The Best of British Autumn
Autumn (September, October and November) holds a special place in the British year because it looks both ways. It’s a season of endings, of harvests gathered, leaves falling, and summer’’ warmth fading – yet also of beginnings. Children return to school, bulbs are planted for spring, and households slowly prepare for the festive season ahead.
There’s nostalgia in the misty mornings and joy in the cosy nights, but above all, there’s a deep sense of connection to nature, tradition, and home. Harvest, Guy Fawkes Night, Remembrance Day, foraging, hearty stews, toffee apples, these are all the things of a traditional British Autumn.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
The famous John Keats’s poem “To Autumn”, “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” sums up the atmosphere perfectly.
Summer fades, Britain takes on a golden glow. The leaves begin to turn golden and the air takes on a crisp chill. The British autumn season comes alive with an array of traditional celebrations and activities.
September brings crisp mornings, mist rolling over fields, and the soft warmth of an Indian summer that lingers before the true chill sets in.
The autumn equinox balances day and night, a reminder of nature’s rhythms, while schools reopen and routines return. This is a season of change, of harvest, and of simple pleasures, long countryside walks, steaming cups of tea, and evenings tucked indoors as the light fades early.
Autumn seasonal foods
Nothing captures the season quite like the food on our tables. Orchards brim with apples and pears, while hedgerows offer blackberries for pies and jams. Fields yield their final bounty, pumpkins, squashes, and root vegetables all making their way into hearty stews and roasts.
From indulging in traditional dishes and savouring the flavours of the season to getting out into nature. It is the season for foraging for wild ingredients. From finding berries or rosehips to use in syrups and teas to discovering other edible plants and fungi, foraging allows people to connect with nature and source their food locally.
September and October bring harvest festivals to towns and villages across Britain. A time when communities celebrate local produce and traditions.
By November, kitchens are filled with the aroma of baked bread, hot soups, and slow-cooked meals that make the darker days feel comforting.
Traditions, festivals and holidays
Autumn in Britain is marked with cultural and community traditions. The Autumn Equinox is the first day of the autumn season. The days become shorter and the nights longer. The Clocks go back too!
Bonfire Night on 5th November lights up the skies with fireworks, Armistice Day on 11th November offers a quieter moment of reflection. And as the season deepens, preparations for Christmas begin — with twinkling markets, frosted mornings, and a festive spirit taking root long before December fully arrives.
Coats, gloves & Autumn style
Cooler days call for warm layers, and autumn is the perfect time to invest in British-made clothing and home comforts. The time to swap your light shawl for a wool scarf, your sandals for boots.
Think hand-knitted wool jumpers, soft scarves woven in Yorkshire, and leather gloves crafted by heritage makers. A sturdy coat made in Britain not only keeps the chill at bay but also connects you with a tradition of craftsmanship.
Indoors, autumn invites you to bring warmth into your home: woollen blankets from Scottish mills, beeswax candles scented with spices, and locally produced ceramics that make a hot drink feel like a treat. Every purchase becomes a way to celebrate the season and support British makers.
The colours of the countryside
English countryside transforms into a riot of yellow, red and orange from September to November. From the Lake District’s fiery hillsides to the ancient woodlands of Kent and Sussex, nature puts on a final show before winter arrives.
Leaves crunch underfoot, the light turns golden, and hedgerows glow with berries. It’s a season for outdoor adventures, searching for conkers — hikes, nature trails, or simply strolling through your local park with a flask of tea. Even city streets feel different, as fallen leaves collect along pavements and the air sharpens with the promise of frost.
Seasonal inspiration for the home
Autumn is also about creating a cocoon indoors. As the days shorten, homes across Britain glow with candlelight, soft lamps, and the scent of spices.
This is the season for baking bread, trying out traditional recipes, and gathering around the table for family meals. British-made homeware — from enamelware for hearty pies to cast-iron pans for Sunday roasts — takes pride of place.
It’s a time to make small changes: switching to heavier bedding, layering throws on the sofa, or adding natural décor like dried flowers, gourds, and branches to reflect the outdoors within.
The British Autumn season
From food and festivals to fashion and home comforts, autumn in Britain is a season to enjoy. Whether you’re wrapping up warm in a handmade scarf, lighting a candle from a local maker, or sharing a Bonfire Night toffee apple, every tradition carries the cultural charm of the land.
Events happening throughout Autumn
What happens in Autumn? From feasting on delicious local food during British Food Fortnight to Bonfire night parties and Harvest festivals. Here are the annual Autumn events around the UK.
Heritage Open Days 2025
Heritage Open Days 2025 – 12th-21 September
British Food Fortnight
British Food Fortnight 2025 the national celebration of food takes place 26th September to 12th October 2025.
Harvest Festivals
The autumn harvests are steeped in tradition with many towns and villages hosting their own celebration. The autumn harvest brings with it an abundance of delicious flavours with highlights of the seasonal cuisine including squash, wild mushrooms, chestnuts, apples, blackberries and quince.
Battle of Britain Day.
15 September is Battle of Britain Day. The pivotal aerial campaign from July to October 1940 where the Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully defended Britain against the Luftwaffe, the Nazi German air force, preventing a German invasion and marking a turning point in World War II.
Autumn Equinox
The Autumn Equinox is the first day of the autumn season After the Autumn equinox – which is always on or around September 22 – the days become shorter and the nights longer in the northern hemisphere, while those in the southern hemisphere begin to enjoy longer days and shorter nights. Traditionally 24th September was the day on which harvesting began in medieval England. Autumn starts on different dates depending on whether or not you are going by a meterological or Astronomical Calendar.
Nottingham Goose Fair
If your are looking for traditional UK events in October, the Goose Fair in Nottingham is held every year at the beginning of the month. The event has been taking place for over 700 years, and still attracts visitors from around the country.
Clocks Go Back
BST (British Summer Time) ends. The clocks go back 1 hour to GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) at 2am on the last Sunday in October.
Halloween and Samhain
While many consider Halloween an American import, it has only been widely celebrated in Britain in recent decades. In reality, its roots run much deeper: the festival traces back to ancient Celtic traditions, observed from 31st October to 1st November, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the year’s ‘darker half.’
Guy Fawkes Night
One of the most iconic events of the autumn season in the UK is Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night. On November 5th, people gather around bonfires and set off fireworks to commemorate the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. It’s a night of sparks and cheer, with toffee apples and other sweet treats adding to the festive atmosphere.
Remembrance Day
Of course, the autumn season in the UK also includes Remembrance Day on November 11th, a time to honour and remember the men and women who have served in the armed forces, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Poppies, a symbol of remembrance, can be seen on lapels and jackets throughout the country as people pay their respects.
National Tree Week
National Tree Week is on 22 November – 30 November 2025. Planting trees for the future. National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season.
St Andrews Day
The 30th November is St Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s National day and official Bank Holiday.
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