Now that restrictions have lifted, we can venture back out into the wild (hooray!). If foreign travel is still a little tricky, now is a great time to get to know the homeland.
Summer may be on its way out, but the UK offers some fantastic hotspots for autumn getaways where you can snuggle up inside cosy old pubs and don a pair of our boots for a few brisk, autumnal walks.
Coast to Coast
Forget Point-to-Point, from coast to coast Britain lays claim to some of the best seaside escapes and autumn is often the best time to visit. For example, in Devon and Cornwall, the sea is actually at its warmest in October, making it the ideal time of year for surfing and bodyboarding, if that’s your bag.
Otherwise, the UK’s coastal paths, from the Jurassic Coast in the south up to the Durham Heritage Coast have shed the tourists by autumn and make for exhilarating, windswept walks. What’s great is that these paths usually don’t require you to be a serious hiker with all the gear. In fact, we’ve seen people walk parts of them in flip flops, though we wouldn’t recommend it…! Our robust yet comfortable boots are a good shout for coastal wanderings. Flat and sturdy, they can cope with uneven pathways and down on the beach they’re long and water-resistant enough to keep your feet dry and sand-free (as long as you’re not using them to go wading in!).
Small Town Charm
There’s a reason foreigners flock to Britain’s quaint villages and market towns, so let’s make the most of them ourselves - and autumn is the ideal time of year. Why go abroad in search of sun when traditional, 14th-century inns with open fires and roasts beckon? You can meander through the streets of these towns for miles without even noticing (that is, unless you’re not in the right footwear - a pair of our premium-quality boots always ensure leisurely, comfortable strolls.).
Some of the country's prettiest villages can be found in The Cotswolds and its Roman capital, Cirencester, has daily market stalls to be perused and historical laneways to be explored. The spas in historical Bath and Buxton will help warm the cockles as the chilly evenings draw in. Or, in the lead up to Halloween, why not linger in some of the mysterious rural towns of Suffolk, famous for their timber-framed houses and history of witchcraft.
Autumn Leaves
One of the great treasures of autumn in the UK is, of course, the changing of the leaves.
We recommend exploring the woodland in magical places like Westonbirt Arboretum, famous for its colourful autumn foliage (and then you can stay in the nearby, ridiculously quaint town of Tetbury while you’re there). Or, further north, in the valleys of The Lake District are spectacular views across the lakes with backdrops of golds, reds and browns. Thirlmere Reservoir is a lesser-known, but no less beautiful spot to visit - the area that surrounds the lake boasts striking foliage in autumn as well as secret pools, pathways and waterfalls.
These are just a few of our recommendations but the UK’s autumn offerings are endless. So book your Airbnb, pack your bags (and your boots!) and get out there.