Why Autumn Is the Perfect Time to Book a Glamping Break at Howgill
As the autumn season sweeps across the Yorkshire Dales, the rolling hills around Howgill Lodge glow with vibrant colours – golden bracken, russet beech trees, and the rich reds and oranges. The crisp autumn air carries the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth, the kind that makes you want to wrap yourself in a warm blanket, sip hot cocoa, and settle beside a crackling fire.
We’re getting all poetic, but autumn and the end of October are such a perfect time to experience all the outdoor activities that Yorkshire has to offer, while also getting the chance to cosy up and enjoy the changing seasons.
And, of course, there’s no better place to do this than at Howgill Lodge. We’re a family-run glamping resort in the Wharfedale Valley with best of both worlds: a little extra comfort and luxury inside our cabins, and the great outdoors of Yorkshire right on your doorstep.
A Boutique Glamping Experience with Spectacular Views
When you think about autumn, you’d be hard pressed to imagine it without the changing colours of the leaves. It’s why people flock to Upstate New York and New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
But we like to think we’ve got the best view in the world, and it’s right here in Yorkshire, on the doorstep of our very own timber lodges.
Our custom-built glamping lodges are designed with the landscape in mind. Each has its own private outdoor space where you can light your fire pit, play a quiet card game, or simply watch as the sun sets over the vibrant colours in the valley from the outdoor decks.
We have five cosy timber cabins on site at Howgill Lodge, including unique woodland cabins, the Twitcher Lodge, which is a dog-friendly timber lodge, and The Fisherman, which is designed as a secluded retreat – the layout of this boutique property has been designed to maximise privacy and those stunning landscapes the Dales are famous for.
From the comfort of your cabin, you can watch the ever-changing weather of the autumn season in North Yorkshire. Or jump into the wood-fired hot tub (every lodge has one!), and experience the thrill of the great outdoors in person!
Cosy Comforts and Modern Touches
In October, we’re winding down our camping season but ramping up on the glamping. Even with the tent packed away, we believe you can still experience everything that camping has to offer, just with a little touch more luxury.
When you’re staying in our tiny home-style lodges, you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable break. Each lodge includes cosy beds, a full bathroom with hot showers, and a light-filled open-plan living area perfect for rainy days. There’s also a full kitchen, log burner, and a private deck for outdoor dining complete with a fire pit with BBQ and pizza oven.
We can’t shout about it enough, but our lodges all also include a wood-fired hot tub – ideal for sinking into under clearer skies once the evening draws in. And because this is glamping done properly, everything is ready when you arrive – no sleeping bags, mattress pads, or tent pegs in sight! (Although if that’s your thing, we have camping throughout the summer months and early autumn too!)
For families or groups, the assortment of custom-built homes means you can choose the layout that suits you best. For couples seeking a romantic retreat, the lodges feel perfectly snug, with panoramic windows that frame the Dales like a living painting. Or if you bring along the whole family, including the dogs, we have our Twitcher Cabin that’s dog-friendly!
“Beautiful lodge, quirky decor and very cosy. Huge garden plus seating area with fire pit and a wood fired hot tub, which was great. Equipped with everything you could need and more.Gorgeous location with amazing views. We can highly recommend.”
– 2010Merlin, TripAdvisor
Autumn Adventures in the Yorkshire Dales
The cooler temperatures and fewer crowds of autumn make it one of the best times to explore the Dales. You can set out straight from Howgill on foot or by mountain bike, following a river trail along the Wharfe or climbing to Simon’s Seat for some of the most stunning landscapes in northern England.
There are fun things for the whole family to enjoy nearby, from wildlife watching to pottering in the small towns and villages around like Grassington and Burnsall. This shoulder season is also ideal for wildlife viewing – keep an eye out for red kites circling overhead or deer moving quietly through the trees.
Local tip: Ask our team for some of their favourite circular walks. You might pass hidden waterfalls, historic sites, and perfect picnic spots along the way depending on which route you take!
Fires, Food and Autumn Flavours
Back at the lodge, autumn evenings are all about simple pleasures: lighting the fire pit, cooking outdoors, or gathering around a crackling fire with good company. The private outdoor space of each lodge makes it easy to embrace slow evenings and conversation under the stars.
We can arrange for a BBQ box, DIY pizza kit or breakfast box to be delivered directly to your lodge ready for your arrival, so you can spend the cosy autumn nights in without worrying about where to find food nearby!
Or if you’d prefer to dine out, the nearby village of Appletreewick, just a short drive away, has two traditional country pubs serving hearty local dishes and Yorkshire ales. After a day of exploring, nothing beats warming up by their open fires on a chilly autumn evening.
We’ve also got some amazing local farm shops where you can stock up on everything the autumn season has to offer. Just don’t forget to bring your favourite board games, and make use of your outdoor deck for a relaxed evening with family or friends (if the weather suits!). The team at Howgill always recommends packing extra blankets and warm jumpers – even in early autumn, the evenings can be wonderfully cool and clear.
Stargazing Under Yorkshire Skies
As the days grow shorter, the Dales reveal one of their best-kept secrets: night skies full of stars. Far from any big city, Howgill Lodge’s remote location means virtually no light pollution, so you can experience the Milky Way in perfect clarity.
At this time of year, Bolton Abbey celebrates as part of the Yorkshire Dales Dark Sky Fringe Festival. While numbers for this are limited, you can catch just as good views right from the comfort of our lodges!
Wrap up warm, grab a hot drink, and settle into your private deck or outdoor space for a spot of stargazing. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of shooting stars streaking across the sky – an unforgettable experience and a highlight of the fall season.
What to Pack for Your Autumn Glamping Trip
Because glamping gives you the best of both camping and luxury, packing is easy, but a few thoughtful extras can make your stay even better.
Here are a few things you might need, from our experience!
Autumn Essentials Checklist
- Waterproof walking boots and a spare pair of socks
- A couple of warm blankets for evenings outdoors (no need to pack a sleeping bag in our lodges though!)
- Marshmallows for the fire pit
- A pack of board games or a favourite card game for cosy nights in
- Layers! Yorkshire weather can shift quickly from sunshine to mistt
- A good camera to capture the fall foliage and valley views
The Joy of Fewer Crowds
One of the reasons autumn is such an ideal season to visit Howgill is the peace. With the second season underway and the summer crowds gone, the atmosphere feels calm and rejuvenating. Trails are quieter, local attractions are easier to access, and there’s space to simply enjoy the stillness.
It’s the best time to recharge – to breathe in that fresh, crisp air, take long walks, and reconnect with nature without the rush of high season.
Local Attractions for Rainy Days
If the weather turns, there’s still plenty to do nearby. Skipton, Ilkley and Grassington are all within a short drive, offering independent shops, tea rooms, and local galleries.
Skipton Castle, a beautifully preserved historic site, is open year-round and perfect for an afternoon wander.
For families, the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway runs special autumn services, and there are several local farms hosting seasonal activities like corn mazes, pumpkin picking and apple days!
We also have a few unique experiences on site! The Love Brownies barn is just as good as it sounds – home to brownies with multiple Great Taste Awards, pizzas, milkshakes, breakfasts and more. And did we mention you can also visit our alpacas? They don’t mind the rain!
Take a look at our Things To Do page for more activities and places to visit nearby Howgill Lodge.
The Howgill Lodge Difference
Howgill Lodge isn’t just another glamping destination – it’s a family-run business with real heart. The team are on-site and treat guests like friends returning to their favourite countryside hideaway. From the moment you arrive to a warm welcome at reception, to the scent of woodsmoke drifting through the valley and the rustle of leaves underfoot, everything about Howgill feels inviting and unhurried.
Autumn makes that welcome even more special. As the trees around the valley turn gold and the crisp air carries the promise of a crackling fire, the lodges take on a cosy glow.
It’s this combination of genuine warmth, seasonal beauty, and attention to every small detail that keeps people coming back year after year – a place where the autumn colours, the peaceful setting, and the friendly faces make you feel reet at home in Yorkshire.
“WOW, amazing location and fantastic luxury lodge. Mixture of easy and harder walks from your doorstep and right next door to the Brownie Barn for breakfast, coffee and sweet treat. We will definitely be back again soon.”
– Sue R, TripAdvisor
