Cosy Autumn Getaways in the UK

Our summers can be temperamental, but there’s no doubt that the UK excels when it comes to cosy autumn staycations. As autumn rolls in and the leaves on the trees turn golden, as a nation we collectively 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. With ongoing uncertainty about holidays abroad, campfires under the stars, crisp forest air and cosy log cabins sound like an appealing alternative. 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 ever-changing hues of the leaves, varying from rich gold and fiery red to forest green, while foraging for mushrooms and searching for signs of wildlife. The New Forest National Park, covering parts of Hampshire and Dorset, 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. While you’re there, hunt for the Queen of the Forest, the largest oak to grace the woodland with a girth of 7.4 metres! The icing on the cake, top it all off with a stay at a cosy cottage in 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 jumpers, 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, or get your seafood fix at Gurneys Fish Shop in Burnham Market.

Book a city break

Often too stiflingly hot and busy in warmer seasons, the UK’s cities are much more suited to autumn staycations than summer breaks. The best part is, you can be inside as much or as little as you like. If it’s raining, dive into a museum or shop ‘til you drop. Sun shining? Spend the morning strolling the city streets before picnicking in a local park. 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!

Get the best of both worlds

Can’t decide whether you want to spend your autumn staycation strolling city streets or retreating into nature? Luckily, you don’t have to choose. Many cities in the UK are perfectly positioned next to national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, offering the perfect fusion of rural and urban. Take Sheffield, for example. Swimming in history and with a developing arts and culture scene, it also sits on the doorstep of the Peak District, inviting you to spend your days hiking a portion of the Pennine Way, soaking up the beautiful scenery. Enjoy lunch in a cosy rural pub before returning to Sheffield 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. The Danish have a good word for this: hygge. It’s that feeling of comfort and cosiness that arises when it’s stormy outside and you’re wrapped up warm and dry with the ones you love. Hygge and autumn truly are a match made in heaven.