The months of September, October and November are by no means a bad time to enjoy the UK and what it has to offer its residents and visitors. Autumn is, in fact, an excellent season to indulge in outdoor pursuits, mouthwatering local cuisine, and some of the year's most exciting cultural occasions.

Seasonal Events

Bonfire Night is a great British celebration of fireworks and bonfires, originally associated with the historic arrest of Guy Fawkes who had plotted to kill King James I. Held on the 5th November, the occasion sees families and friends revel either in their own gardens or at public celebrations throughout the country, patiently awaiting the spectacular fireworks shows at the end of the night.

Now in its tenth year, the Enchanted Forest is a family-friendly outdoor sound and light show in Pitlochry, Scotland. Throughout the month of October, ticket-bearing visitors can ramble through the illuminated forest to the rhythm of sounds and music. It's proven to be a spectacular show, and as such has won tourism industry awards.

Seasonal Cuisine

So many fruits and vegetables are in season at this time of the year, and they are perfect for throwing together a hearty, warming meal after a day out in the cold. Wholesome veg like turnips, celeriac, pumpkin, and parsnips are the perfect ingredients for broths and stews, and fruit such as apples, elderberries, pears, and quince make for delicious crumbles.

In autumn many specialist grocery counters, farmers' markets, and restaurant menus are also enriched with the presence of wild mushrooms from the modest field mushroom to the highly-acclaimed chanterelle. Traditional ways of cooking the fruits of the forest are by using them as a base for soups and sauces, however, modern recipes worth trying are wild mushroom lasagne, savoury tarts, and stir fries.

Autumn Activities

Foraging for mushrooms is a very enjoyable autumn pastime. The New Forest in England, and Perthshire in Scotland are touted as some of the best areas for indulging in the activity. Be sure to venture into the wilderness armed with a book to help identify the various types of funghi, a basket to collect them in, and a sharp knife to cut their stems. You may also wish to spray yourself liberally with an insect repellant.

Thanks to the weather man's generosity with rain, in autumn white water rafting becomes a popular outdoor pursuit. Head to areas like Gwynedd in Wales, Perth and Kinross in Scotland, and Northamptonshire in England to try your hand at the adrenaline-pumped extreme water sport.

To make the most of the British autumn, locals have learnt to kit themselves out in proper, sturdy outdoor gear. This means investing in a pair of wellies, a waterproof jacket and trousers, as well as layering up with items such as Arran jumpers and cashmere cardigans.