Now that Summer is officially behind us and the leaves are changing colour, it’s about time to enjoy the outdoors and explore the UK before the cold creeps in. Have a read below at some great ideas for you and the family to enjoy this season.

Conker hunting

From late September onwards

Do you want to become a conker champion this autumn? Get the whole family involved on a trip to the best places in England to find ripe, perfect conkers for battle. Here are some of the best spots to find winning conkers.

One top tip is to drill your conkers very carefully with a sharp bit to avoid splitting the outer shell and then leave them in the airing cupboard or on top of a radiator for a week or so.

Bike ride

Up until Late November

If you’re lucky you will already know a good place to get on your bikes and go for a ride in your county. You’ll want somewhere that isn’t too challenging, steep or rugged so that it’s suitable for all ages. It doesn’t need to be a long ride – a short blast out on the bikes between the rain clouds is enough to keep us all fit, and prevent us going stir crazy when the weather forces us back inside.

Remember if your child is in a trailer or bike seat they will get cold much quicker than you, as they’re not moving. Using thermals or even wearing a balaclava under the helmet has been known to work.

Pumpkin Picking

Late October

You may think this is just another fleeting American tradition that has wormed its way over here to the United Kingdom but it’s actually really fun and a great day out! There’s plenty of farms taking part across the country and most will only charge a small entry fee – and the hard work has already been done. Take the kids and each of you can choose your own from the ground to take home and carve into jack-o-lanterns in time for Halloween.

If you’re not interested in carving a pumpkin, they’ll usually have a range of gourds and squashes too for you to use in a tasty autumn dish for the family.

Petting Farm

Up until December

You may think that farmers close the animals up as soon as summer ends but this isn’t true at all and many petting zoos and farms across the UK are desperate for more visitors in the Autumn and Winter. If the weather is too cold for your little ones, most will have indoor play areas and fun learning centres inside to enjoy as well as cafes for a hot cup of tea whilst admiring the animals from afar.

Autumn means harvest time for farmers so there will usually be an excellent range of produce on offer at the farm’s shop/market for you to peruse. Vegetables are their tastiest when freshest!

Host a Bonfire Party

Beginning – Mid November

Like a Summer BBQ, these parties will draw a crowd and appeal to all ages thanks to delicious autumn-themed dishes and the fun of fireworks and sparklers. Also, if you have a birthday around this time, bonfire parties are an excellent way to celebrate the guest of honour.

Make sure there is enough room around the fire for safe seating as well as guests to mingle and enjoy any additional activities such as sparklers or marshmallow toasting. Fun food ideas include:

• Hot dogs
• Corn on the cob
• Kebabs
• Jiffy-pop popcorn
• Marshmallows
• S’mores
• Donuts
• Baked potatoes

Once you’re done eating, there are plenty of fun activities guests can enjoy, such as traditional campfire games such as word games, telling ghost stories or sing-along campfire songs.

Take a scenic drive

Mid October

What could be a better way to see all the glorious changing colours than cruising along in a heated car along endless stretches of countryside roads? Finishing with a spot of afternoon tea or a delicious hot chocolate by the fire. Take a look at our Scenic Drives blog for the best trails to take on your mini-Britain adventure.

Save money by packing a picnic for the children so you can enjoy a treat when you arrive at your destination.

If you need to hire a car, van, campervan or motorhome for any of your Autumn activities, don’t forget we’re the best price on the market with availability throughout the autumn and rest of the year. Get a quote now at easirent.com