5 Autumn Micro Adventures You Need to Try

2026 is the year of the "micro adventure". With less spare cash and free time, and more stress than ever, we're all looking for small moments of joy wherever we can get them. Micro adventures are exactly that - small moments to get away from everything and do something that you enjoy, without having the time or budget for a multi-day trip. 

Micro-adventures may be the talk of summer, but I feel like autumn is the time where we all need encouragement to get outside.  Autumn is hands-down one of my favourite times of year. The leaves are golden, the air is crisp, yet everyone heads inside in fear of being caught out by the Great British Weather, and that feels like a crime.

3 of the Best Places to Spend Autumn in the UK

Autumn is one of my favourite times to travel around the UK.

Yes, people may mock the Great British weather's famous indecision, but leaving the house with a raincoat AND suncream is all part of the adventure, isn't it? It all contributes to the magic of the ever-changing landscapes that this beautiful country has to offer, and as we've seen from the last few months, the rain keeps the UK's beautiful shades of green in check!

The crowds have mostly dissipated, spurred on by the threat of changeable weather, the leaves have turned every shade of red, orange and gold and no one will judge you for spending the afternoon in a cosy pub or cafe with a slice of cake and a coffee, because that's just what you do in the 'ber months.

The UK really comes into its own in autumn - maybe this is controversial but I think there are lots of destinations around the UK that look even better through the autumn lens. Whether you're in search of tree-lined streets and long walks over crunchy leaves, a cosy city break or somewhere to watch the waves crash against the shoreline, these three places are my personal recommendations and they're sure to deliver!

100 Things To Do in Bristol Without a Car

Updated September 2026

Hey Owlets,

If you're looking for a city that has it all, Bristol is THE place to visit. Over the years Bristol has become known as a foodie hotspot and a hub of arts and culture, but there's even more to it than that! This vibrant city on the water is home to a whole host of museums, adventure experiences, various attractions and so many stunning walks that I still haven't ticked them all off, having lived here for 30 years!

There are so many things to see and do in and around Bristol, but this wonderful city has one huge issue - the public transport. Bristol's spotty public transport network is so well known that it was recently discussed in parliament! 

Exploring Bristol without a car is definitely more challenging, but it's not impossible and I will say that it's gotten much easier over the past decade. There are several places that you do need a car to get to, but there are also literally hundreds of things to see and do that are accessible via public transport. In case you don't believe me, I'm going to share 100 things to see and do in Bristol without a car. I've split it into different categories so you can search by what interests you too. 

Also, if you're hoping to visit for a weekend city break I've shared a guide to visiting Bristol on a budget which goes into more detail about where to stay, what to eat and what to do on a budget.

How to Spend a Weekend in Bristol, UK on a Budget

Updated September 2026

Hey Owlets,

Just like everything else, travelling is getting more expensive. The same budget that used to stretch to a week long trip, a few long weekends or a last minute cruise is now stretched during just one trip - especially if you’re exploring a big city like Bristol. I love my hometown but it has a reputation for being pricey, and while that’s not miles away from the truth a trip to Bristol doesn’t have to cost the Earth. There are plenty of ways that you can visit Bristol on a budget and still make the most out of your trip to the city.

The Best Things to Do in Bristol This Autumn

Updated August 2026

I know I'm biased as a proud Bristolian, but there's something extra special about Bristol in autumn. The busy streets get a little quieter, local pubs start bringing entertainment inside, the city lights up with different firework displays and the autumn markets get a new buzz about them as people start planning for Christmas. 

Having lived in Bristol my whole life, Autumn is one of my favourite times of year to explore the city. After a busy summer jam-packed with events and adventures, and months of pointing lost tourists in the right direction every time you head into the city centre, autumn feels like a selfish opportunity for locals to take a breath and unwind for a while. Autumn offers the perfect opportunity to appreciate the peace and quiet between the two busy seasons, and enjoy orange-tinged views up the tree-lined streets - a sight that not many tourists stay to enjoy.

Autumn isn't typical tourist season in Bristol, but in my opinion it's one of the best times to visit - here are a few of my absolute highlights. 

In The Pursuit of Finding Joy

Hey friends,

It's been a while since I posted on The Owlet.

I started this website in 2017 as a hobby in an attempt to feed my creative side while working as a commercial event photographer and coming to terms with the fact that I now hated the job I’d worked so hard to build for myself. 

My creative outlet did a little too well and somehow became my job back in 2019, but over the last few years its been increasingly difficult to find the passion for writing that I once had an abundance of. Somewhere between the industry-wide focus on "helpful content", Google’s many updates coming in thick and fast, and multiple life-changing events in my personal life, I didn’t have the space in my brain to write for fun anymore. 

Earlier this year I lost my mum - one of my biggest cheerleaders and the person who taught me to look for the small joys in everyday life, even something as simple as enjoying a coffee with a pretty view. Somewhere in the stillness after the funeral, I  realised that somewhere along the way I'd been so busy wanting to make Mum happy and comfortable that I’d stopped looking for joy for myself. 

So a few months ago I decided to go all in on the pursuit of farming for joy and finding ways to make the days count. I spent so long saying no that my default answer to any opportunity is YES. I’m very much in the mindset of I’ll try anything once, because if you haven’t tried it then how do you know if you’ll enjoy it?

Four Unmissable Free Events in Bristol this Summer

The days are long, the sun is shining and Bristol is awake and ready to party!! 

I genuinely don’t think any UK city celebrates summer quite as well as Bristol does. It’s not just that there’s always something going on, it’s the fact that so many of the summer events in Bristol are completely free to attend! Whether you’re travelling alone or with family, you’ll always find something to do in Bristol without breaking the bank. There are so many smaller events to stumble upon throughout the summer months, but here are the four biggest events throughout summer in Bristol that you can’t afford to miss!

Moxy Hotels Southampton Review - The Perfect Pre-Cruise Stay?

Moxy Southampton - The Ideal Pre Cruise Stay?

Southampton isn’t just a student city - it’s the busiest cruise ship port in the UK, and one of the busiest in Europe. With this in mind, you won’t be surprised to learn that you’ll be spoilt for choice when trying to find a hotel in Southampton. Whether you’re looking for a pre-cruise say or a weekend getaway, Southampton is the perfect base for your adventures. In my never-ending pursuit to find the best hotel in Southampton for your money, I stayed at Moxy in Southampton city centre for a night to put it to the test.

After first experiencing Moxy during a mini-break, the quirky hotel chain has been a go-to for me. Full of personality without being style-over-substance, Moxy always manages to cover the basics and sprinkle some fun and luxurious touches on top. Each Moxy hotel is decorated to reflect the local area - in Chester the communal spaces features thoughtful touches that gave a nod to the city’s horse racing heritage, so you can imagine the nautical theme running through the chain’s Southampton offering.

How to Beat the Travel Blues as a Foodie

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How to Recreate the Magic of your Holiday Through Your Food

As a foodie, nothing brings on the post-travel blues like coming home from an incredible adventure, knowing that you’re unlikely to be able to find your new favourite dish from your new favourite restaurant that is potentially thousands of miles away once you’re back at home.

Even though I have a lot of allergies, I like to think I’ve mastered travelling with dietary restrictions which means I finally get to participate in foodie culture. It also means that I feel personally victimised by enjoying the most incredible meal on the wrong side of the world. To be totally transparent I’ve never managed to perfectly recreate my favourite meals (you just can’t beat how good things taste when you’re stress-free, thousands of miles away from your problems with a nice view!). Having said that, I’ve managed to get pretty close so I wanted to share some of my best tips on how to cure the post-travel blues as a foodie.

3 Events to Help You Enjoy Winter in Bristol and Bath

Don't Miss these Unique Winter Events in Bristol and Bath

Happy New Year friends!

2025 has arrived in what feels like the blink of an eye. If your New Year's Resolution is to have more of a work life balance, there's so much to look forward to in Bristol and Bath this year. It might feel tempting to hunker down and wait for spring, but some of the best events in and around the two cities happen in the winter. So if you're looking to get outside a bit more this year, consider this your starting point to plan your social calendar!

Review: Mary Poppins at Bristol Hippodrome

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Mary Poppins has landed at Bristol Hippodrome! Last night we were invited to watch the Mary Poppins musical, and what we watched was not at all what I expected....

The musical adaptation is a variation of the beloved film, with new musical numbers, a slightly different plot line, some new characters and places to get to know, but with all of the same charm and feel good factor of the original story - and Mary Poppins is practically perfect as usual.

Cruise Diary: What to Expect on a Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambition, docked in Falmouth UK

This post is in collaboration with Ambassador Cruise Line, but they haven't had any say in what I've written - it's my usual brutally honest opinions!

Hi Friends,

It’s been a while since I’ve done a proper old-school-blogging travel diary, and with everyone watching vlogs again it feels like the perfect time to bring this series back - particularly when I want to share a particularly incredible trip with you! 

Earlier this year I embarked on a 10 night cruise around the fjords for my birthday (and wow, what a memorable birthday it was!) on board Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition. I’ve sailed with Ambassador a few times now and each time is as special as the last. It helps that Ambassador was born out of the ashes of CMV going bankrupt; the “friendly little ship” ethos transferred over to the new company, along with many of the friends we’d made over the years. Stepping on one of Ambassador’s ships feels remarkably like a welcome home, even though it was my first time seeing Ambition. 

With that out of the way, let me show you what taking a Norwegian Fjord cruise looks like, day by day.

3 Cosy Adventures to Take in the UK this Autumn

Hey Owlets,

The leaves have begun to turn, the sun now sets before 8pm and the rain has returned (not that it ever really left - what happened to summer this year?!). With summer being mostly a non-starter, I’m uncharacteristically excited for the darker months this year. I’m already wondering where to hang fairy lights, thinking about purchasing my favourite home fragrance in candle form and dreaming of pumpkin picking and bundling up to go for a wander on a chilly day. On that note, I wanted to share a few places that are my absolute favourite spots to spend a cosy autumn day.

The Most Unique Places to Experience Summer in Bath, UK

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Bath is a city brimming with heritage  - it's a highlight of UK city breaks, and a must see European destination to visit if you're visiting from outside the UK or Europe this summer. From the beautiful sandstone buildings to the Roman remains and everything in between, the city is the ideal place for any history or architecture buff to spend a weekend. Bath has a secret though - it can transform in the blink of an eye to perfectly embody each changing season. Famous for its city-wide Christmas Market Bath can sometimes be forgotten in the summer in favour of the UK’s seaside towns, but the city is full of hidden gems just waiting to be explored when the sun shines. Here are a few places that you need to take another look at during the warmer months to experience the best that Bath has to offer in summer.

The Best Affordable Restaurants in the UK

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Don't Miss these Award-Winning Affordable Restaurants

From one of a kind restaurant concepts to having your dinner prepared by a celebrity chef, the UK is home to some of the most incredible restaurants you’ll find across the world. You can find everything from traditional British foods to haute cuisine on menus created by world-renowned chefs. Having said that, a lot of the best restaurants also come with a big price tag. It’s not all bad though - there are some great hidden gems which offer outstanding quality and unique experiences on a budget. Here are some of the best affordable restaurants in the UK, according to Square Meal UK’s list of top 100 restaurants.

Review: The Drifters Girl at Bristol Hippodrome

Hey Owlets,

This week we were lucky enough to be invited back to the Bristol Hippodrome to watch The Drifters Girl. Featuring all of the biggest hits, you'd be forgiven for assuming that the performance simply tells the tale of The Drifters but you'd be wrong. While The Drifters story is told along the way, the woman propelling them to stardom is the hero of this show.

5 Unmissable Destinations for a UK Road Trip

Hey Owlets, 

Now that the world has returned to (somewhat) normal, a lot of people are choosing to leave the country in search of sunshine and new surroundings. I'm definitely guilty of this, having fallen in love with Sweden earlier in the year, but I don't think that we should be forgetting the incredible wealth of beautiful destinations that we have on our own doorstep. I grew up holidaying in the UK and loved it; even as an adult I'm a huge fan of staycations.

I know a lot of you came to my blog through a post about my first experience of international travel so I want to try and convince you that a road trip is the perfect way to holiday in the UK. In an attempt to convince you I thought I would share some of my favourite places around the UK to help you plan your next cross-country trip. I’ve tried to choose places that are fairly spread out, but I live in the South West so most of my recommendations will be in the South, the Midlands or in Wales because that’s where is easiest to get to from my home. If you're looking for a few places to add to your bucket list, keep reading to discover some of the best staycation destinations in the UK.

Bristol

Okay, you can’t blame me for trying can you? I know I live here so I’m biased, but Bristol is hands down a “you can’t miss it” city. Bristol is an incredibly vibrant city where (in pre-covid times) there’s always something going on. There are amazing independent shops and cafes, restaurants serving more different types of cuisine than you could manage to name off the top of your head and an incredible nightlife. 

If cultural/educational travel is more your thing then Bristol also has you covered. Bristol’s heritage goes back to the 1300s when it was mainly a merchant city - you can still see evidence of that across the city today and there’s a whole host of free or low cost tours that will guide you around the sights and share stories of objects that you would walk past without giving a second glance. 

There’s actually so much heritage that I studied it for a project in university and it’s one of my favourite projects I’ve ever created, so if you fancy an article about Bristol’s history I would be more than happy to let my inner history nerd roam free on the blog for a while. 

Bristol is also known for being an incredibly arts-focused city - there’s a whole host of museums and galleries big and small, daily talks across the city, performances both on the street and in local venues and there are so many freelancers here. If you need a holiday to get the creative juices flowing then Bristol really is the place for you. Head to the nearest trendy cafe and spark up a conversation with anyone who feels too cool to talk to and I guarantee you’ll leave feeling inspired.

South Wales - Cardiff and the Valleys

I realise this one is kind of vague, but there isn’t really a way that you can choose just one part of South Wales to visit - you could quite easily fill an entire road trip itinerary with destinations in South Wales alone. I worked with the tourism board a while ago - I arrived thinking I knew the region really well and left feeling like I’d visited for the first time. There are so many different places to visit and every single area has a totally different feel.

If you’re more of a city dweller then start in Cardiff. It’s a little similar to Bristol in some ways - it’s full of history and culture, but it’s docks were built to export goods like coal, and the history of industry in the area made the city grow in a different way to Bristol. If you love shopping then Cardiff city centre is second to none - you could get lost in St David’s Centre for hours. 

Cardiff is also full of history with a castle in the city centre and lots of remnants of days gone by everywhere you look. Cardiff is also very much known for being the setting of a huge amount of TV shows with programmes like Casualty and Hollyoaks being filmed there, and if you’re a fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood then you cannot miss the city centre or the bay because there will be so many streets that you recognise. Torchwood was a spin-off of Doctor Who and the death of a certain main character prompted fans to flood to one of the most famous filming locations to leave tributes. Torchwood ended exactly 10 years ago but Ianto’s Shrine is still there, and the water tower used in some of the most famous scenes in both Doctor Who and the spin off is still referred to as “Torchwood Tower” by locals. 

If you’re more into quaint villages or getting into the middle of nowhere then South Wales still has something to offer you. I talk in more detail in my Weekend Guide to South Wales article, but places like Llantrisant, Porthcawl, Penarth, Lllangollen and Tenby are beautiful. If you want to go for a walk in the middle of nowhere then head to Bryngarw Country Park, or my personal favourite is Parc Slip for it’s beautiful and seemingly-endless walks, stunning views and the tiny cafe to recover in when you’ve finished your adventures. In my mind South Wales is one of the ultimate road trip destinations.

Plymouth, but Devon in general

If you follow me on Instagram then you’ll know that my trip to Devon was the inspiration for this post. Last year we wanted to go on holiday and one of the only places in the whole of Devon and Cornwall (I kid you not, I’ve never seen an empty booking.com search) that had availability was a Premier Inn in Plymouth. I honestly wasn’t expecting much - I just thought it was another city by the sea - but how wrong I was. Plymouth in itself is a stunning city - it has two sides to it. 

Standing by the lighthouse in Hoe Park, if you look to the right there’s lots of pretty little buildings that you would expect to find in a seaside village, but look behind you or to the left and it’s all modern. Plymouth is a student city so it goes without saying that it’s got a good nightlife, but there are also so many nice restaurants, and you can’t visit without taking a tour of the distillery.  Plymouth has a long history as a naval base so there’s a lot of interesting museums to visit and interesting sights around the city that are easy to spot. There’s also a huge aquarium, a famous zoo and so many coastal walks that are accessible straight from the city centre. 

Plymouth is also a perfect place to set up base for the night because it’s perfectly located for visiting the rest of Devon and Cornwall. Half an hour’s drive East of Plymouth will take you to well known seaside destinations like Torquay and Weymouth. If you drive a little West then you hit Cornwall just as you’re leaving the city. When you think of quaint English villages and little chocolate box houses then you’re probably imagining a village in Devon or Cornwall. 

Whatever kind of adventure you’re looking for you will absolutely find it in Devon. Head to Dartmouth to ride a steam train and see the only railway station that never opened (Brunel got a little too cocky, but we’ll save that story for another day), you can ride a funicular railway in a little Victorian town (Lynmouth), or get lost in the hills on Dartmoor National Park. If you’re looking for another big city to visit then head to Exeter to explore beautiful architecture and make the most of the river with a country walk.

Cornwall

You knew this was coming, didn’t you? I don’t think I can really mention Devon without also mentioning Cornwall. A lot of guides tend to lump them in together as if it’s all one place but they’re two separate counties and I would argue that they offer very different things. In my mind Devon is the slightly more modern place - it’s still relaxed but a little more fast paced and much of the county is inland so it’s more about stunning hill walks and forgotten little villages. Cornwall has a lot of that too, but it boasts a lot more coastline and it makes the most of it.

I honestly challenge you to find a village in Cornwall that doesn’t feel like it’s been taken straight out of a fairytale - inland you’ll find tiny market towns that feel a bit higgledy-piggledy but somehow still make sense. Towards to coast you’ll find quaint villages that welcome surfers and feel like you could stay there forever without time ever moving forward. Even the big cities like Falmouth feel like a sleepy market town on steroids rather than an actual city. If you love getting lost down winding streets but then Cornwall is the place to go. Equally, if you love watersports, going on long hikes or you travel with a bike or surfboard as a prerequisite then you’re still bound to love it.

“Up North”

I appreciate that this is a little more vague, but it’s because I shamefully haven’t seen that much “up North” yet. As a Southerner when I say “up North” I mean places like Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, York etc. The thing that I find mad is how close together all of these major cities are - from where I live London is 120 miles away, Cardiff is about 50 miles and Plymouth is 120 miles away. 

If you look at all of the major cities I mentioned Liverpool is the furthest West, so if we start there Liverpool to Manchester is 35 miles, Manchester to Sheffield is 35 miles, Sheffield to Leeds is 45 miles and Leeds to York is 30 miles exactly. That means that the North of the UK is the perfect place for a road trip - either to start one or to build your entire itinerary around that region. 

There are so many beautiful historic towns and bustling cities that I desperately want to visit and even though I’ve only mentioned the major places, if you’re travelling by car then there are an unending amount of picture-perfect villages where you can stop to explore on the way.

As a Southerner the North has so far been on the list but not ticked off because even the closest of those cities is over 3 hours away by train or car. However, I’m genuinely considering booking a cheap train ticket or flight and then just travelling between the major cities for a few days. Let me know if that’s something you would be interested in and maybe I can make it happen sometime this year.

I hope that these suggestions give you a few really good starting points or at least some inspiration to plan an epic UK road trip, or even just a few mini region-specific road trips. Whatever route you decide to go down (pun most certainly intended), you’ll be sure to have the most amazing time and discover things that you probably never expected to find a few hours drive from home.

Have I missed a really obvious place to visit? Let me know and I might make a part two!

Love and Feathers, 

 The Owlet 💜 

You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest

Review: Pretty Woman the Musical at Bristol Hippodrome

Hey Owlets,

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that I was back at the beautiful Bristol Hippodrome this week.

Pretty Woman, the tale of.... let's be honest, I don't need to tell you! The iconic film is the universal rom-com that everyone's seen, and now it's been given a musical makeover and sent on tour.  I was lucky enough to be given tickets for the opening night, and what I watched surprised me.

I don't usually like to look at reviews before I see a show myself, but I couldn't get my head around how this film could be turned into a musical and hoped they'd shed some light. What I found was a wall of 1 star and 5 star reviews with nothing in between - the true marmite of musicals. I was a little concerned, but I don't take things too seriously and prefer to make my own mind up.

Pho, Bristol UK- A Really Honest Review

This article includes a paid advertisement but does not affect my experience or honest opinion

Bristol is one of the best cities in the UK for foodies. Full to the rafters with eclectic restaurants, cool bars and creative street food outlets, it’s the ideal city to visit if you want to “taste the world”. If you’re lucky enough to call the city home but have food allergies then it’s torture. Being gluten free and allergic to squid, I’ve been poisoned a fair few times. Despite living in such a diverse city, I usually don’t bother going to restaurants because it’s not worth the risk - that goes doubly for Asian restaurants which tend to have a whole host of ingredients that I can’t come into contact with. Having said that, the great reviews of Pho on Corn Street (particularly from those who suffer with allergies) tempted me to give it a go. If you also struggle with complex allergies, then I suggest you keep reading to find out if Pho live up to their reputation.

What Went Wrong: Cruising Edition

Hey Owlets,

In my last instalment of “What Went Wrong While Travelling” I said I had a huge list of cruise related things to chat about, so I thought we’d make part three into a “What Went Wrong While Cruising”. As with the previous two instalments I’m not saying that what I did was necessarily the best option in that situation, and yes I was an idiot at times. If you’re a more experienced traveller than me then you’re probably thinking I’m an idiot for some of the experiences I’ve shared, but we all have to start somewhere and the only way to learn is by trying your best and making mistakes. Having said that, feel free to have a laugh at my expense!