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Travel: Staycation

Cosy Autumn Getaways in the UK

Our summers may be temperamental, but there’s no doubt that the UK excels when it comes to cosy autumn staycations. With ongoing uncertainty about holidays abroad, campfires under the stars, crisp forest air and cosy log cabins sound like an appealing alternative.

As autumn rolls in and the leaves on the trees turn golden, collectively we roll up our polo necks, dust off our welly boots and prepare for a season of cosy campfires and walking in the woods.

It’s hard not to love autumn; a lovely transitory period between summer and winter, it’s the perfect time to explore the great outdoors without worrying about getting too hot or too cold. Tempted? Here are just a few ideas for autumn getaways to get you started.

Get lost in the woods

It goes without saying, one of the best places to find – and lose – yourself in autumn is inside our country’s dense woodland. Admire the everchanging hues of the leaves, varying from rich gold and fiery red to forest green, while searching for signs of wildlife.

The New Forest National Park is one of the best forests to experience this. The red, orange and yellow leaves contrast beautifully against the backdrop of open heath and moorland. After a long walk, retreat into a cosy cottage at one of the New Forest’s local villages, complete with a wood stove fire.

Stroll along empty beaches

Anyone who argues that our beaches are just for summer hasn’t been to the right beach in the UK’s shoulder season. Swap swimming shorts for jeans and amble along a blustery beach that – if you’re lucky – you could have almost entirely to yourself.

Holkham beach in Norfolk was made for autumn strolls. This striking expanse of sand still manages to feel stark and unspoilt, despite being a worldrenowned filming destination. Watch the waves crash against the shoreline before warming up afterwards with lunch at the Victoria Inn, known for its locally grown ingredients.

Book a city break

Often stiflingly hot and busy in warmer seasons, the UK’s cities are much more suited to autumn staycations than summer breaks. Bath’s famous spa culture makes it perfect for this kind of holiday. You can wallow in the city’s outdoor, naturally heated Thermae Spa, whatever the weather. In fact, the colder it is outside, the cosier you feel!

Can’t decide whether you want to spend your staycation soaking up city sights or retreating into nature? Many cities in the UK, like Sheffield, are perfectly positioned next to areas of outstanding natural beauty, offering the perfect fusion of rural and urban. Sheffield sits on the doorstep of the Peak District, inviting you to spend your days hiking and eating in cosy rural pubs, before returning to the centre to sample some of the city’s famous ale.

Treat yourself to a little luxury

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, it just matters where you call home. And what better place to call home for a week than a gorgeous log cabin, complete with a firepit, king-size bed and steaming hot tub?

From luxury lochside lodges in the Scottish Highlands to gorgeous beach cabins right on Cornwall’s world-famous sands, there’s nowhere better to escape the daily grind. Spend the day exploring your surroundings before retreating to your luxury lodge for board games, drinks around the fire and a late-night dip in the Jacuzzi.