As the nights draw in, returning home after a walk to see the autumn colours - see suggestions below, wood smoke hanging in the air, muddy boots kicked-off at the door, tired, steaming dogs warming by the fire or AGA and the prospect of tea and hot buttered crumpets, it is good to get inside.

And whether it is chasing the ghosts and ghouls of Halloween, wrapping-up warm for bonfire night or starting to prepare for Christmas, the next few months are a magical time to be living in the country, and Butler Sherborn, the Cotswolds property specialist has recently launched four perfect country homes from where to get the best of the season.

East End House, Fairford, Gloucestershire, GL7 4AP - £2.5million

The last word in gracious living and sitting in an acre of delightful south facing walled gardens, this impressive Grade II Listed six bedroom town house dates back to the 17th century, and includes an integral three bedroom cottage.

Situated close to the edge of the attractive Cotswold market town of Fairford, East End House is packed with period details that include stone mullions, flagstone floors, exposed beams and timbers, open fireplaces, sash windows and working shutters.  Finished in a traditional style, the elegantly proportioned principal rooms are flooded with light from the tall sash windows

The ground floor comprises a spacious reception hall, drawing room with fine stone fireplace and wood-burning stove, dining room and the kitchen/breakfast room in what would have been one of the original high ceilinged Georgian reception rooms.  Fitted with bespoke cream painted units including larder and display cupboards, it features an Everhot electric range, integrated fridge freezer and dishwasher.  There is a utility room, small wine cellar and cloakroom.

An impressive staircase takes you to the first and second floors, with long sash windows on the half landings.  There are three large double bedrooms on the first floor with a walk-in dressing room attached to the master bedroom, two bathrooms both with separate showers, and three further bedrooms and a family bathroom with shower on the second floor.

The Cottage is currently incorporated into the house but could be self-contained, and ideal as an annex for a relative or member of staff.  It includes a charming sitting room with mullion windows and an impressive stone fireplace, a family room/study, large, vaulted kitchen/breakfast room, utility room and wet room.  On the first floor are a double bedroom, a further bedroom with a mezzanine and a family bathroom.  Concealed stairs lead to a third bedroom within the eaves.

Outside there is a stone paved south-facing terrace across the rear of the house that is perfect for al fresco entertaining, and the recently redesigned gardens feature high Cotswold stone walls, mature hedging and pleached hornbeams for security and privacy.  The formal garden is made up of lawns with an impressive cedar tree and an attractive area of box parterre with a central water feature, pergola, yew hedge and orchard planted with a variety of trees and fruit trees, plus raised vegetable beds.  The property is accessed through a five bar gate and up a long gravelled drive to a large parking area.  There is a four-bay garage with up and over doors, power and water, two greenhouses and a timber shed.

https://www.butlersherborn.co.uk/fairford/fairford/nid3117

Guide price: £2.5million

Butler Sherborn - Cirencester - 01285 883740

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Knightswood House, Duntisbourne Abbotts, Gloucestershire, GL7 7LE - £2.35million

Situated at the end of a wooded drive, Knightswood House is a beautifully peaceful period family home located in a tranquil position between the villages of Duntisbourne Abbotts and Edgeworth, the original cottage dating from around 1600.

The ground floor offers generous, well-designed accommodation comprising an entrance hall and games room, drawing room with open fire, garden/dining room with large windows and a rooflight lantern providing an abundance of natural light, a generous sized study and large kitchen/breakfast room with a dining area, central island/breakfast bar, Aga and original bread oven.  There is also a cosy sitting room with a raised open fire and window seat, a pantry/laundry room and a boot room and cloakroom.

Upstairs a long landing runs the length of the house leading to a spacious master bedroom with en-suite shower room, a second en-suite double bedroom, and three further double bedrooms and family bathroom.

Outside, the garden and grounds enjoy far-reaching views to the south-west.  Mainly laid to lawn with terraced planting areas and a large patio terrace to one side, there is also an extensive vegetable garden.  The property is bordered by woodland on three sides and extends to approximately 4.1 acres.

A private driveway runs through the trees from a gated entrance and leads to a large turning area with parking for several cars.  There is a stone-built log store and large garage.

https://www.butlersherborn.co.uk/cirencester/nid3123

Guide price: £2.35million

Butler Sherborn - Cirencester - 01285 883740

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Heronfield, 66 Sherborne, Gloucestershire, GL54 3DJ - £1.75million

On the open market for the first time in 50 years, Heronfield is one of only a few houses in Sherborne that does not belong to the National Trust and as such, this is a rare opportunity to purchase a property in this quiet and highly sought-after location with wonderful views.  Situated on a quiet lane at the eastern end of the village, the oldest part of the house is thought to date back to the 18th century.

Extended over the years to provide a comfortable family home with well-proportioned reception rooms, it is full of character features that include exposed beams and timbers, stone mullions, window seats, parquet flooring and fine stone fireplaces.

With five bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms, accommodation on the ground floor comprises a tiled entrance hall, light and airy triple-aspect drawing room with a fine stone fireplace and a large bay window, a dining room, garden room and kitchen/breakfast room fitted with a range of handmade kitchen units with granite worktops, a two oven Aga, electric oven and ceramic hob.  There is a pantry with generous storage, a deep cupboard with space and plumbing for a washing machine, and a cloakroom.

On the first floor is a double bedroom and shower room in the oldest part of the house, a corridor leading to a single bedroom, a bathroom and a master bedroom.  Situated above the drawing room, it has a high ceiling and rural views to three sides and fitted with built-in wardrobes.

On the second floor is a galleried landing with a further double bedroom with exposed beams, a family bathroom, and a spacious double bedroom with access to a large attic space for storage.

The property is approached through five bar gates set within Cotswold stone walls leading to a generous gravel driveway, a parking area, double-length garage, a workshop/store and small greenhouse.  The garden comprises lawns, herbaceous bed, mature trees including several apples, a small area of woodland to one side, and a paved dining terrace to the rear, and there is a pedestrian gateway providing direct access to the network of National Trust footpaths crossing the area.

https://www.butlersherborn.co.uk/sherborne-cheltenham/nid3121

Guide price: £1.75million

Butler Sherborn - Stow-on-the-Wold - 01451 830731

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The Gateway, Ascott, Warwickshire, CV36 5PP - £1.75 million

With over three acres of land for those with outdoor interests or a couple of horses, this classic Warwickshire property would make a wonderful family home for those looking for a ‘doer upper.’

Dating back to 1700, it is privately situated in an exceptional setting off a no-through-lane overlooking its own beautiful and extensive gardens and grounds.  It retains many period details including exposed stone wall, beams, timbers, window seats and oak joinery, and what appears to have been a former cart/coach entrance (now enclosed) from which it gets its name.

Built around three sides of a courtyard garden, it is now on the market for the first time in over 40 years, and offers a great opportunity to remodel and extend the house.  The ground floor features a hallway, double aspect dining room with stone fireplace, spacious drawing room with an inglenook fireplace, breakfast room and kitchen with a range of pine units and island with an electric oven.  There is a three oven oil fired Aga, electric hob and a dishwasher.

Beyond is a larder, sunny conservatory and cloakroom, a small lobby with original winder staircase and former cart entrance/games room, now enclosed with timber and glazed inner doors, and a suite of rooms that could become a self-contained ground floor annex with an office, large laundry room and storeroom.

Upstairs is a dual-aspect part-vaulted master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a Jack and Jill door linking to another spacious double bedroom.  There is a galleried landing also accessed via the winder staircase, a reading area above the former coach entrance, two further bedrooms, one with a distinctive gothic arched window, and a family bathroom.

Accessed through a five bar gate, the drive is bordered by mature hedges and leads to the front of the house, sweeping lawns and adjoining fully fenced paddocks.  There is a single garage, a stable and loose box, a sunny and sheltered courtyard garden with a central ornamental pond and a variety of plants and climbers.  An attractive brook runs down one side of the garden, with a bridge leading to a shaded seating area of lawn and the vegetable garden.

Ascott is a highly sought after rural hamlet situated within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The neighbouring village of Whichford has a pub and church, while Long Compton has a post office/village shop and a primary school.  Soho Farmhouse and Daylesford are both within 10 miles, there are many good pubs for eating out in the area, and a good choice of private and state schools close by.

https://www.butlersherborn.co.uk/ascott/nid3118

Guide price: £1.75million

Butler Sherborn - Stow-on-the-Wold - 01451 830731

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Where to see the best Cotswold colours this autumn

Butler Sherborn recommends:

Batsford Arboretum - http://www.batsarb.co.uk/Westonbirt Arboretum - https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretumThe Cotswold Way – Birdlip to Painswick - https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/cotswold-way/Around Stanton, Stanway and Snowshill - https://www.alltrails.com/stanton-snowshill-and-stanway-circularThe river walk from Bibury to Coln St Aldwyns - https://explorethecotswolds.com/coln-st-aldwyns-to-bibury-walk