As the countryside mellows into the colours of autumn, Cornwall takes on a golden glow and eases itself out of summer to pick up a much more sedate pace. If we’re lucky, and most years we usually are, summer tends to linger on a bit longer this far south and September, and often October, can be great months with plenty of sunshine to brighten up the countryside and beaches, and enjoy the gentle hues.

Garden lovers
With the kids back at school you’ll find there’s a little more room around and with most gardens open until the end of October, there’s still plenty to see. Take a look at Cornwall’s great gardens  on our website to get the full picture of what nature has on offer. Why not head for The Japanese Garden at St Mawgan near Newquay where the maples perform spectacular colour changes and then drop their leaves in a time of letting go to one season and preparing for another.

History buffs
Get a taste of Cornwall’s heritage with a visit to a mediaeval castle or an opulent Victorian mansion. Delve further back in time by standing in the middle of a prehistoric stone circle or explore our industrial heritage in the footsteps of Poldark? As we head into colder wetter days it's also time to dig out the family tree again and go in serch of that elusive third cousin twice removed, why not book a visit to Kresen Kernow, Cornwall's new centre for records and documents?

Adrenaline junkies
Water sports are still very much on the agenda and along the coast you can choose from a whole list of exciting activities including surfing, paddle boarding, kite surfing, sailing and deep sea fishing. Inland, and on the coastal cliffs, you can try your hand at rock climbing or descend underground into the old mines where it dosen't matter what the weather is doing above ground! Check out all of our activities here.

Foodies
There's plenty of fresh produce about, and you have more chance of getting a table at your restaurant of choice in the autumn, Our Food & Drink pages will guide you to some of the best produce Cornwall has to offer, from local pubs to top restaurants, from gin distilleries to cider orchards, which will be in full flow at this time of year.

Romantics
It’s a really romantic time of year too. So get all loved up as you stroll around the narrow streets of a fishing village, popping into a seafood restaurant for an intimate meal or how about an exhilarating walk together across the wild and passionate moor? Beaches are not just for summer days, wrap up from the wind and let it blow all your cares away as you enjoy the space now all the families have gone home. And of course, the great thing about the autumn is the sunsets, and the fact that you don't have to stay up half the night to catch them!

So, start planning that autunmal break now....