UK days out for autumn with kids

September might just be my favourite month to explore the UK – the chance of an Indian summer, those glorious sunny days which feel like a gift after the bank holiday weekend, and weather that’s usually good enough for some great autumn days out.

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On the horizon, the first crisp days of autumn, promising the glossiness of a fresh conker, the comfort of a favourite pair of boots as you scuff up the turning leaves – and that feeling of possibility, of new starts that still comes with the beginning of a new school year.

If you’re feeling despondent as the summer holidays end, thoughts turning to all the practicalities of real life again, it’s also the best month to plan a family day out or a trip, a pick-me-up to cheer you up.

Visit one of the UK’s top sights

I’m as guilty as anyone of overlooking what’s on my doorstep, from the big attractions in London (despite actually living here) to some of the UK’s best family-friendly sights – so if you’re trying to plan some autumn days out in the UK, why not finally make one of those visits you’d always planned to!

For years, the closest my daughter had been to Stonehenge was the A303, on our way to the south west – we’ve since managed to visit Stonehenge together to discover it’s still as fascinating and enthralling as ever.

For more Unesco World Heritage sites in the UK, check out my pick of the best for families

If you love history, the Neolithic site is only the start. Why not explore one of the key moments in British history at Battle Abbey? Wait until mid-October and you can see the annual recreation of the battle itself, but there’s plenty to discover at any time – one of my favourite things to do in Sussex with kids.

Or watch some falconry – previous years have seen displays at Dover Castle in Kent, Audley End House in Essex and Framlingham Castle in Suffolk this autumn, with a chance to hear tales a medieval falconer might tell or learn the traditions of hawking, as well as watching the birds of prey swoop around the castles.

But you’re spoiled for choice. As well as all the English Heritage and National Trust sites around the country, you could pick one of the best UK castles with kids.

Warwick Castle has so much to do and see with kids, from the Horrible Histories maze to the birds of prey show (to name just a few highlights), that you can easily fill two days.

Head to a UK family attraction

If history doesn’t tempt, there’s still a long list of fantastic family attractions for an autumn day out in the UK.

Stave off the dark night and get your heart racing at a theme park – Alton Towers has plenty for the whole family, while Thorpe Park is great with older kids. Chessington World of Adventures and Legloland Windsor are two more fantastic options for families as well, including deals which give a second day free.

Or discover one of the UK’s animal attractions: you’ll find zoos galore around the country, as well as farm parks for younger kids, plus some great aquariums – Sea Life Centre alone has a dozen locations to choose from.

Explore the autumn countryside

Is there anywhere more beautiful than Great Britain when the sun shines? (I admit I may be a little biased). I’ve loved reliving my childhood as my daughter walked in my footsteps in Staffordshire.

Wandering along the banks of a canal, a heron statue-still by the water’s edge and brightly coloured narrow boats cruising along, she clambered on the lock gate just as I used to.

At Downs Banks, she broke in her new wellies splashing through the stream that runs past the bracken-lined paths, disdaining the stepping stones for the chance to splosh loudly – sometimes the simplest outdoor activities are the best.

For more ideas of easy Autumn activities for kids, check out my tips for things to do, as well as my Autumn scavenger hunt

There are the country’s wonderful national parks as well – the beautiful Peak District, with its great cycle and walking routes that even kids can tackle.

Or the stark beauty of the moors, where bursts of purple heather brighten the hilltops, dry stone walls resolutely enduring the windswept winters – North Yorkshire‘s dramatic moors are hard to beat, but there’s moorland in Northumberland as well not to mention Exmoor and Dartmoor in Devon.

There’s the gentle rolling countryside of the Cotswolds, and the more dramatic scenery of the Lake District, both tempting you to pull on some walking boots and to set off.

For even more dramatic views, head to Wales to discover the splendour of Snowdonia, with its waterfalls and rugged peaks, another childhood haunt, or up to the Highlands in Scotland and the unspoiled western islands.

And autumn is the perfect time to head into the woods too, as all the leaves start to change colour – with children’s trails at Forestry England sites and the wonderful National Forest in England and in Wales, the New Forest and Forest of Dean, wildlife spotting at RSPB or Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust sites, Scottish Wildlife Trust reserves, it’s an easy and fun family day out.

Head to the beach

I’m a fan of visiting the beach year-round, but there’s no question that it makes a great early Autumn day out – without the crowds of summer, but still a promise of enough sunshine to make a sandcastle of two, it’s the perfect time to head to the coast.

In previous years, we made the most of those final preschool days with a trip to East Sussex, wandering the cobbled streets of Rye and building endless shell-topped fortresses at Camber Sands under the bluest sky.

But even with school to work around, you can normally escape for a day out or a weekend away – wherever you are in the UK, you’re rarely too far from the sea, after all.

I never tire of visiting beautiful Cornwall too. One of the sunniest parts of the UK, the crowds of summer have died down but the countryside and coast is as lovely as ever, from the fishing villages to vineyard valleys – if that’s too far, Devon and Dorset have plenty to tempt as well.

Finally ticked off my wishlist is a trip to Northumberland, its unspoiled coast lined with castles, the magic of Harry Potter and endless spots to eat fish and chips with a view.

But there’s also Norfolk, Suffolk, the Yorkshire coast and the Isle of Wight to name just a few more options.

Halloween days out in the UK

While you’ll have to wait until late October (unsurprisingly) for a lot of the Halloween events which take place around the country, there’s still plenty of chance to get into the spooky mood earlier.

Whether you fancy picking pumpkins or having your blood chilled on a ghost walk, there’s plenty for all ages.

For my best Halloween days out in the UK with kids, I’ve picked some of the ghoulishly good options across the country, as well as more thrilling inspiration for Halloween in London.

For more ideas of great UK days out with kids, check out my pick of our family travels

PIN FOR LATER: UK DAYS OUT FOR AUTUMN

Main image courtesy Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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