How to celebrate Autumn in England

Autumn is without a doubt our favourite time of year in England. Long Summer days give way to cosy early nights, falling leaves cover countryside footpaths in a palette of brown, orange and red, and the end of school holidays signifies the return of spontaneous mini breaks where you can enjoy fewer crowds and a more peaceful atmosphere. Read on as we share some of our favourite ways to make the most of the Autumn months in England.

Pumpkin picking

Heading to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch always conjures up memories of childhood for me, back when the pumpkins were as big as I was! Last year we were delighted to stumble upon a true gem at Goddenwick Farm. Sprawling over 150 acres, this West Sussex farm is home to thousands of Christmas trees for the festive season, but in the Autumn the owners turn the fields into a pick-your-own pumpkin patch! We loved heading through the cobweb-dressed pines, past spooky houses and towers of gourds to scour the patch for the perfect pumpkins. If you’re close to Sussex, head to the Goddenwick Farm website for this season’s visiting information.

The popularity of pumpkin picking has exploded in the past few years, as farms across the country set up Instagram-worthy photo opportunities and aesthetic props to entice a range of visitors, from couples and dog owners to families with little ones. Find a pick-your-own patch that’s local to you and take the whole family, including your four-legged friends! Check out our blog post for ways to celebrate Halloween with your dogs!

Visit a tourist hot spot off peak

While alfresco dining on Lake Windermere or swimming in the sea at Durdle Door are gorgeous ways to spend a sunny Summer day, heading to popular tourist spots off peak in the Autumn lets you see them in a completely different light. Gone are the ice cream vans with queues around the block, gone are the overflowing car parks at every point of interest throughout the country, and say goodbye to seemingly endless traffic along winding country roads adding hours to your journey.

Travelling through England in Autumn is an entirely different experience as you’re able to enjoy popular places at a slower pace, without battling your way through crowds. There’s nothing like visiting the Cotswolds in Autumn for the tranquility of the sleepy villages with their ivy-covered cottages, or heading north to the Lake District and having the hiking trails and mountain views all to yourself. If you’ve never been to these hot spots outside of Summer, take some time to appreciate them at a slower pace this Autumn.

Book a cosy stay

No Autumn adventure in England would be complete without finding the perfect cosy stay. Over our years of travel, we’ve stayed at our fair share of snuggly accommodation in the Autumn months, as we seek out Hygge holidays. From a secluded woodland cabin in the Lake District, to a hand-crafted Roundhouse in the Norfolk countryside complete with log-burning stove and king-sized bed, there are so many unique places to snuggle up this Autumn. After a long day of exploring the English countryside, there’s nothing better than retreating to the comfort of a cottage or shepherd’s hut and cosying up with a cuppa and a good book – even better if October drizzle gently taps against the windows while you keep warm inside.

Apple picking

A cottagecore activity for a fresh Autumnal day! Fruit picking orchards, like pick-your-own pumpkin patches, have exploded in popularity in recent years. One of our favourites is at Castle Farm in Shoreham, Kent, where they are the only commercial grower of the Norfolk Royal. Colloquially known as the ‘Disney apple’, these are gorgeous and bright red, with a shiny skin that becomes waxy as the fruit matures. Bring a basket or tote bag with you and take your time choosing your apples as you wander through the trees. This experience is about slowing down and appreciating the quiet that Autumn brings. Once you’ve found your fruit, slowly twist the apple from the branch and let it gently come free. Once you’ve enjoyed your walk through the orchard, head to the Farm Shop to admire the gourds and pumpkins that are now in season, and quite a sight in their meticulously arranged pyramids. While the quaint farm shop is open throughout the year, the apple-picking orchard is only open to the public for a short time in the Autumn – check the Castle Farm website for more information about visiting. If you’re not local to Kent, find a local farm near you to and see if they offer apple picking in the Autumn. Adults and little ones alike will enjoy an afternoon of picking fruit and visiting a quintessentially English farm shop – even better if you can make a sweet treat with your haul (more on that below!).

Go for Autumn walkies

The soggy paths and muddy fields that Autumn brings can leave some dog owners feeling resentful of the colder days, but there’s something wonderful about getting out early for walkies on a crisp, misty morning when there’s a magical feeling of stillness in the air. Take Autumn as an opportunity to tread new paths in your wellies and let your pooch sniff their way through piles of leaves, and splash in big puddles! It’s a great time for a seasonal photoshoot too, when the trees are changing colour and footpaths are quieter, so your dog can focus on showing you their good side (isn’t that every side of a dog?!). Even if everyone gets muddy, there’s nothing a good bath and towel dry can’t fix. Take inspiration from our Walks pages to find your next favourite place for walkies throughout England and the rest of the UK.

Bake seasonal treats

It’s no secret that we both love to cook, and Suze loves to bake – especially a cute, sweet treat with a seasonal twist! If it’s just too chilly outside and you’d rather swap your scarf and wellies for pjs and slippers, spending an afternoon whipping up a seasonal meal or dessert is the best way to lean into cosy Autumn vibes at home. At the end of Summer, we swap our fresh salad lunches for homemade vegetable soups, and spend the dark afternoons bringing warmth into the kitchen as we craft spiced curries and slow-cooked dishes for dinners. For dessert, our go-to Autumn treat is cinnamon apple cookies made with fresh apple cubes (all the more delicious if we’ve picked them ourselves) and a finishing touch of maple syrup icing. Closer to Halloween, we love to make ghost-shaped biscuits or peppermint creams for an easy and fun snack on an October day. Get creative and enjoy the process as well as the result, as anything with cinnamon or pumpkin spice will help get you in the mood for the change in season. For those with dogs, The Kennel Club have a list of Halloween recipes to make spooky dog treats at home, from Ghost Fancies to Halloween Pupcakes!

Admire colour-changing trees and spooky English properties

Up and down the country there are thousands of historic estates to discover, and while Spring and Summer sees throngs of visitors rushing through the doors to make the most of the long, sunny days, Autumn brings a calm atmosphere meaning you can explore at leisure. Visiting Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire was one of our Autumn highlights last year, where the deep orange sunset lit up the Abbey’s chequered stones at dusk and cast ominous shadows throughout the ruins of this Gothic monastery. Whitby Abbey also inspired Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula, making it an essential place of pilgrimage for Halloween lovers.

From dark shadows to brilliant colours, the spectacular display of trees at the National Trust’s Sheffield Park, East Sussex, attracts thousands of visitors each year who are all eager to admire the gorgeous hues of orange, red and gold. We advise booking in advance and arriving as early as possible to avoid missing out on seeing this stunning property in its most enchanting season. If you can’t make it to Sussex, however, there are hundreds of National Trust properties across England that come alive in the Autumn. Stourhead in Wiltshire boasts a picturesque lakeside walk where you’ll discover classical temples and enticing grottoes amongst the orange trees. In Somerset, Glastonbury Tor rewards visitors for a steep climb with incredible views of the surrounding countryside, made all the more beautiful in the quiet Autumn air. The towering Tor atop the hill provides shelter on rainy days, and is a calm and spiritual place to sit and admire the 360 degree views.