Autumn is one of our favourite seasons – as leaves of every colour cling to branches before falling from the trees, presenting the ideal opportunity for satisfying leaf-crunching walks, followed by a hearty lunch in a pub, next to a real log fire.
If you’re ready to embrace all things cosy, here are some of the best places in Cheshire and beyond to enjoy autumn days out.
Find a plump patch to pick your own pumpkin 🎃
So many pumpkin patches, so little time…
Our top choice is Snugbury’s Ice Cream Farm – because no day could ever be “too cold for ice cream”. The pumpkin patch is open every weekend from 7 October until 29 October.
As well as being renowned for its giant sculptures and legendary ice cream, you’ll find the farm’s fields have a bountiful supply of plump pumpkins. After working up an appetite picking and hauling the best pumpkins, treat yourself to a “Snug Pud” – homemade cookies and brownies with your choice of ice cream, and topped off with toasted s’mores and chocolate or toffee sauce.
Meanwhile, Kenyon Hall Farm in Warrington celebrates the season with a Pumpkin Festival, running from Saturday 27 September until the end of October.
Not only can you have fun picking your own pumpkin, but there’ll also be professional photographers to capture your memories – so you can share priceless pictures on Instagram and other social feeds.
Stride out on a stress-relieving, crunching walk 🍁
There’s little better for clearing the cobwebs than a brisk walk through crunchy leaves – and around here, we’re spoiled for choice:
- Delamere Forest – The daddy of Cheshire woodlands. Head to the Blakemere Trail for the ultimate autumn colour and an easy circular route, so you don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy it.
- Lyme Park – Think sweeping parkland, deer rutting in the distance, and a house so grand it starred in Pride and Prejudice.
- Haworth – Okay, so this is West Yorkshire, but it’s worth hopping over the county lines. The village is picture-perfect, full of cosy pubs and little independent shops worth a browse. Home to the Brontë sisters, we recommend walking up onto the moors towards Top Withens. For a gentler stroll, follow the leafy trails to the old Railway Children filming locations (yes, including that waving bridge).
- Kirkby Lonsdale – This small Cumbrian market town is a gem with cobbled streets, cosy pubs, and surrounded by scenic country walks, including the famous Ruskin’s View (a panorama so stunning, a poet had to name it).
Read more: It’s leaf-crunching season! 8 of the best local spots for a great family walk
Jump in the car and enjoy a leaf-peeping drive 🚗🍂
If you prefer admiring the changing colours from the comfort of your car (heated seats on, flask of coffee at the ready), you’re in for a treat.
- The Peak District – Just a short drive from Cheshire, the Peaks are spectacular in autumn. The winding Snake Pass is stunning, as are many of the other routes – many of which boast rolling hills that change according to the weather at that moment.
- Chatsworth Estate – Even if you don’t go into the house, the drive through the estate and surrounding countryside is pure autumn magic. Deer, golden trees, and a stately home backdrop – whether you simply enjoy the leisurely drive, take the time to enjoy a walk, or refuel for the journey home – Chatsworth has everything you need, and then some.
- The Lake District – Quite possibly the ultimate UK autumn road trip, soak in the views as lakes reflect the changing colours, and plenty of places to stop off for a pub lunch. Ambleside and Grasmere are especially lovely at this time of year.
Settle in for a cosy pub lunch 🍺🔥
No autumn day out is complete without finding a pub with a roaring fire, hearty food, and maybe a cheeky pint or two.
Here are four of our favourite spots:
- The Fishpool Inn – Right on the edge of Delamere Forest, it’d be rude not to stop off for a post-walk pit stop. Serving food all day, every day – the wide but carefully crafted menu doesn’t disappoint.
- The Morris Dancer – Kelsall’s oldest pub, with records dating back to the 1630s, today you’ll find a stylish but cosy space, serving up proper pub grub and a warm welcome.
- Church Inn – Consistently rated as one of the best gastropubs in the region, enjoy amazing food in a pub that’ll make you want to stay well into the evening.
- Bear’s Paw Country Inn – Ranked #1 in Knutsford, discover cosy perfection, complete with rustic beams, low ceilings, and crackling fires.
Whether you’re crunching leaves, snapping selfies in a pumpkin field, or simply enjoying the autumn colours from the car window, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy the season’s magic.