October Holidays in the UK - HomeToGo base64Hash October Holidays in the UK - HomeToGo

October Holidays in the UK

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October Holidays in the UK: Recommended holiday rentals

October Holidays in the UK: find your perfect rental from just £49 per night!

House West Blackdene
-25%
4 Oct - 11 Oct
House ∙ 4 guests ∙ 1 bedroom

Beautiful house with BBQ | Pets are welcome

West Blackdene, County Durham, United Kingdom
£99£75
per night
Vrbo
£99£75
per night
View deal
Vrbo
Apartment Saint John's Chapel
4 Oct - 11 Oct
Apartment ∙ 3 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Holiday apartment with 3 rooms for 3 persons

Saint John's Chapel, Stanhope, United Kingdom
£173
per night
Vrbo
£173
per night
View deal
Vrbo
House Phillack
-9%
12 Oct - 19 Oct
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms

Family-oriented holiday home with barbeque, garden & terrace

Phillack, Hayle, United Kingdom
£159£145
per night
Outstanding(116 ratings)
Vrbo
£159£145
per night
View deal
Vrbo
Serviced apartment Edinburgh
10 Oct - 17 Oct
Serviced apartment ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Serviced apartment with terrace | Close to Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
£171
per night
Very good
Agoda
£171
per night
View deal
Agoda
Apartment Saundersfoot
-46%
3 Oct - 10 Oct
Apartment ∙ 2 guests ∙ 1 bedroom

Holiday apartment with garden | Panoramic view

Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom
£186£101
per night
HomeToGo
£186£101
per night
View deal
HomeToGo
Cottage Plaish
12 Oct - 19 Oct
Very popular
Cottage ∙ 11 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms

Family-friendly cottage with jacuzzi, garden & pool | Pet-friendly

Plaish, Cardington, United Kingdom
£321
per night
Outstanding(127 ratings)
HomeToGo
£321
per night
View deal
HomeToGo
House Mablethorpe
4 Oct - 11 Oct
Very popular
House ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Family-oriented holiday home with terrace, barbecue & garden | Pet-friendly

Mablethorpe, Mablethorpe and Sutton, United Kingdom
£49
per night
Very good(61 ratings)
Vrbo
£49
per night
View deal
Vrbo
House Dulnain Bridge
4 Oct - 11 Oct
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms

Holiday home with barbeque & garden | Nature view

Dulnain Bridge, The Highlands, United Kingdom
£123
per night
Outstanding(62 ratings)
Vrbo
£123
per night
View deal
Vrbo
Cottage Tenby
17 Oct - 24 Oct
Cottage ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Cottage with garden

Tenby, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom
£145
per night
Excellent(28 ratings)
Vrbo
£145
per night
View deal
Vrbo
Apartment Blackpool
18 Oct - 25 Oct
Apartment ∙ 6 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms

Flat | Next to the beach | Dogs allowed

Blackpool, England, United Kingdom
£68
per night
Agoda
£68
per night
View deal
Agoda
Cottage Kingston upon Thames
11 Oct - 18 Oct
Cottage ∙ 4 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms

Cottage with barbeque, terrace & garden | Nature view

Kingston upon Thames, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
£76
per night
Excellent(85 ratings)
Vrbo
£76
per night
View deal
Vrbo
Cottage The Highlands
4 Oct - 11 Oct
Cottage ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Child-friendly cottage with garden | Mountain view | Dogs allowed

The Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom
£168
per night
Outstanding(131 ratings)
Vrbo
£168
per night
View deal
Vrbo
Serviced apartment Kensington
-18%
4 Oct - 11 Oct
Free cancellation
Serviced apartment ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Serviced apartment with garden

Kensington, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, United Kingdom
£105£86
per night
Agoda
£105£86
per night
View deal
Agoda
Apartment Seahouses
-18%
5 Oct - 12 Oct
Very popular
Apartment ∙ 4 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms

Flat with sauna, private pool & BBQ | Nature view

Seahouses, North Sunderland, United Kingdom
£189£155
per night
Outstanding(204 ratings)
Vrbo
£189£155
per night
View deal
Vrbo
Cottage Manorbier
4 Oct - 11 Oct
Cottage ∙ 10 guests ∙ 5 bedrooms

Family-friendly wonderful cottage with garden, barbecue & terrace | Nature view | Pets are welcome

Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom
£217
per night
Outstanding(117 ratings)
Vrbo
£217
per night
View deal
Vrbo

Great October Holidays in the UK

October might not seem the best choice for a UK holiday, but it is actually a great time to avoid the main crowds and enjoy some autumn colour while the weather still remains pleasantly mild.
The Top Places To Visit In The Uk In October

The Top Places To Visit In The Uk In October

Whether you want a city break or some rural peace or the seaside, here are five excellent options for an October UK holiday.

  1. Polperro, Cornwall

    The narrow streets of the picturesque fishing port are perfect to wander through when the main summer crowds are gone. Pleasure boat trips operate out of the port towards Fowey, and you might also catch an open-air performance by the Polperro Fishermen's Choir.

  2. Wye Valley

    Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the Wye Valley and, particularly, the glorious colours of the foliage in the Forest of Dean. Symonds Yat has spectacular views of the area as well as an ancient hill fort, while the Dean Forest Railway offers an alternative way to enjoy the scenery.

  3. The Cotswolds

    Walking is one of the best ways to explore the Cotswolds. Enjoy an autumn stroll on the grounds of Batsford Arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh or amble along the riverbanks in the villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, is also a must-visit.

  4. Loch Lomond

    The huge Loch Lomond offers plenty of autumnal activities. Enjoy the picturesque Balmaha Bay before taking the short ferry ride to the nature reserve on Inchcailloch​ Island. For a more active excursion, hike up Ben Lomond, which overlooks the loch's eastern shore.

  5. London

    London's own Oktoberfest is a highlight of October in the capital. So, too, are Halloween events centring on the London Dungeon. You could also check out the London Film Festival or the lively Diwali celebrations. Alternatively, enjoy some autumn colour by taking a walk through the historic streets and garden squares of literary Bloomsbury.

Best Places to Stay for October Holidays in the United Kingdom

Cottage The Highlands
11 Oct - 18 Oct
-12%
£173
£153 per night
Cottage ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms

Cottage with garden & terrace | Mountain view

4.5
Excellent(4 ratings)
The Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom
Vrbo
View deal
House The Highlands
18 Oct - 25 Oct
£114 per night
House ∙ 4 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms

Fully equipped house with garden, pool & terrace | Nature view

4.9
Outstanding(20 ratings)
The Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom
Vrbo
View deal
Cottage Port William
11 Oct - 18 Oct
£163 per night
Cottage ∙ 8 guests ∙ 5 bedrooms

Cottage with terrace, BBQ & garden

5.0
Outstanding(40 ratings)
Port William, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Vrbo
View deal

Information about October Holidays in the UK

📏 Average size of a holiday home 107 m²
😎 Quietest month June
🛏️ Popular accommodation types House rentals and Cottage
🌡️ Warmest weather July and August
🥶 Coldest weather February and January
🌧️ Rainiest months 21 rainy days in August and July
114 reviews
United Kingdom holiday rentals have an average rating of 4.7/5 across 114 reviews left by travellers.

October Holidays in the UK: frequently asked questions

October Holidays in the UK: what's the average price for a holiday apartment?

Holiday rentals in the United Kingdom cost between £185 and £198 per night.

Where I can find holiday accommodation for October Holidays in the UK that's suitable for a family or large group?

When planning a group trip it's great to know that average Cottage in the United Kingdom can fit in 5 guests and may cost around £228 per night.

What types of holiday rentals are available for October Holidays in the UK?

Best types of holiday rental for October Holidays in the UK are House rentals and Cottage.

Autumnal forest scene in Wales, looking out across golden leaves
Find fantastic foliage and woodland serenity at one of these stunning spots

The UK's 50 Best Forests for Autumn

© Getty Images / HomeToGo

Aiming to help holidaymakers discover some serene and stunning destinations for seasonal staycations, HomeToGo has released a ranking of the UK's 50 top forests to visit this autumn.

Using exclusive price and inventory data, alongside insights as to hectares covered, autumnal hours of sunshine, average rainfall, and under-the-radar status, HomeToGo has unearthed and evaluated the 50 best forests to visit as the weather turns crisp this year. Featuring iconic locations alongside off-the-beaten-path beauty spots, the list provides plenty of inspiration for breaks across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with forests and woodlands in the Snowdonia, Cairngorms, and North York Moors National Parks, as well as the Isle of Wight, Mourne, and Antrim Coast and Glens Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty all making it into the top 20.

Whether you're searching for a spot for woodland walks or moments of tranquility in nature, it's time to lace your boots, fill up a flask of tea, and wander with us into the list of the 50 best forests to visit in autumn 2023.

HomeToGo's 2023 Ranking of the UK's Best Forests for Idyllic Autumn Breaks

Rank
Forest
Country
Serenity Score
Price Score
Rain & Shine Score
Room to Explore Score
Final Score
#1 Clocaenog Forest Wales 9.52 7.58 9.00 8.78 34.88
#2 Craik Forest Scotland 9.97 8.75 8.21 7.90 34.83
#3 Brechfa Forest Wales 9.52 7.46 7.89 9.48 34.35
#4 Gwydir Forest Wales 9.75 8.59 5.37 10.00 33.71
#5 Abernethy Forest Scotland 9.69 8.50 7.35 8.01 33.55
#6 Brighstone Forest England 9.97 8.75 9.72 5.02 33.46
#7 Ashclyst Forest England 9.75 9.35 9.17 5.14 33.41
#8 Wykeham Forest England 9.93 8.40 9.31 5.72 33.36
#9 Dalbeattie Forest Scotland 9.84 10.00 7.68 5.68 33.20
#10 Glenmore Forest Scotland 9.11 8.50 7.35 7.87 32.83
#11 Mabie Forest Scotland 9.52 9.90 7.68 5.67 32.77
#12 Rostrevor Forest Northern Ireland 9.91 7.85 8.45 6.13 32.34
#13 Mortimer Forest England 9.28 7.93 9.24 5.66 32.11
#14 Afan Forest Park Wales 8.93 9.63 6.30 7.21 32.07
#15 Haldon Forest England 7.49 8.74 9.63 5.93 31.79
#16 Wentwood Wales 9.75 8.79 7.94 5.28 31.76
#17 Rothiemurchus Forest Scotland 9.95 8.50 7.35 5.94 31.74
#18 Tentsmuir Forest Scotland 9.28 6.64 9.76 5.92 31.60
#19 Ballypatrick Forest Northern Ireland 9.84 8.57 7.09 5.97 31.47
#20 Coed-y-Brenin Wales 9.97 8.45 6.42 6.29 31.13
#21 Ely Lodge Forest Northern Ireland 10.00 8.03 7.65 5.12 30.80
#22 Gosford Forest Park Northern Ireland 7.95 9.28 8.26 5.11 30.60
#23 Llandegla Forest Wales 9.61 6.55 9.00 5.40 30.56
#24 Bedgebury Forest England 9.28 6.51 9.02 5.68 30.49
#25 Newborough Forest Wales 8.64 7.48 8.82 5.49 30.43
#26 Hafren Forest Wales 9.28 8.62 5.60 6.90 30.40
#27 Florence Court Forest Park Northern Ireland 8.93 8.03 7.65 5.78 30.39
#28 Dalby Forest England 5.12 8.41 9.31 7.44 30.28
#29 St Leonard's Forest England 9.75 6.16 9.12 5.12 30.15
#30 Moors Valley Country Park and Forest England 7.49 7.72 9.46 5.19 29.86
#31 Gortin Glen Forest Park Northern Ireland 9.45 8.07 6.27 6.02 29.81
#32 Belvoir Park Forest Northern Ireland 9.98 6.68 8.10 5.00 29.76
#33= Heartwood Forest England 8.35 6.51 9.62 5.19 29.67
#33= Friston Forest England 8.64 6.03 9.86 5.14 29.67
#35 Hamsterley Forest England 5.35 7.85 9.71 6.34 29.25
#36= Alice Holt Forest England 7.49 6.42 9.64 5.54 29.09
#36= Salcey Forest England 6.22 8.02 9.55 5.30 29.09
#38 Savernake Forest England 7.95 6.38 8.89 5.75 28.97
#39 Tollymore Forest Park Northern Ireland 6.91 7.85 8.45 5.39 28.60
#40 Fernworthy Forest England 9.91 5.15 7.68 5.35 28.09
#41 Glenariff Forest Park Northern Ireland 7.49 8.57 6.05 5.77 27.88
#42 Dodd Wood England 9.28 7.24 5.93 5.16 27.61
#43 Sherwood Forest England 5.00 8.15 9.14 5.24 27.53
#44 Blengdale Forest England 9.99 7.24 5.00 5.25 27.48
#45 Macclesfield Forest England 7.95 6.72 7.26 5.23 27.16
#46 Gisburn Forest England 7.95 7.28 6.09 5.82 27.14
#47 Swinley Forest England 6.22 5.47 9.64 5.79 27.12
#48 Bellever Forest England 8.93 5.15 7.68 5.32 27.08
#49 Burnham Beeches England 6.22 5.00 10.00 5.10 26.32
#50 Whinlatter Forest England 6.91 7.24 5.00 5.80 24.95

Learn More about the Top-Scoring Stunning and Serene Forests

Top Spot: The Gwydir Forest in the Snowdonia National Park, Wales

1. Clocaenog Forest, Wales

Sat in the heart of the Denbigh Moors, this forest is peppered with waymarked trails. Each path promises unique sights, with some leading past secret waterfalls (Rhyd y Gaseg) and others to hilltop monuments (Pincyn Llys). Animal lovers can spend some time trying to spot rare black grouse and elusive red squirrels, or following the Coed y Fron Wyllt path through ancient woodland to a wetland wildlife viewing hide.

2. Craik Forest, Scotland

This isolated spot in the Scottish Borders is a woodland idyll - the perfect place in which to enjoy some tranquility amongst the trees. Visitors wandering Craik Forest's routes will be delighted by striking sights such as the Wolfcleuch Waterfall, and can take in sweeping views of the surroundings from the top of Crib Law (a hill which summits at almost 1,400 feet).

3. Brechfa Forest, Wales

The Brechfa Forest in Carmarthenshire, spanning around 6,500 hectares, covers part of the ancient forest of Glyn Cothi. Start an exploration of this magical setting by following one of the three walking paths that begin close to the friendly nearby village of Abergorlech. Take the Forest Garden Trail to see trees from across the globe, including sessile oak, nothofagus, and towering redwoods.

4. Gwydir Forest, Wales

From waterside walks around Llyn Parc and Llyn Elsi to strolls leading through majestic old douglas firs, a day spent exploring the Gwydir Forest in the Snowdonia National Park guarantees some stunning sights. Prepare for well-appointed picnic areas, panoramic viewpoints overlooking mountains such as Moel Siabod, and plenty of waymarked trails - many of which start near the chocolate box village of Betws-y-coed.

5. Abernethy Forest, Scotland

The largest surviving section of Scotland's ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, this unspoilt Cairngorms National Park destination is rich in history as well as woodland and wildlife. The majority of the forest is included in the Abernethy National Nature Reserve, and it is home to animals including red deer, pine martens, and even wild cats.

6. Brighstone Forest, England

With beech and ash as the dominant tree species, Brighstone Forest - the largest on the Isle of Wight, located in the island's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - is another location in which tranquility-seeking travellers can admire the vivid colours of changing leaves. Loop into the forest on walking routes such as the Tennyson Trail, a section of which traces through the trees, or explore by bike or on horseback.

7. Ashclyst Forest, England

Located on the National Trust's Killerton Estate in East Devon, Ashclyst Forest is an ideal destination for admiring autumnal hues, with deciduous trees such as beech, ash, oak and hazel towering above. Visitors can enjoy ambling through the woodland while being treated to vibrant displays of red, orange, and golden leaves, while dogs can (in some areas and under close control) explore off lead.

8. Wykeham Forest, England

This forest, nestled in the North York Moors National Park less than ten miles inland from the seaside town of Scarborough, is a real hidden gem - and a superlative setting for birdwatchers. Amble through the woods towards Raptor Viewpoint, from whence walkers can catch glances of birds of prey including honey buzzards, goshawks and red kites.

9. Dalbeattie Forest, Scotland

With a wooden adventure playground, a visit to Dalbeattie Forest will keep the whole family happy. Of this destination's waymarked routes, families with younger children might also enjoy the gentle, mile-long Birch Trail. Walkers can find even more charming autumnal views on the Plantain Loch Trail, with its picturesque waterside setting, while the Quarry Trail offers insights as to Dalbeattie's industrial heritage.

10. Glenmore Forest, Scotland

Another top-scoring spot in the Cairngorms, Glenmore Forest Park's rugged pines, which encircle the crystal clear waters and golden sands of Loch Morlich, make it a setting of breathtaking beauty. Activities abound all year round, with hiking and biking supplemented by water sports on the lake in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the colder months.

How HomeToGo Produced This Guide

A shortlist of forests and woodlands in the United Kingdom was collated using information from the websites of UK tourism boards and organisations such as Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, Natural Resources Wales, and NI Direct*. To rank these destinations, HomeToGo researched a number of data points to form four ranking categories, calculating a Serenity Score, a Price Score, a Rain & Shine Score, and a Room to Explore Score for each location. After obtaining the raw data, HomeToGo assigned each data point a representative numerical value between 5 and 10, with 5 representing the least positive data point and 10 representing the most positive data point. The hypothetical "perfect score" would therefore be 40 out of 40. The following equation was used to calculate this for every factor:

Score(i) = 5 · (x(i) - xmin ) / (xmax - xmin ) + 5

Serenity Score: The forest with the lowest search volume, as taken from Semrush, in combination with exclusive search insights from travellers using hometogo.co.uk, was awarded a score of 10. The remaining areas were awarded a score of 5 or higher according to the above equation.

Price Score: Exclusive HomeToGo data was used to find the median nightly cost of accommodation during autumn (23rd September 2023 - 21st December 2023) in the surrounding area of each forest. The area with the lowest median price per night was awarded a maximum score of 10, and the remaining areas were awarded a score of 5 or higher. Price data was collected in September 2023 and prices are subject to change.

Rain & Shine Score: HomeToGo used insights from each destination's nearest climate station, made available by the Met Office, to record the average hours of sunshine and millimetres of rainfall for the months of October and November in each location. The destination with the most hours of sunshine across the two months was given a score of 10, and the remaining areas were awarded a score of 5 or higher. The destination with the least rainfall across the two months was given a score of 10, and the remaining areas were awarded a score of 5 or higher. Averages of the two scores were then calculated to find each destination’s final and overall Rain & Shine Rating.

Room to Explore Score: HomeToGo used information from tourism board portals, alongside the websites for organisations such as the Woodland Trust and Forestry England, to ascertain in hectares the size of each forest. The destination covering the most hectares was given a score of 10, and the remaining areas were awarded a score of 5 or higher.

* In order to facilitate the surfacing of lesser-known, hidden gem forests, the ten largest forests in the UK were not included on this list.

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