Autumn – the time of “mists and mellow fruitfulness” according to the poets – but also a great time of the year for some last-minute caravanning adventures before winter closes in.
Though temperatures are still mild, you won’t be sweltering through summer’s sweatiest weather, the crowds have finally gone home from your favourite beauty spots, schools are back, the campsites are quieter, and you might even enjoy out-of-season discounted pitch fees.
You’ll be quite simply spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your getaway this autumn. Many sites stay open until much later in the year, but it’s best to confirm there’s a place for you before you set out. Potential destinations are many – but here are just a few of our suggestions.
The New Forest, Hampshire
Ancient woodlands and open heathland make the New Forest a popular destination for caravanners, whatever the time of year. Autumn, however, displays the multicoloured panoply of trees in all their beautiful glory.
You’ll find mile upon mile of footpaths, trails, and bridleways on which to explore the National Park – taking in the famous New Forest ponies, freely grazing cattle, pigs, deer, birds, and all manner of wildlife.
Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales
It might be a longer drive from where you live, but one you’ll almost certainly find well worth it. The alluring coastline of Pembrokeshire, in the south west of Wales, is likely to be far quieter at this time of year – offering a welcome sense of solitude in which to enjoy cliff walks and stunning sunsets from the comfort of your camping chair.
Pembrokeshire National Park is the UK’s only coastal national park, and from its miles of stunning clifftop walks you can discover more than 50 award-winning beaches – from wide sandy stretches such as Barafundle Bay or Whitesands to innumerable hidden-away coves.
North Yorkshire Moors and Dales
They’re strikingly different but equally stunning. The North York Moors National Park offers a brooding landscape; the Yorkshire Dales National Park presents a softer, more bucolic picture of rural England.
With their contrasting scenery and boundless opportunities for the outdoor life, it is little wonder that both moors and dales continue to feature in descriptions of some of the UK’s favourite camping destinations.
The Yorkshire Dales take you into an immediate embrace of rolling green valleys and limestone scenery mapped out between iconic dry-stone walls.
The North York Moors are altogether more rugged and, in late summer and autumn, are carpeted with purple heather. The national park boasts a dramatic coastline of jagged cliffs, sandy bays, and seaside towns such as Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay. The heritage and history of this region of England have also left us with numerous castles and abbeys such as Rievaulx Abbey.
The Cotswolds
If you’re looking for an autumn’s caravanning in the quintessential English countryside, you might look no further than the Cotswolds.
Dodge the familiar faces of the rich and famous to discover what are still some of the cosiest market towns in rural England. Admire the chocolate-box appearance of all those honey-stone villages and browse the food festivals and farmers’ markets to your heart’s content.
The Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are little short of magical at this time of year. The crowds of summer have long since departed, and you are left more or less alone to appreciate the region’s very special beauty.
The scenery is as breath-taking as ever, of course, but now the glens and hillsides turn golden, red, and amber, in their fiery displays of birch and rowan. Wake to the morning mists that roll slowly across the lochs, and take advantage of a lower sun that creates a softer light for the very best of stunning photos.
Wildlife continues to abound throughout the Highlands, and in autumn, you will be treated to the rutting of the red deer. Hear the mighty stags roar – and inevitably clash antlers from time to time.
Autumn sees the arrival of migrating geese and swans, while clearer skies will cast soaring golden eagles in glorious flight.
Where to go in your caravan this autumn
Wherever you choose to head this season – whether it’s the fiery forests of Hampshire, the rugged cliffs of Pembrokeshire, the rolling valleys of Yorkshire, the golden villages of the Cotswolds, or the dramatic Highlands – autumn caravanning in the UK has a magic all of its own.
It’s a time of quieter roads, empty trails, and a countryside showing off some of its richest colours. With the right planning, you’ll find campsites that remain open well into the colder months, giving you the chance to enjoy a cosy escape before winter sets in.
So, pack your walking boots, stock up on warm blankets, and take advantage of the peace, space, and natural beauty that autumn brings. After all, there’s something uniquely rewarding about returning to your caravan after a brisk day outdoors, kettle on the boil, and the satisfaction of having discovered Britain’s landscapes at their most atmospheric.