A Coast for All … Starry skies and seasonal treats

As leaves shift from green to rusty reds, enjoy the colours up-close on a woodland stroll or bike ride then wrap up and spend a night studying the stars.

The North York Moors National Park is one of the best places in the world to study the night sky and with two Dark Skies Festivals in February and October annually, the Park is well geared up with astronomical experts, dark-sky friendly accommodation and a packed programme of activities for sky gazers of all ages. 

If you’re looking for the top spots, recognised areas include the Park’s two National Park Centres at Sutton Bank and Danby as well as Dalby Observatories in Dalby Forest, all Dark Sky Discover Sites (Milky Way class), the galaxy is often visible to the naked eye at these sites. 

Alternatively visit Rosedale Chimney Bank and the Bruce Observatory in Whitby, the Whitby & District Astronomical Society host stargazing events. 

Discovering, learning and enjoying the dark skies is often more rewarding with an expert. Join the start of the stargazing season at the Dark Skies Fringe Festival, 24 October to 2 November and take part in the likes of Moonlight meanders, Mars watching, Hallowe’en hikes, stargazing night trail runs and much more. 

For next year, the Dark Skies Festival takes place 13 February to 1 March at the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the 11th Dark Skies Festival. 

On the East Yorkshire coast, Flamborough Head lies exactly halfway between Land’s End and John O’Groats.  

Jutting out into the sea, by its nature it’s isolated from surrounding light pollution and a great spot not just for birdwatching but stargazing. 

Sea on both sides means it is one of the area’s darkest spots and its quiet lanes provide an ideal opportunity for feasting your eyes on the heavens above. 

Visit in October and you’ll also be in time to spot resident seabirds like Northern Gannets, Kittiwakes and migrating thrushes like Redwings and Fieldfares arriving from the Continent. You might also spot passing ducks and geese. In addition to Flamborough, visit Bempton Cliffs and woodland reserves like Little Back Wood. 

Trick or treat trails, haunted pubs and spooky castles - Hallowe’en is covered on the coast, but also head to jazz and blues festivals and step outside for glorious autumnal walks.

As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Isle of Wight is ideal for keen stargazers and a brilliant activity for the whole family in October half term.  

With no major cities and very little light pollution, the number of visible stars is truly breath-taking, it’s possible to see The Milky Way, Cassiopeia, Orion and the Plough dazzling overhead and best spots are in the Isle’s most remote locations. 

Top sites with car parks include Freshwater Bay, Compton Bay, Brook Chine, Whale Chine, Culver Down and Yaverland. Or head to Brighstone Beach, the Needles Headland, St Catherine’s Down, Brading Down, St George’s Down or the Longstone at Mottistone – the list goes on! 

October half term is ideal as darkness falls by about 8pm and there’s plenty of star-gazing friendly accommodation from holiday homes to farm stays and glamp sites.  It’s even possible to learn about the solar system by day with a pram and wheelchair friendly Solar System walk from Bonchurch to Ventnor.  Starting with a model of the Sun, planets are marked out to scale with signs showing key facts about each one. 

You’ll also find plenty of spine-chilling Hallowe’en adventures. Ventnor Botanical Gardens is reckoned to be one of the most haunted spots on the island, haunted by ghosts of the Old Royal National Hospital that once stood there, prepare for sickly ghost sightings and phantom nurses in old-fashioned uniforms. 

Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne, Fort Victoria and Brading Roman Villa are other ghoulish hotspots while spooky antics will also be afoot at “haunted” pubs such as The Castle, Wheatsheaf Inn in Newport and Hare and Hounds in Arreton.  Haunted happenings will also take place at Fiesta of the Dead at Blackgang Chine, the UK’s oldest theme park. 

If you’re thinking of a trip to the south east, many of White Cliffs Country’s attractions stay open all year.  

Wingham Wildlife Park is always worth a visit, Dover Museum (visit the charming Animals are Everywhere exhibition) and the Bronze Age Boat Gallery are open daily and Dover and Walmer Castles are open daily throughout half term too. 

Pick up a Walking and Cycling routes map to explore the stunning trails along, parks, gardens and coastline to soak up the extraordinary views. 

For all things spooky, brave Kent’s most haunted castle, Dover, or Ghost Tales at Deal Castle, Fangtastic Fun at Fort Burgoyne and a Hallowe’en Trail at Kearnsey Park. 

On a different note, have some seasonal fun with a trip to Dorset’s Swanage Blues Festival, 3-5 October. Thousands of music lovers arrive for 76 gigs at 18 venues across town. Foot-tapping music, food and drink, dancing and laughter are guaranteed from the Thursday to late Sunday night.  Come for electric and unplugged sounds in pubs, restaurants and hotel bars. 

Children are invited to follow the Brambly Hedge Trail at Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset. Based on a series of children’s books, there are stamp points, questions and characters to meet aside from the amazing spectacle of thousands of swans.  Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall brings Deadly Live to Bournemouth on 28 October, featuring big cats, snakes, birds of prey and more in an unforgettable wildlife spectacle. 

Teddy Bear zip wire returns with a new family quest at Corfe Castle. Bring your teddy and take them on a castle tour before giving him a ride on the zip wire by the castle keep. 

There’s also plenty happening on the Isle of Thanet. Broadstairs Food Festival, 3-5 October, sees the return of the chef’s stage with a stellar line-up. New this year is an appearance from author and international cheese judge Steve Parker while the Green Hop event offers limited edition ale by five local brewers.  Meanwhile songs in homage to Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker and Gregory Porter are promised at the Broadstairs Jazz Festival, 3-5 October. 

The seaside litfest Margate Bookie is back 4-12 October held at The Margate School and Turner Contemporary with two days of writing workshops, a daily children’s story time and Children’s Festival plus appearances by Jay Rayner, Jacqueline Crooks, David Whitehouse and other writers. 

Octoberfest takes place at Quex Park on 18 October where there’s a half term Trick or Treat Trail 18-26 October and for model makers, ModelFest features at the RAF Manston History Museum, 18-26 October.  To get outdoors, Monkton Nature Reserve is also staging plenty of half term events. 

But perhaps you’re after a more relaxing escape. Ritual Lost Wax Retreat is a two-day event, 3-5 October at Kindred House in Margate which promises to get you ‘out of your body and into your head’ while Monkton Nature Reserve is hosting a Forest Bathing and Tea Ceremony on 5 October and a drop-in Thai Chi Movements Day on 12 October. Gentle yoga, crafts and African drumming are all part of the Wellbeing Taster Day 25 October inviting you to pause and unwind in Quex Gardens.