Can you think of a more beautiful place to sit back and appreciate the joys of nature than Scotland’s Isle of Skye? 

A solid 11 and a half hours drive from London, this gorgeous place is brimming with wildlife and natural gems you won’t find in the city, from varied and colourful landscape to brooding lochs.

Kinloch Lodge, a historic, family-run hotel and restaurant, is one of the best places to stay on the island for lots of reasons. A huge draw for many visitors, though, is its incredible location on a densely tree-covered hillside and at the edge of shore. 

Approaching the lodge you’ll be shocked by the beauty of the starkly white building surrounded by thick woodland, all of which turns from deep green to golden in the autumn months.

The interior of Kinloch Lodge is perfect for this snuggly season, too. Once inside you have your pick of cosy spots in the lounges which have views out across the water and are decorated with big sofas, warm pink and red colour schemes and crackling fires. While the atmospheric dining room is painted a wintery, midnight blue-grey and lit with candlelight come dinner time.

Plus, the tasting menu is divine. So, when the evenings draw in there’ll be nowhere else you’d like to be than indulging in local produce cooked by world-class chefs. 

While many might want to take a trip to the countryside during the autumn months, there’s nothing like exploring a new city during this time of the year – and one place we’d recommend visiting during autumn is Dublin.

The bustling city is great for those looking to dine and dance the night away while checking out the breathtaking landmarks like the Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral – and The Dean is the perfect hotel in the heart of it all.

The trendy boutique hotel is home to Sophie’s Rooftop – a buzzy hotspot for mid-morning brunches and evening drinks – and chic industrial-style hotel rooms that are catered to your every need.

While staying there, take a visit to the Guinness Storehouse to experience the history, heart and soul of Ireland’s most iconic beer. Visitors can get the chance to have their own faces printed on a pint of Guinness while taking in the city views and walking through the immersive experience which details the history of the Guinness brand – it’s truly not to be missed.

If whisky is your tipple of choice, Jameson Bow Lane Distillery is another great opportunity to learn about its history and enjoy a whiskey tasting (which is not for the faint-hearted). When you’re done, you can sit in the bar and enjoy another glass or two before taking your night out to the next level with a visit to The Grayson and Peruke & Periwig.

Serving up traditional Irish cuisine, The Grayson has a cosy-like atmosphere which is perfect when dining with friends or family and enjoying one of their many classic cocktails and dishes.

Highlights on the menu include the Nduja prawns with garlic baguettes and dressed leaves and the 10oz rib eye with Padron peppers, chimichurri and parmesan fries.

And a night out in Dublin isn’t complete without a visit to Peruke & Periwig. The energetic ground-floor bar offers a selection of tasty cocktails, beers, spirits and more plus a killer playlist that’ll have you dancing all night. 

But if you want a more chilled vibe, head on upstairs and enjoy the sumptuous interiors and delicious cocktail menu inspired by famous tracks and artists, like Sage Against The Machine (Malfy limone, lillet blanc, rhubarb cordial, lemon, sage, soda) and Hit The Road Jack (Havana Club Anejo especial, lime, Caribbean pineapple, luxardo maraschino, vanilla) – you won’t regret it.

If you’re looking for a staycation spot close to the city, Four Seasons Hampshire may be worth adding to your list for a weekend away or a day trip to experience its glorious surroundings and spa.

Guests can drive up to the estate and take in the breathtaking view of the restored 18th-century manor house, which is inspired by the natural surroundings of the idyllic country estate. 

While taking in the fresh autumnal air, you can engage in some fun activities from going on a canal boat ride and clay pigeon shooting to fishing and sitting in the library while sipping on tea and reading a good book. It truly doesn’t get more autumnal than this.

The spa facilities are also worth using and are sure to help you unwind during your weekend or day away. Take a dip in the indoor conservatory-style pool, or go for a swim in the outdoor vitality pool, before heading to the sauna and steam room to truly decompress.

And if you fancy a good meal, head downstairs to Wild Carrot, which incorporates seasonal, natural, locally sourced ingredients from Hampshire markets and farther afield (the braised lamb shoulder and dry-aged rib-eye steak anyone?).

Have you ever mused what would happen if you ditched the 9-5 and put your creative skills to the test, setting up your very own countryside haven? Well, that’s what Peter and Amanda did who took over the hall in 2016 and have been slowly reimagining aspects of the building and business ever since.

With a former Soho House interior designer onboard (Amanda’s talented sister), buckets of passion and no restrictive budgets or timeframe, this couple team have spent years lovingly renovating.

You can see it in the pink and green William Morris wallpaper which was saved from the hotel’s past, the vintage velvet sofas, industrial beds and swaying palms. 

The hall is set in a teeny, tiny village in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales, surrounded by idyllic rolling hills. In fact, it has its own grounds which seem to stretch on endlessly and looked breathtaking when washed with gold.

Brownber Hall has previously won awards as a hotel, but this summer Peter and Amanda decided to turn it into a rental, so you can now hire the whole thing out for up to 15 friends.

OK, if we’re talking about the perfect spot to enjoy the changing of the leaves, what about a luxury treehouse where you can sit right up in the branches? 

Chewton Glen in Hampshire is not only a premium hotel but home to one of the most glamorous treehouses in the UK, each one fully kitted out with modern interiors, hot tubs, wood burners and deck chairs to lie back and look across the treetops on. 

There are four treehouses to choose from, each one unique. Pick from the studio suite, loft suite, hideaway suite and the yews.

You could stay inside, snuggled up in front of the log burner on the sofa or take some blankets outside and enjoy a glass of red wine.

But, if you do fancy exploring a little further afield, there’s beach towns, coastal walks and the New Forest national park, all of which also look picturesque in autumn.