Where to Eat: Barnsley House has a bright paneled restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and hearty food: oxtail with gnocchi and cabbage, lamb with pesto and greens. The Dial House Hotel's restaurant is an intimate room with an inglenook fireplace; light meals are prepared with excellent local, seasonal produce. The Old Butchers, in Stow-on-the-Wold, is a modern bistro that wouldn't seem out of place in London, with its exposed brick walls, mounted sheep skulls, and champagne aperitifs (Park St.; 44-145-183-1700; entrées, $20–$55). Its excellent modern British menu includes tender calf's liver with onion gravy and mash, and veal with anchovy. If you're peckish around teatime, head for Badgers Hall in Chipping Campden, where a selection of heart-stopping treats, including a sublime lemon Victoria sponge and a treacle tart, are displayed on cake stands in a low-ceiled, beamed room that dates back to the fifteenth century (High St.; 44-138-684-0839; cakes, $4–$14). Across the road, Juliana's, at Cotswold House Hotel, is renowned for its cheeses, all sourced within 30 miles. The Churchill Arms pub in Paxford is a good place to stop for a pint of real ale, and serves tasty, reasonably priced grub, including smoked haddock rarebit with a soft-boiled egg, and pheasant with port and peppercorns (44-138-659-4000; entrées, $19–$29).

And Don't Miss: The esteemed Autumn Antiques and Fine Art Fair at the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse (Nov. 27–30; 44-179-725-2030; lapadafair.com).
–Kate Maxwell

From the South
Savannah, Georgia

Why: Savannah's hauntingly beautiful antebellum historic district is the largest in the country, with picturesque squares fringed by stately mansions. The antiquing scene is eclectic, ranging from traditional dealers specializing in gilded Louis XIV consoles to quirky boutiques with a mix of vintage finds and locally designed originals.

What You'll Need: Sturdy shoes for navigating the uneven cobblestones and brightly colored basics to fit in with the Southern belles and gents. During the fall months, daytime temperatures hover in the mid-70s, but after dark you'll need a light sweater or jacket.

How to Get There: A one-hour flight from Atlanta, Savannah is also a short drive from Charleston, South Carolina (85 miles), and Jacksonville, Florida (121 miles). It's a $25 cab ride from the airport to downtown.

Where to Stay: The historic district is chockablock with picturesque bed-and-breakfasts. Just two blocks from Forsyth Park, the Gastonian consists of two 1868 mansions. All 17 rooms have working fireplaces and lovely period furnishings, but be sure to get an upstairs suite, as those on the ground floor can be dark. Fluffy omelets and blueberry pancakes start things off on a high note, and in the evening there is a very civilized cordial hour (912-232-2869; doubles, $215–$295). If that's booked, try the Olde Savannah Inn, just across the street, with beautifully decorated rooms, elaborate breakfasts, and afternoon piano performances (912-247-8254; theoldesavannahinn.com; doubles, $229–$249). Not into scones with strangers? The flamboyant, persimmon-colored Mansion on Forsyth Park has 126 rooms, a full spa, and an impressive art collection—look for the wall of outlandish vintage hats (912-238-5158; doubles, $200). Its restaurant, 700 Drayton, attracts a stylish crowd with its theatrical tangerine-accented decor and gussied-up Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes with baked goat cheese and huckleberry conserve (700 Drayton St.; 912-721-5002; entrées, $8–$38).