London
Sing along at the Overtures Piano Bar The Hippodrome Casino
Sing your heart out at this joyous piano bar, which is free to enter and features a pianist playing classic showtunes from popular musicals such as Wicked, My Fair Lady and Grease every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Overtures will also play host to regular guest appearances and even has singing bar tenders – and they serve great cocktails in case you need some Dutch courage. hippodromecasino.com/restaurant-bars-lounges/bars-lounge/overtures/
Yoga, volleyball and HIIT classes Hyde Park
Hosted by celebrity personal trainer Angel Rivelles, these complimentary sessions are held in the great outdoors and are all about having fun, getting fit and making friends in the fresh air. Various dates and times. battleground.simplybook.me/v2/
Learn about London’s history at The Museum of London
The UK’s capital has a whole host of incredible free museums – from the Natural History Museum to the Science Museum – but The Museum of London is a lesser-known gem. Delve into the fascinating history of the Big Smoke, from prehistoric times to the present day, with reconstructed interiors and street scenes as well as original artefacts found during the museum’s archeological digs. museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london
Meet the animals on Hackney City Farm
This city farm is home to animals including goats, sheep, chickens and donkeys, as well as smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs. The farm is also a vital community hub with a vegetable collection scheme for locals, and you can purchase freshly laid eggs and honey from their bees. hackneycityfarm.co.uk
Get lost on Hampstead Heath
A wild park of woodland and meadows which sprawls over 800 acres and boasts some of the most spectacular views in London, Hampstead Heath is a breath of fresh air. There are few better ways to spend a weekend than rambling through the heath, and if the weather calls for it, flying a kite at the top of Primrose Hill a la Mary Poppins is a must. hampsteadheath.net
Get the giggles at a comedy show at Angel Comedy Club
Enjoy free stand-up sessions every evening at 8pm. Turning up early to get a good seat is advised. angelcomedy.co.uk/whats-on
Follow the statue trail in Leicester Square
Bringing the nation’s favourite movie characters to life, Scenes in the Sqaure is the statue trail which launched in February 2020 and features the likes of Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, Mr. Bean, Paddington and DC superheroes Batman and Wonder Woman. An audio tour, narrated by Alex Zane, is also free to download. leicestersquare.london/scenes-in-the-square
Midlands
Enjoy art at The Harley Gallery in Nottinghamshire
This contemporary art gallery on the Welbeck estate, near Worksop, is currently hosting a free exhibition: Coast, Country, City. Taking visitors on a journey of landscapes, the collection includes a variety of destinations across the UK and includes artists such as David Hockney and Edward Bawden, Catherine Yass and Paul Nash. Until 7 Nov, harleygallery.co.uk
Sculpture Garden at Carden Park in Cheshire
Curated by Grant Ford, BBC’s Antiques Roadshow expert and fine art curator, this new sculpture garden is set against the stunning backdrop of Cheshire’s 1,000-acre luxury resort and is a fantastic way to while away an autumn afternoon. cardenpark.co.uk/introducing-the-sculpture-garden/
Lincoln Farmers’ Market in Lincolnshire
Sat atop of Lincoln’s famous cobbled streets on Castle Hill, this picturesque food market is the perfect city spot to taste food samples, listen to expert advice on meats and jams, and purchase a range of locally grown and produced food. Every third Saturday of the month. 10am–4pm, visitlincoln.com
North-West
The International Slavery Museum in Liverpool
The only museum in the UK which looks at the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies, The International Slavery Museum has recently been offered £9.9m from the Lottery Heritage Fund to expand. Learn about the slave trade and contemporary slavery. liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
The Makers Market at Trentham Estate in Staffordshire
Showcasing award-winning local food and drink, as well as arts and crafts, The Makers Market at Trentham Estate has something for everyone. Plus, with Trentham Shopping Village and Garden Centre just a stone’s throw away, visitors can easily make a day of it. Sat 18 Sep and Sat 23 Oct, themakersmarket.co.uk
(Photo: Dave Jones)
World Fireworks Championships in Lancashire
The world’s best firework technicians will delight spectators with series of explosive shows above the skies of Blackpool Tower. Arrive early and head down to the North Pier to secure the best vantage point from which to view the display. 25 Sep, 9 and 23 Oct, from 7.30pm, visitblackpool.com
North-East
Gaze at the Pontefract Giants in West Yorkshire
Located in the historic Wakefield market town of Pontefract, Pontefract Castle is playing host to a series of giants this autumn. Featuring projections of ancestors of past residents, the installation will transport visitors on a journey through time from the first inhabitants of the area some 300,000 years ago. Booking advised. 25-26 Sep, experiencewakefield.co.uk
Sheffield Harvest Fayre in South Yorkshire
Celebrating the Steel City’s vibrant food scene, Sheffield Harvest Fayre showcases local produce, street food and brewers and will take over the Peace Gardens, Winter Gardens, Millennium Sqaure and Town Hall Square. 18-19 Sep, theoutdoorcity.co.uk
Explore Durham Cathedral in County Durham
This Unesco-listed building dates back to the 11th century and it’s been in continuous use ever since. The castle offers spectacular views across Durham and there are free daily tours keep an eye out for the sanctuary’s knocker on the front door, which used to grant any fugitive who touched it 37 days of sanctuary inside the castle. durhamcathedral.co.uk
South-West
Darts Farm Field, Fire, Ferment Food Festival in Devon
A day of tastings, tales and demonstrations in Exeter, this festival invites guests to discover the art behind fermentation, as well as tips on preparing and cooking fish and meat over charcoal and fire. There will also be plenty of West Country farmhouse cheese, charcuterie, cider, beer and gelato to fill up on. 18 Sep, 10-4pm, dartsfarm.co.uk
Puppet performances in Weymouth
An illuminated puppet parade is taking to the streets of Weymouth this autumn. Named Inside Out: Sense of Unity, the huge puppets will light up in the evening and walk through the seaside town, accompanied by music and dancers. 24-25 Sep, from 7.30pm, weareweymouth.co.uk
South
Woodland Festival in the New Forest
Hoburne Bashley holiday park is holding its first Woodland Festival – a one-day event where guests can enjoy locally-produced food and drink, plus live music throughout the day, and a series of paid-for workshops taking place in the holiday park’s ancient woodlands. 25 Sep, 10am-5pm, hoburne.com/holiday-parks/events/woodland-festival
Arts by the Sea Festival in Dorset
Now in its 11th year, Arts by the Sea is the south coast’s annual celebration of all things arts and culture, where visitors can witness Bournemouth’s beautiful beaches, outdoor spaces and gardens being transformed into art installations, optical illusions and digital art shows. There will also be musical and street performances. A real feast for the eyes. 1-3 Oct, artsbythesea.co.uk
South-East
Enjoy a pub walk in Kent
Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, has released a series of pub walks just in time for the cosier days and nights. Taking you through the beautiful Kent countryside, each one begins and ends a pub, so there’s plenty of opportunity for refreshments. shepherdneame.co.uk/walks
Traverse the Gruffalo Trail in Essex
Set in the woodland of Thorndon Country Park, this 45-minute self-led trail explores the popular Gruffalo story while educating children about native woodland – keep an eye out for the handcrafted carvings of the characters. essexwt.org.uk/visit/nature-trail/gruffalo
Tiptree Jam Museum in Essex
Tiptree Jam is one of Essex’s most successful exports, and this fascinating museum in the Colchester village of Tiptree provides guests with an insight into the intricate jam-making process – jam has been made on-site for almost 150 years. Explore what village life used to be like and how the Tiptree Jam recipe has evolved. tiptree.com/museum
West
Daylesford Organic Harvest Festival in Gloucestershire
Offering the opportunity to go behind the scenes at one of the UK’s most successful sustainable farms, visitors will be able to tour the farm, listen to live music and enjoy floral crown-making, yoga, arts and crafts sessions and scarecrow competitions. Christopher Biggins will be on-hand to host the dog show. 18 Sep, daylesford.com
Enjoy the autumnal colours in Herefordshire
The autumn colour grail in Ashridge will dazzle walkers at every turn with an abundance of autumnal colours, plenty of wildlife and piles of leaves to kick about. An easy three-hour amble, the route can be downloaded from the National Trust website. nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/trails/autumn-colour-trail-at-ashridge
Scotland
Aberdeen Maritime Museum in Aberdeenshire
Situated on the historic Shiprow, this institution tells the story of the city’s long relationship with the sea and is home to a collection spanning ship-building to fishing and port history. Visitors can also check out displays about the North Sea oil and gas industry. aagm.co.uk
Pet animals at LOVE Gorgie Farm in Edinburgh
A friendly urban farm tucked in between Edinburgh’s busy railway line and one of the city’s main roads, LOVE Gorgie Farm is a little piece of the countryside and offers hands-on learning opportunities. Meet the chickens, ducks, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. lovegorgiefarm.org.uk
The Potter Trail in Edinburgh
This free walking tour takes attendees to various locations that inspired the Harry Potter books. You’ll see the café where JK Rowling wrote the first book, as well as learning about historical witches and wizards in the city. pottertrail.com/home
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow
Among the most-visited museums in the UK outside of London, Kelvingrove features 22 galleries and more than 8,000 objects, including taxidermy. glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove
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Activities and games for your kids in the garden this autumn, from mini wormeries to seed collecting
Wales
Go rockpooling in the Gower
Grab your fishing net and join presenter Dan Rouse to explore the wildlife found in and around rockpools of Bracelet Bay. Learn about the different creatures in each pool, their habits and habitat, and how to help preserve the landscape. Booking essential, 19 Sep, gowerwalkingfestival.uk
Enjoy a postcard exhibit in Swansea
Postcards to the Future is a fascinating exhibit at The Glynn Vivian Gallery in Swansea which features a collection of postcards from people of all ages and backgrounds. The postcards depict uplifting messages of hope and peace. Until 10 Oct, booking required, glynnvivian.co.uk/visit/book-your-free-admission
Cardiff to Castell Coch in Cardiff
This seven-mile cycling route is a great ride for families and novice cyclists. Taking you on a traffic-free path from Bute Park Arboretum in Cardiff all the way out to the fairy tale Castell Coch. sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/cardiff-to-castell-coch
Explore Cwm Mynach in Gwynedd
Join a free guided walk to take in the sights and sounds of Cwm Mynach, a 1,000-acre site managed by Coed Cadw – Wales’ Woodland Trust. Participants will be taken along the hidden valley running through the wild and Rhinogydd mountain range, exploring diverse habitats and spotting wildlife such as Pine Martins, otters and red squirrels. 18 Sep, woodlandtrust.org.uk
Northern Ireland
Stroll through the Botanic Gardens in Belfast
Next to Ulster Museum you’ll find the beautiful Botanic Gardens, a public park which has been awarded a Green Flag as one of the UK’s best open spaces. Stroll along the many walking routes, enjoy the horticulture or simply relax on a bench and soak up the sights. visitbelfast.com
Tour Belfast City Hall in Belfast
One of Belfast’s most iconic buildings, Belfast City Hall first opened its doors in August 1906 and the City Tours App can be downloaded for free to listen to a guided audio tour. The manicured grounds outside also house the Titanic Memorial Garden and are illuminated after dark. belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall
Nationwide
Mindful Chef Coast Clean
Mindful Chef has partnered with UN Patron of the Wilderness Ben Fogle for its third annual Coast Clean, which will see members of the public clean-up beaches, parks, rivers and woodlands across the UK. Last year more than 75,000 litres of plastic were collected. 17 – 19 Sep, mindfulchef.com/coastclean
Learn to fish
Join the Canal & River Trust at one of its free, award-winning Let’s Fish! events. Taking place in rivers and canals across the country – including Foxton Locks, Barford Lakes and Shropshire Union Canal – the taster events are suitable for anyone over the age of six. Multiple dates and locations, anglingtrust.net/nationalfishingmonth
Family fun in the park
ParkLives is a free activity programme designed to get the best out of your local park, with activities for all ages and abilities you can get involved in zorbing, tag, rounders and dozens more fun and games. Every Saturday from 10am, multiple locations. park-play.com
Go stargazing
With the nights getting longer and darker, autumn serves up the perfect conditions for some stargazing. In September, look out for the Great Square of Pegasus and the Full Harvest Moon, and in October the Orionid Meteor Shower will also be visible.
Collect conkers
Autumn means conker season, and there’s no better time to go out in search of a Horse Chestnut tree to see who can collect the smallest, biggest or shiniest conker. Why not take some string and play a traditional game of conkers too?
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