Autumn is here!

It is safe to say autumn is definitely here! 🍂 With the weather getting a little bit colder, and the leaves falling, it’s a pretty nice time to explore the beautiful UK countryside before the inevitably bad weather. However, with the leaves changing colour it is also a great time to see the British countryside, so we thought we would put together a few ideas for autumn staycations in the UK in some of the most beautiful areas 🇬🇧

The Lake District

The Lakes are famous for its mountains, lakes and quaint towns, all of which make a beautiful backdrop for autumn staycations in the UK.  The area is known for being the home of Beatrix Potter, Kendal Mint Cake 🎂and Honister Slate Mine, the last working mine in England. As the largest national park in the UK, the geography of the area is so unique, it would be a shame to not explore this vast landscape!  In 2018, the area was officially marked as the UK’s biggest UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Ullswater, the ribbon lake formed from the last ice age, that is often compared to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, to Windermere, the largest natural lake in the UK, and the setting of many books, TV shows, films and even video games 🕹

The entire area offers a range of activities, from taking a cruise on Lake Windermere, to a visit to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere, the setting where Beatrix wrote the stories of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-duck 🐰Take a trip to Grasmere to see Dove Cottage, the home of Romantic poet William Wordsworth, and try some Grasmere gingerbread whilst you’re there 🍪And if you want to go way back in time, head to Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of Britain’s oldest stone circles dating back 5,000 years!

Lake Windermere against a stunning sunset

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond, located in The Trossachs, is the perfect Scottish weekend getaway with plenty of options  for everyone! The area is the perfect place for long walks to see the highland cattle and deer that roam the area 🦌The area is famous for it’s lochs, most notably Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine. Loch Katrine is the home of the SS Sir Walter Scott, the only surviving screw steamer in regular passenger service in Scotland, providing pleasure cruises and a ferry service for more than a century ⚓️Loch Lomond itself contains over 30 islands wow 😲

Explore the water, then discover the land itself! Visit the grave of Rob Roy Macgregor, the red haired famous Scottish outlaw at Balquhidder Church, or play golf in the 10 (!!) golf courses in the Trossachs area ⛳️ In addition, visit Doune Castle, originally built in the 13th century, well known for being featured in tv and film such as Game of Thrones, Outlander and Monty Python and The Holy Grail. 🏰And of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Scotland without whisky! Taste the local whisky at Deanston Distillery, a former cotton mill that is now the only distillery in Scotland self sufficient in electricity. 🥃

Whisky barrels at Deanston Distillery during a tour

The Cotswolds

If you’re looking for a classic British weekend then look no further! The Cotswolds is seen by many as one of the most ‘quintessentially’ English regions. The biggest of the 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK, covering almost 800 square miles, and running through five counties  (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire) it’s easy to spend a weekend here with so much to do! A visit to Kelmscott Manor, the home of William Morris, the British textile designer, spend an afternoon at the spa (there are plenty of options in the area!) or explore Highgrove Gardens, part of the private estate of Prince Charles.

And if you’re interested in a weekend celeb/royalty spotting this is definitely the place for you!  The area has a strong history with the Royal Family, with several of the members living in The Cotswolds 👑In addition, many British celebrities have homes there such as Kate Moss, Liz Hurley, Alex James and Damien Hirst.

Quintessentially English Bibury Village in the Cotswolds

We hope you have some inspiration to escape for an autumn weekend staycation in the beautiful British countryside!