Cotswolds Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom in December.

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Cheltenham Stow on the Wold Chipping Campden Cirencester

Planning a trip to the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom this December? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in the Cotswolds in December

The Cotswolds, the United Kingdom is a region in the United Kingdom. December in the Cotswolds generally has cold temperatures, with moderate precipitation. It's the height of winter.

Temperatures

You can expect cold maximum daytime temperatures of around 9°C (48°F) and nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) in Cheltenham.

For a closer look at conditions across the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Cotswolds with an average of 66 mm (2.6 in) to moderate rainfall in Cirencester with 71 mm (2.8 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is more restricted in many locations in December. Cheltenham sees roughly 49 hours of sunlight. Our weather planner can help you find destinations with more sunshine if needed.

Explore the Cotswolds by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the Cotswolds - and find the best time to visit. (based on Cheltenham)

January9°C (48°F) February9°C (48°F) March11°C (52°F) April14°C (57°F) May17°C (63°F) June20°C (68°F) This monthJuly22°C (72°F) August22°C (72°F) September19°C (66°F) October15°C (59°F) November11°C (52°F) December9°C (48°F)
Best Time to Visit the Cotswolds →

Best Places to Visit in the Cotswolds in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across the Cotswolds.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in the Cotswolds

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom?

Temperature range in the Cotswolds (December)

Precipitation variation in the Cotswolds (December)

Cheltenham

In December Cheltenham generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
66 hours
49 hours
54 hours
Monthly rainfall
72 mm (2.8 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
64 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
18 days
Weather conditions
mixed
less favorable
less favorable
Climate in Cheltenham →

Stow on the Wold

In December Stow on the Wold generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
70 hours
54 hours
60 hours
Monthly rainfall
71 mm (2.8 in)
67 mm (2.6 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
18 days
Weather conditions
mixed
less favorable
less favorable
Climate in Stow on the Wold →

Chipping Campden

In December Chipping Campden generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
66 hours
49 hours
54 hours
Monthly rainfall
70 mm (2.8 in)
66 mm (2.6 in)
62 mm (2.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
17 days
18 days
Weather conditions
mixed
less favorable
less favorable
Climate in Chipping Campden →

Cirencester

In December Cirencester generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
70 hours
54 hours
60 hours
Monthly rainfall
74 mm (2.9 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
18 days
Weather conditions
mixed
less favorable
less favorable
Climate in Cirencester →

Bourton on the Water

In December Bourton on the Water generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
70 hours
54 hours
60 hours
Monthly rainfall
71 mm (2.8 in)
67 mm (2.6 in)
64 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
18 days
Weather conditions
mixed
less favorable
less favorable
Climate in Bourton on the Water →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Cotswolds, in the United Kingdom.

In our records: the United Kingdom December extremes

Notable December records observed across cities in the United Kingdom in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest December daytime high in the United Kingdom was -10°C (14°F) in Glasgow on December 29, 1995.
  • From our sources, the wettest December day in the United Kingdom brought 301 mm (12 in) in Belfast on December 4, 1982.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Cotswolds in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Cheltenham 9°C (48°F) 3°C (37°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Stow on the Wold 9°C (48°F) 3°C (37°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Chipping Campden 9°C (48°F) 3°C (37°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Cirencester 9°C (48°F) 3°C (37°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Bourton on the Water 9°C (48°F) 3°C (37°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Bibury 9°C (48°F) 3°C (37°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)

The Cotswolds weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom in December?

Expect less favorable weather across the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom in December. The popular destination of Cheltenham averages 9°C (48°F) by day and 3°C (37°F) at night during this winter month.

What is the average temperature in the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom in December?

In Cheltenham, the average daytime high in December is 9°C (48°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 3°C (37°F).

Does the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom get a lot of rain in December?

Rain is generally moderate to light in the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom during December, with Cheltenham averaging close to 69 mm (2.7 in).

Is December a Good Time to Visit the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom?

Given the typically less favorable weather conditions in Cheltenham, December may not be the ideal time to visit the Cotswolds, the United Kingdom.

Generally speaking, June, July and August provide excellent weather in Cheltenham. The weather in January, February and December, on the other hand, tends to be less favorable.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Cotswolds.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United Kingdom? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United Kingdom.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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