Autumn is our favourite time of year in England. As the evenings roll in earlier and we dig out scarves and wellies for the first time in what seems like forever, we look forward to countryside walks through colourful golden leaves, and cosying up by a fire with a hot chocolate in hand to end a day out in the chilly Autumn air. The crisp weather outside needn’t force you to retreat indoors – in fact there are many Autumnal events and activities to enjoy across the South East at this time of year. Read on for our top recommendations for whimsical days out to make the most of the Autumn season.
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Pick your own apples at Castle Farm
We’ve visited Castle Farm in Shoreham, Kent, throughout the seasons, enjoying the lavender fields in Summer as well as Spring walks to the farm via the Darent Valley Path. In early Autumn, however, their apple orchard opens up for visitors to enjoy a cute day out picking your own apples! Castle Farm is home to the beautiful Norfolk Royal apple – a heritage variety that is not found anywhere else. These apples are colloquially known as the ‘Disney apple’, as they have a gorgeous, shiny red skin that becomes waxy as they mature.
Having sampled more than a few over our visits to the orchard, these are some of the sweetest and juiciest apples we’ve ever tasted. We love to stroll through the rows of trees bursting with fruit, picking the biggest apples we can find. We take our own bags with us, but you can also purchase reusable canvas bags and woven baskets to add a cottagecore touch to your haul!
There is a dedicated car park in the field next to the orchard, and it’s free to enter – you simply pay for what you pick, which is measured by weight. The Market Stall, situated just inside the orchard, sells hot and cold drinks and snacks as well as the bags and baskets – perfect for picking up a warm cuppa if you visit on a chillier day!
While you’re at Castle Farm, head over to the Farm Shop to admire the gourds and pumpkins that are also in season around this time – more on that below.
Take an Autumnal stroll at a National Trust place
We love visiting National Trust properties all around the UK for days out in beautiful settings, exploring ruined abbeys, discovering historic houses, and walking the paths across sprawling country estates. We’ve written extensively about our favourite National Trust places to visit, from the best properties to see at Christmas time, to our top NT places in the South East. During Autumn each year, we make special visits to properties where the changing colours are most dramatic, for gorgeous vistas across golden woodlands.
Our favourite place to visit is Sheffield Park, Sussex, where the impressive gardens were planted specifically with the Autumn season in mind, and many of the tree species were carefully chosen to create the most spectacular Autumn display. The Autumn planting here has even received a Grade I listing! We love to take our time to stroll the paths around the lake, and on a bright day the colours reflect in the water, providing the perfect souvenir snapshot from your visit.
Dogs are welcome here on lead, so you can snap cute photos of your four-legged friends surrounded by the orange and yellow trees. Note that dogs are not permitted in the Park on Saturday mornings before 1pm, but are welcome at any other time. Autumn is by far the busiest time of year at Sheffield Park, and while pre-booking is not necessary, the car park may close early if it reaches capacity. Be sure to plan your visit in advance and arrive as early as possible to avoid being turned away.
In our hometown of Sevenoaks, Kent, Knole Park is another wonderful place to visit in Autumn. October marks the arrival of rutting season within the Park’s resident fallow deer herd, and you can book onto a Deer Rut Walk with the estate’s Park and Deer Keeper to learn more about the behaviour of the herd at this time, with hot drinks included to keep you warm!
Knole Park also have character trails for children to enjoy at this time of year, from patterned Gruffalo statues to Snowman sculptures – each designed by a different artist. We love to head up to Knole for these trails, trying to spot all of them before heading inside to the cafe to warm up over a cup of tea.
Aside from these seasonal events, the estate itself is so large that it makes the perfect place for an Autumnal stroll – pick up a hot drink at the cafe and enjoy a leisurely walk through the Autumn scenery along the Park’s many criss-crossing pathways. For those arriving by car, you must pre-book to visit Knole Park. Dogs are welcome throughout the Park but must be kept on lead due to the presence of deer throughout.
Over in Surrey, Winkworth Arboretum is home to a variety of tree and plant species that reach their peak at varying times throughout the Autumn season, so there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy the vibrant colours. For avid photographers, Winkworth hosts seasonal events where you can book to visit the Arboretum from 7.30am, 1.5 hours before it opens to the general public. Enjoy a calm and tranquil walk in nature, with uninterrupted views over the golden colours all around.
As with Sheffield Park, pre-booking to visit Winkworth Arboretum is not necessary, but the property is busier during peak Autumn season and half term. Dogs are welcome on lead in the Arboretum, cafe and shop, though note there is a designated dog-friendly area in the cafe.
Also in Surrey, Box Hill is a walker’s paradise and there are many woodland trails to enjoy here. From the viewpoint just a few minutes’ walk from the National Trust car park, you’ll be treated to spectacular Autumnal views across the Surrey Hills, and on a clear day you can see as far as Chanctonbury Ring 24 miles away on the South Downs.
We love to sit and take in the views here, before heading onto the Juniper Top trail which takes you through woodland and over elevated grassy plateaus for breathtaking scenery in the golden Autumn sunlight. Dogs are welcome off lead here, though be mindful of a few small road crossings. You can follow our Juniper Top circular walk, and download our easy-to-follow OS Map route, on our Box Hill walk page.
Find more National Trust places to explore this Autumn on our Autumn walks at the National Trust post.
Walk in Winnie the Pooh’s footsteps on the Ashdown Forest
No matter how many times we visit the Ashdown Forest, it still feels like a magical place and we find ourselves making the pilgrimage to all the Winnie the Pooh sites across the Forest. We love seeing the sweet nods to the loveable bear as we walk, and the places that inspired stories in the books. Whether you’re looking for a way to entertain your little ones, walking your dogs, or just want to feel like a big kid yourself, visiting the Winnie the Pooh sites across the Ashdown Forest is the perfect way to spend an Autumn day.
You can find our OS Map walking route on our Winnie the Pooh walk page, where you can download the route and see photos of each of the Winnie the Pooh sites. You’ll spot Piglet’s house and Pooh’s house tucked away in the woods, with a sweet mailbox stuffed with letters from visiting children, and the A. A. Milne memorial with a stunning viewpoint across the Autumn colours across the trees and bracken in the Forest.
A trip to Pooh Sticks Bridge is a must – we love to play the Pooh Sticks game here, spending ages hunting for the best sticks to win the race! After your walk, and endless rounds of Pooh Sticks, head into Hartfield to enjoy Winnie the Pooh themed food and drinks at Pooh Corner Cafe. The cafe is bursting with Winnie the Pooh memorabilia, and even the tablecloths and mugs feature Winnie the Pooh patterns! A well-earned cup of tea from a Winnie the Pooh-shaped teapot is the perfect way to end your day, plus dogs are welcome here.
To plan your Winnie the Pooh day out on the Ashdown Forest, you can find out more information on our Visiting Winnie the Pooh sites blog post, including how to get there and where to stay in the area.
Immerse yourself in history at Battle Abbey’s re-enactment event
Every year, around the date that the Battle of Hastings was fought (14th October) English Heritage stages a two-day event re-enacting the 1066 battle. Visitors are able to explore army encampments and meet Saxon and Norman soldiers, have a go at activities like archery and sword fighting, meet falconers and their birds of prey, and peruse historical delights at the market before the battle begins. With over 500 actors taking part in the re-enactment, the event is a glorious feast for the eyes and a fun day out for all ages, that only happens once a year!
We’re always in awe when we stand on the battlefield here, and it’s incredible to consider that you can walk on the actual site of such a historic battle – one that changed the course of the country forever.
Aside from the re-enactment and walking on the battlefield, you can also visit the ruins of Battle Abbey and the site of the church’s high altar, where a ceremonial stone has been laid on the spot where it’s said King Harold was killed. For those with children, it’s a fantastic half term day out. Plus, if you book in advance you can save 20% on the cost of your tickets.
Find out more about what to see at Battle Abbey, plus where to stay in the area, on our Visiting Battle Abbey blog post.
Get ready for Halloween on a Ghost Walk through Rye
Along the quaint cobbled streets in the historic town of Rye, tales of hauntings and restless spirits come to life on a Town Crier’s Ghost Walk. Beginning at dusk, the tour is lead by the town crier in his full regalia, carrying a lamp to set the spooky scene. You’ll be lead along narrow alleys, down Medieval lanes and into sites famous for their hauntings, even stopping in at The Mermaid Inn which is known for being one of England’s most haunted pubs.
Prepare for chilling tales of smugglers, ghostly monks, and shadowy figures wandering the streets, that are guaranteed to get you in the spooky mood for Halloween! The walks are a fascinating insight into Rye’s history and usually last around 2 hours. The walks are not recommend for children under 12 years old, so you know it’ll be spooky!! As most of the tour takes place outside, be sure to wrap up warm and wear comfortable shoes.
The Town Crier’s Ghost Walks run on select evenings between October – December, with extra dates around Halloween as it’s the most popular time for the tours. The walks sell out each year, especially around half term, so keep an eye on the Ghost Walk website and secure your tickets well in advance.
To add to your experience, you can book to stay on Mermaid Street just a few houses down from the Mermaid Inn. The House With Two Front Doors offers self-catering accommodation inside a 15th century house – a fantastic way to end your Ghost Walk in Rye, if you dare!
To follow our own favourite route around Rye town, head to our Rye Circular walk page.
Pick your own pumpkins at Goddenwick Farm
Another must-do Halloween activity to get you in the mood for cosy season. As we’ve mentioned, Castle Farm in Kent sell their own incredible selection of pumpkins and squashes, all of which are grown on site and harvested by hand. The produce is beautifully arranged in their picturesque courtyard, so you won’t have to trudge through muddy fields to find the perfect pumpkin.
Though for a true pick-your-own experience in a unique setting, we were so pleased to find Goddenwick Farm a few years ago, and it’s now the number one place we recommend to everyone looking to pick their own pumpkins for Autumn! Goddenwick Farm sprawls over 150 acres and is home to thousands of Christmas trees for the holiday season, but during Autumn they open up the fields as a pumpkin patch.
Fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas will love this place – the crossover between Halloween and Christmas makes it a truly Tim Burton-esque experience. We love heading through the cobweb-dressed pines, past the spookily-decorated house and tower of pumpkins to scour the patch for the perfect gourds and squashes to bring home for carving.
There’s also a spooky trail through the woodland, with quirky decorations and festoon lights strung through the branches. There’s so much to see in the woods that it’s spooky enough to be enticing but without being too scary for little ones to enjoy. There’s a cafe serving hot drinks to keep you warm on chilly Autumn days, plus on the weekend the barn Beer Hall opens up and you’ll be treated to tap beers, seasonal drinks and live music, as well as street food to fuel up after picking your pumpkins!
During your visit you can also say hello to the farm’s resident animals such as goats, donkeys and reindeer. It’s a fabulous place for children with so much to see, though we have to say as grown adults we enjoy a trip to Goddenwick Farm just as much!
The Autumn and Halloween season has become such a popular time of year at Goddenwick Farm that pre-booking is now the only way to visit the pumpkin patch – find out more on the Goddenwick Farm website.
Take a Colour Walk at Bedgebury Pinetum
Set within 350 acres of High Weald, Bedgebury National Pinetum is home to more than 12,000 trees and shrubs from across the world. This massive array of foliage peaks at different times over the Autumn season, meaning the landscape completely changes week by week.
Throughout October, Bedgebury hosts a series of Autumn Colour Walks with one of their expert guides sharing stories of the trees and the conservation work that goes into caring for this National Pinetum. More than just a celebration of the changing Autumn colours, these walks are an opportunity to discover the significance of the trees that surround us, while walking through the world’s largest conifer collection.
If you can’t make it to one of the guided walks, Bedgebury is still a fantastic place to visit during Autumn. Early in the season, Cherry Tree Avenue’s 111 great white cherry trees turn fiery shades of orange and red, creating a colourful tunnel that’s spectacular to walk along. In late Autumn, the dawn redwoods change to display copper red tones, and leaves on the beech trees turn into a golden glow.
Head to Marshal’s Lake in mid-late Autumn to enjoy one of Bedgebury’s most atmospheric places for viewing the changing colours. Trees around the water turn striking shades of rust, red and copper, contrasting with the darker greens of surrounding conifers, making for a fantastic photo opportunity as the variety of colours are reflected in the lake.
The paved, well-maintained paths at Bedgebury Pinetum make it an accessible place for everyone to enjoy, and there are way marked walking routes of varying lengths so you can tailor your walk to suit your day. We recommend wearing walking shoes or even wellies after periods of heavy rain, as you might like to head off paths to see some varieties of tree up close, or find the Gruffalo trail sculptures with little ones! During our most recent trip, we loved exploring the Pinetum with our little nephew, who was delighted each time we found a new sculpture from the Gruffalo books, and we got to experience the forest through his eyes.
Dogs are welcome on lead throughout the Pinetum, and can explore the wider forest trails off lead. After all your exploring, end your trip at the Bedgebury Cafe where you’ll find seasonal dishes, hot drinks and homemade cakes. The perfect way to relax and warm up after all your exploring!
See the New Forest pigs during pannage season
If you’re planning a trip to the New Forest in Autumn, you might glimpse a tradition that’s been taking place since the Medieval period. Pannage is an ancient practice used by New Forest Commoners, where livestock pigs are turned out into the Forest to eat fallen acorns and other nuts. Pigs can safely eat acorns as a large part of their diet, whereas excessive amounts of acorns and other nuts can be poisonous to ponies, dogs and cattle. Pannage is therefore an important part of the New Forest’s ecology, feeding the pigs, protecting other livestock, and gently turning the ground.
Pannage used to take place across the country, but now the New Forest is the only area that carries out the tradition, making it a rare sight to see. Around 200-600 pigs are turned out onto the Forest during pannage season, typically for 60 days between September and November. If there are large quantities of fallen acorns, the pannage season may be extended. For example, in the Autumn of 2020 the pigs stayed out for an additional 36 days!
Ironically for such a rare spectacle, it’s important not to go out specifically looking for the pigs. We have been very fortunate during our visits to the New Forest to come across the pigs when they’ve wandered into villages close-by (the first time was a true delight as we had no idea about pannage, or why the pigs were there!!).
If you do spot the pigs, it’s vital to keep your distance and admire them from afar – do not feed, stroke or approach them. They are doing important work on the Forest and, moreover, mothers with piglets will not be best pleased if you approach their young! For your own safety and the wellbeing of the pigs, be responsible, stand back and appreciate the animals from a safe distance as they carry out their work.
You can find out the exact dates of pannage season each year on the Forestry England website. If you don’t manage to spot the pigs during pannage, luckily it’s impossible to take a trip to the New Forest without seeing the New Forest ponies grazing throughout the area! With around 5,000 ponies wandering freely, and with Autumn colours all around, walking out on the New Forest at this time of year is a wonderful way to spend an Autumn day.
Find New Forest walking trails and download our OS Map routes on our Walks page.
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