Explore these cities in the United Kingdom for a perfect autumn holiday

Autumn is one of the best times to visit the United Kingdom. After all, it's the season of misty mornings, stepping out in the autumnal sun, and spotting wildlife, be it stags or squirrels. Here, we list our favourite places to have an autumn adventure in the United Kingdom. From a simple weekend getaway to visiting some of Great Britain’s national parks and picturesque landscapes, we've got you sorted. 

Cool Cambridge 

 

Home to the UK’s second-oldest university, Cambridge makes a wonderful getaway. The golden-yellow Ketton stone, typical of many Cambridge colleges, glistens in the midday sun, students sporting gowns fly around on bicycles and pass through medieval wooden doors. 

A guided walking tour is the best way to learn about the city’s artfully preserved traditions. Book one with Cantab Tours to discover how the famous chapel at King’s retains a rare carving of Henry VIII’s and Anne Boleyn’s—initials entwined—he had most of them destroyed after her execution. You’ll also marvel at the chapel’s iconic fan-vaulted ceiling, see the famous court at Trinity immortalised in Chariots Of Fire and step inside the dining hall at Christ’s College to learn how the fellows’ ‘high table’ got its name.

No visit to Cambridge would be complete without punting and while it’s possible to have a go yourself, the more relaxing option is to let the experts do the hard work. Book a chauffeured excursion with Scudamore’s, who’ve been punting since 1910. They’ll even dish out blankets and umbrellas to ensure rain doesn’t dampen your spirits.

Brunch at Novi is a treat (don’t miss the Turkish eggs), while Trinity is beloved by locals for graduations and special occasions. The Cambridge Chop House has an unrivalled location opposite King’s and you can’t head home without sampling the famous Chelsea buns at Fitzbillies.

Dating back to 1834, the University Arms is a short hop from all the major sights and has been recently renovated. It oozes stylish luxury suites and has beautiful views over Parker’s Piece, as well as roll top baths, complimentary wine, and books galore.

Historic York

 

Almost 60 per cent people said York was the city they'd most like to explore and that’s no surprise given how much is crammed inside its medieval walls. Start your tour by climbing their steep stone steps at Micklegate Bar, the traditional entrance to the city, where traitors’ heads were once displayed on spikes, then as you make your way towards the River Ouse, you’ll catch sight of York Station, its snaking tracks pointing towards The National Railway Museum, a tribute to the region’s industrial heritage. Hop off the walls to cross Lendal Bridge and visit the Yorkshire Museum for a whistle-stop tour through the ages with exhibits spanning York’s Roman, Viking, and medieval past. And of course, no visit would be complete without taking in the awe-inspiring Minster, with its intricate stonework carved over a period of 250 years, which still dominates the city’s skyline.

Buy a Visit York Pass for access to these and almost 30 other attractions, including Clifford’s Tower, the Jorvik Viking Centre and York Castle Museum. Middletons Hotel, just a stone’s throw from the centre of York, makes the perfect base for starting a tour of York from its medieval walls exploring the city. Its 56 guest rooms are dotted among six characterful listed buildings, including Lady Anne House, a converted hospital originally built in 1659. The smart rooms are at once luxurious and cosy, with indulgent touches such as toiletries from The White Company.

There’s more to discover outside the ancient walls, too: the brooding North York Moors, home to majestic Castle Howard, are 15 miles away, or if you don’t want to venture that far, Bishopthorpe Road is a thriving local high street alive with cafes perfect for a leisurely brunch. Other great places to refuel can be found back inside the walls at College Green, in the shadow of the Minster’s vast Great East Window. Stop at a tea room there or head to the iconic Bettys, with its stunning Art Deco interior. Book ahead to avoid the queues, and then stock up on traditional Yorkshire bakes such as Fat Rascals (a Bettys speciality). The grand 1711 restaurant at The Judge’s Lodging, Middletons’ sister hotel, which occupies a grade I-listed townhouse in the heart of town, is a must for delicious fine dining.

Take an evening stroll and you’ll find a host of buzzy bars and eateries—proof that behind York’s historic façade lies a vibrant, modern city.

Literary Oxford

 

Oxford’s literary heritage makes it an ideal city break for bibliophiles, and the city’s picturesque, cobbled backstreets and honey-coloured courtyards are made for wandering. Set off from the centre on foot and you’ll soon stumble across one of its 39 colleges.

Christ Church, acknowledged as the city’s most grandiose college, inspired Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland (he lectured in mathematics there), and the college dining room and staircase were used as locations during the filming of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. Take a walk across Christ Church Meadow to where the River Thames meets the Cherwell and finish at Magdalen College, where the animal carvings in its cloisters are said to have given CS Lewis the idea for several scenes in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Other must-sees include the Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s oldest public museum (founded in 1683), with a permanent collection that ranges from posie rings (thought to be the basis for the One Ring in The Lord Of The Rings) to contemporary art. There’s also the Pitt Rivers Museum, a fascinating mishmash of artefacts arranged by category, from ancient fish hooks to flutes. There’s currently a 'His Dark Materials' trail available, on which you’ll see props featured in the BBC HBO adaptation of Philip Pullman’s popular novels.

If time’s short, hire tour guide Isabella Underhill (for a two-hour tour for up to 10, book via the Old Parsonage Hotel), who has been taking tourists behind the scenes of the city’s most interesting buildings for more than 15 years. She’ll even give you a peek inside the famous Oxford Union, where past debaters include Boris Johnson and Benazir Bhutto.

One of the nicest watering holes is The Perch, a thatched pub in nearby Binsey (half an hour’s walk through pretty Port Meadow), where Carroll gave his first reading of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. Closer to the centre is the Lamb & Flag, a favourite of Lewis and Tolkien spot and their literary discussion group The Inklings.

After drinks, head to Gees, which serves modern Mediterranean food in a lovely, light-filled space. A few minutes’ walk away is the five-star Old Parsonage Hotel, a calm oasis where fireplaces glow, rooms are homely but luxurious and you can while away an hour or two in the library.

Beautiful Bath

 

Visiting Bath, famous for its smart Georgian terraces in biscuit-coloured limestone, is like walking on to a film set, and TV’s smash-hit Regency romance Bridgerton, its spin-off Queen Charlotte, and last year’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion were all filmed there.

The city, unsurprisingly, is a magnet for Austen fans and the Jane Austen Festival is a 10-day lollapalooza in September, featuring a parade of costumed characters plus balls and lectures. Don’t miss the Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street, the street where she lived for a time.

But Bath is so much more than a Georgian party town, its history stretching back hundreds of years as
the imposing abbey and the Roman baths attest. Book in advance and join the queues for the latter or make like a Bennet sister and walk up, with a picnic basket, to Prior Park Landscape Garden. Once part of an impressive estate (the manor is now a school) this dreamy 18th-century garden boasts a lake, Palladian bridge, winding paths, and stunning views. For more stately splendour with cinematic connections, Dyrham Park, a 15-minute drive away, is another National Trust property with a house, parkland and garden that’s worth the detour. The Remains Of The Day, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Emma Thompson, was filmed here. If you’re looking for a hotel to match the grandeur of the town, The Royal Crescent Hotel, on (you guessed it) Bath’s world-famous Royal Crescent, is perfect—a five-star slice of luxury with a spa, superb restaurant (Montagu’s Mews) and rooms with period features. It also has a show-stopping garden, where the neighbour’s cat casually wanders. At the end of the street is No.1 Royal Crescent, a townhouse museum decorated as if a well-to-do 18th-century family has just stepped out to take the famous waters.

If you can be enticed to leave such an impressive location, Bath has lots of other watering holes. The Marlborough Tavern, near the centre of the city, serves great food, The Saracens Head (Broad Street) is supposedly the oldest pub, The Coeur De Lion (Northumberland Place) is the smallest, and the atmospheric Star Inn (Vineyards), dating back to 1760, is the most charming. Cheers!

Enchanting Edinburgh 

This beautiful city is bursting with history, culture and cuisine. First stop has to be Edinburgh Castle, where you can view the apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots and see the tiny room where she fought to give birth to James VI, future James I of England. Here, too, lie the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone Of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone and seen at the Coronation). Go early to avoid the crowds and for the incredible city views.

Take the tram from Princes Street to Ocean Terminal for a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, on which the late Queen toured the globe. See her bedrooms and cosy sun lounge plus a state room that doubled as a dance floor for Princess Anne’s 21st, then enjoy tea on the Royal Deck.

Plumb the depths of the Scottish capital with a Real Mary King’s Close tour of the city’s ancient alleyways, or discover its creepy vaults on a Mercat Tours Ghostly Underground Tour.

Back at street level, Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland has everything from natural history to high fashion, or go to the National Galleries of Scotland to see Sir Grayson Perry’s biggest-ever exhibition.

Refuel with hand-dived scallops from Scotland’s west coast at Ondine Oyster & Grill, try the Hideout Cafe for a peaceful pick-me-up or enjoy live music at The Doric Tavern.

Stay in the heart of the Old Town at The Witchery, a magically Gothic 16th-century merchant’s house, which has nine luxurious suites with roll top tubs and sumptuously dramatic decor, plus two restaurants serving delicious food. Or take a 10-minute taxi ride to its sister hotel, Prestonfield House, with 18 exquisite and extravagantly furnished rooms and destination restaurant Rhubarb—a farm-to-fork experience not to be missed.

A Capital Stay

London is a world by itself and best explored with the help of an expert guide—better still, a Londoner. Whether you’re an East End boy or West End girl, City Unscripted and With Locals offer private tours tailored to you by Londoners who’ll introduce you to their favourite shops, restaurants and galleries. Or you can support people affected by homelessness by taking an Unseen Tours walking tour of London Bridge, King’s Cross, Brick Lane or Soho. 

New attractions to have opened this year include the interactive BBC Earth Experience, in Earl’s Court, narrated by Sir David Attenborough; 'Frameless', an immersive art show in Marble Arch; Battersea Power Station for food and shops between the iconic Grade II-listed chimneys; the National Portrait Gallery with its new (Tracey Emin-designed) doors; and the unique Handel Hendrix House, a smart Georgian property in Mayfair where these two highly influential musicians both lived two centuries and one brick wall apart.

One Aldwych is one of London’s most understated five-star hotels with stunning floral displays in the airy lobby plus an impressive 18-metre swimming pool and spa in the basement. The 105 stylish rooms and suites all come with a complimentary mini-bar full of British treats and Kent-based Mitchell and Peach toiletries. The gluten-free restaurant, Indigo, serves classics such as Day Boat Devon Fish in Beer Batter and there’s a brilliant ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ afternoon tea. Plus, new this autumn are ‘The Curators’ experiences, which give guests the opportunity to do exclusive tours with five local experts, including Silvia Melchior from the Donmar Warehouse, historian Dr Matthew Green, and silhouette artist Charles Burns, who started his career as a street artist in nearby Covent Garden.

This piece originally appeared in the October 2023 print issue of Good Housekeeping UK