Fall can be a magical time of year when the leaves start to change and the air has a note of crispness to it. If you’re in the UK between September and November, try checking out one of these stunning national parks, for a true taste of autumn.
Peak District, Derbyshire
If you’re staying in Manchester or Sheffield, the Peak District is easily accessible via car or train. This national park offers rolling hills, some steep crags, and ancient woodland. Watching the mist roll in over the moors is really quite something, especially when you can retreat to the safety of one of Derbyshire’s many excellent pubs for a warming drink and meal. Check out the towns of Bakewell (famous for its delicious pudding) and Buxton for shopping, cafes, and restaurants.
Dartmoor, Devon
From many of the tors (granite hill-tops) on Dartmoor, the sea is visible, giving a lovely sense of the proximity of this national park to the coastline. As fall approaches, the heather darkens and the bracken dies, lending the hills gorgeous tones of dark orange and purple. Visit the charming village of Widecombe (where you can try a lovely cream tea), or venture up to the bleak town of Princetown, where you can visit the spooky Dartmoor Prison Museum.
Brecon Beacons, Monmouthshire
Spread across three different Welsh counties, this beautiful national park features some of the best hill-walking in Britain. There are numerous small towns and villages to stop off in and admire the hills from afar, or you can start hiking immediately and admire the autumnal landscapes as fall turns the hills burnt gold, ochre, and red.
