If you’re based in the U.K, it’s currently difficult to plan travels for the upcoming months. Countries are being added to the quarantine list constantly, throwing travel plans up in the air and making travelling abroad an unattractive prospect. Now is the perfect time to explore your own country, planning adventures via road or rail that won’t require quarantining when you return home. Not only can you take the chance to explore what is on your own doorstep, but now is the best time to get out there and admire the fiery autumnal landscapes. Here are our top suggestions for British staycations this autumn.
The Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the most magical places in the U.K, offering dramatic landscapes similar to those that you would find in Iceland, New Zealand or North America. Autumn is one of the best times to visit, when the summer visitor and the plagues of midges have dropped away and the landscape is ablaze with autumnal colours. Relentless rain and misty skies just add to the cosy ambience – plan to snuggle up indoors in front of a roaring fire following a day of hiking and sightseeing.
The Kent Coast
Escape London for a getaway on the Kent coast, visiting dreamy villages and traditional seaside towns. Visit Deal for a picturesque coastal town with plenty of interesting boutiques, staying in the beautifully designed Rose Hotel. Dungeness is an essential visit for anyone interested in architecture with its iconic modernist houses located on the seashore. Margate is perfect if you love independent shops, cafes and bars, with additional attractions including Dreamland, the Shell Grotto and the Turner Contemporary. If you’re looking for autumn colours, head to Scotney Castle or Knole Park.
The Wye Valley
The Wye Valley, spanning three counties in England and Wales, is one of the most beautiful places in the U.K during the autumn months. Head to the ancient Forest of Dean for spectacular displays of fall foliage, making sure you visit Symonds Yat for breath-taking views. Head to the nearby Brecon Beacons for rewarding hikes and mountainous scenery, then retreat to the pretty town of Hay-on-Wye to browse its countless famous bookshops.
The Lake District
Located in the north-west of England, the Lake District National Park is particularly beautiful during the autumn months. When the autumn leaves are at their peak, the views of the lakes surrounded by towering peaks and rust-coloured trees are spectacular. This is the perfect landscape for anyone who loves hiking or water sports, but there are also plenty of luxurious hotels and glamping sites for anyone who prefers admiring the scenery from the comfort of a hot tub. Spend your day exploring and photographing the landscapes, before locating a quaint country pub for a warming meal.
Somerset
Cosy up among the rolling Somerset hills for a relaxing getaway visiting the local orchards. This area of England is known for its cider, and autumn is the best time of year to visit the orchards, take a tour of the cider cellars and sit outdoors sampling the local produce. Visit Stourhead in Wiltshire the beautiful landscaped gardens with the trees displaying their fiery leaves, and pay a visit to the Somerset Levels to watch the mist roll in over the flat landscape, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Emma Lavelle is a UK based writer and photographer and has her own blog Field and Nest.
