by Anna Hann
posted on 8 October 2024
From pampering spa days to crisp walks, bike rides through forests to treehouse escapes, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the cosiest season of the year.
Crisp autumn walks in Pembrokeshire
Take an autumn walk through the woodlands of Pembrokeshire with newly fallen leaves underfoot. Try the Preseli Hills, gaze skyward to spot circling red kites and buzzards, and climb to the top of Foel Eryr for far-reaching views across the scenery in all its golden-leafed glory.
Post-walk, treat yourself to a night or two at the cosy and luxurious Grove of Narberth. Time your visit so it falls on a Sunday to take advantage of the excellent Sunday Lunch at the Fernery restaurant. On the way, take a detour to try driving the Black Mountain Pass through the Brecon Beacons National Park, famously driven in a sleek Mercedes by Jeremy Clarkson in an episode of Top Gear.
Biking in the Lake District
For the best autumn colours around the Lake District, head to Whinlatter Forest, a mountain forest with views across Keswick, Derwentwater, and Bassenthwaite Lake. It’s a particularly great spot if you love mountain biking, with long, purpose-built trails to try. You can either book a car with a bike rack if you’re taking your own wheels or hire bikes in Keswick. There’s a moderate trail for those with some basic skills, but if you’re an experienced rider, the Altura Trail has twisting turns and fast descents for an extra thrill.
After a day biking through the Lake District, book a Spa Lodge at The Gilpin Hotel. You’ll have an outdoor sauna and hydrotherapy hot tub to soothe your weary muscles with a view over the gardens and the Lake District moors beyond.
Foraging in the New Forest
With beautiful autumn foliage, the New Forest is a wonderland of autumnal scenery. You can join guided foraging walks to collect mushrooms or, if you’re looking for the best seasonal colours, set the sat nav to one of the oldest beech woodlands, Denny Wood, or the Knightwood Oak Trail. If you’d prefer a scenic drive, take the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, setting out from Whitefield Moor and weaving your way to Bolderwood, passing the New Forest’s largest oak tree along the way.
For help with foraging, book a stay at The Pig and take advantage of the expertise of a local forager before settling down and trying the hotel’s 25-mile menu, which features ingredients sourced from the local area.
If you can’t get enough of the autumn colours, choose one of the treehouses at Chewton Glen, suspended 25 feet above the ground and surrounded by trees in all their fiery red and orange glory. After dark, get your treehouse’s log burner aglow for a cosy night in.
Bonfire Night in the Peak District
For a Bonfire Night with real fizz and pop, the event at Chatsworth House in the Peak District is up there with the very best in the country. Along with the obligatory bonfire and dazzling fireworks display, you can expect all the trimmings, including mulled cider, hog roasts, and churros. There are two fireworks shows, including an earlier one designed with families in mind.
If you miss the display, there are other ways to enjoy Chatsworth in the autumn, such as walking the Chatsworth to Bakewell circuit, which takes around four hours to complete, passing through woodland and parkland and following the river. If you’re planning a family trip, book a stay in the family shepherd’s hut, Mr McGregor’s Garden, with bunk beds for the kids and a firepit outside for toasting marshmallows.
A clifftop spa break in Cornwall
Cornwall’s best beaches are far quieter in autumn than in summer, so take advantage of having some of the best spots (almost) to yourself. Book a luxury car and plan a sensationally scenic Cornwall road trip before indulging in a wellness-boosting break – perfect if you’re struggling to readjust to the cooler temperatures.
For an autumnal getaway, check into The Scarlet, an adult-only coastal hotel with an incredible spa. There’s a clifftop cedar wood sauna to enjoy the view or, if you can brave it, there’s an outdoor natural reed pool.
Half term in the Highlands
One of the best family hotels in Scotland is Gleneagles. You could start your adventure with an epic drive, following all (or part) of the London to Edinburgh road trip. Although if you’re pushed for time, you could fly or take a train and then collect a car from Edinburgh Airport for the hour-long drive to Gleneagles.
Over the October half term, there’s a brilliant line-up of kids’ activities, from tree climbing and zip wiring to golfing, biking, and archery. Keen drivers will relish the opportunity to explore Perthshire’s rugged terrain, perhaps in an SUV, with lessons on navigating ridges, gullies, and gradients.
Autumn wreath making in Cambridge
Didn’t you hear? Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas. Embrace the trend for creating a seasonal centrepiece using the best mosses, flowers, and autumn fruits. Plenty of Cambridge florists run workshops (try Thatch & Roses). If you make a weekend of it, you’ll get to explore this elegant city in between creative moments, perhaps checking out the autumn events like the Cambridge Literary Festival or the Cambridge Film Festival.
Book a break at the University Arms Cambridge and join one of the wreath-making masterclasses at the hotel. Or, if you just want to make the most of the cosy surroundings of University Arms tavern-like restaurant, it serves comforting dishes created from fresh Cambridgeshire ingredients, including a huge steak and ale pie designed to share.
Firelit nights in West Sussex
Up the cosy factor and stay at Bailiffscourt in West Sussex, a stone’s throw from a beach. There’s a super modern spa just a short walk from a Mediaeval-style hotel where you spend the evening with warming drinks by a crackling fire. The historic theming flows through to the guestrooms, and the hotel’s best suite features a cosy wood-burning stove, a four-poster bed, and a double rolltop bath.
Bailiffscourt’s car park has charging points, so you can charge an electric car overnight, ready to explore the West Sussex highlights with a full charge. Spend some time in the beautiful town of Arundel with its magnificent castle, or drive to one of the region’s fabulous beaches, like West Wittering, for a windswept wander.
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