Shane loves the outdoors and travels around the UK visiting and reviewing all the top attractions.
Judging by the weather, I’d say it’s time to say a fond farewell to summer. With the torrential rain and rapid winds, the hottest time of year is officially over, and it was a nice 4-week period, wasn’t it? (At least, I think that’s the total amount of time we had ‘summer weather’, but, hey, this is Britain after all.) As the evenings slowly become darker and the air becomes bitter, you know one thing… Winter is coming.
However, Autumn is coming first. With piles of fallen leaves coating the ground, vibrant reds and soft yellows colouring the streets and the smell of pumpkin spice permeating the air, Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Close enough to winter to not feel guilty about putting the central heating on, but this season is still one of the last opportunities to get outside in less than 5 layers of clothing.
To take full advantage of the still mild(ish) weather, we’ve put together a list of autumnal things to do in the UK, before winter arrives and chills you to the bone.
This is our list of top 5 Autumn Outings.
Located in Kent, this 13th century moated castle was once Anne Boleyn’s childhood home. From October 1st, visitors to Hever will be free to roam the grounds of the beautiful castle and marvel at the vivid seasonal colours. With beautiful gardens and a unique splashing water maze, Hever Castle is a sight to behold in Autumn. The beautiful Boston Ivy, that scales the side of the castle, turns a vibrant red making the castle and its grounds, beautifully photogenic.
For more information, visit Hever Castle’s website, by clicking HERE.
The 17th century country house, is one of the landmarks of what people believe to be an example of a typical English country home. Located in the countryside of Grantham, in Lincolnshire, in Autumn, the history of the house comes alive in the gardens and surrounding landscape. Visitors can only imagine how past residents may have wandered the grounds in Autumn amongst nature’s vibrant colours.
Visit Belton House’s website for more info, just click HERE.
Hole Park Gardens, situated in Rolvenden, Kent, is one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, especially in Autumn. The gardens light up with the colours of autumn, making this a visual experience that is unforgettable. Wander freely around the 16-acres of grounds, exploring through the seasonal colours of Autumn and even find a new sculpture carved out of an old oak tree.
Click HERE for more information.
Offering a family walk around one of their beautiful nature trails, Savill Garden in Windsor is an unmissable sight to see in autumn. Whilst walking through the beautiful grounds and park, visitors can view the famous maple trees and cherries that grow there. See the wildlife in the Deer Park as in Autumn it is rutting season, when stags lock antlers. This beautiful and exciting display of nature and wildlife is not to be missed in this colourful season.
For more information, click HERE.
A vibrant mix of heritage and ecology, Hornchurch Country Park is a sight to see in Autumn. The country park is packed full of natural beauty and varied wildlife, in the autumn, the crisp air coats the ground and the fallen leaves paint the landscape, making the country park very photo moment worthy. Accompanied with a visitor’s centre full of fun activities and information, Hornchurch Country Park is an ideal day out, this Autumn.
For more information on the park, please click HERE.
Keep your eyes fixed on our events page for more upcoming Autumn and seasonal days out, coming in the near future. For more walks through nature and other Autumny things, search for the ideal day out near you, on our Days Out page.
Parents across the country are breathing a sigh of relief, for this Monday was the first day back at school. Time to turn over your ‘little angels’ to the hands of the educational system for another six weeks, before they are returned just in time for half term. Although it was a delight having them around every day, seven days a week, for the entire school holiday, an air of calm has arrived in your home. Until 3pm at least…
It’s good to spend time together but detachment is just as healthy as attachment, and lord knows you need/deserve some time apart. So, kick back, call a baby-sitter or nan and run for the door. You owe yourself an outing after enduring an entire summer with your kids.
To narrow your search, although I’m pretty sure you’d take anything to get away for just one day, we’ve compiled a list of Adults Only days out across the country, to celebrate the return to school.
‘Get me a drink’
The best secret a parent can tell you about how to handle children in summer, is to soothe yourself with a drink or five after a ‘fun’ packed day. The loose term ‘fun’ applies to your children’s amusement as opposed to your own, although I’m sure we all love crawling on our knees and touching sticky surfaces, no? There’s lots of things to do revolving around drinking in a more social setting than your home. If you fancy a bit of problem solving accompanied with a gin, I’ve got just the thing for you. And no, I’m not talking about having a drink whilst you help with your kids’ Maths homework.
LockedIn The Distillery – Pickering Gin Distillery
In this exclusive experience unlike any other, team up with a group of up to five friends to foil the plot against the distillery, as someone is planning to destroy it, along with the gin! (oh god, not the gin). The Edinburgh based experience is unique and is perfect way to enjoy a gin and act like the children you’ve worked so hard to get away from. For more information, click HERE.
Wine Tour - Yorkshire Heart Vineyard & Brewery
‘This? This is grown-up grace juice, you can’t have any.’ If you’ve always wanted to know how your favourite ‘parenting aid’ is made, head to Yorkshire Heart Vineyard & Brewery. For a mere £15 a head, in a group of 6 or more, you can enjoy a tour round the vineyard and even an accompanied wine tasting. The vast countryside, beautiful scenery and remote location makes this vineyard an ideal get away from home and/or your children (and a good excuse to drink huge quantities of wine). Click HERE for prices and more info.
‘A bit of relaxation and culture’
Now, remember that time you had to leave that quiet place or gallery because you’re precious one was crying due to the fact he/she was tired, hungry, wet or all three? The beauty of having children is that as they become older, you can pass the responsibility to nurseries/relatives/schools/babysitters, so you can unwind and soak in some culture. Meaning, that museum or gallery you’ve wanted to wander around without the nagging ‘can we leave?’ in your ear is finally possible. That spa trip you need can be taken whilst the kids are at school, is now possible. All thanks to Mr or Mrs. *insert teacher name*.
Modern & Contemporary Art - Halcyon Gallery
Halcyon is defined by the Oxford dictionary – ‘a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful’ i.e. a pre-child filled summer. The Halcyon Gallery allows you, however temporarily, to enjoy that peace once more, while you look at some of the finest works of modern and contemporary art from around the globe. Founded in 1982 and located in Mayfair, you can take in some world renown artists’ work as well as viewing the works of emerging artists. It might give you a new perspective on the finger painting on the fridge (oh, it’s a butterfly? I thought it was an unrecognisable blob...). For more information on exhibitions and the venue, click HERE.
Pampering Days – Oceana Day Spa
When it’s all too much and can’t quite get rid of the feeling of ice cream stuck to your skin and hair, you need to be cleansed of the summer. You need a spa day and a long one at that. Luckily, the Oceana Day Spa, located in Bournemouth, has every treatment you need to ease your tension. Bring balance to your mind and body, with a wide array of treatments to soothe the soul in a relaxing setting. For a list of treatments and additional information about the spa, click HERE.
‘Sing and Laugh it off’
Laughter is the best medicine, and let’s face it, probably better than drinking Night Nurse just to get some sleep… They say that laughing once a day could make your life span longer, so that you can live to see your little ones become successes, then cash in on that sweet nursing home, reminding them of all the times you looked after/paid for them.
Stand Up Comedy – The Stand
Now whilst some people may enjoy the simplistic humour behind CBeebies, I’m afraid it’s not for everyone. I mean, when was the last time you heard a good dirty joke without having to cover a little person’s ears? Sometimes, you just need to just be in the company of adults, hearing another adult tell adult jokes that aren’t suitable for non-adults (I don’t think I said adult enough times).
Situated in Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Stand has a whole host of comedy events on every night. The Newcastle venue, being the newest addition to the family opened in 2011. The club promises to have you in stitches and not the kind of pain you get post ‘running after a rogue toddler’. The Stand promises not to disappoint, providing all visitors with an evening full of fun and laughs in high supply. For more information, click HERE.
Karaoke – Lucky Voice
When you feel close to chucking that ‘Now That’s What I Call Kids Music’ CD out the window (and then remember the music is downloaded to your phone, damn technology). While wishing that you could reverse roles and scream your favourite song at the top your lungs, well now you can. By no means a new invention, karaoke is a great way to sing away your summer blues and have a drink or two whilst doing it (Dutch courage and all). Lucky Voice is a swanky karaoke/cocktail bar with many locations up and down the UK. With over 8000 songs to choose from, you can sing the night away in the company of friends in a private room or go full Rockstar and imitate the last concert you saw (The Wiggles: Live at O2 arena), singing in front of a crowd. The choice is yours. For more information, click HERE.
Whatever the weather, no matter the time – there’s always a child free day out waiting for you! There is the small matter of passing your kids off to someone else to be looked after, but hey, that’s what school and relatives are for, right? I say we vote for a longer school day/week and shorter school holidays but that’s just me.
