with many hours of sunlight make holiday-making at our cottage heavenly. There may be the odd thunderstorm when temperatures soar and we often achieve high temperatures of 30 degrees from time to time although usually they are more modest in the low to mid twenties. Summer of course is time to lazily wander and explore the native countryside, enjoy festivals and attractions and sight-see until the late hours. What is more enjoyable than eating an al fresco meal after a day in the sun on holiday whether in our holiday cottage garden or one of the many wonderful eating places.
Autumn
Autumn begins in September and the air grows much chillier as the nights grow shorter. Days can be very warm still and as the season progresses through to November, nature goes to sleep once more, and the leaves drop from trees, the smell of wood smoke in the air and the Cheltenham weather becomes a little more unsettled with morning mists, fog appearing, and a lot of cloud, which often results in rain. There are wonderful crisp autumn days where a touch of ground frost leaves an azure sky and blazing sunshine. This type of Cheltenham weather is probably the most perfect for walking and outdoor pursuits. The later part of autumn in these parts can become stormy with sometimes extreme winds. If you are very lucky, you may experience an “Indian Summer” where temperatures are mild and balmy even at night giving a sense of nature becalmed until another Atlantic depression sweeps in.
Winter
The Cheltenham weather in the winter lasts from December to February. The season in general is cool, wet, and windy. This area of England does not have snow as a regular occurrence and in common with other parts of the UK, is often surprised when severe winter weather arrives. There have been one or two severe winter spells with severe snow and ice conditions but it is not the norm. Frost and fog are occurrences that are more common and even though grey days are usual, there are opportunities to experience glorious cold but sunny days