IT SEEMS like autumn is already in the air – and if you’re in need of some new staycation inspiration this September then look no further.
The Sun’s travel team have picked our favourite places for a September break from cosy villages to trendy cities and world-famous hiking trails.
NOTHING could be more glorious than the amazing displays of autumn colours in our fabulous forests.
For me, the Lake District is perfect at this time of year and combining nature with some cracking food and beer makes for a winning break.
My tip for the ultimate weekend would be the Amblefest Beer and Music Festival in Ambleside, a lovely little village on the northern edge of Windermere, England’s largest lake.
It comes alive over the weekend of September 27 to 29 with three popular venues, The Flying Fleece, The Tap Yard and The Apple Pie all hosting live music alongside street food stalls and of course, the chance to sample beers, ales, lagers and ciders from 50 breweries.
And there’s nowhere better to walk off the hangover than nearby Grizedale Forest with its towering spruce trees, majestic oaks, rocky knolls and hilltops covered in heather.
There’s endless trails to explore on foot, on two wheels and even by horseback and keep your eyes peeled along the way, the forest is peppered with some unique sculptures.
STAYCATION hotspots like Cornwall remain pretty crowded in September, yet the British weather is so unpredictable that you could be spending your entire trip on a soggy beach being thrashed by ferocious, salty, winds.
That’s why the Cotswolds is top of my list. It’s perfect for an end-of-summer or early autumn break when fallen leaves paint the countryside paths in fiery shades of orange and red.
This region is also notoriously dog-friendly.
When you aren’t strolling the endless walking trails with your pooch, you can tuck yourself away in a cosy pub with a roaring fire or spend a full afternoon at one of the many fancy farm shops, which, in September, will be crammed full of colourful rhubarb, wonky squashes and sticky home-baked treats.
Keep your eyes peeled for some famous faces. Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson chose this picturesque spot to open his Diddly Squat farm shop, where queues form every weekend.
Now it looks like his newly opened Cotswold boozer, The Farmer’s Dog, is following suit with punters pounding on the door on opening day last week.
Even the Beckhams own a property here, just round the corner from celeb hot spot and members club Soho Farmhouse.
It’s no surprise to me that so many flock here as this part of the country feels wonderfully and wholly British, from the rolling fields littered with fluffy sheep to the wonky stone houses and village cafes serving up freshly made soups.
My advice would be to head off the beaten track and save your pennies.
Daylesford Farm shop is lovely, but unless you want to be spending a day’s wages on a punnet of tomatoes, I’d head to the more wallet-friendly Wotton Farm Shop which has a Potting Shed cafe dishing up cream teas and enormous slices of cake.
WALKING Hadrian’s Wall is a commitment. It takes at least six days and you need to carry your pack on your back as you stay at different
places along the route.
So I can see how it might seem a bit bizarre so do something like that when the weather turns. But, bear with me.
September is also the time that the kids go back to school and the
busy spots on the 84-mile long Roman wall start to empty out.
It’s also when the leaves start to turn and the rugged landscape takes
a more windswept look – but you still have enough daylight hours to
cover good ground.
The scenery is outstanding and in September, you can go for hours and hours without seeing another person, which is quite remarkable when you consider that you’re crossing the width of one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.
Obviously Emperor Hadrian wasn’t planning a beautiful walk when he
ordered his soldiers to build the wall in 122 AD, he just wanted to
protect the Roman Empire from the tribes of the north.
But two millennia later, it still stands in some of the UK’s most
attractive land.
I’m not the only one who was impressed – the writer George R. R Martin visited the 1,900-year-old Hadrian’s Wall in 1981 and thought it was so cool that it inspired the fantasy series Game Of Thrones.
During our 7-night walk, we stayed everywhere from fancy country house hotels to inns, YHA hostels to B&Bs, and rewarded ourselves with a plate of pub grub and a pint at some fantastic local pubs as nightfall set in.
SEPTEMBER can be a tricky month weather wise, with anything from blistering sun to autumn being in full force.
That’s why it’s the perfect time for a weekend break in Manchester, one of my favourite cities.
September is full of amazing festivals such as Fat Out Fest with live music and art performances, as well as the new Manchester Wine Festival with tastings and DJ events.
There are some fun indoor attractions too if the rain does roll in, such as the huge, free-to-visit Manchester Museum as well as the Science and Industry Museum.
My favourite place to pass the time is the space-fantasy-themed Paradise Skate World roller rink, followed by a trip to NQ64 gaming bar and the famous 31-booth K2 Karaoke Bar.
And if you feel like being in New York without the flight, make sure to visit the outdoor Castle Viaduct too, similar to NYC’s High Line.
IS THERE anywhere more autumnal than Scotland? I don’t think so.
One of my favourite places to visit in Scotland in September is Fort william, a tiny town in the Scottish highlands.
Set on the banks of Loch Linnhe, one of my favourite activities is to go on a seal watching our around the loch,
Boats take tourists on a tour around Black Rock, which has been affectionately termed Seal Island.
Watch both the Common and Atlantic Grey seals as they bask on the Scottish shores and if you’re lucky you might even spot a porpoise on your return voyage to the harbour.
I can’t mention Fort William without raving about Ben Nevis.
As the UK’s highest summit, tackling Ben Nevis is a challenge and a serious undertaking.
If you’re planning to scale the Scottish mountain, Fort William is the perfect base camp.
You don't need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer...
Museums – Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids.
Parks – Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy.
Beach – It doesn’t have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland.
Library – If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds.
Cooking – Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge.
Playdates – Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising.
Boardgames – Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble.
Want to explore some other seaside towns? The Sun’s travel experts have revealed their favourite locations across the UK.
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has been to two of the best beaches in the world – but here’s one in the UK she says is just as good.
