10 Activities to Complete This Autumn: I was shopping yesterday when I spotted a Christmas cracker display, right next to it were the giant tubs of Christmas Celebrations and a pile of decorative pumpkins. The school uniform aisles were bare, and all the cosy red winter jumpers were out. Welcome to September……
Summer is over, and September is here, and I’m setting myself a plan for the months ahead. I want to embrace the change in season and not feel sad the summer is over and it’s back to a routine.
I always love a plan and have been working on my Autumn activities over the summer holidays.
Here’s my plan for the next few months:
🍎September: Saturday 6th – Booked my ticket for Frontier Sapiens Film Night– come and join me, tickets still available
🍎September: One last picnic in Daisy, my campervan, before she goes into hibernation.
🍎Friday’s: Back to Friday swim and sauna sessions with my Friday Dippers
🍎September: August has been full of bike rides on the South Downs and in the gym, getting my legs ready for my four-day cycling trip in Málaga in September (my new cycling shorts are not the most flattering, but they do the job!) I am new to the cycle “thing”, so not sure how this trip will turn out!
🍎October: Film Night at Finisterre in Brighton, viewings across the country
🍎October: I am off to Marseille for a hiking weekend.
🍎November: will see me visiting the Lake District with my swim buddies – they are taking me to a secret waterfall!
🍎December: Not so much an adventure, but it’s my annual Christmas Dinner fundraising event to raise money for my local women’s refuge and homeless charity.
All links are correct on the publication date. Please note that links can change quickly.
1. Swim at Sunrise (or Sunset)
The sea in September is still holding onto summer warmth, but the mornings and evenings are edging cooler. The average sea temperature in Brighton in September are 17 degrees C!
👉 Check sunrise and sunset times near you
2. Pick Blackberries on the Hedgerows
As I have been cycling on the South Downs, I have spotted loads of blackberries, you can smell them as you cycle past. Get picking this weekend and make a crumble.
👉 The Woodland Trust’s guide to foraging safely
👉 Blackberry & Apple Pie recipe (BBC Good Food)
3. Hike a New Trail
Find a new footpath, climb a hill you’ve never tackled, or download a walking route you’ve had on your list. Tip: Always download the route before you leave. I got caught out over the summer and got very lost when my phone signal disappeared.
👉 Explore new routes with AllTrails UK
👉 Plan walks with the Ordnance Survey OS Maps app
4. Forage for Autumn Treasures
September is nature’s harvest festival: conkers, rosehips, crab apples, even mushrooms (if you’re confident).
As a kid, I loved i-Spy books and I have recently rediscovered them. I spotted sloe berries on my bike rides – one of my besties makes sloe-gin every year for Christmas. Check out the Autumn i-Spy book.
👉 Find local foraging courses with Wild Food UK
👉 Spot as you go with Collins Michelin i‑SPY Guides
5. Try a Cold‑Water Challenge
If you’ve been dipping all summer, set yourself a little challenge: swim every day for a week, try a “skins swim,” or join a local group. Always take a warm drink for afterwards and watch your fellow swimmers for how to keep cosy – everyone has there own little routine!
👉 Discover local groups via the Bluetits Chill Swimmers
6. Go Apple Picking
Orchards are bursting now, and many farms run “pick your own” days into autumn. It’s wholesome, grounding, and tasty.
👉 Find a PYO farm near you on Pick Your Own Farms UK
👉 Discover Apple Festivals & Apple Day events across the UK
7. Visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition
Immerse yourself in Earth’s beauty through the lens of global wildlife photographers. You have 100 photos to view taken across the world. You must book tickets in advance.
👉 Book tickets and plan your visit (Natural History Museum)
8. Sign Up for an Adventure Event
From half‑marathons to harvest fairs. They’re a brilliant way to plug into your community — even nutty ones like the World Conker Championships! And a great way to set a goal and get training when it’s a bit miserable!
👉 Browse UK events on Let’s Do This
👉 World Conker Championships – event information
9. Cook Outdoors
Firepit, BBQ, or camp stove — food always tastes better outdoors. Toast marshmallows, sip mulled cider, wrap up in blankets. One day I want to make a paella over the fire – the most I managed this summer was scrambled eggs and smoky campfire toast!
10. Adventure Book for September Nights
👉When the evenings draw in, curl up with a book that sparks new ideas for adventures:
👉Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain – Jo Moseley – COMING SOON – Pre Order Here – I have ordered mine.
Why September’s Autumn Activities matter:
I didn’t want to feel sad that summer was over — I wanted to be positive and look forward to the change of season, and the only way I know how to do that is by making a plan and getting things booked into my diary.
So instead of missing the long, light evenings, I’m leaning into what’s ahead. My cycling trip has kept me focused on staying fit and getting me outside. As soon as I hit publish for this blog, I’ll be back on my bike tackling a hill climb session in the gym!
Here’s to embracing September, making space for new adventures, and finding joy in the shift of seasons. Have fun out there!
✨ Over to you: Which of these will you try first? Or what’s already on your September adventure list?
Need Inspiration: Check out last week’s Blog: Frontier Sapiens Film Festival