It’s autumn. A magical time of year when the leaves begin to fall, and the summer crowds head home to hibernate. It’s this time a where time Yorkshireman feels most alive when the landscape starts to slowly change from green to a patchwork of golds, ambers and browns. And all our favourite Yorkshire villages feel even more atmospheric with rivers beginning to flow more fully and colourful woodland celebrate autumn hues. Our list of the best things to do in autumn in Yorkshire, hopefully inspires you to get out and explore.
For those live us at The Yorkshireman that love autumn, we’ve put together the complete guide to embracing the season. Whether you’re planning a family trip, or looking for a weekend escape with muddy wellies, country pubs with roaring fires or a brisk walk on the beach, here are some of the ways to make the most of autumn in the county.
1. Take an autumn woodland walk
When looking at how to enjoy autumn in Yorkshire, the best thing to do is just get out and experience it. And, Yorkshire has some stunnning woodland spots that are perfect walking routes to enjoy what autumn brings to the landscape.
Some of our favourite Yorkshire woodland walks include Aysgarth falls & Ingleton Waterfall Trail, which provide stunning waterfalls as a spectacular backdrop for any autumn outing.
If you’d like those beautiful autumn hues you get in woodland, then Strid Wood and Hackfall Woods are two great walks that offer up all those crunchy leaves under foot and a variety of trees with the low autumn sun glistening through.
All these walks are perfect for most hikers as you can shorten or lengthen as you see fit – and they’re near places where you can grab a warm drink or a cosy pub depending on what you’re after.
2. Go pumpkin picking
Whether it’s a day out with the kids, a cute date day, or just an excuse to get out of the house and get into the spirit, there’s a little something for everyone this autumn season in Yorkshire – but most importantly, there are fields galore just waiting to be picked from.
Whether you’re a classic big orange fan or like the little nobbly green ones and dainty white ones, we’ve rounded up the very best pumpkin patches in Yorkshire for you to try this Autumn. Will you go for the classic scary face, or maybe even a cheeky grin?
- Farmer Copley’s, Ponefract
- Spillman’s, Thirsk
- Balloon Tree, York
- Sandy Bottom Farm, Hull
- Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley
Check out our list of the best PYO pumpkin patches to in Yorkshire: 10 Of The Best Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patches In Yorkshire
3. Find a cosy pub
We’ve now entered pub season and it has to feature in the best things to do in autumn in Yorkshire. Quaint country pubs with cask ales on tap, and a nice warm fire to cosy up by after heading out on a walk are what we are craving. And, Yorkshire is full of them. We are talking exposed beams, all kinds of antiques adorning the alls and a flagstone floor. All these things and more just make you feel cosy and warm. Just what autumn is all about.
Some of our favourite pubs for this kind of vibe include The Laurel Inn at Robin Hood’s Bay, which feels like stepping back in time. It’s a tiny pub with big character that we consider one of our favourites in the region. We know, pubs are like children, you know you shouldn’t have favourites, but we do. Other great cosy pubs to visit in autumn include The Green Dragon at Hardraw, The Lister Arms in Malham, The Shiden Inn and the Fox & Coney in South Cave to name a few.
4. Try a Yorkshire hot chocolate
Hot chocolates are the order of the season. We are talking proper chocolate. None of that instant stuff. With huge marshmallows, preferably toasted. When those leaves start dropping to the floor, walking around your favourite autumn spot or being sat in a cosy cafe with a warm mug just hits all those right notes for the season. Even better if you’ve got a good book you can escape into.
Some of our favourite spots for a hot chocolate in Yorkshire include Chocolate Bar in Sheffield who serve them up with huge homemade marshmallows perfect for the Gram. The Old Post Office in Haworth is another one and if you get sat by the window its the perfect spot to watch the world go by.
Check out the best hot chocolate spots in Yorkshire here: https://the-yorkshireman.com/best-hot-chocolates-in-yorkshire/
5. Plan a Halloween day out
With autumn comes Halloween. Things start to get spooky as those darker nights creep in and some fantastic Halloween events take place across Yorkshire. Halloween is a great way to get out in the colder months and is definitely one to make sure that you’re checkng out the things to do in autumn in Yorkshire. From family outings at many of your favourite spots to scream jump scares that scare the bajeesus out of your and some freebies for those looking to count the pennies with Christmas on the way.
We put together some of our favourite things to do at Halloween below:
6. Take a scenic autumn day trip
Yorkshire and scenic are two words that are synonmous. It’s a beatiful part of the world, but as with any true beauty, it hits different as the seasons progress and there are some places we love to travel to this time of year. Whether its thanks to the trees and foliage or that they have a history that just hits right at this time of year.
Some of our favourite spots include Knaresborough, because, who doesn’t want to walk by the River Nidd with the beautiful viaduct that frames it well and stop off and enjoy a coffee? Or, maybe take a trip to Thornton le Dale a beautiful North York Moors village a stones throw from Dalby Forest, probably the most popular spot to visit in autumn. Other spots include Fountains Abbey, Castle Howard, Appletreewick, Reeth and more.
7. Have a pub lunch
Some people like to lay off the big ol’ pub lunch over the summertime. But, now the weather its starting to cool, the calories are needed to stay warm and we’ve got some top spots if you want to do it right. Starting off with The Abbey Inn, Byland a Tommy banks venture that serves up pub grub right. If you’re having the burger, they’ve made it the best burger, the pie, they’ve completed that too. Elsewhere the Grantley Arms is serving up proper pub grub at the minute as well, and have decorated the place just how you want that cosy warm pub to look.
Check out some of our other top selections for pub grub in autumn below:
- Fox & Coney, South Cave
- The Blacksmith Arms, Lastingham
- The Victoria, Leeds
- White Lion, Hebden Bridge
- The General Tarleton, Knaresborough
- The Wensleydale Heifer, Yorkshire Dales
8. Cosy cottage stays
What better way to enjoy autumn in Yorkshire than by escaping to a cosy cottage in the countryside? With crisp mornings, colourful landscapes and chilly evenings, it’s the perfect time of year to slow down and enjoy a relaxing rural getaway.
Yorkshire is packed with charming cottages, from stone-built escapes tucked away in the Dales to cosy hideaways on the edge of the Moors. Spend your days exploring nearby villages, walking through the autumn countryside or simply staying in with a good book and a hot drink.
And when the sun goes down, there’s nothing quite like returning to a warm cottage, lighting the fire and settling in for a cosy evening. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend away or a peaceful escape with friends, an autumn cottage stay is a great way to experience Yorkshire at its most atmospheric.
Check out our full ist of cosy cottage stays in the Yorkshire Dales: https://the-yorkshireman.com/cosy-holiday-cottages-yorkshire-dales/
Read More: 17 Autumn Walks That Will Make You Fall In Love With Yorkshire All Over Again
