September 11, 2023
Destination: Cotswolds
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October in the UK: Places to Visit & Things to Do
October is one of the most beautiful months to visit the UK. Daylight hours are still fairly long, the woodlands adopt a beautiful fall glow, and the weather is still usually balmy, which is perfect for hiking, family activities, and exploring cities.
Whether you’re after a mountain adventure, a beach escape or a city break, we’ve found the best places to visit in the UK this October, from lesser-known corners to must-see spots.
Walking Breaks
If you love the solitude of hiking in the mountains, there are two places in the UK you need to visit this October: Wales and Scotland.
The usually moderate fall weather is perfect for long days out hiking in England, although we still recommend packing a raincoat – it is the UK, after all.
Wales
Wales is home to a variety of the UK’s best-known peaks like Snowdon, Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, and Crib Goch.
The former two are quite popular during weekends, but there are alternative routes you can take up Snowdon if you want to avoid the crowds on the main track, like the Rhyd Ddu Path or the Snowdon Ranger Path – there’s also a train if anyone in your group doesn’t fancy the hike!
If you’re looking for something a little more remote, there are plenty of hikes in Snowdonia National Park, for all abilities.
Cadair Idris (893m), is bang in the heart of the Park, and the six-mile Minffordd Path offers miles of views, plus the added bonus of a wild swimming spot at Llyn Cau.
Scotland
Scotland is home to the highest peak in the UK, Ben Nevis, standing at 1,345m, so if you want a challenging climb, this is it.
The main path, which starts at the Ben Nevis Hiking Centre, is the best one for beginners.
If you’re looking for a great base from which to explore the Highlands, Glencoe is one of the most spectacularly located villages in Scotland, surrounded by mountains, formed over millennia of shifting glaciers and volcanic eruptions.
Known as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’, you’re in the perfect location to explore the Lochaber area, where you can go for a ramble in An Torr Wood, visit the peaceful lake of Glencoe Lochan or head deep into the mountains and soak up the 360° views.
Beach Breaks
Cornwall
Cornwall is beautiful all year round but it can get a little overcrowded (and over-priced) during the summer, which is why October is the perfect time to visit.
With a wild rugged landscape, beautiful beaches and some of the UK’s best restaurants serving the freshest seafood, there are plenty of activities to keep you and the whole family entertained.
For sandy long beaches, head to Perranporth, Watergate, Porthcurno Beach or the Bude Sea Pool, where you can relax, swim and even go stand-up paddle boarding.
You could grab a bucket and line and head to a rock pooling beach, like Castle Beach in Falmouth or Port Isaac, to see what creatures you can find lurking in the cracks – just make sure you put them back after.
If you love seafood, then you can’t go to Cornwall without immersing yourself in the foodie scene. A few favourites are Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant (Rickstein.com), the famous Mussel Box (Musselbox.co.uk), and Adam Handling’s Ugly Butterfly (Uglybutterfly.co.uk).
Devon
A little further up the coast is Devon. Much like Cornwall, it boasts plenty of seaside towns, quaint villages and the famous Jurassic Coast, which offers beautiful and challenging hiking routes.
For beach strolls and even a little bathing (if it’s warm enough), head to Woolacombe Beach in North Devon.
Bantham Beach is also beautiful for a family day out. Situated at the mouth of the River Avon, it’s backed by sand dunes and rolling hills.
If you’re after beach activities, Bigbury on Sea Beach has plenty of rockpools and Dawlish Warren Beach has amusement rides, golf and watersports available.
If you’re with the family, the National Aquarium (National-aquarium.co.uk) and Tamar Trails (Tamartrails.co.uk) offer a fun day out, too.
For something a little different, visit the ancient fishing village of Clovelly. Or why not take a trip to Alder Vineyard (Aldervineyard.uk)?
City Breaks
Edinburgh
While some people love Scotland for the mountains, the capital city of Edinburgh is a great place for a weekend getaway.
From the unmistakable Edinburgh Castle (Edinburghcastle.scot) and the National Museum (Nms.ac.uk) to the Royal Botanical Gardens (Rbge.org.uk), Auld Reekie’s not short of things to see.
You could also combine culture with hiking, by heading into the nearby Pentland Hills or climbing Arthur’s Seat.
London
London is a city that defies easy summary. There are enough galleries and museums to keep you occupied for weeks – if not months – like the Tate Britain and Modern (Tate.org.uk), Natural History Museum (Nhm.ac.uk) and Science Museum (Sciencemuseum.org.uk).
Culture aside, famous markets like Portobello Road Market (Portobelloroad.co.uk), Camden Market (Camdenmarket.com), and Brick Lane rub shoulders with iconic must-see landmarks like Buckingham Palace (Rct.uk), Westminster Abbey (Westminster-abbey.org) and the London Eye (Londoneye.com).
For some downtime, take a stroll through Hyde Park (Royalparks.org.uk), enjoy a picnic in Haywards Heath, or head to one of the many incredible restaurants and bars.
A Family Getaway
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a must-visit in the UK. Stretching across the counties of Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, there’s so much to do and see, from wandering around typical honey-coloured villages and medieval castles to a country pub walk.
Sudeley Castle (Sudeleycastle.co.uk) is a great day out, as is a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa (Nationaltrust.org.uk) to marvel at the remains of one of the grandest Roman villas in Bath.
If you fancy eight days of solitude, views, and ambling in the countryside, you could walk The Cotswold Way, starting in Chipping Campden and finishing in Bath.
15 Things to do in the UK During October
Aside from the variety of places to visit during the fall months, the UK is packed with events and things to do.
From films, food festivals and family fun galore, we’ve rounded up a few of the best of them.
- Take the family to Apple Day, in London, for a day of arts, crafts and activities (October 1); Fulhampalace.org, Fulham Palace, London.
- Discover the world’s best new films at the BFI London Film Festival (4-15 October);
Whatson.bfi.org.uk, Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall, London. - Eat your way around the East Midlands Food Festival (7-8 October); Meltonfestivals.co.uk, Livestock Market Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray. LE13 1JY
- Book tickets for the highly-anticipated Time Traveller’s Wife at the Apollo (from October 7); Stagedoor.londontheatredirect.com, Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ.
- Visit Powderham Food Festival near Exminster (7-8 October); Powderhamfoodfestival.com, Powderham Castle, EX6 8JQ.
- Immerse yourself in the Scottish International Storytelling Festival (13-29 October); Sisf.org.uk.
- Meet your favourite celebrity chef at the Dartmouth Food Festival (20-22 October); Dartmouthfoodfestival.com.
- Enjoy the Silhouettes and Shadows Puppet Show in Cornwall (23-27 October); Nmmc.co.uk, National Maritime Museum, Cornwall TR11 3QY.
- Give yourself a scare at the Edinburgh Horror Festival (26-31 October); Edhorrorfest.co.uk.
- Take a steam train through the Scottish Highlands; Strathspeyrailway.co.uk.
- Marvel at the animals at the Cotswolds Wildlife Park;
Cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4JP. - Spend a month discovering the culinary delights of the London foodie scene with the London Restaurant Festival; Londonrestaurantfestival.com.
- Enjoy family fun at Arlington Court’s Autumnfest (every day in October); Nationaltrust.org.uk.
- Get your Halloween spook on at the Jack The Ripper Museum, London; Tickets.london, 12 Cable St, Aldgate, London E1 8JG.
- Pick your own fruit and visit the animals at Hatton Adventure World in Warwickshire;
Adventure.hattonworld.com, Hatton Adventure World, Dark Lane, Hatton, Warwickshire, CV35 8XA.
Like our pick of the best things to see and do in the UK this October? To really catch the month in all its seasonal finery, check out our pick of the country’s best fall walks.
