We’ve officially passed the September equinox and are now diving headfirst into pumpkin spice lattes and knitwear season. The days are becoming shorter, and the nights longer, signalling the time to get cosy under blankets and hunker down. It’s the perfect opportunity to reset your home, indulge in hearty comfort food, immerse yourself in a book or new series, and explore fun-filled seasonal events in your area. Here are our top picks on what to see and do this autumn:
To cook
UK food blogger, Sarah Rossi, has become a household name with her blog and her love for sharing ideas that bring families together and ease the mental load of meal planning and cooking.
Her new book, What’s for Dinner? In One Pot, provides 10 weekly meal plans and shopping lists for 100 tasty, triple-tested recipes – all cooked in just one pan. We love this idea – no more piles of washing up! Whether you’re reaching for your slow cooker, pan or baking sheet, this book is packed full of crowd-pleasing dishes and delicious comfort food, perfect for the colder months.
Credit: What’s for Dinner? In One Pot by Sarah Rossi (Publisher: HarperCollins)
To see
From pumpkin festivals and Halloween events to fireworks and bonfires, we have a busy few months ahead. And guess what? There’s something truly magical awaiting you at ‘The Making of Harry Potter’!
For two months, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Watford is getting a visit from the Dark Lord himself – Lord Voldemort’s iconic symbol, the Dark Mark. As you wander through the tour, the Mark will guide you through all the Harry Potter film sets, from the enchanting Great Hall with its 100 floating pumpkins to the spine-tingling Forbidden Forest filled with giant spiders. It’s a Halloween extravaganza for the kids during October half term.
And if you’re on the lookout for a fantastic bonfire night celebration, look no further than Lewes – it’s probably the most famous bonfire night event in all of England! With an electric atmosphere, the Lewes Bonfire Celebrations offers plenty of entertainment for the whole family. Check out Visit England to see what’s happening in your local area.
Credit: The Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter
To do
As the weather gets chillier, curling up on the sofa with a good book becomes commonplace. Create the ultimate cosy living room ready for the seasonal shift by incorporating layered textures such as rugs, tactile blankets, sumptuous autumnal cushions, and sink-in sofas.
Set the mood with ambient lighting; from flickers of candlelight to soft-lit lamps. What else? A seasonal fragrance can make all the difference to the feel of a room; think sweet cinnamon and spiced plum to welcome the new season into your home.
Lastly, don’t forget the clocks go back on Sunday 29 October, so remember to adjust all your analogue and digital clocks accordingly, setting them back by one hour.
To watch
The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting, and the tent has been prepped once again – hold onto your gingham tablecloths because the Great British Bake Off is back on our screens for 2023. Nothing screams cosy season more than settling in with a mug of tea, a packet of your favourite biscuits and an episode of what has become a Great British institution.
Feel-good telly in your dressing gown? It’s precisely what we need at this time of year – heart-warming and reassuring. Tune in to see what the contestants are up to every Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
To book
Dare we say it, but Christmas is well on its way and so are all the invitations and events surrounding the festive season. Take a moment to sit down and get your diary in order, as grotto bookings have opened, dinner reservations are filling up, and tickets to hotly anticipated events such as ‘Christmas at Kew’ are selling fast.
Stay ahead of the game and start booking now to avoid disappointment and festive FOMO – it’s one less thing to stress about when the time comes. You can thank us later.
Credit: Christmas at Kew
Most importantly, take time to rest, relax and reset before buckling up and boarding the train to the busiest time of year. And, if you’re looking for ideas on how to create a cosy home, visit us in-store or online now.
