Celebrating its 10th birthday this year, Glow Wild at Wakehurst, Kew’s more rural botanic garden in the Sussex countryside, will feature a huge illuminated whale and a projected version of Catherine Nelson’s colourful Planet Wakehurst, one of the UK’s biggest outdoor artworks. There will be thousands of lanterns as always, crafted by local volunteers, community groups and artists. This year’s shapes include buzzing pollinators, leaping fish, raindrops, thunderclouds and tiny seahorses. Wakehurst boasts the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, a 37-metre-high giant redwood decorated with 1,800 bulbs. There’s an interactive puppet show near the marshmallow-toasting firepit and wishing stars to hang in the trees.Various evenings from 23 November to 1 January, adult from £18, child from £11.50,kew.org
How to plan an autumn camping trip in the UK
15.09.2023 - 16:07 / nationalgeographic.com
Like the slow twirl of a winged seed falling from a maple tree, autumn camping can be a remarkable thing: sharp, bright mornings around the embers of the campfire and crisp nights spent stargazing. Autumn is a time to notice the plump berries that grow on the bushes and the swallows that swoop overhead before making their way to warmer climes. As more campsites stay open past summer — legislation passed in July 2023 allows landowners to operate pop-up campsites for 60 days, rather than the previous 28 — autumn presents ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the golds, coppers and bronzes of the new season. Here's all you need to know to plan a prime UK autumn camping trip.
Start by carefully choosing your campsite: are you most motivated by adventurous activities, beautiful landscapes or state-of-the-art facilities?
For those wanting to bask in autumn's natural beauty, the New Forest’s Ornamental Drive at Rhinefield, in particular, presents a spectacularly golden display, while the woods surrounding Ullswater — England's second-largest lake — morph into a palette of rich ambers, buttery yellows and salty caramels. The Lake District is easily explored on foot, but there's always a risk of a few autumn showers. So, if you're a keen hiker, head for a campground such as Eskdale Campsite in Boot, Cumbria or Castlerigg Farm Camping in Keswick, both of which have drying rooms for your wet weather gear should it rain.
The cooler autumn weather also makes glamping a much more appealing option, with hot tubs, outdoor baths and woodburning stoves often available keep you warm. In Yorkshire, A Place In The Pines has a safari tent and a Scandinavian cabin with a deep, bronze bathtub, while the Orchard Yurt on Lombard Farm in Cornwall has its own bubbling whirlpool bath perfect for winding down.
It's important to remember, though, that some onsite shops may have reduced opening hours after the peak season, so it's always a good idea to check that all the amenities you need will be open at your chosen campsite before you book.
For those sticking to self-pitching, ensure you have the right gear for the weather and check your equipment before you go. Take a double-skinned tent for extra protection in wet weather and peg your tent down properly, including the guy ropes, to ensure there’s space between the layers to prevent condensation. A good quality tarpaulin on the floor will add an extra layer of protection from the cold and a raised camp bed can provide a better night’s sleep than an air mattress or sleeping bag. And make sure you choose a pitch towards the top of a hill or in a spot that’s unlikely to flood should it rain.
Finally, pack battery-powered lamps, head torches and fairy lights — both for
10 of the UK’s best autumn foraging trips
Fore Adventure runs outdoor activities on and around Studland Bay on the Jurassic coast, offering half-day kayak foraging around Old Harry Rocks (£65), is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, focusing on harvesting wild plants and seaweed. Fishing and foraging (£70) adds fishing for crustaceans and fish such as black bream, sea bass and mackerel; and foraging and feasting (£140) adds a two-course meal. The company also runs two-day wild camping, sea kayaking and coastal foraging adventures (£290).Next kayak foraging trip 15 October, foreadventure.co.uk
Share a tip on your favourite autumn location
“I had not been out many minutes this afternoon before I discovered that it was the kind of autumn day every minute of which becomes a memory and seems, as it goes by, to have the beauty of a remembered thing.” So wrote the Guardian’s country diarist Basil de Sélincourt 100 years ago. Autumn is the most evocative season, when colours change, mists roll in, the light softens and wildlife is afoot gathering up the hedgerow harvest of blackberries, rose hips, crab apples and hazelnuts. We’d like to hear about your favourite autumn locations featuring forests and wildlife.
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