Bracing beach walks, autumn swells, awesome attractions and waterside restaurants serving up the season’s bounty… we love autumn at the beach. When the summer crowds have dispersed, accommodation prices have dropped and the seascapes are bathed in golden hues, here are some of our favourite things to do by the coast in autumn.
Cast Away to the Isle of Wight Walking Festival
Hopping on a ferry to the Isle of Wight isn’t just a top thing to do in summer. Time your visit between 7-15 October and not only have the holiday crowds gone home, but you can really get under the skin of the island and off the beaten track at the Isle of Wight Walking Festival. There’s 55 scheduled walks of varying lengths and abilities to choose from, all led by local experts and many of which cover some of the 92km coastline.
Get on Your Bike in Northumberland
Take in the wild scenery, ancient landmarks, golden beaches and harbour towns of Northumberland on a bike ride from Berwick to Lindisfarne. Set off from the Elizabethan ramparts of Berwick-upon-Tweed and pick up the coastal path from Spittal, from where you hug the cliff tops and freewheel above head-spinning North Sea views. If you cover the whole 23km route, you’ll eventually reach the Holy Island Causeway, where you can cross over to Lindisfarne at low tide.
Storm Watch on the Outer Hebrides
When autumn storms whip the Atlantic into a wild and exhilarating frenzy, there’s nowhere more invigorating to experience the power of the elements crashing ashore than the remote Isle of Lewis. Walk over the rolling machair to watch storms scud across the horizon from rugged sea cliffs, but hold on tight and batten down the hatches when the wind doth blow – this remote outpost gets the full blustery force of the autumn weather. Hunker down in the comfort of Eagle Lodge, and you can watch the storms rattle in through picture windows while you’re snug beside the log burner.
Go Surfing in Cornwall
Autumn is the season when long-range Atlantic swells lash our shores, bringing more consistent waves than during the summer months. So there’s no better time to try surfing than while the water is still warm, the line-ups are less crowded and the surf’s up. We recommend hitting the waves at Fistral Beach in Newquay – not only because it’s the UK’s unofficial surfing capital, but because if you go out under the tutelage of the Surf Sanctuary, you’ll not only be taught by lifelong experts, you can also enjoy heated changing rooms and hot showers afterwards.
Walk the Wales Coast Path
Autumn is the perfect season to stomp along coastal trails, soak up the dramatic seascapes and discover empty beaches where you can feel the sand between your toes. Tackle some of the 870-mile Wales Coast Path, where you can choose from easy and accessible sections such as the Mawddach Trail between Barmouth and Dolgellau, bask in the autumn colours at Pembrey Forest, or step on the golden beaches of the Gower Peninsula on the Three Cliffs Walk.
Peer Underwater at Sea Life in Norfolk
Base yourself in Great Yarmouth and dive into the underwater kingdom at the Sea Life aquarium, where you can witness the wonders of the ocean without getting your hair wet. The whole family will be wide-eyed with wonder as you come face-to-face with sea turtles and sharks in the ocean tunnel, seek starfish and critters in the rockpools, meet Humboldt penguins, and dip into the fascinating world of jellyfish. Book joint entry to Sea Life and the Great Yarmouth Giant Wheel, and you can top your day off with 360-degree views of the east coast.
Dine on the Ocean’s Bounty in Dorset
Autumn is a sublime season to dine on nature’s bounty harvested from land and sea, and there’s nowhere more enjoyable to tuck into it than a waterside restaurant. While there are plenty of seaside eateries to choose from, we love the award-winning Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, where almost everything served is plucked from the ocean in view. After all, you can’t beat seafood flipped straight off the boats by fishermen, cooked up by celeb chef Mark Hix and served in what’s arguably the most scenic dining spot in Dorset.
Go Fossil Hunting in Devon
If you want to head to the beach but don’t fancy getting in the water in autumn, why not try the timeless activity of fossil hunting along the World Heritage Jurassic Coast? Seaton’s shingle beach is peppered with fossil finds, such as ammonites, echinoids and brachiopods. If you want to find out more about the dinosaurs that roamed here over 200 million years ago, gen up at Seaton Jurassic, and make a day of it with a ride aboard Seaton’s heritage tramway along the Axe Estuary nature reserve.
Wander through Autumn Woodland in Hampshire
Experience the kaleidoscope of autumn hues as you wander through Hampshire’s magical glades and the ancient woodland of The New Forest, nestled on Britain’s south coast. Lace up your walking boots and breathe in the crisp autumn air, as you hike beneath the fiery foliage along a vast web of walking routes and experience the sizzling seasonal colours along the Solent Way, which hugs the coastline from the pretty waterside town of Lymington.
Stay In A Cosy Cottage By The Coast This Autumn
Feeling inspired to take a seaside break this autumn? Check out our collection of coastal cottages in stunning locations around the UK and find the perfect base for your autumn holiday.
