Cobbled town with two very famous residents has 'best spot in the world for autumn'

One of the quaintest towns in the Cotswoldsis blessed with carpets of cobbles and one of the best places in the world to see in autumn.

Tetbury is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the second-largest town in the Cotswolds. As in much of the well-heeled, hilly region, Tetbury is home to a series of incredibly picturesque streets.

Stone steps linking stretches of cobbles provide snickets connecting the lower part of Tetbury to its upper market area, known as the 'Chipping'. The steps themselves are made of the warm, honey-coloured Cotswold stone, a common building material in the region.

In the town is the excellent free Tetbury Police Museum, which is open from 9am to 3pm on weekdays and houses a large range of historic photographs and police memorabilia. The nearby St. Mary’s Parish Church is a great example of the Gothic Revival style.

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Tetbury is also well known for its top range of antique shops, as well as an abundance of cafés delivering high-grade afternoon teas.

One of the Cotswolds’ most unusual events is the Tetbury Woolsack Races. Thought to originate in the 17th century, the races involve running up a hill carrying a 60lb (for men) or 35lb (for women) woolsack. The route is just over 200m long, but the incredibly steep 1-in-4 gradient of the hill means it is no mean feat.

However, if you have heard of Tetbury but aren't sure why, the answer is much more likely to be because of the town's famous pair of residents than because of any of the above.

It is the home of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort. The couple live at Highgrove House, which was built in the late 18th century. The estate was owned by various families until it was purchased in 1980 by the Duchy of Cornwall from Maurice Macmillan.

Charles III remodelled the Georgian house with neo-classical additions in 1987. Since then, the King has thrown himself into his passion for organic planting, turning the overgrown garden into a carefully curated one filled with rare trees and a pristine lawn. The gardens at Highgrove have been open to the public since 1996.

Tetbury is also very close to the magnificent Westonbirt National Arboretum, where 2,500 different types of tree and shrub from the far corners of the globe and five national tree collections are rooted in.

Visitors can take a journey up into the canopy on the Tree Top Walkway, stop by the café for a tasty snack or see if you can spot the Gruffalo. Dubbed 'the best place in the world to watch the leaves turn' in autumn, Westonbirt Arboretum transforms into a living canvas of fiery reds, golden yellows and rich ambers.

If you're planning a visitthis season then you can discover the art of autumn through the arboretum's brand-new seasonal trails or marvel at firework displays as rockets and Roman candles explode above the canopy.