What’s not to love about autumn? Golden hues line the streets, it’s finally acceptable to wear layers upon layers upon layers of clothing, scarves are back in, pumpkin spiced lattes are just hitting the high street, spending four hours in the bath is no longer frowned upon, the craziness of the summer holidays is finally over and EVERYWHERE you go in the UK is an Insta-dream. *HOORAY*
This is the season to be selfish and indulge in all of your favourite things. The off-peak season is the PERFECT time to travel as the hordes of crowds are no more; you do you hun and revel in the simple serenity of autumnal bliss. But, where are you going to go? These are a few of our favourite places to visit at this time of year if you’re looking for a little inspo…
Quite frankly there isn’t a bad time of year to visit the Cotswolds; it’s insanely beautiful in every season, but autumn is our personal favourite. Cosy tea rooms, crunchy leaf-lined woodland walks, roaring fires in the local pubs and cottages: it’s everything an autumn obsessive could ask for. If you’re the kind of person who plans their adventures around the Instagrammability, this is the place for you. In particular, we’d recommend visiting...
- Painswick Rococo Gardens for classic Cotswolds countryside aesthetics.
- Blenheim Palace for culture, cake and stunning gardens.
- Westonbirt Arboretum for gorgeous golden leaves and magnificent trees.
Beautiful places to stay nearby:
Swift Cottage Weavers Cottage Earl Grey Cottage
Find the most Instagram-worthy escapes to the Cotswolds in our collection.
The New Forest National Park undertakes a dramatic transformation with the change of season from early September, as the forest becomes a scene out of a fairytale. The heather sprouts vibrant pinks and purples while the tree canopies adopt rich red and gold hues, and then, fascinating fungi litter the floor with red-capped mushrooms that you may have only seen in illustrations forming one of the most distinctive features. Be sure to take a trip to...
- Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary for wonderful wildlife and magical moments.
- Exbury Gardens for fabulous flowers and eclectic garden displays.
- The New Forest Walking Festival, for trails, rambles, alpaca walks, fungi trails and more!
Beautiful places to stay nearby:
Beaulieu River View Gilpin House Dunes - Mudeford
Find a place to spend your long weekends in the New Forest.
Dartmoor - for the wanderer
Dartmoor’s gorges, waterfalls and valleys erupt into colour in autumn, with November being famed as the most beautiful time in the area. With an array of nature reserves and gardens to explore, along with the abundance of wildlife, there’s a special kind of joy that comes with wandering Dartmoor for a day or three, finishing off your adventures with a little pub grub by the fire. We would recommend visiting...
- Lydford Gorge White Lady Waterfall for breathtaking views.
- Hembury Woods for strolls through the artful ancient woodland.
- Castle Drogo Gardens for immersing yourself in historic glory and wandering down the pretty pathways.
Beautiful places to stay nearby:
Staddon House Three Hares Cottage Cliff House
Discover Dartmoor from one of our Devon cottages.
Snowdonia - for the thrill seeker
North Wales is known as the ‘adventure capital of the UK’ and here you can see the sights at speed as you glide through the sky on a zip wire at Zip World, explore the natural beauty of the National Park on foot or bicycle and visit the magic of the local gardens and attractions. A few must-visits while you’re there include...
Beautiful places to stay nearby:
Tailor's Cottage Damselfly Lodge Little Manor
Take a look at our portfolio of accommodation in Snowdonia.
If you’re in search of a getaway to a peaceful and serene location this season, then the Lake District is a fabulous option. Think meandering rivers, rippling lakes, gorgeous gardens, and plenty of quaint cafes, pubs and restaurants for you to hide away and rejuvenate. This is the kind of location where you can break up with your phone and not even miss it: THE place to be for a digital detox. Make sure you check out:
- Brantwood Estate and Gardens for unique gardens spanning from the lakeshore to the high open fellside.
- High Close Arboretum, Langdale, for 11 acres of tranquillity in the trees.
- Dodd Wood, Bassenthwaite, for a plethora of walking trails peppered with rare wildlife and golden hues.
Beautiful places to stay nearby:
Wharton House Mews The Woodsman Cabin Mountain View Cottage
Find your short break in the Lake District.
Yorkshire - for the food connoisseur
If you’re in search of that autumnal aesthetic paired with the best places to eat, Yorkshire offers the perfect balance of both. With six Michelin-star restaurants and countless other much-loved eateries dotted throughout the region, we assure you that you’ll be fabulously fuelled on your travels (and the sights are a bonus too, right?) On the picturesque part of your travel itinerary, we’d suggest visiting…
- The Yorkshire Dales for mesmerising autumnal scenes and wide open spaces.
- Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens for interactive galleries and kitchen garden inspiration.
- Aysgarth Falls to walk in the footsteps of literary heroes such as Wordsworth and on famous film sets like Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.
Beautiful places to stay nearby:
Coopers Cottage Churra The Stables Slingsbury
Browse our selection of luxury cottages in Yorkshire.
Perthshire - for the over-planner
Scotland as a whole in autumn is a wonder and everyone should see it at least once in their lives. Perthshire has one of the most magical leaf displays in the UK, as voted by Lonely Planet, so you know this is a legit recommendation. You’ll want to see ALL the sights on your visit, that’s why this is one for the well-organised amongst us who love to plan. Ensure that these top three spots make it onto your itinerary...
- Lady Mary’s Walk for long walks beneath the canopy of oak, beech, lime and sweet chestnut trees.
- Enchanted Forest for captivating light and sound shows in the mystical woodland.
- The Hermitage for mesmerising kaleidoscopic colours reflected in the river’s rapids.
Beautiful places to stay nearby:
Ducklings Rest Grand View The Hot Toddy Hideaway
Explore our full collection of Scottish cottages.
If that’s not inspired you to get away then we don’t know what will! Wherever you travel this season, be sure to share your adventures with us on Instagram using #myhappyhideaway!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.