A Coast for All ….. autumn escapes

Autumn is a fantastic time for exploring the coast, soaking up the last of the summer sunshine, stomping crisp leaves and, perhaps best of all, for spotting wildlife 

The change in season brings a multitude of migrating birds to the East Yorkshire coast and one of their favourite sites is Bempton Cliffs. Expect to see a variety of species including thrushes, finches, gannets, kittiwakes and guillemots. 

While the puffin season might be winding down you can still spot barn owls while around the end of October, seal pups play on the rocks below the cliffs. Also look out for roe deer in the fields around the reserve and in the area’s woodlands and parks, the rutting season in October is an unmissable spectacle. 

For autumn rambles, few places beat the North York Moors National Park, from late summer into autumn, the Moors are draped in a vibrant purple blanket of heather stretching as far as the eye can see, a dream for photographers.  Walking a stretch of the 109-mile Cleveland Way is stunning in any season, but to see the vivid moorland heather at its best, visit in early September. 

The crisp, golden days in North Yorkshire are perfect for walking and cycling, with abundant wildlife and sightings of unique birds in woodland and riverside habitats. 

Step back in time chugging through the Moors on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, 24 miles of scenic steam or diesel travel. Hop off and explore stations along the route, including Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont, and the breathtaking coastal landscapes of Whitby. 

For burnt rust and yellow hues, head to Dalby Forest, perfect for autumn walks and dark sky discoveries. With more than 8,500 acres, escape to miles of walking, running and cycling trails and there’s a handy visitor centre open 9am-4pm in autumn and winter.  

Looking for somewhere cosy to stay? Cliff House Holiday Cottages are half-way between Pickering and Scarborough, with indoor pool, games room, two acres of gardens and dog-friendly! 

Events? If you’re a bookworm, you’ll be in for a treat at the Whitby Lit Festival, 6-9 November ’25, headliners include Sir Alan Aykbourn, Rob Rinder, Lee Child and Steph McGovern, amongst others, book here.   

Or visit the Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage 12-14 September, a village-wide festival with pop-up art galleries, music, heritage events and street food and drink. Free taxis and shuttle bus services will run into the villages during the festival, avoiding the steep descent on foot.  Meanwhile, the Scarborough Jazz Festival returns 26-28 September, its 22nd year, at the Scarbrough Spa.

Lace up the walking boots, grab the scarf and head out into the fresh coastal air.  

Make the most of the last of the longer days exploring nature, maybe with a swim or autumn festival Dorset’s Jurassic Coast not only offers amazing scenery but fossil hunting, wildlife watching, late summer coastal swims and cosy pubs by tranquil beaches. 

For a great walk, start at Corfe Castle and strike out along the Purbeck Ridgeway towards Old Harry Rocks, a chalk stack jutting from the sea. You’ll be rewarded with amazing views over Poole Harbour, Swanage and towards the Isle of Wight. From Swanage, jump on the Swanage Steam Railway or bus back to Corfe. 

Or stretch your legs from Durdle Door to White Nothe, taking around three hours, it features one of the coast’s most photographed icons, the natural limestone arch that’s Durdle Door. Far quieter than in the peak summer months, the views are breath-taking in every sense. This seven-mile walk is challenging, taking in four hills before the flatter ridgeway but you’ll be rewarded by countless landmarks dating back millions of years, as well as warbling birdsong and even the odd kestrel. 

Autumn is also the ideal season to hop on a ferry from Poole Quay to Brownsea Island; red squirrels are hectically storing away their winter food making them easier to spot on the ground, rustling leaves are the giveaway.  There’s always plenty to see and do in half term too. 

Back on Poole Quay, Seafood and Sounds takes place 13-14 September celebrating premium local seafood menus in pubs and restaurants, live music, parades and a daily artisan market at Scaplen’s Court, which recently reopened as part of Poole Museum’s transformation. 

In search of some mystery and intrigue? Coastal Cruises Poole is launching a Murder Mystery Night on 4 October ’25. Sailing from 7pm from Poole Quay, you’ll become part of a tense whodunnit evening. Alongside the suspense, enjoy a fine three-course dinner and if the drama becomes too much, just enjoy the stunning views! 

To stay, the four-star Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth’s East Cliff, is offering a Coastal Getaway Package from 1 October to 30 April ’26, three nights with breakfast, three course dinner, shortbread and tea or coffee on arrival, Dorset cream tea, house wine drinks with dinner on last night plus free parking for £450 for two guests.  

Easily reached from London, the Isle of Thanet is a world away from the capital and rich in nature walks. Book a guided walk on the White Cliffs of Kingsgate, 12 September, to walk along the clifftops and rocky chalk shore exploring its geology of fossils and coastal erosion with talks on the local history. 

At more than 29 hectares and comprising mudflats, saltmarshes, shingle beach, dunes, wave-cut platforms and more, the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve is known internationally for its bird life, waders and wildfowls, its bird hides are the perfect spot for watching bird migrations. Kingfisher Walks run guided walking tours from Ramsgate Harbour, September to April. 

If it’s half term or the family are in tow, Monkton Nature Reserve’s the place. This former chalk quarry offers two nature trails, through the quarry or woodland. There’s a dragonfly pond, damselfly pond, lizards, harvest mice, marbled white butterflies, kestrels and speckled wood butterflies to spot. Enjoy lunch at a picnic table or in the Cabin Café and let the kids roam the gift shop with pocket-money priced treasures. 

The gardens at Quex House are home to some of the oldest natural woodlands in the area, originally laid out in the 15th century. Follow its woodland walk for russet, yellow and copper plantings from its impressive trees but there’s also a colourful herbaceous border, kitchen garden and late roses in the borders.

The rugged clifftops and windswept beaches of the Durham Heritage Coast cast a romantic spell in autumn. Take your pick from a number of impressive walks in nature and stay at a sumptuous spa. 

If you’re planning a hike on a stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path, the Durham Coastal Footpath is 11 miles. It’s one of the most remarkable trails, transformed from acres of heavy industry into spectacular grasslands, magical coastal denes and wildlife, today a scene of tranquillity with copious wildlife below its waves and bird migrations overhead. 

Castle Eden and its dene is one of the most impressive walks, home to more than 450 plant species, roe deer and fox, its 221 hectares of woodland glow in autumn, a series of valleys run down to the coast between Sunderland and Hartlepool, to the sea at Denemouth. The Squirrel Walk is ideal on cooler autumn days at 1.8 miles or follow the Yew Tree markers for the two-mile Yew Tree Walk. 

On a clear day you can see all the way to North Yorkshire from the Horden Grasslands Local Nature Reserve. This is a treat for nature lovers, most of Britain’s grasslands have been destroyed over the past century, two-thirds now remain in the north east, here you’ll find rare wildflowers and grasses known as Magnesian Limestone grassland. This attracts hunting birds like Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owls or short-eared owls. 

If you’re planning a romantic break, why not follow The Way of Love, Northern Saints Trails? It charts the importance of three women in establishing Christianity in England, St Hilda, St Helena an St Mary Magdalene. At the same time, it mixes the importance of the area’s maritime and mining heritage, its nature reserves and the north east’s iconic denes. 

Before its journey inland towards Durham Cathedral, this long-distance walking trail hugs the Durham coastline encompassing Hartlepool’s historic headland, Castle Eden Dene and the sandy stretch of Crimdon Dene Beach. 

It's hard to believe that Nose’s Point Nature Reserve was once strewn with heavy industry, now a scene of peace and tranquillity. A century of mining has been replaced with marine life and rare grassland, home to unique plants and animals. The paths are easy to follow with information boards and poetry. 

You won’t be far from Seaham, so consider a plush stay at the Seaham Spa Hotel, recently named one of the world’s top hotels by La Liste global ranking.  This five-star coastal resort hotel is the perfect relaxation after an autumnal day pounding the trails, take a seat in its opulent Dining Room, relax in the Serenity Spa, enjoy roll-top baths and gaze at huge seascape views from its suites.