Get out and explore this season, whatever the weather, with our pick of the best autumn days out across the UK.
Words: Lily Smith. Images: cktravels.com for Horniman Museum & Gardens; Shutterstock.
Marvel at Jacobean and Victorian design (above)
What: Lanhydrock
Where: Bodmin, Cornwall
When: House and garden open March to early Nov, 11am-5pm daily; countryside, cycle trails, and hub area open year-round
Price: Adult tickets £20 (free entry for National Trust members)
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Lanhydrock is a quintessential Jacobean country house and estate, refurbished in high Victorian style after a fire in 1881. Offering glimpses into two contrasting sides of Victorian life, explore the luxurious rooms and great halls, where wealthy families dined, gathered, and slept.
Then venture below stairs to discover what life was like for the hardworking servants. If the weather permits, there’s also plenty to see outside. Enjoy year-round color in the gardens, as well as ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths. The estate also features off-road cycle trails, including routes marked for families and novice riders, with bike hire available on site.
Don’t miss!
One of the most unique parts of Lanhydrock is the Jacobean plasterwork ceiling in the Long Gallery, currently undergoing a major conservation project. Scaffolding has been erected to bring visitors closer to this masterpiece, allowing you to marvel at the intricate details and watch conservation specialists at work. This opportunity is available until November 3.
Global cultures and natural wonders
What: Horniman Museum and Gardens
Where: South London
When: Year-round, 10am-5:30pm
Price: Free entry (additional charges for Aquarium, Butterfly House, and some events)
Website: horniman.ac.uk
Best known for its unusual collection of stuffed animals – including the “celebrity walrus” – and unique musical instruments from around the world, this quirky Victorian museum is a free, family-friendly attraction in South London’s Forest Hill.
Specializing in anthropology and natural history, the Horniman Museum also features a 16-acre garden that is home to London’s oldest nature trail. The grounds include a butterfly house, aquarium, and an animal walk. Inside, don’t miss the World Gallery, which focuses on cultural connectivity and features over 3,000 artifacts from across the globe.
Try your hand at pottery
What: Gladstone Pottery Museum
Where: Stoke-on-Trent
When: Open year-round, 10am-5pm Weds to Sat, 11am-4pm on Sundays
Price: Adult entry £8.50
Website: stokemuseums.org.uk
Gladstone Pottery Museum is the only complete example of a Victorian pottery factory, transporting you back in time with its original workshops, towering bottle ovens, and cobbled yards.
You can watch live demonstrations of traditional pottery skills and learn the history behind pots, tiles, and ceramics. Don’t miss the Tile Gallery, which houses one of the largest collections of decorative tiles in the country.
Feeling inspired? Try your own hand at throwing a pot, making a bone china flower, or decorating a pottery souvenir. The gift shop also sells ceramics made at the museum, and the on-site café serves refreshments on locally made china crockery.
Enjoy the colours of autumn
What: Sheffield Park and Garden
Where: East Sussex
When: Open year-round, 9am-5pm daily (opening times vary over winter)
Price: Adult entry £16 (free for National Trust members)
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Though gardens are often associated with spring, many are equally breathtaking in autumn, with vibrant displays of red, orange, and yellow foliage. Sheffield Park and Garden is a horticultural masterpiece shaped by centuries of landscape design, including the work of Capability Brown and Humphry Repton.
In autumn, the garden’s tree collection – including the Nyssa sylvatica, known for its vivid colors – bursts into a fiery array of foliage. Enjoy peaceful strolls through glades and wooded areas, with stunning views across four serene lakes. Wildlife lovers can spot a variety of species, including kingfishers, birds of prey, butterflies, and dragonflies.
Looking for more inspiration? Browse our travel archives here!
