20 of the best autumn escapes around the UK
An Innovative Celebration of Harvest at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
This year, the customary harvest festival at Blenheim Palace boasts a contemporary spin within its historical garden walls. The festival, set in autumn's splendor, offers an array of attractions including gourmet food stands, exploratory foraging trails, and unique performance arts such as eccentric challenges and a dragon labyrinth conceived by a group of imaginative artists and creators. This delightful seasonal event will take place on 24-26 September and 1-3 October (admission included with entrance - £30 per adult for palace, park, and gardens or £19 for park and garden only. Child tickets are available at £17 or £9 respectively, blenheimpalace.com).
For those looking for an extension of their trip, Pitchup.com lists several enticing glamping sites in the area, with prices beginning at approximately £75 per night for two people, offering a thrilling outdoor experience in the beauty of Oxfordshire.
Foraging and glamping in Pembrokeshire
With ancient woodland all around, and the winding tributaries of the Cleddau estuary for dips and kayaking, the setting is right for a long weekend of relaxation in nature at Little Retreat in Lawrenny. Luxury dome tents have private wood-fired hot tubs and outdoor bathtubs, but it’s the choice of experiences on offer that makes it special. Guided wild swimming sessions range from an introduction to cold water swimming (£55pp, with the Wim Hof method of cold shower preparation in advance recommended for the colder season) to an outdoor sauna experience on the banks of the River Dyfi (£85pp). Or choose a full day’s foraging, feasting and fishing followed by an evening meal (£135pp) of fungi, seaweed and hedgerow ingredients cooked by Matt Powell, who plans to open a restaurant at the site. Wellbeing classes, art lessons and walks can fill other spare moments.
Two nights in a dome tent sleeping four or five from £370
Stargazing in Dumfries and Galloway
Located in Scotland's southwest, the Galloway Forest Park is recognized on a global scale as an exceptional dark sky park. On a clear night, visitors can witness an awe-inspiring spectacle of over 7,000 stars and planets, and frequently, the Milky Way itself is distinctly visible.
Nearby, in the picturesque town of Kirkcudbright, the Selkirk Arms is planning a marvellous stargazing weekend event at the end of October. This charming hotel, known for its neat, comfortable rooms, has put together an exciting event. Their star-studded schedule is set to begin with a relaxing social evening involving hors d'oeuvres, fine dining, and beverages.
Acclaimed Scottish astronomer Steve Owens, affiliated with the Glasgow Science Centre, will captivate the audience with his nightly talks. What's more, he'll lead attendees on stargazing walks down to the harbour and into the heart of the dark sky park. The event will also include a trip to Kirkcudbright’s recently opened Dark Space Planetarium.
Set to take place between 29-31 October, a two-night stay including dinners, B&B, as well as all activities is priced at £289 per person, as per selkirkarmshotel.co.uk.
Autumn festivals in Malvern, Worcestershire
Nothing says autumn like a giant vegetable competition, and the Malvern Autumn Show (24-26 September, £18, under-16s free but tickets required) claims its contest is one of the biggest of the bunch. Held in the Three Counties Showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills near Ledbury, it features artisan food and drink stalls and talks by gardening gurus. For a treat, stay at the gorgeous Cottage in the Wood boutique hotel (doubles £199 B&B), whose fine restaurant has woodland views. Or camp at Eastnor Castle, which is most beautiful in autumn, and which was used as a set for the TV drama Succession – the deer park and arboretum are beautiful in autumn (pitches until 30 September £12 a night, entry to castle and grounds £12.50 adult, £7.50 child). Nearby Tenbury Wells hosts an Applefest on 2 October, while the National Trust’s Croome estate (£12/£6) provides more lovely autumn walks.
Nature-spotting multi-day trek in the South Downs
Hiking is particularly pleasant in the mild temperatures of a classic autumn, and rural routes are buzzing with wildlife and alive with colour. The 65-mile Serpent Trail, snaking through heathland in Surrey and Hampshire, was created in 2005 but has been altered this year to follow a more picturesque route. Beginning in Haslemere, it winds through the South Downs national park and finishes in Petersfield, with sculptures dotted along the way. Here, you can see live adders, sand lizards and smooth snakes – Britain’s rarest reptiles, which, unusually, give birth to young in September. In autumn green tiger beetles and black darter dragonflies may still be around too, and the heather is in bloom, bilberries are ready to pluck and birds such as stonechats, woodlarks and Dartford warblers decorate the breeze with their song.
Pied A Terre Adventures has a five-night self-guided trip staying in a different place each night, from £525pp B&B. Trail notes, GPS and OS Map App, and bag transfers are included, as are suggested places to eat and drink (patadventures.com)
Walking and dining on the Suffolk coast
The cute village of Orford on the Suffolk coast has lots going for it – pretty streets of pubs and delis, a quay and the Crown and Castle, now a smart bistro with 21 rooms. You can see Henry II’s 12th-century castle from the windows, and nearby, for spooky autumn walks, is mysterious Orford Ness. This long spit, which once served as a military base, has now been commandeered for wildlife and is a National Trust nature reserve. Aldeburgh is a few miles north, and there’s leaf peeping in nearby Rendlesham forest. The hotel has a list of walking routes, with varying lengths designed to burn off the calories guests eat in the restaurant that night. Go for the 45-minute ramble and you might only have a main of Orford-landed skate wing with chorizo and crab butter, but do the full 7½-hour hike and you could amply justify half a dozen Butley Bay oysters to start, plus a pud of strawberry cheesecake with Pimm’s jelly and cucumber sorbet, and take the hotel’s posh picnic with you.
Doubles from £170 room-only in September, £114 in October, crownandcastle.co.uk
Whisky and wildlife in the Inner Hebrides
Situated beneath the beautiful islands of Skye and Mull, sits the enchanting island of Islay, pronounced I-luh. This distinct location is not only a haven for an array of wildlife species, but also known for its robust, peaty whiskies. For those seeking a unique autumn experience, the Inner Hebrides autumn wildlife tour offered by Responsible Travel would be ideal. Starting on 22 and 29 October and again on 5 November, the five-day adventure will have you witnessing the remarkable birdlife making its mark during this season.Sightings might include oystercatchers and skylarks on the biodiverse Kintyre peninsula. The incredible sight of eagles can also be seen gliding through the air above the sea cliffs of the Oa nature reserve. As October breezes in, visitors to Loch Gruinart and Loch Gorm will be captivated by the impressive spectacle of 20,000 barnacle and white-fronted geese arriving from their transatlantic flight from Greenland.A day of the tour will be devoted to a magnificent coastal trail that connects the renowned whisky distilleries of Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. Besides treating yourself to one, two or perhaps three wee drams to keep away the chill, you'll also have the opportunity to gaze upon seals in their natural habitat during your distillery tour. The trip includes four nights for £965 per person, which covers transfers originating from Oban and several meals. Making this a truly unforgettable autumn escape.
Get that start-of-term feeling in Sussex
Embrace those nostalgic new-school-year feelings autumn can trigger by booking on to one of West Dean College’s short courses in arts and conservation, in a rural setting in the South Downs national park. You can try botanical drawing, with a focus on feathers, bark and seed pods and how to bring out fine details (20-23 September, £381pp), or botanical painting in the colours of the season (7-10 October, £393), a course suitable for beginners. A novices’ pottery course (1-3 October, £289) will allow you to explore slip decorating; there’s a leatherwork masterclass (2 November, £148) for making tool sheaths and other cases; traditional English basket making (19-21 November, £298); and there’s even a class on how to make a steel besague, a piece of 15th-century armour (16 October, £163) – plus many more. West Dean has rooms available on site from £127pp for two nights, including dinner and breakfast. To the south are Chichester, for shopping and dining, and the beaches of Hayling Island and West Wittering; next door is the Weald and Downland Living Museum, an outdoor collection of historic downland buildings where autumn events include a historical music weekend on 25-26 September.
Retreat in the trees in Northumberland
Fiery displays of autumn colour are provided by vibrant acers, and by the red squirrels foraging for winter stores at the National Trust estate at Wallington. The families who lived here for 300 years planted expanses of woodland, including exotic conifers and other trees from around the world that can be explored today on a “heritage tree trail”. Near the estate, the National Trust has a new holiday cottage, Rothley Lakehouse, surrounded by woodland and wetlands. The house, which sleeps 13, overlooks the 250-year-old Capability Brown lake, where bats, badgers and otters frequent the shore. Bikes can be rented to explore trails to nearby villages such as Wallington, or further afield to Blyth, to Rothbury for antiques, and quaint Morpeth.
The luxurious main lodge sleeps 10, with three more staying in the guest cottage (£2,600 for three nights in September, £1,950 in October, £1,625 in November)
A fruitful season of art exhibitions in London
Autumn spells a new season of art shows in the capital, including the first major exhibition of experimental painterly woodcuts by American abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler at Dulwich Picture Gallery. The Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition, in its 253rd year, launches on 22 September, and it has a show of late Constable works from 30 October, while at the National Gallery, Poussin and the Dance shows the 17th-century baroque artist’s works depicting classical gods and mortals in movement, from 9 October. Hogarth’s greatest pieces are shown with those of some of his peers in the Hogarth and Europe exhibition at Tate Britain from 3 November, while 2017 Turner prize winner Lubaina Himid’s multidisciplinary show starts at Tate Modern on 25 November. Trained initially in theatre design, she has been pivotal in contemporary British art. Displaying work by emerging artists, Paddington’s Inhabit hotel has luxurious double rooms (from £150 B&B, inhabithotels.com) and aims to be environmentally and socially conscious, with a wellness area, Peloton bike classes, Tokyo bikes for hire, and collaborations with 20 social enterprises. A second location is due to open nearby before the end of the year.
Explore the nature, history and sights of Jersey
Just a few miles off the coast of Normandy, Jersey has become more popular than ever in a year with scant international travel options. Inntravel’s new four-night Jersey Island Escape was launched this year to show off the Channel Island’s sandy bays, rare birds and second world war history, and runs until the end of October. Based at a hotel in the harbour village of Saint Aubin, it offers leisurely self-guided exploration, furnishing walkers with route notes, maps and an island bus pass. Highlights include walking the tidal island causeway to La Corbière lighthouse, spotting red-billed choughs at Sorel Point and a tour of Battery Lothringen at Saint Brélade, one of the best-preserved coastal artillery defences in western Europe.
From £595pp in October, including four nights’ B&B accommodation, one dinner and return taxis from Jersey airport to the hotel
Cycling and cider in Herefordshire
The new 48-mile cycling circuit in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley expands on the popular cider trails launched last year. The Porter’s Perfection circuit starts from the village of Dorstone, in the shadow of the neolithic monument Arthur’s Stone, and tours several west Herefordshire craft cider makers. A leisurely ride along peaceful back roads with glimpses of rolling hills takes in Orgasmic Cider Company’s orchards, a horse-drawn mill at the 17th-century Fair Oak Cider farm, and the county’s oldest pub, Dorstone’s Pandy Inn. The route can also be tackled in smaller, bite-size sections. The aptly named Cider Shack from Ty Gwyn Holidays is a tiny holiday home for two in rural splendour comprising two sheds, fire pit, outdoor bath and log-burning stove.
Two nights at the Cider Shack (tygwynholidays.co.uk) costs £240, or the Pandy Inn B&B has doubles from £85
Cattle droving festival and steaming in the Lake District
Every year, the northern Lakes in the UK mark the transition from autumn to winter with a cherished annual droving festival, taking place from October 28 to 30. Numerous captivating performances and bustling street markets color the main festivities in Penrith, with the lakeside hamlet of Pooley Bridge adding its own unique touch. Central to the spectacle is the tradition of donning masks, paying homage to the region's long-standing cattle droving legacy in rural Cumbria. As night falls, the climax arrives with a spectacular torch-lit parade of townsfolk, adorned with horns and cloaks.
Visitors can further enrich their experience by exploring parts of the 20-mile Ullswater Way, taking advantage of the vibrant fall foliage. This scenic trail is conveniently accessible via the Ullswater Steamers. After a day filled with hiking and festivities, guests can retreat to the cosy family camping pods provided by the nearby Quiet Site holiday park. Ensuring comfort and warmth, these accommodations are equipped with electricity and warmly welcome dogs in select pods.
The camping pods, suitable for two adults and two children, start at a rate of £150 for a two-night stay, with some availability during the droving festival.
Coast and castles in County Antrim
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find tranquillity at Ballygally Castle, a serene haven nestled in Antrim’s picturesque Causeway Coastal Route. Despite its seclusion, it stands a mere 26 miles from Belfast, and offers more reasonable room rates during the fall season. With fewer commuters on the usually bustling causeway, visitors can engage in a leisurely exploration towards Northern Ireland's most popular tourist spot, the Giant’s Causeway.
The majestic castle, which dates back to 1625, offers stunning views of the sandy Ballygally Bay. Close by is the remarkable Gobbins, a marvel of early 20th-century engineering, featuring spiraling staircases, suspended bridges, and smuggler-utilized tunnels, all clinging to a rugged sea cliff (£20/£14.50). If the weather is in favor, adventurous guests can try paddleboarding off Ballygally beach, explore the historic Norman Carrickfergus Castle on Belfast Lough, or go north for an hour to experience coasteering at Portrush or Ballintoy - a thrilling activity available throughout the year with wetsuits included in the experience.
In autumn, witness an amazing combination of history, nature, and adventure all starting at the Ballygally Castle, where a comfortable double room awaits from only £120 B&B.
Glamping at Hadrian’s Wall
As autumn reveals its splendor, ancient landmarks seem to take on a more evocative aura. One such location is the renowned Hadrian's Wall. In close proximity to this historic feat, a short distance from the charming Brampton township, you'll find Hadrian’s Wall Country Yurts. Starting at £218, you can stay in a cosy yurt accommodating 2 adults and 2 kids for a 2-night experience.
The site boasts two yurts, both housing wood-burning stoves to keep you warm, with one even boasting a wood-fired hot tub. These circular structures nestle within a paddock that is part of a small ranch that houses sheep, chickens, as well as the ever lively children of the owners. Enjoy the unique experience of embarking on twilight walks towards some of the highly preserved wall sections, soaking in the history and atmosphere.
Within a convenient 8-mile radius, moving east towards the Walltown country park near Greenhead, you'll encounter the unique self-guided, geolocation-based sound walk, Collision and Conflict. Here, music, sound and storytelling converge to offer a captivating exploration of these borderlands using a GPS-enabled app. Note that it's only available till 1st October. For thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts, the Pennines AONB and the Northumberland national park offer additional avenues of adventure. The latter is particularly well known for its incredible stargazing opportunities.
After a day of exploring, unwind with refreshments at the cozy Old Vicarage Brewery in Walton village. Their bar serves house-brewed ales alongside selections from other artisan breweries. If you wish to spend the night, they also offer rooms with bed and breakfast for £75.
Delving into the past in Avebury, Wiltshire
You can now stay at one of six new self-catering stable units at the Farm at Avebury, making it easier to visit the neolithic and bronze-age attractions of the North Wessex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty this autumn. The 12-hectare family holding is in the middle of Avebury world heritage site, home to prehistoric Silbury Hill, the West Kennet Long Barrow tomb and the world’s largest stone circle. It’s surrounded by a patchwork of fields and round barrows that’s perfect for walking. Contemporary and self-contained, the stable units only opened in July, and there’s still plenty of availability till the end of November. The stables sleep between two and six, or you can rent the lot for a big family get-together. The farm sells produce boxes containing its own eggs, grass-fed beef, farm-made rapeseed oil and more. Less than a five-minute walk away is the 17th-century thatched Waggon & Horses pub.
One-bedroom stable from £99 a night (two-night minimum)
Cooking, wild food and carving in the Cotswolds
This fall, the Cotswolds are beckoning visitors with an assortment of fresh activities and programmes that celebrate the great outdoors. The historical Burleigh Court manor house, which has been a staple of the region for 200 years, can be found here. With a starting price of £129 for double rooms, the manor has introduced a Wild Foodie Foraging venture (commencing at £65, or a mere £239 for duos including an overnight stay). This gastronomic adventure includes a guided forage walk, followed by a unique lunch prepared using wild food by the celebrated head chef Shaun Jones. Burleigh Court is also presenting fresh three-hour workshops on the craft of making autumnal wild wreaths, paired with a delicious cream tea (£69) on the 2nd and 10th of October.
In addition, the Cotswolds National Landscape, previously recognized as the AONB, has organized a series of experience days for October. These were designed for those interested in wood-gathering and fire cooking or limestone carving, starting at a very affordable £45. In a strategic collaboration with Cotswold Hideaways, they are promoting rural skills weekend packages, offering their guests a 10% discount on these experience days. If you plan on staying in properties like the quaint Garden Studio nestled near Stroud, it even offers a cosy one-bedroom apartment, available for a three-night stay at just £399 in October.
Literature in Manchester
After the physical event was cancelled last year, the Manchester literature festival (9-17 October) is back with live talks and readings for 2021, including sessions with Booker prize winner Bernardine Evaristo and Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie. Manchester became a Unesco city of literature in 2017, thanks to its historic ties to radical writers including Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. They worked together at Chetham’s Library (free, closed weekends), founded in 1653 and thought to be the oldest public library in the world, which has just reopened after a multimillion-pound renovation. In between literary sessions, grab a beer at local Cloudwater Brew Co’s new Piccadilly taproom. The Kimpton Clocktower hotel on Oxford Street, opened last year, has loft-style rooms inside the sumptuously restored Grade II-listed building.
Doubles at Kimpton Clocktower from £135 room-only in October
Art and culture in Great Yarmouth
Over the summer, a splash of artistic moment was added to Great Yarmouth's emerging culture of street art, courtesy of a visit by the renowned artist, Banksy. The fertile art scene of this Norfolk resort is blossoming with striking street art collections. One can witness the captivating murals of John Dashwood that forge a profound connection with the town's rich literary and seafaring traditions. Not to be missed is the Yarmouth mural, a creation of Kevin Parker and part of a concerted effort by Reprezent Projects to engage the youth and attract visitors through 30 such inspiring murals. To further experience the vibrant art culture first-hand, consider finding accommodation close to the heart of the town. As an option, The Carlton Hotel on http://the-carlton-hotel-nr30-3je.in-norfolk.com/en/ offers easy access to the thriving street art scene, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the impressive artistic environment of Great Yarmouth.
For holiday-goers planning an October visit, the team behind the successful May’s Norwich festival is initiating 'Norfolk Wonder,' a new addition to the cultural passport of Great Yarmouth. This includes a fresh sound trail designed by the prolific composer, Ela Orleans. Suitable for a half-term getaway, the breathtaking pyrotechnics marvel, Fire on the Water (£6 for up to 6 people, slated for 21-31 October and 3-6 November), promises to offer a unique night-time performance trail. This will immensely add to Waterways pleasure park's charm, featuring dance, acrobatics, water projections, light installations, and mesmerizing fire shows.
Moreover, Clippesby Hall campsite extends a cozy accommodation option with its Tilly shepherd's hut. Designed for a family getaway, Tilly can comfortably house two adults and two children. Rates start from a reasonable £130 for a couple of nights, making it an affordable choice for an October retreat.
Waterfalls in Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales
If you're looking for a unique getaway this fall, consider staying at the distinctive Temple Folly, a delightful accommodation operated by Wensleydale Experience. This quaint spot offers stellar amenities for couples, including a stargazing-friendly fire pit and a cosy wood-burning hot tub. Sitting just a mile from the picturesque village of Aysgarth, known for its stunning triple-drop waterfall depicted in a JMW Turner's masterpiece, it is the perfect rural retreat.
A short distance further will land you in the hiker-friendly town of Hawes, home to the renowned Wensleydale Creamery where tantalizing local cheese tastings are a must. Here, you'll also find Wensleydale Experience's working farm which provides interactive award-winning tours and immersive farming days. Guests also have the opportunity to stay in one of several charming yurts. Not far away, a leisurely walk along a scenic riverside trail will lead you to Hardraw Force, another majestic waterfall well worth your time.
At the commencement of the trail, you'll discover the homely Green Dragon Inn. Here, you can savour irresistible homemade pies served by a welcoming open fire. The intimate Temple Folly offers accommodation for two with rates starting at £150 per night during October (three-night stay minimum, booking fast), visit wensleydale-experience.com for more details.