From golden woodland walks and misty moors to dramatic abbey ruins and cosy pub stops, these Yorkshire days out are arguably even better once autumn arrives..
There’s so much to love about Yorkshire in autumn. The trees turn every shade of gold, orange and red, the moors take on that wonderfully atmospheric quality and even a bit of drizzle can make the county’s waterfalls, rivers and ancient ruins look even more dramatic.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere to make the most of the season, these are some of our favourite Yorkshire days out to put on your list for this autumn.
Looking for a cosy pub lunch? Check out our guide to the best country pubs in Yorkshire.
Quick picks: Best Yorkshire days out in autumn
Wander through the autumn colours at Fountains Abbey
Credit: J Shepherd
Fountains Abbey is spectacular at any time of year, but there’s something particularly atmospheric about exploring its grounds in autumn. The ancient abbey ruins, woodland, deer park and water gardens give you plenty to explore, while the changing leaves add a whole new layer of colour to the landscape.
The wider Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combining the dramatic medieval abbey ruins with the 18th-century Studley Royal Water Garden. With miles of interconnected footpaths winding around the river and deer park, you can easily extend your visit into a full-day walk through golden beech canopy.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: The combination of ancient ruins, woodland, water and autumn colour makes this one of Yorkshire’s most photogenic seasonal days out.
Where: Fountains Abbey, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY.
Insider’s tip: Bypass the main visitor centre queue on busy autumn weekends by parking at the Studley Royal Deer Park entrance (near the obelisk). You get immediate access to the high-level woodland walks over the water gardens, and the light through the beech trees here at 3pm is unmatched.
Walk across Ilkley Moor
If there’s one place that proves autumn in Yorkshire isn’t just about woodland, it’s Ilkley Moor. The landscape takes on a wonderfully wild and atmospheric feel as the heather, grasses and bracken change colour, while clear days can bring sweeping views across Wharfedale.
You can keep things simple with a short wander around the Cow and Calf Rocks, or set off on one of the longer routes across the moor. Either way, leave enough time for a warming drink or something to eat at The Cow and Calf inn afterwards – this is exactly the sort of Yorkshire day out that calls for a cosy pub at the end.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: Cooler temperatures make walking the moor much more comfortable, while the changing landscape gives those familiar views a completely different feel.
Where: Cow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8BT.
Insider’s tip: If you’re visiting late in the season, skip the heather (which fades by mid-September) and head straight up past the White Wells Spa Cottage. The bracken turns a deep burnt-amber in late October, and if the yellow flag is flying, you can pop inside for a warm brew in a Victorian plunge-bath house.
Get lost in the woods at Dalby Forest
If ever there was a time to take a trip to the woods, autumn is surely it, and Dalby Forest gives you more than enough space to make a full day of it. Set within the North York Moors, the forest is criss-crossed with walking and cycling trails, with plenty of opportunities to get among the trees and see the changing colours.
There are routes for different abilities, as well as activities and facilities that make it easy to spend several hours here. It’s a particularly good option if your group includes people who have different ideas about what a trip to the woods looks like.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: This is one of the best places in Yorkshire to properly immerse yourself in autumn woodland, rather than simply admiring the leaves from the car.
Where: Dalby Forest, North York Moors, North Yorkshire, YO18 7LT.
Insider’s tip: Pay-on-exit parking uses barrier cameras, but phone signal in the valley is practically non-existent. Download your parking app or pay at the Visitor Centre machine before you drive deep into the forest, otherwise, you’ll be stuck trying to get a signal at the barrier on the way out.
Take a riverside walk at Bolton Abbey
Credit: Estate Escapes
The ruins of Bolton Abbey are impressive at any time of year, but the wider estate really comes into its own in autumn. The River Wharfe winds through the landscape, woodland surrounds the paths and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views.
You can make your visit as energetic or relaxed as you like, from a gentle stroll beside the river to a longer walk which takes in more of the estate. And, of course, there are plenty of places nearby to stop for lunch or a warming drink afterwards.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: The combination of river, woodland, open countryside and historic ruins makes this one of those days out where the journey is just as good as the destination.
Where: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6EX.
Insider’s tip: Don’t miss the lesser-trodden Strid Wood upper path. While everyone else congregates on the lower riverside track by the Stepping Stones, the higher woodland route gives you a bird’s-eye view of the fiery autumn canopy with half the number of people. (Please note: you should pre-book car parking online during peak autumn weekends).
Explore the grounds at Nostell
Credit: ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
Just outside Wakefield, Nostell is a brilliant option when you want a country house day out without heading deep into the Yorkshire Dales. The estate combines an impressive 18th-century house with hundreds of acres of parkland, woodland, gardens and lakes.
Autumn is a particularly good time to explore the grounds, when the changing trees provide a colourful backdrop to the landscape. You can walk, explore the gardens, admire the house and stop for something to eat before heading home.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: It’s an easy-going country escape with enough to see and do for a full day, without needing to plan a complicated itinerary.
Where: Nostell, Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 1QE.
Insider’s tip: Head down to the Lower Lake via the Druid’s Bridge. The estate’s collection of ancient oaks reflects off the water here, creating the best photographic spot on the site – and it’s far quieter than the formal pleasure grounds near the main house.
Spend an autumn day in Haworth
© Copyright Leeds-List 2026
There’s something about Haworth that feels made for autumn. The cobbled Main Street, independent shops, cafés and pubs are surrounded by the atmospheric landscape of Brontë Country, while the moors become even moodier and more stunning than ever as the seasons change.
You can combine a wander around the village with a visit to the Brontë Parsonage Museum, then head out into the surrounding countryside for a walk. If the weather turns, simply retreat into one of Haworth’s cafés or pubs for a warming drink.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: It combines a proper Yorkshire village day out with some of the county’s most atmospheric walking country.
Where: Haworth, West Yorkshire, BD22.
Insider’s tip: Park at the Main Street car park at the bottom of the hill (BD22 8QN). Take the steep climb up through Central Park and the cobbled street first while your legs are fresh, and enjoy an easy downhill stroll back to your car with your bags full of local finds at the end of the day.
See the autumn colours at RHS Harlow Carr
Credit: Josh Kemp Smith
If you prefer your autumn scenery with beautifully maintained gardens, RHS Harlow Carr is a strong contender. The Harrogate garden covers around 58 acres, with woodland, gardens, water features and seasonal planting providing plenty to explore.
It’s also an easy day out if not everyone in your group fancies a serious hike. Take a leisurely stroll through the ornamental gardens, then stop for lunch or afternoon tea at the on-site Bettys Cafe Tea Room.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: The gardens show just how much colour there is to enjoy beyond the traditional autumn reds and oranges.
Where: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1QB.
Insider’s tip: Head straight to the Streamside Garden and Woodland at the bottom of the slope first, before the central paths get busy. The Japanese maples (Acer) along the stream reach peak red and orange in mid-to-late October, and the morning light reflecting off the water gives you the best photos of the entire site.
Get muddy at Hardcastle Crags
For a proper woodland adventure, head to Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge. The National Trust-owned valley is packed with woodland paths, streams and waterfalls, making it a particularly rewarding place to walk when the landscape is looking lush and autumnal.
The routes vary in length and difficulty, so you can choose something that suits your group. Once you’ve finished exploring, Hebden Bridge is close enough for a wander around its independent shops, cafés and pubs.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: The combination of woodland, water and rocky paths makes this one of Yorkshire’s most atmospheric autumn walks.
Where: Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7AW.
Insider’s tip: Head straight for Gibson Mill at the heart of the valley. It’s completely off-grid, heated by biomass stoves and serves warming soups, pastries and hot drinks. Take the higher ‘Railway Path’ on the way there for views, and stick to the estate road on the way back when dusk starts to drop.
Head to the coast for an autumn day in Whitby
A crisp day on the Yorkshire coast can be one of the best ways to experience the county in autumn, and Whitby has plenty to keep you occupied even when summer is long gone.
Climb the famous 199 steps to Whitby Abbey, wander through the old town, browse the independent shops and galleries and finish with fish and chips overlooking the harbour. If the weather is on your side, extend the day with a walk along the coast.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: The crowds are generally lighter than during the summer holidays, while the combination of sea air, dramatic cliffs and historic buildings feels particularly atmospheric on a cooler day.
Where: Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21.
Insider’s tip: Autumn brings the Whitby Goth Weekend (typically late October) which completely transforms the town. If you want a quiet, atmospheric coastal trip, avoid that specific weekend but if you want incredible people-watching against the backdrop of the ruined Abbey, you’ll need to book accommodation months in advance.
Discover the waterfalls and woodland at Aysgarth Falls
The Yorkshire Dales are beautiful throughout the year, but autumn brings a different character to Aysgarth Falls. The River Ure tumbles over a series of limestone steps surrounded by woodland and countryside, with the changing leaves adding plenty of colour to the landscape.
There are several viewpoints around the falls, and you can combine the visit with a longer walk through Wensleydale if you’re feeling energetic. After a wet spell, the waterfalls can be particularly impressive.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: You get the best of two classic Yorkshire landscapes – dramatic waterfalls and colourful woodland – in one relatively compact visit.
Where: Aysgarth Falls, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, DL8 3TH.
Insider’s tip: Most visitors stick to the lower and middle falls right next to the car park. Walk 15 minutes upstream along the marked path to the Upper Falls framed by the Freeholders’ Bridge. The surrounding woodland canopy overhangs the river here, catching the golden autumn light brilliantly.
Wander through the autumn colours at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Credit: Andrewrabbott, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
In South Yorkshire you’ll find this beautiful historic estate near Barnsley. The gardens at Wentworth Castle are particularly good for an autumn wander, with ancient trees, woodland copses, open parkland and historic monuments dotted throughout the landscape. There are plenty of paths to explore, so you can make it a leisurely stroll or turn your visit into a longer walk.
It is an ideal choice for families, offering the interactive ‘Forest of Bewilderment’ play area alongside wide, pushchair-friendly autumn parkland paths.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: Crunchy leaves, mature trees and woodland paths make this a classic autumn day out, with the added bonus of an impressive historic setting.
Where: Wentworth Castle Gardens, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 3EN.
Insider’s tip: Head straight up to the Folly of Stainborough Castle at the highest point of the parkland. On a clear October morning, you get panoramic views right across South Yorkshire, framed by the estate’s 300-year-old sweet chestnut trees.
Explore Burton Agnes Hall and its autumn gardens
For an autumn day out in East Yorkshire, head to Burton Agnes Hall. The historic Elizabethan house sits within award-winning gardens, including a walled garden, yew maze and woodland arboretum, giving you plenty to explore once the leaves start to turn.
Why it’s worth visiting in autumn: You get the combination of historic house, gardens and woodland, plus the chance to make your visit coincide with a proper celebration of the season.
Where: Burton Agnes, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 4ND.
Insider’s tip: Walk to the far end of the Walled Garden to the Maze and Jungle Garden. The seasonal ornamental grasses and giant seed heads reach their absolute peak height and colour in October, long after the summer borders have faded.
