Today I want to bring you A Lady in London’s guide to the best places to visit in the UK in autumn. There are a lot of great fall travel destinations in Britain and the next few months are perfect for discovering the best of the season.
Visiting the UK in Autumn
One of the best things about visiting the UK in autumn is that fewer people do it than in summer. You’ll benefit from sparser crowds while you travel, not to mention shoulder season travel deals and less traffic if you drive.
And if you’re concerned about the weather, don’t be. The British weather is unpredictable at the best of times, so you’re just as likely to encounter raindrops in June as in October.
If you have the right clothes and a good umbrella, you’ll be fine no matter the weather. My autumn packing list can help. If you’re in the UK, I also recommend this umbrella. If you’re in the US, this one is ideal.
If you love colorful leaves, it’s a great season to be in the UK. The timing of the autumn foliage changes each year, but the hues are usually at their best in late October and early November. You can check before you go to make sure.
Places to Visit in the UK in Autumn
So where should you travel? My list of places to visit in the UK in autumn comes from my own experiences. I’ve been to all the places on this list in autumn, and can personally attest to how great they are. If you go, I’m guessing you’ll agree.
1. The New Forest in Autumn
First on my list is the New Forest National Park. This wooded area in the south of the UK is one of the most beautiful places in England in fall. In fact, it’s one of the best places to travel in autumn in general.
The New Forest is full of everything from cozy pubs to the area’s signature ponies. The latter can be spotted all over the national park, and they’re exciting to come across on country walks.
The New Forest is perfect in fall because its heathland, woods, and glades turn bright with the season. It’s an amazing place to travel if you love the outdoors and autumn foliage.
Given its proximity to the UK capital, it’s an easy autumn day trip or weekend getaway from London, too.
2. Cotswolds in Autumn
Next on my list of the best places to visit in the UK in autumn is the Cotswolds. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is beautiful at any time, but a number of places come into their own in the fall.
The Westonbirt Arboretum is a great example. One of the most important of its kind in the UK, its trees burst with red, orange, and yellow hues in the autumn. It’s worth planning a trip to coincide with the season.
Beyond the leaves, autumn is a great time to be in the Cotswolds because the crowds are thinner than in peak season.
Places like Arlington Row in Bibury and the high street in Burford are much calmer than in summer, and Cotswolds villages like Painswick, Sapperton, and Upper Slaughter are ripe for visiting.
If you want to learn more, you can read about my autumn weekend in the Cotswolds and see photos of what the area looks like this season.
3. Nottingham in Autumn
In the Midlands, Nottingham is another of the best places to visit in the UK in autumn. This underrated city in Britain is home to Robin Hood lore and historic castles and streets.
Nottingham is a great place to visit for its beautiful buildings, heritage architecture, and fun shopping. It’s also home to one of the oldest pubs in England, the famous Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
Add to that Nottingham’s proximity to the legendary Sherwood Forest, which comes alive with fall colors this season, and it’s a great place to travel in autumn.
4. Pen Y Fan in Autumn
Out west, the Brecon Beacons National Park is one of my favorite places to visit in the UK in autumn. This area is beautiful for weekend breaks in Wales, and is the perfect spot to get into nature in Britain.
But if there’s one place I would go in the Brecon Beacons in fall, it’s Pen Y Fan. The highest peak in South Wales, it’s the perfect place to hike and a beautiful destination for getting outdoors this season.
Early autumn is the perfect time to summit Pen Y Fan, as the summer walking crowds are gone, the days are still long enough to get a big hike in, and the weather can be just right for a climb.
5. Yorkshire Dales in Autumn
Back in England, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is another of the top places to visit in the UK in autumn for great hikes, country walks, and challenging climbs.
The Yorkshire Dales are perfect for getting outdoors in autumn, as they’re less busy than in the summer and there’s a lot of picturesque scenery to take in.
From waterfalls to rock formations, this part of Britain has a lot going for it when it comes to aesthetics.
Whether you want to climb one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, meander along the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, or do a quick walk to Malham Cove, there’s something for every skill and ability level here.
6. Northumberland in Autumn
I included the Northumberland coast on my list of places to visit in the UK in summer, but I want to include the inland areas in my autumn list.
That’s not least because Northumberland’s natural beauty comes alive in autumn, and there are great places to see fall foliage and seasonal colors in this part of northern England.
One of my favorite places to travel in Northumberland in autumn is Cragside. This 19th-century country house is perched on a rocky hill and is surrounded by trees with beautiful leaves in fall.
Cragside also has over 30 miles (48 kilometers) of footpaths and trails, making it a great place to soak up the seasonal hues in autumn.
7. Penrhyn Castle in Autumn
Back in Wales, Penrhyn Castle is one of the ideal places to visit in the UK in autumn. If you love a good historic house, it’s the perfect one for you to visit this season. It also makes a great stop on a road trip in North Wales.
Built in the 19th century, Penrhyn Castle is a Victorian fantasy on the Welsh coast. From towers and turrets to gardens and museums, this most beautiful of castles in Wales is packed with things to explore.
Penrhyn Castle is just the house to visit in autumn because of the stunning vines that climb its walls. The red hues are spectacular and make for great photos.
8. Kent in Autumn
In southeast England, Kent is one of the best places to visit in the UK in autumn. This is not least because the vineyards and orchards around the county come alive with fall colors.
This area is famous for its drinks, and there’s great wine and cider tasting in Kent. From winery tasting rooms to cider producers’ cellar doors, there are lots of places to sip and savor in autumn surroundings this season.
Kent is also full of historic castles with grounds that come alive with the colors of autumn, so there’s a lot to see in the Garden of England in the coming months.
From Leeds Castle to Walmer Castle near Deal, there are plenty of historic fortresses where you can take in seasonal foliage.
9. Southern Scotland in Autumn
Up in Scotland, there are a lot of great places to visit along the border with England this season. From the Scottish Borders to the west coast, this part of Scotland comes alive with colors.
Whether you want to take a country walk in The Cheviots, visit the Jane Austen site of Gretna Green, or spend a day out visiting a home like Traquair House, the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland, there are lots of great things to do in southern Scotland in autumn.
While this under-the-radar part of the UK is never crowded with tourists, autumn is still a great time to visit for the seasonal colors relaxed pace of life.
10. Robin Hood’s Bay in Autumn
When it comes to the coast, Robin Hood’s Bay is one of the best places to visit in the UK in autumn. Not only is it one of the prettiest villages in Britain, but also one of the most beautiful places in the UK at this time of year.
Robin Hood’s Bay is great in autumn because the peak season crowds are gone, the village pubs are cozy for dinners by candlelight, and the coastal walks show off stunning seasonal scenery.
Add to that the fact that the narrow lanes winding their way up the hill from the waterfront are empty of people, and fall is the perfect time to travel here.
11. London in Autumn
I can’t help rounding out my list of the best places to visit in the UK in autumn with London. The UK capital is a great place to be this season, not least because there’s so much to see and do here.
Visiting London in autumn not only means sparser crowds than in summer, but also great seasonal scenery in places like Hyde Park. The leaves in Hampstead Heath in autumn are stunning, too.
There are lots of seasonal events in the UK capital in autumn as well. From October food festivals in London to Bonfire Night and the Lord Mayor’s Show, there’s something for everyone.
Add to that great colors for autumn walks in London and the prospect of exciting autumn day trips from London, and there are a lot of reasons to visit the city in fall.
Best Places to Visit in the UK in Autumn
I hope my list of the best places to visit in the UK in autumn has inspired you to travel in Britain in the fall. I fell in love with all these places and I have a feeling you will as well.
If you’re visiting later in the year and need more inspiration, take a look at my list of the best places to visit in the UK in winter, too. Happy travels!
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I’ve visited London in autumn before and it’s so lovely – just as you say, Hyde Park and Hamstead Heath – so beautiful! Even just the smaller Green Park – I remember people sitting and playing in the lovely coloured leaves and taking photos of each other. 😀
That’s great!
Dear Lady in London,
Would you recommend a tourism agent/agency that can do all these places in one trip? I’m going to England with my husband on September and would love to know the places you’ve mentioned. We have time, will stay until mid October.
Thanks and best wishes,
Zelia
Thanks! I do that kind of planning. Please see the Travel Planning Services page of my blog for information on how I can help you.