Autumn, Our Favourite Time of Year
A Few Reasons to visit Devon and Cornwall in October
The weather can still be amazing into October, with only a slight drop in temperature. Plus, there are far fewer people in the car parks, at the tourist attractions and in the sea!
Holidaying with your dogs.
Margie and her pals at Bantham Beach
During the summer most of the beaches in Devon and Cornwall are off limits to dogs, but as soon as the end of September rolls around, the restrictions are lifted. The beautiful sandy bays become your dog’s playground. This makes visiting with your dog much more enjoyable, and much more fun as they can bound around in the sea without a care in the world.
Photography
Start Bay Lighthouse
The countryside, woodland, moorland and coastal pathways all transform. With far fewer crowds, shifting colours and golden light, autumn makes the perfect opportunity to take some amazing photographs.
Bird Watching
The South West is great for birdwatching at this time of year, with migratory birds as well as the quieter landscapes providing better opportunities to see our native birds. Check the RSPB website for guides and tips.
Surfing
Autumn is prime hurricane season across the Atlantic and the South West is often on the tail end of some pretty violent storms. With big waves comes big surf and for the experienced surfer autumn is the perfect time for hitting the water. The sea is generally still warm from the summer sun at this time of year too, so there’s no need for a full winter wetsuit either. It is quieter in the sea as well as on the beaches so there is less competition for the perfect wave. Waves Surf School provides lessons at many of the beaches local to Padstow and Discovery Surf run classes at Bigbury in South Devon, just outside of Salcombe.
Food Festivals
October sees the Falmouth Oyster Festival celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season. The five day festival is packed with cookery demonstrations by leading local chefs, there are oysters, seafood, wine and local ale to sample along with entertainment in the form of sea shanties, a town parade, live music, an oyster shucking competition, a Falmouth Working Boat race and marquees brimming with Cornish produce. The festival is a must for all oyster, seafood and maritime heritage enthusiasts!
The Dartmouth food festival, which takes place in October, is now a landmark event on the culinary calendar. It is a first class feast of entertainment featuring workshops, seminars, tastings, competitions, demonstrations and over 120 hand-picked exhibitors (70% of which are from Devon), it truly is the very best that the South West has to offer.
Walking
The rain doesn’t tend to arrive with the start of autumn and September, October and even the beginning of November tend to be balmy with clear skies. In fact there is higher average rainfall in Cornwall from May to August than September to November, making autumn great for walkers with many dry days and temperatures often more comfortable for walking. The are endless walking opportunities with the glorious South West coast path, wooded estuaries and expansive moorland.
Pub culture
Pubs really come to life in Devon and Cornwall when the nights start drawing in and everyone comes together for a few cosy pints inside. Many have welcoming fires, sea views and menus filled with hearty meals. The perfect place to gather with friends and family. The Harbour Inn in Padstow is a great after a walk out to Trevose Head. The Sloop Inn in Bantham is a perfect after a blustery walk on the glorious beach.
Here at Aloft we will be out enjoying the quieter months and all that gloriousness the South West has to offer in the Autumn.
Max up on Dartmoor with those incredible views
0 comments